PSEUDOSCORPIONS

Before you look at the specimens below, it may be a good idea to read up a bit about pseudoscorpions.

Pseudoscorpions were given the vernacular name "book scorpions" towards the end of the Middle Ages, when scholars derived their knowledge of natural history from books rather than from Nature. They could directly observe pseudoscorpions preying on booklice in books. In ignorance of their original habitat, the scholars called these animals "book scorpions". They are small in size, usually 1 to 7 mm and lack the distinctive stinger on the tail. They have their own taxonomic group called Pseudoscorpiones.

Due to their epedaphic habits, pseudoscorpions are perhaps most accurately referred to as "moss scorpions". They live in stone fissures and moss, under tree bark and often in the surface of littler of humus-rich forest floors. Their flat bodies are adapted to this habitat. The lateral position of the four pairs of legs and the far, forward extension of the pedipalps emphasize the dorsoventral flattening of the body. Pseudoscorpions are predaceous animals that hunt surface littler for Collembolas, mites and other small, soil-dwelling animals.

Based on taxonomic work, Pseudoscorpions are divided into three suborders:
1. Chthoniinea
2. Neobisiinea
3. Cheliferinea

To date, at least 25 species of Pseudoscorpions have been described in Baltic amber and 8 in Dominican amber. Last note, as you will see, Pseudoscorpions command a very "dear" price! All of them are small.

$288	1. This is a flat and thin piece of amber. The Pseudoscorpion is a fairly good sized, that is it can be seen without a microscope (albeit small.) If you know your Pseudoscorpions, this should be easy to ID. There are regular and numerous extensions from the body (see image) that are very telling. Scanned Image!
$130 SOLD	2. Hard to see this guy, since he is hidden behind an amber break and is at an angle to the normal view. The amber is larger, being about an inch long and flat on one side. This is your chance to get a Pseudoscorpion at a good price. Scanned Image!
$256 SOLD	3. Small piece of amber and generally circular, this pseudoscorpion is very easy to see. One pincer is cut off on the specimen. The animal is very nice and large. The scan does not show him well, look carefully, you will see a 4 mm pseudoscorpion. Scanned Image!
$145	4. This is an interesting piece. There is an ant and a Pseudoscorpion in this very small piece of 25 million year old amber. It shows well though. There is some surface glazing on this piece (does not show in the pictures.) Scanned Image!
$343 SOLD	5. You almost make a movie of this one - a spider and a Pseudoscorpion. Both of which are very nice. This piece has some surface glazing which does not detract from the contents. The Pseudoscorpion has one of the pincers extended and ready to clasp something. Scanned Image!
$219 SOLD	6. Pyramidal shape (kind of...) piece of amber with very clear insides along with some organic debris and the Pseudoscorpion. There is some surface glazing. The small Pseudoscorpion is easily seen near the middle of the amber. Scanned Image!
$444	7. Nice piece with a large Pseudoscorpion. There is a lot or organic debris in the piece. Easily identifiable are piece of wood that appear to have been chewed. The Pseudoscorpion is easy to see. You'll like this one. Scanned Image!
$173	8. This is a small and flat piece of amber with the Pseudoscorpion on the edge, which makes it difficult to photograph well. The are numerous surface glazing, but the animal is good. Scanned Image!
$162	9. Small piece with the pseudoscorpion off to the side. This has a good price on it, basically because of the size of the amber. Scanned Image!
$387	10. Hard to photograph because of the location of the animal. This is a nice piece with a great centrally located Pseudoscorpion. Both pincers are in front and ready for the attack! Scanned Image!
$331	11. This is a good piece with great clarity throughout. The pseudoscorpion is next to some debris on the side of the piece. While not large, the little guy is just right. This is a nice addition for anyone's collection. Scanned Image!
$515	12. Except for not being centrally located, this is the perfect Pseudoscorpion. The amber is exceptionally clear and the Pseudoscorpion has both pincers out to attach or get the next ride. Very nice. Scanned Image!
$158	13. A very small piece of amber with a nice Pseudoscorpion located centrally among air bubbles and organic debris. Good price and a nice animal. Scanned Image!
$339	14. Here is a fat Pseudoscorpion among a sea of debris. Easily seen this guy looks like he is ready to run out and grab something. This is a nice piece, good sized and good sized Pseudoscorpion. Scanned Image
$275 SOLD	15. Pretty good sized piece of amber with a great Pseudoscorpion in it. The guy is sitting on an internal fracture plane and looks like he is walking along it. There are two legs or antennae of another animal with a small fly on one of them Good price on this piece. Scanned Image
$165 SOLD	16. Very small and round piece of amber with a nice Pseudoscorpion in it. There is a fascination to this piece, small round and really neat. Scanned Image
$475 SOLD	17. 2 for 1! There are actually 2 Pseudoscorpions here. One is very large and one is very small. The amber has some surface glazing. But what are the odds of getting a 2'fer! Scanned Image

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