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Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Illustrated Key to Pseudoscorpions: Superfamily Cheliferoidea

Superfamily Cheliferoidea

No member of this superfamily has thus far been recorded from the GSMNP. Genera recorded from nearby locations outside of the Park, but which possibly occur in the GSMNP are listed in orange type. Genera known from elsewhere in Tenneessee and North Carolina are listed in black.

Venedens and venom duct well developed in both palpal chela fingers; no accessory teeth on either finger
Family Cheliferidae, go to Couplet 2

Venedens and venom duct well developed in movable chela finger, poorly developed or absent in fixed finger; both chelal fingers with accessory teeth
Family Chernetidae, go to Couplet 5

Coxal sacs of male with well-defined atria
go to Couplet 3

Coxal sacs of male without atria
go to Couplet 4

Hand of chelicera with 4 setae
Pugnochelifer

Hand of chelicera with 5 setae
Dactylochelifer

Hand of chelicera with 4 setae
Chelifer

Hand of chelicera with 5 setae
Parachelifer

Flagellum on chelicera composed of 3 setae
go to Couplet 6

Flagellum of 4 setae
go to Couplet 8

Leg IV tibia with 2 prominent tactile setae on outer surface
Lustrochernes

Leg IV tibia without conspicuous setae
go to Couplet 7

All trichobothria on fixed chelal finger except "et" confined to proximal half of finger
Parachernes

Trichobothria of fixed finger not so confined
Pselaphochernes

Leg IV tibia without conspicuous tactile setae
Hesperochernes

Leg IV tibia with 1 tactile setae
go to Couplet 9

Tactile seta on leg IV tarsus distinctly distal to the middle of the segment
go to Couplet 10

Tactile seta on leg IV tarsus located in the middle of the segment
Epactiochernes

Hand of chelicerae with seta "b" acuminate and "sb" terminally denticulate; male palpal hand with large tubercle
Mirochernes

Hand of chelicera with both "b" and "sb" simple and acuminate; male palpal hand without large tubercle
Acuminochernes