Researchers from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science have discovered a new species of cave-dwelling pseudoscorpion near the Flatirons. David Steinmann, a research associate in the Zoology Department, made the discovery alongside his wife, Debbie, and son, Nathan. The new species, Larca boulderica, named after Boulder, is the sixth cave-adapted species of the Larca genus found in North America.
In 2008, the Steinmann family was exploring a small cave west of Boulder when David found an unusual pseudoscorpion clinging to a stone. He sent the specimen to Mark Harvey, a pseudoscorpion expert at the Western Australian Museum, who confirmed it as a new species. Harvey and Steinmann described and named Larca boulderica in a scientific paper published this spring. The specimen will be added to the arachnology collection at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
“David Steinmann’s discovery of a new species of pseudoscorpion from Colorado’s cave systems demonstrates how much we still have to discover about this planet’s biodiversity,” said Paula Cushing, senior curator of invertebrate zoology at the museum.
Larca boulderica, about the size of a sesame seed with crab-like pincers, thrives in dry and dusty habitats. Boulder is the only known location for this species.
How could David have seen a critter the size of a sesame seed, and what cave?
How do I get a note and image to the author of this? I live in unincorporated Boulder County and we have found these embedded in trees that we cut on our property. I found one a few years ago, snapped a pic and kept cutting the trees. Anyway, I have an image of the insect, and would be happy to send it to the author as another data point for their research – i.e. they don’t just live in caves, they also live in trees.
Yes this is already well known – the language in the article discusses this being a new cave dwelling pseudoscorpion, but it doesn’t imply that all pseudo scorpions are from caves. The majority are not cave dwelling. A google search will help you identify what you’ve found, and if you think it’s new you can send it to the same place he did. I haven’t seen one inside a tree, that’s very cool.
I’ve seen this under freshly peeled pine bark pretty sure. near Jamestown.
Why did it take 16 years to publish this finding?