| Pseudoscorpionida |
The pseudoscorpions are a small group both in size and number of species in Europe. Only a few are larger than 5mm and the characters used to identify them aren't visible at simple sight. They have segmented abdomen, four pairs of short legs and large palps, with terminal pincers, which make them look like scorpions. They possess one or two pairs of eyes in the sides of the carapace. The body and appendixes are scarcely recovered of tactile silks to detect prey and avoid the predators. The pseudoscorpions are found mainly between moss, fallen leafs and superior soil stratus, or even under rocks or caves.
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They capture their prey with the pincers of the palps, injecting poison before consuming them. Their small chelicerae produce silk that is used to make their nests to pass the winter, moult and raise the breeding. The courtship is similar to those of the scorpions. The male makes a spermatophore putting it over the substrate and guides the female to it waiting for her to self fecundate. The eggs are put in a sack which is secured under her abdomen. The child stay in the sack and are fed by a secretion, similar to milk, proceeding from the mother's ovaries. When abandon the sack, the child grab to one of the sides of their mother's abdomen.
Some species disperse by grabbing the legs of flies and other animals, being taken to considerable distances without causing any damage to the animal.
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