Bochicidae
Encyclopedia
Bochicidae is a family of pseudoscorpion
s distributed throughout the Caribbean
, Central America
and Mexico
with one species found as far north as Texas
. Members of the family can be diagnosed mainly by features of the claws, notably the presence of exactly 12 trichobothria
on each claw (members of other similar families possess many more) and a long, as opposed to short, venom
duct. Some species live in caves while some are surface-dwelling.
Muchmore (1998) includes the genera Paravachonium and Vachonium in this family but many authors place these in a separate family, Vachoniidae.
Pseudoscorpion
A pseudoscorpion, , is an arachnid belonging to the order Pseudoscorpionida, also known as Pseudoscorpiones or Chelonethida....
s distributed throughout the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with one species found as far north as Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Members of the family can be diagnosed mainly by features of the claws, notably the presence of exactly 12 trichobothria
Trichobothria
Trichobothria are elongate setae, present in the arachnids, and various orders of insects, that function in the detection of airborne vibrations and currents.-Morphology:...
on each claw (members of other similar families possess many more) and a long, as opposed to short, venom
Venom
Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...
duct. Some species live in caves while some are surface-dwelling.
Muchmore (1998) includes the genera Paravachonium and Vachonium in this family but many authors place these in a separate family, Vachoniidae.