Haplochernes sp. (Chernetidae) collected from feral raccoon, Procyon lotor in Tokyo

Abstract

raccoons feral raccoons Hap lochernes sp. other feral raccoons. Therefore, the use of feral raccoons as hosts by Haplochernes sp. for phoresy may not be obligated. However, this case demonstrates that arboreal pseudoscorpions are able to ride feral raccoons. By collecting more information on rac-coon-phoresing pseudoscorpions, the relationship of phoresy Abstract ― A pseudoscorpion was found in the un derfur of a feral raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) captured in western Tokyo in December 2019. Based on the morphological features, we identified the specimen as Haplochernes sp. This arboreal pseudoscorpion rides other arthropods and small mammals for dispersion, but little is known that the species rides medium-sized mammals such as raccoons. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of Haplochernes sp. riding a feral raccoon. Given that raccoons are an invasive species in Japan, further records of pseudoscorpions riding feral raccoons may elucidate the relationship between feral raccoons and pseudoscorpions.