Kingdom Animalia Family Hubbardiidae Phylum Arthropoda Order Schizomida | Class Arachnida Scientific name Draculoides Rank Genus | |
Similar Draculoides bramstokeri, Schizomida, Hubbardiidae, Aegrotocatellus, Arthurdactylus | ||
A live schizomid draculoides sp
Draculoides is a genus of troglobite arachnid endemic to North West Australia. Often mistaken for a spider, D. bramstokeri is a schizomid — a small, soil-dwelling invertebrate that walks on six legs and uses two modified front legs as feelers. It uses large fang-like pedipalps, or pincers, to grasp invertebrate prey and crunch it into pieces before sucking out the juices.
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The genus was first described in 1992 by M.S. Harvey of the Western Australian Museum, based on his earlier description of Schizomus vinei (Draculoides vinei).
A second species was described 1995, Draculoides bramstokeri, based on specimens found at Barrow Island, Western Australia; the specific epithet honours Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. The allusion to this fictional character, a vampire, in the name of the genus is given for the method of consuming its prey.
The following is a list of species: