Pselaphochernes scorpioides
Under a lens, Pselaphochernes scorpioides resembles a miniature scorpion with claws, but without a scorpion tail. It is a real described pseudoscorpion. KA’AETÉ lists it as a conditional micro-predator—never an animal to add before a stable prey community.
Claws without a scorpion tail
Pseudoscorpions are arachnids that catch small arthropod prey with their pedipalps. They are distinct from true scorpions. A tiny predator can influence a leaf-litter food web locally, even when people rarely see it.
Actual habitats matter
Published records describe P. scorpioides particularly from rich decomposing organic matter such as compost, straw debris and dung. It also occurs less frequently beneath bark, in wood and leaf litter. We should not portray it as exclusively a tropical moss specialist.
A conditional candidate
The authentic image is a species reference, not a KA’AETÉ resident. Suitability for warm humid conditions, availability of lawful captive stock, live prey, disease risk and refuges will have to be evaluated. A planned predator may still be rejected if those conditions cannot be met.
STATUS · Conditional possible micro-predator only after self-sustaining prey populations; not approved for immediate introduction, and not yet present. Construction started on 16 October 2026.
Scientific source: Checklist of Pseudoscorpions, ZooKeys (2021)