Scorpion-Spider Bug Hybrid: New Pseudoscorpion Species, Parobisium Yosemite, Documented For First Time By James Cokendolpher (VIDEO)

The Parobisium yosemite, commonly known as the Yosemite cave pseudoscorpion, has quite the fearsome appearance. However, coming in at a little under half an inch, the arachnid is not capable of doing much damage to anything larger than an eighth of an inch.

Texas Tech University researcher James C. Cokendolpher recently documented the pseudoscorpion, which was discovered in the granite rockfall caves of Yosemite National Park three to four years ago, according to Texas Tech University. The tiny predator has the pincers of a scorpion, but the body of a spider. It has eight legs, but no post-abdomen stinger. The creature does not move often, nor does it require a lot of nourishment.

Scientists speculate that these pseudoscorpions have likely been around for thousands of years. They have been classified as an order of arachnids unto themselves.

WATCH bizarre pseudoscorpion found in Yosemite caves:

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Comments

[getsit]

05:30 PM on 12/08/2010

Do they mean this is a new species of pseudoscorpion, because pseudoscorpions are NOT new. I learned about them in collect 35 years ago.

Some are so tiny. My son was in a dorm and they found one in a shoe (dark and dank). Someone thought is was a crab-you know the kind I mean-beccause it had "crab" claws. He knew what it was but no one believed him. Asked me to send some proof. He had the last laugh on that one.

[getsit]

05:31 PM on 12/08/2010

That's college not collect. My typing leaves much to be desired.

[azatrox]

11:53 PM on 12/07/2010

Uh, pseudoscorpions are nothing new. They're quite common in some areas of the US. The only thing unique about these is that they're a cave species. Interesting...but the group as a whole is not a new discovery like the article implies

[rikster]

04:53 PM on 12/07/2010

looks like the bugs were fooling around a bit....

[MadameChaillot]

04:51 PM on 12/07/2010

Looks like a sun spider with claws.

[boyd3b]

03:07 PM on 12/07/2010

These type of arachnids are not uncommon. Pseudoscorpions are found throughout the American Southwest and have been known decades at least. The only thing strange about this one is that it lives in granite caves.

[deweydecimal]

07:21 PM on 12/07/2010

I just wiki'd that thanks for the heads up, very interesting :)

[azatrox]

11:54 PM on 12/07/2010

Doh! I just posted almost the same thing. Sorry, shoulda read the other comments first :-)

[deweydecimal]

12:39 PM on 12/07/2010

Such a misleading headline looks like a tailless scorpion, same body plan sans the tail. Probably didn't find it very useful having to maintain expensive hunting apparatus when they got trapped in that cave.

[Ted Bouklos]

03:47 PM on 12/07/2010

it's not a scorpion, it's an arachnid that LOOKS like a scorpion from the front. the body is pure arachnoid nothing scorpion about it.

[deweydecimal]

07:19 PM on 12/07/2010

They are all arachnids. And I'm sorry but I disagree It definitely looks more scorpion than spider, doesn't look anything like the archetypical cephalothorax separated by a narrow pedicel to the opisthosoma.

[Gypsy King]

12:01 PM on 12/07/2010

And now we know the evolutionary rootstock of the American republican party.

[getsit]

05:38 PM on 12/08/2010

No, you're wrong on this one. This guy is harmless-the Republicans aren't.

[MrSimythe]

10:03 AM on 12/07/2010

I find it odd that people still get surprised that such strange creatures exist. I mean since the discovery of the duck billed platypus, you would think that one would believe anything to be possible.

[getsit]

05:41 PM on 12/08/2010

How about the echidna? Or hey, the mole rats-they are way cool and have phenomenol immune systems! People are so surprises. Really all they have to do is go into their back yards and open their eyes and ears. Really see the world around them. What a revelation is waiting for most of them!

[blingladen]

09:38 AM on 12/07/2010

So a spider and a scorpion and some point had some freakish cave sex, and now this...? And they keep telling me the albino babies riding alligators in New York sewers is just a myth...?
I think not!

[Rebecca Reynolds]

09:36 AM on 12/07/2010

This just goes to show you....the natural world is truly Infinite!

[Statusnaturae]

08:19 AM on 12/07/2010

Or crow- scorpion hybrid that would be really scary

[jARED w]

09:56 AM on 12/07/2010

It's too late. The Scorpion's released their first album, "Lonesome Crow" in 1971. It rocked!

[llyd wlsh]

06:59 AM on 12/07/2010

Wonders never cease.

[1differentdrummer]

06:02 AM on 12/07/2010

Thousands of years? How did Noah find these little suckers to put them on his ark?

[Rasalom]

06:14 AM on 12/07/2010

Very carefully.

[jessivehadit]

06:39 AM on 12/07/2010

Don't question magic!

[cragusa]

04:25 AM on 12/07/2010

Call the creationists!!!! we have PROOF of a half fish monkey human scorpion alligator duck hybrid!!!!

I guess this is what creationists think evolution should look like all the time.

[Shukr]

04:50 AM on 12/07/2010

Was waiting for an arrogant atheist. Thar she blows!

[Ted Bouklos]

03:50 PM on 12/07/2010

you don't have to be an atheist to believe creationism is a load of bull

[Elamdri]

01:53 AM on 12/07/2010

Just the other day I found out about Pistol Shrimps, now I find out there are microscopic spider-scorpions...

Damn Nature, you scary!

[LastTexasRose]

02:42 AM on 12/07/2010

The one in the video isn't too scary, I was wondering what was on his finger at first, then I realized what it was : }

[RationalDubSteppa]

03:31 AM on 12/07/2010

ROTFL!!! ... "Damn Nature, you scary!" ... classic ... That line maid my whole day... LOL