Soil and canopy Pseudoscorpiones (Arthropoda, Arachnida) in a monodominant forest of Attalea phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae) in the Brazilian Pantanal.

We studied the occurrence of Pseudoscorpiones in the soil, leaf litter, and in canopies of a monodominant forest ofAttalea phalerataat different seasons in the northern region of the Brazilian Pantanal. A total of 1197 pseudoscorpions from nine families and 16 species were sampled. Olpiidae, Chernetidae, and Geogarypidae predominated in soil and leaf litter. Chernetidae was the most abundant family in canopies. Soil and canopy corresponded to distinct habitats in relation to pseudoscorpion abundance and richness, with the canopies being the most diversified environment. These habitats are occupied in different ways by pseudoscorpion populations.Geogarypussp. occurs in the edaphic environment during receding water and dry season, but can be found in canopies ofA. phalerataexclusively during high water. This alternation in the use of the edaphic environments and canopies in the same area by pseudoscorpion species probably happens due to the strong seasonality of the Brazilian Pantanal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]