Abstract
DNA from pseudoscorpions for molecular analysis is typically purified using commercial DNA extraction kits. Limitations of these kits include relatively high cost, long examination times, and low DNA yields because of the small body size of pseudoscorpions. Here, we propose a new DNA extraction protocol using isolated single pseudoscorpion appendage. This protocol has several advantages over commercial kits: DNA extraction can be performed rapidly and at a low cost, and the specimens can be used for molecular analysis and then further processed for slide preparation and morphological analysis. In this study, we isolated total genomic DNA from individual pedipalps of two species of small-sized pseudoscorpions belonging to two different suborders, Mundochthonius japonicus (Epiocheirata) and Microbisium pygmaeum (Iocheirata). The results indicate that this new protocol could be used to determine the partial sequence of the mitochondrial DNA COI region.
