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Digamasellus Berlese
Superorder Parasitiformes » Order Mesostigmata » Suborder Monogynaspida » Infraorder Gamasina » Hyporder Dermanyssiae » Superfamily Rhodacaroidea » Family Digamasellidae » Genus Digamasellus
on the sternal shieldsternal shield:
absent.
I and genugenu:; genugenu:, 4/1 dorsal/ ventralventral:, z3 absent; j1 and z1 on anterioranterior:
medially and bearing 18 or more pairs of setaeseta:, R3–5, +/- R2 captured by shield; R1 absent.Rhodacarids retain the 6/4 dorsal/ventral setation of tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I, but Digamasellidae have 5/3 (as well as other reductions) and a distinctive tectumgnathotectum:
(= epistome, tectum) an often membranous dorsal projection of the anterior margin of the basis capitulum in Mesostigmata; often diagnostic at family-, genus- or species-levels; also often difficult to see without high magnification and good optics.
with a subdorsal median tine. Ascine (e.g., Asca, Protogamasellus, Gamasellodes) and artoseiine (e.g., Arctoseius) ascids also have 3 ventral setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. on tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I, but only 3 pairs of setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. on their sternal shields, and lack an elongate median tine on their tectatectum:
(pl. tecta) any shelf-like projection of the cuticle. In Mesostigmata the leading dorsal edge of the basis capitulum is referred to as the tectum, gnathotectum, or epistome.
.
Arthrodial process simplesimple:
unadorned; simple setae are needle-like and without hairs or pectins.
.............................. 4
- Arthrodial process produced as a brush.............................. 2
Basitarsusbasitarsus:
a basal subdivision of the tarsus.
IV with 4 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. (pl4 present).............................. Pararhodacarus
- Basitarsusbasitarsus:
a basal subdivision of the tarsus.
IV with 3 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. (pl4 absent).............................. 3
Tectumgnathotectum:
(= epistome, tectum) an often membranous dorsal projection of the anterior margin of the basis capitulum in Mesostigmata; often diagnostic at family-, genus- or species-levels; also often difficult to see without high magnification and good optics. with single median process or dentate.............................. Afrogamasellus
- Tectumgnathotectum:
(= epistome, tectum) an often membranous dorsal projection of the anterior margin of the basis capitulum in Mesostigmata; often diagnostic at family-, genus- or species-levels; also often difficult to see without high magnification and good optics. with median stalk y-shaped, usually with lateral tines.............................. Afrodacarellus
Scleronoduli present.............................. 5
- Scleronoduliscleronoduli:
3-4 light refractile structures, sometimes comma-shaped, in the podonotal region of many Rhodacaroidea and the genus Protogamasellus (Ascidae) in the Mesostigmata. absent.............................. 10
Tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 4 ventral setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; palp apotelepalptarsal apotele:
(= palp apotele, palptarsal claw) the most distal segment of the palp; absent in Acariformes, claw-like in Opilioacarida, and a subdistal, tined structure in the Mesostigmata.
3-tined.............................. 6
- Tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 3 ventral setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; palp apotelepalptarsal apotele:
(= palp apotele, palptarsal claw) the most distal segment of the palp; absent in Acariformes, claw-like in Opilioacarida, and a subdistal, tined structure in the Mesostigmata. 2-tined.............................. 9
3 scleronoduli (median unpaired); j1–2, z1, and s1 on anterior margin of podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. 
.............................. 7
- 4 scleronoduli (median pair +/- fused); j1 (but not j2), z1 and s1 on anterior margin of shield.............................. 8
Pretarsustarsal apotele:
(also pretarsus) the most distal segments of legs and palps bearing the claws and empodium I absent; without presternal plateletspresternal platelets:
small sclerotized plates anterior to the sternal shield and laterad or posteriad the base of the tritosternum in some Mesostigmata.
.............................. Rhodacarus (+Mediorhodacarus)
- Pretarsustarsal apotele:
(also pretarsus) the most distal segments of legs and palps bearing the claws and empodium I present; with 2 pairs of presternal plateletspresternal platelets:
small sclerotized plates anterior to the sternal shield and laterad or posteriad the base of the tritosternum in some Mesostigmata............................... Rhodacaropsis
Podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. entire.............................. Rhodacarellus
- Podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. divided between setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. j3–j4; tectumgnathotectum:
(= epistome, tectum) an often membranous dorsal projection of the anterior margin of the basis capitulum in Mesostigmata; often diagnostic at family-, genus- or species-levels; also often difficult to see without high magnification and good optics. denticulate-trifurcate.............................. Minirhodacarellus
Tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 5 (rarely 4) dorsal setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; 2 pairs of scleronoduliscleronoduli:
3-4 light refractile structures, sometimes comma-shaped, in the podonotal region of many Rhodacaroidea and the genus Protogamasellus (Ascidae) in the Mesostigmata. ; sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae. with 4 pairs of setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; anal opening normal.............................. Dendrolaelaps (Digamasellidae)
- Tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 6 dorsal setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; 3 scleronoduliscleronoduli:
3-4 light refractile structures, sometimes comma-shaped, in the podonotal region of many Rhodacaroidea and the genus Protogamasellus (Ascidae) in the Mesostigmata. ; sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae. with 3 pairs of setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. (st4 in soft cuticle); anal opening enlarged.............................. Protogamasellus mica Group (Ascidae)
Sternal setaseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. st4 on sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae............................... 11
- Sternal seta st4 in soft cuticle.............................. 15
Anal opening large; tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 5 dorsal setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... Digamasellus (Digamasellidae)
- Anal opening normal; tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 6 dorsal setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... 12
Sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae. strongly sclerotized throughout; tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 4 ventral setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... Geogamasus (Ologamasidae)
- Anterior region of sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae. poorly sclerotized, setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. st1 in soft or granulate cuticle; tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. I with 3 ventral setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... 13
Palp apotelepalptarsal apotele:
(= palp apotele, palptarsal claw) the most distal segment of the palp; absent in Acariformes, claw-like in Opilioacarida, and a subdistal, tined structure in the Mesostigmata. 2-tined; coxacoxa:
the basal segment of the leg, articulating with (Parasitiformes) or fused to (Acariformes) the body wall. I without dorsaldorsal:
relating to the upper or back side; opposed to ventral.
spine .............................. 15
- Palpapotele 3-tined: coxacoxa:
the basal segment of the leg, articulating with (Parasitiformes) or fused to (Acariformes) the body wall. I with dorsaldorsal:
relating to the upper or back side; opposed to ventral.
spine.............................. 14
Presternal area granulate.............................. Protogamasellopsis
- Presternal area with paired stacks of 4 presternal plateletspresternal platelets:
small sclerotized plates anterior to the sternal shield and laterad or posteriad the base of the tritosternum in some Mesostigmata............................... Rhodacarella
Posteriorposterior:
the back part of the body or towards that region in comparison, e.g., 'posterior to'.
margin of podonotalpodonotal:
relating to the dorsal podosoma, the region of the idiosoma over the legs.
(at j6) and anterior margin of opisthonotalopisthonotal:
dorsal opisthosoma.
(at J1) shields with transverse lines; genugenu:
(pl. genua) (= patella) the 4th leg segment, between the femur and tibia.
IV with 8 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions., tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. IV with 9 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... Protogamasellus hibernicus Group (Ascidae)
- Podonotalpodonotal:
relating to the dorsal podosoma, the region of the idiosoma over the legs.
and opisthonotalopisthonotal:
dorsal opisthosoma.
shields without transverse lines; genugenu:
(pl. genua) (= patella) the 4th leg segment, between the femur and tibia.
IV with 9 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions., tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. IV with 10 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... Gamasellodes (Ascidae)
Tan, pink to reddish dermanyssine mesostigmatans with subequal podonotalpodonotal:
relating to the dorsal podosoma, the region of the idiosoma over the legs.
(18–23 pairs of setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.) and opisthonotalopisthonotal:
dorsal opisthosoma.
(15–19 pairs of setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.) shields, the latter sometimes with horn-like processes; 2 pairs of scleronoduliscleronoduli:
3-4 light refractile structures, sometimes comma-shaped, in the podonotal region of many Rhodacaroidea and the genus Protogamasellus (Ascidae) in the Mesostigmata. often present. Peritremes short or long. Female with entire sternal shieldsternal shield:
a shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae. bearing 4 pairs of setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. (st1–4) (st4 in soft cuticle in Longoseius) and 3 pairs of lyrifissures (stp1–2), anterior region usually +/- membranous; metasternal shields absent; genital shieldgenital shield:
a shield or shields covering the genital opening; in female mongynaspine Mesostigmata this shield is usually called the epigynal (epigynial) shield.
usually trapezoidal to subrectangular and bearing 1 pair of setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; ventrianal shieldventrianal shield:
in Mesostigmata, a ventral shield bearing the anal opening, circum anal setae, and one or more pairs of ventral setae or pores (lyrifissures) [see anal shield]; maybe rather narrow or very broad and covering most of the gaster.
broad, bearing 2–6 pairs of ventral setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. and 3 circumanal setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions., sometimes fused to opisthonotal shieldopisthonotal shield:
the posterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields.; anal opening sometimes enlarged (Digamasellus). Tarsustarsus:
(pl. tarsi) the subdistal leg segment between the tibia and the pretarsus (apotele).
I with claws; trochantertrochanter:
the leg segment between the coxa and the femur. I with 6 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; tibiatibia:
(pl. tibiae) the leg segment between the genu and the tarsus. and genugenu:
(pl. genua) (= patella) the 4th leg segment, between the femur and tibia.
I each with 5/3 dorsal/ventral setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; genugenu:
(pl. genua) (= patella) the 4th leg segment, between the femur and tibia.
IV with 7 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions., 4/1 dorsal/ventral. Chelicerae chelate-dentatechelate-dentate:
pincer-like chelicerae with teeth.
to serrateserrate:
with closely set teeth that resemble the cutting edge of a saw.
; movable digit without excrescences. Palppalp:
(= pedipalp) the second pair of limbs in arachnids, used in feeding and originating on either side of the chelicerae. In mites, the palps may be vestigial, with only a few segments, or have a maximum of 5 freely articulating segments (rarely the femur is subdivided) and a distal or subdistal apotele. genu with 6 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions., palp apotelepalptarsal apotele:
(= palp apotele, palptarsal claw) the most distal segment of the palp; absent in Acariformes, claw-like in Opilioacarida, and a subdistal, tined structure in the Mesostigmata. 2-tined; corniculicorniculus:
(pl. corniculi) (also, external malae) a usually horn-like process (sometimes toothed, bifurcate, trifurcate, spine-like, spatulate, or membranous) on the subcapitulum of parasitiform mites that usually supports the salivary styli. A toothed corniculus could be confused with a rutellum, a possibly homologous structure in Acariformes and Opilioacarida. Phytoseiid image is spatulate corniculus.
horn-like (forked in some males). Tritosternumtritosternum:
the sternum of the 3rd body segment (between legs I); produced as a biflagellate structure in Mesostigmata, although sometimes the flagellae (laciniae) are partially or completely fused. 
biflagellate with columnar basebase:
the usually columnar basal part of the tritosternum; sometimes expanded and rectangular or otherwise modified; the most basal part of any structure.
. Tectumgnathotectum:
(= epistome, tectum) an often membranous dorsal projection of the anterior margin of the basis capitulum in Mesostigmata; often diagnostic at family-, genus- or species-levels; also often difficult to see without high magnification and good optics. with 2 subequal lateral tines and usually a median prong originating from the underside. Female sperm induction pores on legs III or IV or at their bases. Males with genital opening at basebase:
the usually columnar basal part of the tritosternum; sometimes expanded and rectangular or otherwise modified; the most basal part of any structure. of tritosternumtritosternum:
the sternum of the 3rd body segment (between legs I); produced as a biflagellate structure in Mesostigmata, although sometimes the flagellae (laciniae) are partially or completely fused. in sternogenital shield with st5 on separate or partially detached subtriangularsubtriangular:
more or less triangular.
plates; spermatodactylspermatodactyl:
(also spermadactyl) the 'sperm finger' on the chelicerae of male dermanyssine Mesostigmata used to transfer sperm to the secondary sperm system in the female; spermatodactyls take various forms, from simple finger-like processes to very long, contorted structures. 
usually S-shaped.
Bodybody:
the idiosoma of mites.
extremely narrow and elongate, length 2.5–4 times width; trochantertrochanter:
the leg segment between the coxa and the femur. III with 4 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... Longoseius
- Bodybody:
the idiosoma of mites. subrectangular to oval in shape; trochantertrochanter:
the leg segment between the coxa and the femur. III with 5 setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions............................... 2
Scleronoduliscleronoduli:
3-4 light refractile structures, sometimes comma-shaped, in the podonotal region of many Rhodacaroidea and the genus Protogamasellus (Ascidae) in the Mesostigmata. present under podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. between setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. z5; anal opening normal; setaseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. z3 present on podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. .............................. 3
- Scleronoduliscleronoduli:
3-4 light refractile structures, sometimes comma-shaped, in the podonotal region of many Rhodacaroidea and the genus Protogamasellus (Ascidae) in the Mesostigmata. absent; anal opening large; setaseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. z3 absent from podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. .............................. Digamasellus
Movable digit of female usually with 4 or more teeth; subcapitulumsubcapitulum:
(also infracapitulum) the venter of the capitulum; the ventral faces of the fused palpcoxae; apparently formed independently in the two superorders of mites.
with 5 rows of denticlesdenticles:
small tooth-like processes, e.g., on the subcapitula of ticks and many mesostigmatans.
.............................. 4
- Movable digit of female with 3 teeth; subcapitulumsubcapitulum:
(also infracapitulum) the venter of the capitulum; the ventral faces of the fused palpcoxae; apparently formed independently in the two superorders of mites. with 6 rows of denticlesdenticles:
small tooth-like processes, e.g., on the subcapitula of ticks and many mesostigmatans.
.............................. Dendroseius
Opisthonotal shieldopisthonotal shield:
the posterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. truncate or bilobed posteriorly and often with several pairs of spatulate setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions.; setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. j2 inserted well behind setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. j1–z1 on podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. .............................. Dendrolaelaspis
- Opisthonotal shieldopisthonotal shield:
the posterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. convex posteriorly and usually notched anteriorly; setaeseta:
(pl. setae, from L. = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. j2 more or less aligned with j1–z1 on podonotal shieldpodonotal shield:
the anterior shield in mesostigmatans with divided dorsal shields. .............................. Dendrolaelaps
Species of Digamasellus feed on fungi and are usually found in association with woody debris and fungal sporocarps.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
Lucid key player updated Sept. 2025
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