Is it a mite?

t

Common names

microwhip scorpions, schizomids

Probability of encounter

low

Quarantine importance

No known importance. Schizomids are active predators and achieve high population densities in some areas, and so have the potential to be of conservation concern. Many species have limited geographical distributions.

Similarity to mites

Small size and general arachnid features, but the clearly segmented opisthosomaopisthosoma:
(= abdomen) the posterior body division in arachnids; usually not distinct in mites because of the fusion of the opisthosoma with part of the prosoma to form the idiosoma.
and terminal knob or spine distinguishes schizomids from mites.

Morphology

Normal adult length: <5 mm (rarely to 10 mm)
Bodybody:
the idiosoma of mites.
tagmata: prosomaprosoma:
(= cephalothorax) the anterior body region in arachnids; usually not distinct in mites.
, opisthosomaopisthosoma:
(= abdomen) the posterior body division in arachnids; usually not distinct in mites because of the fusion of the opisthosoma with part of the prosoma to form the idiosoma.
, telson
Eyes: absent
Antennae: absent
Mouthparts: 2-segmented fang-like chelicerae; robust, raptorialraptorial:
(Latin raptor = robber) modified for capturing prey; predatory.  The pedipalps (e.g., many Cunaxidae) or legs I may be raptorial in mites.
5-segmented palps with distaldistal:
towards the free end of an appendage.
claws
Legs: 4 pairs; legs I antenniform
Distinguishing features: segmented opisthosomaopisthosoma:
(= abdomen) the posterior body division in arachnids; usually not distinct in mites because of the fusion of the opisthosoma with part of the prosoma to form the idiosoma.
, stabbing chelicerae, 'tail' with knobbed (male) or finger-like process

Diversity

2 families, 38 genera, >218 species

References

• Harvey 1992bHarvey 1992b:
  Harvey MS. 1992b. The Schizomida (Chelicerata) of Australia. Invertebrate Taxonomy 6: 77–129.
• Harvey 2003
• Redell and Cokendolpher 1995Redell and Cokendolpher 1995:
  Redell JR, Cokendolpher JC, eds. 1995. Catalogue, bibliography, and generic revision of the order Schizomida (Arachnida). Texas Memorial Museum, Speleological Monographs 4: 1–170.