In Stratiolaelaps, the 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.
has two subequal tines. In the most commonly encountered species of Stratiolaelaps, S. scimitus (often marketed under the misnomers S. miles or Hypoaspis miles), however, a small basal spurspur:
a projection, usually tooth- or spine-like, from the body or limbs.
(presumably a remnant of the third tine) is also present. Usually, you will need oil immersion to be sure of this character.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
Lucid key player updated Sept. 2025
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