Most species of Phytoseiulus have relatively elongate chelicerae with a row of 7–9 teeth on the fixed digitfixed digit:
the distal extension of the middle article of the chelicera; usually bearing teeth and a distal hook and opposed to the movable digit in chelate-dentate forms, but often regressed; in Mesostigmata the fixed digit may bear the pilus dentilis.
. Phytoseiulus longipes, however, have stubby chelicerae with only 3 teeth on the fixed digitfixed digit:
the distal extension of the middle article of the chelicera; usually bearing teeth and a distal hook and opposed to the movable digit in chelate-dentate forms, but often regressed; in Mesostigmata the fixed digit may bear the pilus dentilis..
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
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