The acariform rutellumrutellum:
(pl. rutella) In Sarcoptiformes, the hypertrophied setae on the hypostome, often toothed; not to be confused with a corniculus (although possibly a homologue). In Astigmata, the rutellum may be referred to as a pseudorutellum, although it is the same structure. Various forms of rutella are recognized, including the atelebasic and pantelebasic.
probably represents a hypertrophied seta of the palpcoxal endite and may be homologous with the corniculuscorniculus:
(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.
in Parasitiformes. When present, it may have various forms, from slender and almost seta-like to massive and chisel-like.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
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