The tritosternal laciniae are free primitively,
but become fused and/or subdivided in several groups. In some parasites and in the males of some
Parasitidae the 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. 
may be reduced to a narrow, thread-like condition
or the laciniae may be lost and only a nub-like basebase:
the usually columnar basal part of the tritosternum; sometimes expanded and rectangular or otherwise modified; the most basal part of any structure.
remains.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
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