The shape of the tectumgnathotectum:
(= epistome, tectum) an often membranous dorsal projection of the anterior margin of the basis capitulum in Mesostigmata; often diagnostic at family-, genus- or species-levels; also often difficult to see without high magnification and good optics.
is extremely useful in
species-level identification in the Monogynaspida and is often useful at the
generic and family levels.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
Lucid key player updated Sept. 2025
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