Most Monogynaspida have strap-like,
subrectangular or mound-like genital shields that terminate around the level of
coxae IV and bear one pair of setae (st5). Variations on this theme
are sometimes useful taxonomically. Immature stages and males do not have
a genital shieldgenital shield:
a shield or shields covering the genital opening; in female mongynaspine Mesostigmata this shield is usually called the epigynal (epigynial) shield.
. Larvae and nymphs have an intercoxal shield usually
bearing 3-4 pairs of setae; males usually have an sternitogenital shieldsternogenitalshield:
(also sternitogenital, sternitigenital) in male Mesostigmata, a shield covering the intercoxal region and bearing the genital opening.
with 5
pairs of setae or a holoventral shield.
More or less triangular genital shields that truncate posteriorly are present in only a few groups, and other variations are similarly limited and useful in identification.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
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