Mesostigmata
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Taxonomy
updated 2025
Diagnostic characters
- Uropodid mites with a large, flower-like or mushroom-shaped membranous excrescence on the tip of the fixed digit
- Sclerotized node present
- Pilus dentilis absent
- Pedofossae (fovae pedales) and metapodal lines present
- Peritreme sinuate
- Dorsal shield entire
Similar taxa
Many uropodoids are similar in general appearance, but the flower-like process on the chelicera is unique to Uroactinea. The confamilial genus Chiropturopoda has a similar process that is not fringed and looks more like a mushroom.
Ecology and distribution
Uroactinia agitans (Banks) may reach high numbers in commercial worm beds or other accumulations of organic matter.
References
- Ainscough 1981Ainscough 1981:
Ainscough BD. 1981. Uropodine studies. I. Suprageneric classification in the cohort Uropodina Kramer, 1882 (Acari: Mesostigmata). International Journal of Acarology 7: 47–56.
- Karg 1989aKarg 1989a:
Karg W. 1989a. Acari (Acarina), Milben Unterordnung Parasitiformes (Anactinotrichaeta) Uropodina Kramer, Schildkrötenmilben. Die Tierwelt Deutschlands 67: 1–203.
- Krantz and Ainscough 1990Krantz and Ainscough 1990:
Krantz GW, Ainscough B. 1990. Mesostigmata. pp. 583–665. In: Dindal DL, ed. Soil biology guide. John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane.
- Wisniewski and Hirschmann 1993Wisniewski and Hirschmann 1993:
Wisniewski J, Hirschmann W. 1993. Gangsystematik der Parasitiformes. Teil 548. Katalog der Ganggattungen, Untergattungen, Gruppen und Arten die Uropodiden der Erde. Acarologie, Schriftenreihe für Vergleichende Milbenkunde 40: 1–220.
