This supplemental glossary gathers together mite terms that use abbreviations, also known as "notations," as their name. The majority of such terms in this glossary are for setae, but you will also find here terms and definitions for cupules, glands, lyrifissures, and segments. Note that not all terms concerning setae, glands, cupules, etc. are abbreviations; this separate glossary contains only those terms that are abbreviations, which are not included in the main glossary.
Many of the definitions refer to the same five reference images or illustrations. These five images are presented here for your convenience.
ia: designation for the anteriormost pair of cupules in acariform mites; typically lateral and associated with the border of segments C–D; also the antiaxial lyrifissure on the chelicera of Mesostigmata (see image at right).
iad: designation for the posteriormost pair of cupules in acariform mites; typically ventral and associated with segment AD.
ih: designation for a pair of cupules in acariform mites; typically lateral and associated with segment H.
im: designation for second anteriormost pair of cupules in acariform mites; typically lateral and associated with segment E.
ip: designation for a pair of cupules in acariform mites; typically lateral and associated with segment F.
ips: designation for the penultimate pair of cupules in acariform mites; typically lateral and associated with segment PS.
gdJ, gdS, gdZ: designations for opisthonotal glands associated with particular setal rows based on the works of Krantz and Redmond (1987: Identification of glandular and poroidal idionotal systems in Macrocheles perglaber F & P (Acari: Macrochelidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 3: 243–253) and Johnston and Moraza (1991: The idiosomal adenotaxy and poroidotaxy of Zerconidae (Mesostigmata: Zerconina). pp. 349–356 in Dusabek & Bukva (eds) Modern Acarology Vol. 2).
gdj, gds, gdz: designations for podonotal glands associated with particular setal rows based on the works of Krantz and Redmond (1987: Identification of glandular and poroidal idionotal systems in Macrocheles perglaber F & P (Acari: Macrochelidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 3: 243–253) and Johnston and Moraza (1991: The idiosomal adenotaxy and poroidotaxy of Zerconidae (Mesostigmata: Zerconina). pp. 349–356 in Dusabek & Bukva (eds) Modern Acarology Vol. 2).
id: designation for the dorsal lyrifissure on the chelicera of Mesostigmata. (See image at right.)
idJ, idS idZ: designations for opisthonotal lyrifissures associated with particular setal rows based on the works of Krantz and Redmond (1987: Identification of glandular and poroidal idionotal systems in Macrocheles perglaber F & P (Acari: Macrochelidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 3: 243–253) and Johnston and Moraza (1991: The idiosomal adenotaxy and poroidotaxy of Zerconidae (Mesostigmata: Zerconina). pp. 349–356 in Dusabek & Bukva (eds) Modern Acarology Vol. 2).
idj, ids, idz: designations for podonotal lyrifissures associated with particular setal rows based on the works of Krantz and Redmond (1987: Identification of glandular and poroidal idionotal systems in Macrocheles perglaber F & P (Acari: Macrochelidae). Exp. Appl. Acarol. 3: 243–253) and Johnston and Moraza (1991: The idiosomal adenotaxy and poroidotaxy of Zerconidae (Mesostigmata: Zerconina). pp. 349–356 in Dusabek & Bukva (eds) Modern Acarology Vol. 2).
iv 1-5: designation for the sternal pores (lyrifissures) in the Mesostigmata (see sternal pores). Also sometimes used for ventral setae in some groups, e.g., Uropodina.
stp: sternal lyrifissure (pore) sigla in Mesostigmata; stp1–3 (also iv 1–3)
AD: adanal segment in acariform mites; added on the deutonymph, see anamorphosis. (See Grandjean system.)
AN: anal segment in acariform mites; added on the protonymph, see anamorphosis. (See Grandjean system.)
C: a designation used for the anterior region (apparent segment) of the hysterosoma in Acariformes. (See Grandjean system.)
D: a designation used for the second region (apparent segment) of the hysterosoma in Acariformes. (See Grandjean system.)
E: a designation used for the third region (apparent segment) of the hysterosoma in Acariformes. (See Grandjean system.)
F: a designation used for the fourth region (apparent segment) of the hysterosoma in Acariformes. (See Grandjean system.)
H: a designation used for the fifth region (apparent segment) of the hysterosoma in Acariformes. (NB—H comes after F and before PS, 'G' is not used to avoid confusion with the genital region). (See Grandjean system.)
PA: peranal segment in acariform mites; added on the tritonymph, see anamorphosis. (See Grandjean system.)
PS: pseudanal segment in acariform mites; 'anal' segment in the larva, see anamorphosis. (See Grandjean system.)
Setae are named based on their segment, position on the segment, position relative to the body axis [' = paraxial; " = antiaxial], and relationship to other setae in the whorl, e.g., for the genua and tibiae of oribatid mites with 5 setae per whorl: dorsal (d), anterolateral (al'), anteroventral (v'), posteroventral (v'' )and posterolateral (pl'); 7 setae per whorl: dorsolateral (ls'), anterior ventrilateral (li'), anterior subtibial (st'), posterior subtibial (st"), posterior ventrolateral (li"). and posterior dorsolateral (ls"). The designations for tarsal setae are even more complex and have acquired names as well as designations. The two most distal pairs (at base of ambulacrum) are the dorsal prorals (p) and the ventral unguinals (u); On the dorsal tarsus behind the prorals moving basally are the iterals (it), tectals (tc), and fastigials (ft). On the ventral tarsus behind the unguinals is the subunguinal seta (s), followed by the anterolaterals (a), primiventrals (pv), and primilaterals (pl). Some of these setae may be modified into eupathidia (?). Various other designations occur in the Oribatida and Astigmata. Additionally, a hollow birefringent seta called the famulus [e (epsilon)] may be present, as well as, optically inactive chemosensory solenidia.
a: (anterolaterals) a pair of ventral setae between the subunguinal seta and the primiventrals on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl).
ad 1-3: designations for the setae on the anterior dorsal surface of a leg or palp segment in the Mesostigmata (see Evans leg chaetotactic system). Also, the designations for the setae of the adanal segment in Acariformes (see Grandjean system).
ag: a designation used for aggenital or pregenital setae in the Acariformes, e.g., ag1–3.
al 1-2: designations for the setae on the anterior lateral surface of a leg or palp segment in the Mesostigmata. (See image at right and see Evans leg chaetotactic system.)
av 1-3: designations for the setae on the anterior ventral surface of a leg or palp segment in the Mesostigmata. (See Evans leg chaetotactic system.)
c: a designation used for setae on segment C in the Acariformes, e.g., c1–3. (See Grandjean system.)
d: a designation used for setae on segment D in the Acariformes, e.g., d1–2. (See Grandjean system.)
D1-5; DC1-5: Dorsocentral opisthosomal setae of spider mites in Pritchard and Baker (1955. A revision of the spider mite family Tetranychidae. Mem. Pac. Coast Entomol. Soc. 2: 1–472.). D1 = c1; D2 = d1; D3 = e1; D4 = f1; D5 = h1 in the Grandjean system.
e: a designation used for setae on segment E in the Acariformes, e.g., e1–2. (See Grandjean system.)
ep: the epicoxal of the palpcoxa in acariform mites.
ep1: the epicoxal seta of coxa I in acariform mites.
f: a designation used for setae on segment F in the Acariformes, e.g., f1–2. (See Grandjean system.)
ft: designation for the fastigals, the most basal pair of dorsal tarsal setae on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl).
g: a designation used for genital setae, e.g., g1.
h: a designation used for setae on segment H in the Acariformes, e.g., h1–3 (see Grandjean system); also a designation used for the hypostomal (hypostomatic) setae (h1–3) in Mesostigmata. (See image at right.)
H: the humeral seta of spider mites in the Pritchard & Baker system; H = c3 in the Grandjean system.
i-series: obsolete designation for the j-series in the Lindquist-Evans system (from the German innen or inner).
iterals (it): a pair of dorsal tarsal setae between the prorals and the tectals on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl).
J-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the most median longitudinal row of opisthonotal setae running from the anterior setae J1 to the clunal setae J5 at or near the posterior margin of the opisthonotal shield or region.
j-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the most median longitudinal row of prodorsal setae running from the anterior vertical setae j1 to setae j6 at or near the posterior margin of the pronotal shield or region (from the German innen or inner, Hirschmann's designation for the innermost longitudinal series).
Jx: designation for an extra seta in the J-series (i.e., not assignable to setae J1–5 in the Lindquist-Evans system) on the opisthonotum in the Mesostigmata.
L1-4: lateral dorsal hysterosomal setae of spider mites in the Pritchard and Baker (1955. A revision of the spider mite family Tetranychidae. Mem. Pac. Coast Entomol. Soc. 2: 1–472.). L1 = c2; L2 = d2; L3 = e2; L4 = f2 in the Grandjean system.
MS: metasternal seta (st4)
p: a proral seta (see whorl).
p1, p2, p3: in Mesostigmata (Zerconidae), designations for setae on the peritrematal shield (variously z1, r1, r2, r3 of the Lindquist-Evans system)
P1, P2, P3: prodorsal setae of spider mites in the Pritchard and Baker (1955. A revision of the spider mite family Tetranychidae. Mem. Pac. Coast Entomol. Soc. 2: 1–472.). P1 = v2; P2 = sc1; P3 = sc2 in the Grandjean system.
pa: designation for setae on the peranal segment in acariform mites (see Grandjean system) or for the paranal setae in Mesostigmata.
PAR setae : the paranal air of seta inserted laterad the anal opening in the Mesostigmata; usually designated pa.
pc (also pcx) : designation used for the pair of palpcoxal setae, the most basal setae on the subcapitulum of mesostigmatans and not to be confused with the more anterior hypostomal setae.
pd 1–3: designations for the setae on the posterior dorsal surface of a leg or palp segment in the Mesostigmata. (See Evans leg chaetotactic system.)
pl 1–2: designations for the setae on the posterior lateral surface of a leg or palp segment in the Mesostigmata. (See Evans leg chaetotactic system.)
po seta: the unpaired median seta inserted posterior to the anal opening in the Mesostigmata; usually designated po or POS.
pl: (primilaterals) the most basal pair of ventral (ventrolateral) setae on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl). On the ventral tarsus behind the unguinals is the seta (s), followed by the anterolaterals (a), primiventrals (pv), and primilaterals (pl).
pv: (primiventrals) a pair of ventral setae between the anterolaterals and the primilaterals on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl).
ps: designation used for the setae in the PS region, e.g., ps1–2. (See Grandjean system.)
pv 1–3: designations for the setae on the posterior ventral surface of a leg or palp segment in the Mesostigmata. (See Evans leg chaetotactic system.)
ro (= vi) : the rostral seta, the most anterior seta on the prodorsum of acariform mites, often associated with a naso. (See image at right.)
r-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the longitudinal row of marginal prodorsal setae laterad the s-series and running from the anterior setae r1 (usually absent) to setae r6 at or near the posterior margin of the pronotal shield or region. Setae r3 and r4 are in the humeral angle and one or both often project at right angles to the body; other r-series setae are often in the soft cuticle. (From the German rand, margin)
R-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the longitudinal row of opisthodorsal setae laterad the S-series, mesad the UR-series, and running from the setae R1 to setae R6 (sometimes more) at or near the lateral margin of the opisthonotal region. R-series setae are usually inserted in soft cuticle.
s1: the internal scapular seta (also sci, sc1, si) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
s1: the internal scapular seta (also sci, sc1, si) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
sc1: the internal scapular seta (also sci, s1, si) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
sc2: the external scapular seta (also sce, s2, se) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
sci: the internal scapular seta (also sc1, s1, si) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
se: the external scapular seta (also sce, sc2, s2) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
seta: (pl. setae, from Latin = bristle) cuticular process composed of a hollow shaft (sometimes filled with a refractive material) produced from a membranous socket (the alveolus); the hair-like, spine-like, branched or variously expanded structures on the surfaces of the legs and body. Most setae function as mechanoreceptors, but others (e.g., solenidia) are chemoreceptors or have unknown or ambiguous functions. (See image at right.)
si: the internal scapular seta (also sci, sc1, s1) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
S-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the longitudinal row of opisthodorsal setae laterad the Z-series, mesad the R-series, and running from the setae S1 to setae S5 at or near the postero-lateral margin of the opisthonotal shield or region.
s-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the longitudinal row of prodorsal setae laterad the z-series, mesad the r-series, and running from the anterior setae s1 to setae s6 at or near the posterior margin of the pronotal shield or region. [From the German seite, side]
st: sternal setal sigla in Mesostigmata; st1–5
st4 (= MS) : the metasternal seta in the Mesostigmata.
s: (subunguinal seta) an unpaired seta between the unguinal and anterolateral pairs on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl).
Sx: designation for an extra seta in the S-series (i.e., not assignable to setae S1–5 in the Lindquist-Evans system) on the opisthonotum in the Mesostigmata.
tc: (tectals) a pair of dorsal tarsal setae between the iterals and the fastigals on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl).
u: (unguinals) the distalmost ventral pair of setae at the base of the ambulacrum on the tarsi of acariform mites (see whorl).
UR series: in the Lindquist-Evans system, the posterior submarginal row of setae.
v1: the internal vertical seta (also vi) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata.
v2: the external vertical seta (also ve) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata.
ve: the external vertical seta (also v2, z2) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
vi: the internal vertical seta (also v1) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata; see Vertical-scapular system.
z2: the external vertical seta (also v2, ve) on the prodorsum in the Prostigmata, especially in spider mites; see Vertical-scapular system.
Z-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the longitudinal row of opisthodorsal setae laterad the J-series, mesad the S-series, and running from the setae Z1 to setae Z5 at or near the posterior margin of the opisthonotal shield or region. Setae Z5 are often elongate and project posteriorly well beyond the body margin.
z-series: In the Lindquist-Evans system used in the Mesostigmata, the longitudinal row of prodorsal setae laterad the j-series, mesad the s-series, and running from the anterior paravertical setae z1 to setae z6 at or near the posterior margin of the pronotal shield or region. [From the German zwischen, between {the j and s}]
Zx: designation for an extra seta in the Z-series (i.e., not assignable to setae Z1–5 in the Lindquist-Evans system) on the opisthonotum in the Mesostigmata.
Author: David E. Walter
Content last updated Sept. 2006, unless indicated otherwise
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