Histiostomatidae
| Histiostomatidae | ||||||||||||
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Sarraceniopus gibsoni |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Histiostomatidae | ||||||||||||
| Berlese , 1897 |
The Histiostomatidae are mites from the group of the Astigmatina (formerly: Astigmata) and form a monophyletic group here.
description
The animals are very small and reach a length of about 0.6-0.8 mm. The histiostomatids are characterized by unusually shaped mouthparts. Here the chelicerae are originally more or less stiletto-shaped, in more strongly derived taxa also comb-shaped or brush-shaped. In other mites the digitus mobilis , which can move like scissors towards the digitus fixus, has atrophied to immobile remains. The pedipalps are unusually powerful in relation to the chelicere and are often covered with fringe-like structures (palpary membrane) at their front end. These morphological peculiarities could be an adaptation to the eating of bacteria.
Important apomorphies of the Histiostomatidae concern the entire unusual structure of the mouthparts (= "Gnathosoma"). These include the modified chelicerae, the relatively thickened pedipalps (which are also usually noticeably curved outwards) and the palpar membrane, which is formed by the coxal ends on the distal gnathosoma . In addition, the presence of clearly forward-facing pairs of legs III and IV of the deutonymph is an important apomorphism of this group of mites. Another peculiarity and possible apomorphism in adult animals and occasionally also in nymphs (apart from the deutonymph) are the cuticle thickenings (clearly distinguishable "signs") on the upper side of the anterior propodosoma , which are subdivided into symmetrical fields . These Propodosoma signs are apparently muscle origins.
Way of life
The mites eat bacteria. They are usually phoretic and are often transported from one habitat to the next by insects. The typical habitats (animal manure, compost, animal carcasses) are quickly ephemeral and make this method of distribution necessary. Representatives of the Histiostomatidae can often be found in insect burrows. It is not uncommon for them to be bound to insects who take care of their brood, such as earwigs , grave diggers ( Nicrophorus ), beetles of the Heterocerus genus , bark beetles (Scolytidae), ants and bees . The species of the Histiostomatidae that live in wood, bark or in various watery habitats show special adaptations in the form of modifications of various body characteristics . Species that live in the tubes and jugs of carnivorous plants , namely Sarracenia and Nepenthes , inhabit a particularly unusual habitat . For example, Sarraceniopus gibsoni , as far as is known, only colonizes the calyxes of Sarracenia purpurea .
The mites can usually be cultivated well in the laboratory and require a development time of around 2.5 weeks.
Systematics
The Histiostomatidae are a very species-rich group of astigmatic mites, but so far only relatively few species have been described. About 300 species from 56 genera are known so far. Historically, the family is at the base of the astigmatina, which is now considered a branch of the horn mite .
Web links
- Video: Histiostomatidae-Mites: Mouthparts and Feeding by Stefan F. Wirth
- Video: Mites of the Histiostomatidae by Stefan F. Wirth
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c J. S. Wirth: Phylogeny, biology and character transformations of the Histiostomatidae (Acari, Astigmata). 2004
- ^ RD Hughes & CG Jackson: A review of the Anoetidae (Acari). Virginia Journal of Science, 9, pp. 5-198, 1958
literature
- RD Hughes & CG Jackson: A review of the Anoetidae (Acari). Virginia Journal of Science, 9, pp. 5-198, 1958
- R. Scheucher: Systematics and ecology of the German anoetines. Contributions to the systematics and ecology of Central European Acarina , 1, pp. 233–384, 1957
- Stefan Wirth: Phylogeny, biology and character transformations of the Histiostomatidae (Acari, Astigmata). Doctoral thesis at the Free University of Berlin, 2004. Internet publication: full text (German)