Prostigs
Prostigmata
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Chelicerata
- Class: Arachnida
- Subclass: Acari
- Superorder: Acariformes
- Order: Trombidiformes
- Suborder: Prostigmata
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Prostigmata: //prɒˈstɪɡmətə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Prostigmata is a suborder of mites in the order Trombidiformes, known for its diversity and complex lifestyles. They include agricultural pests and species of medical importance.
Physical Characteristics
Prostigmata are usually 0.1–2 mm long, with some giant red velvet mites reaching 16 mm. They have a range of different body forms and colors. Most have eight legs (six in larval stage), while Eriophyoidea have four legs on a long, worm-like body.
Identification Tips
Identify Prostigmata by their body size, leg count (eight legs in most, six in larvae), and the presence of spiracles (stigmata) on the prodorsum.
Habitat
Many Prostigmata inhabit soils (agricultural fields, burned prairies, tidal marshlands) and aquatic environments (freshwater habitats). They can also be found in caves, algae, mosses, lichens, shrubs, and trees.
Distribution
Prostigmata are distributed globally, found in various habitats from soil to aquatic environments and marine ecosystems.
Diet
Prostigmata have diverse diets, including predatory, herbivorous, fungivorous, microbivorous, and parasitic species. Smaller predatory species often consume nematodes, while larger species may prey on other arthropods or their eggs.
Life Cycle
Specific life cycle details vary among species, but many undergo a larval stage with six legs before maturing to eight-legged adults.
Reproduction
Reproductive methods vary; many species have complex life cycles with distinct larval stages.
Ecosystem Role
Prostigmata play significant roles as predators, herbivores, and parasites in their ecosystems, contributing to soil health and plant interactions.
Economic Impact
Many prostigmatans are agricultural pests, impacting crop health and economic stability. Some also play roles in the ecosystem that can be beneficial.
Cultural Significance
Some species are of medical relevance, such as harvest mites, which can cause skin issues in humans.
Health Concerns
Certain Prostigmata, like chiggers of the Trombiculidae, are known to cause skin diseases in humans.
Collecting Methods
- Hand collection from soil or vegetation
- Using a fine mesh net for aquatic species
- Suction sampling
Preservation Methods
- Ethanol preservation
- Formalin for morphological studies
- Drying for morphological studies
Evolution
The Prostigmata are part of a diverse evolutionary lineage within the Acariformes and exhibit significant variation that complicates their classification.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Prostigmata are often confused with other mite groups, such as Oribatida and Astigmata, due to their small size and diverse lifestyles.
Tags
- mites
- arachnids
- Prostigmata
- Trombidiformes
- ecosystem
- agricultural pests