Teneriffiidae

Thor, 1911

Genus Guides

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Teneriffiidae is a of prostigmatic mites in the order Trombidiformes, first described by Thor in 1911. These are moderate-sized, fast- predatory mites with a consisting of , prelarva, larva, , deutonymph, tritonymph, and stages. Taxonomic revision has reduced the number of valid to two: Teneriffia (palpgenu oncophysis absent) and Parateneriffia (palpgenu oncophysis present), with seven other genera synonymized. The family occupies diverse terrestrial including trees, rocks, caves, and mountains, with some adapted to subterranean environments.

Teneriffiidae by (c) Stephen Thorpe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Stephen Thorpe. Used under a CC-BY license.Teneriffiidae by (c) Stephen Thorpe, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Stephen Thorpe. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Teneriffiidae: //ˌtɛnɛˈrɪfi.aɪdiː//

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Identification

-level identification relies on prostigmatic mite characteristics within the superfamily Anystoidea. Generic separation within Teneriffiidae is based on the presence or absence of the palpgenu oncophysis: Teneriffia lacks this structure, while Parateneriffia possesses it.

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Habitat

Terrestrial environments including trees, rocks, caves, and mountainous areas. Some occur in subterranean such as caves. Occasional records from marine habitats have been reported.

Distribution

Widely distributed with documented occurrences including Brazil (cave-dwelling ) and other regions. Specific geographic range details are limited by sparse sampling and taxonomic revision history.

Diet

Predatory, feeding on small arthropods.

Life Cycle

After hatching from , individuals undergo four stages—larva, , deutonymph, and tritonymph—before molting into . A single observation of an immobile prelarva enclosed within the eggshell has been reported.

Behavior

Fast- locomotion has been documented as a characteristic activity pattern.

Similar Taxa

  • AnystidaeAlso within superfamily Anystoidea; Teneriffiidae distinguished by specific palpgenu oncophysis characteristics and taxonomic revisions separating the .

More Details

Taxonomic Revision

Recent taxonomic work has synonymized seven previously recognized , reducing valid genera to Teneriffia and Parateneriffia based on palpgenu oncophysis . Four have also been synonymized.

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