Eupodina

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Subclass: Acari
Superorder: Acariformes
Order: Trombidiformes
Suborder: Prostigmata
Infraorder: Eupodina

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eupodina: /juːˈpɒdɪnə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Blue oat mite Czechia by Petr Neuberg. Used under a CC0 license.

CSIRO ScienceImage 20 Penthaleus major The Blue Oat Mite by division, CSIRO. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

CSIRO ScienceImage 19 Penthaleus major Blue Oat Mite by division, CSIRO. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Ácaro Penthaleus major en vista dorsal by Brandon Antonio Segura Torres & Priscilla Vieto Bonilla. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Neomolgus littoralis by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Neomolgus littoralis 1005141 by icosahedron. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Summary

Prostigmata is an infraorder within the suborder Trombidiformes, comprising a diverse array of mite species that play various roles in ecosystems, some of which can be agricultural pests or medically relevant parasitizers.

Physical Characteristics

Prostigmata are usually 0.1–2 mm long with some species, like giant red velvet mites, reaching up to 16 mm. They exhibit a range of body forms and colors, and typically have eight legs as adults (six legs in larvae). Eriophyoidea members have four legs on a long, worm-like body.

Identification Tips

Identification can be based on body form, leg number (six in larvae, eight in adults), and the presence of spiracles (stigmata) on the prodorsum, typically between the chelicerae or on the lateral margins.

Habitat

Prostigmata are found in various habitats, including soils of agricultural fields, burned prairies, tidal marshlands, and Antarctic soils. Some are aquatic, living in freshwater habitats, while others inhabit marine environments, caves, algae, mosses, lichens, shrubs, and trees.

Diet

Dietary habits are diverse; Prostigmata can be predators, herbivores, fungivores, microbivores, or parasites. Predatory species may consume nematodes and other arthropods, while some feed on fungi.

Ecosystem Role

Prostigmata play significant roles in ecosystems as predators, herbivores, and as part of the detrital food web. Some species contribute to decomposition processes.

Economic Impact

Certain species are known pests on plants, impacting agriculture significantly. Examples include gall mites and spider mites that adversely affect crop yields.

Health Concerns

Some Prostigmata, such as harvest mites (chiggers), are of medical relevance due to their role in causing skin diseases in humans.

Evolution

The Prostigmata are considered distinct lineages within the acariform clade Trombidiformes, which has been analyzed for its complex phylogenetic relationships. They are included in modern treatments that challenge previous classifications.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

There are misconceptions about Prostigmata being purely parasitic; in reality, they exhibit diverse lifestyles including predation and herbivory.