Subclass Acari - Mites and Ticks

black cherry gall - Eriophyes cerasicrumena

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Subclass Acari (Mites and Ticks)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Taxonomy follows (1)

Explanation of Names

non-monophyletic group consisting of 2 superorders: Acariformes Zakhvatkin 1952 + Parasitiformes Leach 1815

Numbers

~50,000 described spp. worldwide (many times as many undescribed)

Identification

keys in (2)(3)

Recurred hypostomal teeth absent. Eyes are usually absent.

Remarks

Six-legged condition: Acarine larvae normally have 6 legs rather than 8, unless that feature has been lost secondarily. Some mites may have no legs at all at some life stages. This condition doesn't follow a particular taxonomic pattern, but is based more on species or life-stage ecology. Parasitic or phoretic mites, in particular, may lack some or even all legs. Some adult mites have 6 legs (one pair lost secondarily), e.g., in Metacheyletia spp. the hind legs are reduced or absent. (Jon Oliver's comments)

Many have complex symbiotic associations with the larger organisms on which they live.

Some are serious pests.

Print References

A treatise on the Acarina, or mites

Works Cited

1.	Synopsis of the described Arachnida of the World

2.	A manual of acarology, 3rd Ed. G.W. Krantz and D.E. Walter. 2009. Texas Tech University Press.

3.	Soil Biology Guide Daniel Dindal, ed. 1990. Wiley-Interscience.

Contributed by Jim McClarin on 28 December, 2006 - 5:04pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Robin McLeod, Lynette Elliott, Wisconsin Oecanthinancy, ceiseman, v belov, Arturo Santos
Last updated 29 January, 2025 - 5:34pm

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