#astigmata — Public Fediverse posts

#mites of the #Astigmata (#Acariformes) are soft-skinned. Their thin #cuticle is sensitive to #drought, which is why they avoid leaving their mostly #moist #fungus- and bacteria-rich #habitats. For the purpose of #dispersal, a modified instar, the #deutonymph, with stronger cuticle and other specific #adaptations #evolved, performing #phoresy, the transport most often via larger arthropods.
© #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin

#Photo:
#Adult female of #Histiostoma sp. © Stefan F. Wirth

#mites of the #Astigmata (#Acariformes) are soft-skinned. Their thin #cuticle is sensitive to #drought, which is why they avoid leaving their mostly #moist #fungus- and bacteria-rich #habitats. For the purpose of #dispersal, a modified instar, the #deutonymph, with stronger cuticle and other specific #adaptations #evolved, performing #phoresy, the transport most often via larger arthropods.
© #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin

#Photo:
#Adult female of #Histiostoma sp. © Stefan F. Wirth

#mites of the #Astigmata (#Acariformes) are soft-skinned. Their thin #cuticle is sensitive to #drought, which is why they avoid leaving their mostly #moist #fungus- and bacteria-rich #habitats. For the purpose of #dispersal, a modified instar, the #deutonymph, with stronger cuticle and other specific #adaptations #evolved, performing #phoresy, the transport most often via larger arthropods.
© #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin

#Photo:
#Adult female of #Histiostoma sp. © Stefan F. Wirth

#mites of the #Astigmata (#Acariformes) are soft-skinned. Their thin #cuticle is sensitive to #drought, which is why they avoid leaving their mostly #moist #fungus- and bacteria-rich #habitats. For the purpose of #dispersal, a modified instar, the #deutonymph, with stronger cuticle and other specific #adaptations #evolved, performing #phoresy, the transport most often via larger arthropods.
© #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin

#Photo:
#Adult female of #Histiostoma sp. © Stefan F. Wirth

#mites of the #Astigmata (#Acariformes) are soft-skinned. Their thin #cuticle is sensitive to #drought, which is why they avoid leaving their mostly #moist #fungus- and bacteria-rich #habitats. For the purpose of #dispersal, a modified instar, the #deutonymph, with stronger cuticle and other specific #adaptations #evolved, performing #phoresy, the transport most often via larger arthropods.
© #StefanFWirth, July 2026, Berlin

#Photo:
#Adult female of #Histiostoma sp. © Stefan F. Wirth

#Mites of the #Astigmata (#Sarcoptiformes, #Acariformes), such as #Histiostomatidae shown here, practice #direct #spermtransfer via #copulatoryorgans in #males and #females. An #evolutionary #innovation derived from #spermatophoretransfer without copulation in #Oribatidmites. Advantage: a huge egg can develop and new sperm can be stored simultaneously.
©#StefanFWirth, July 2026

Please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#SEM #photos
©S.F.Wirth: #Histiostoma #palustre, H. sp, #aedeagus

#Mites of the #Astigmata (#Sarcoptiformes, #Acariformes), such as #Histiostomatidae shown here, practice #direct #spermtransfer via #copulatoryorgans in #males and #females. An #evolutionary #innovation derived from #spermatophoretransfer without copulation in #Oribatidmites. Advantage: a huge egg can develop and new sperm can be stored simultaneously.
©#StefanFWirth, July 2026

Please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#SEM #photos
©S.F.Wirth: #Histiostoma #palustre, H. sp, #aedeagus

#Mites of the #Astigmata (#Sarcoptiformes, #Acariformes), such as #Histiostomatidae shown here, practice #direct #spermtransfer via #copulatoryorgans in #males and #females. An #evolutionary #innovation derived from #spermatophoretransfer without copulation in #Oribatidmites. Advantage: a huge egg can develop and new sperm can be stored simultaneously.
©#StefanFWirth, July 2026

Please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#SEM #photos
©S.F.Wirth: #Histiostoma #palustre, H. sp, #aedeagus

#Mites of the #Astigmata (#Sarcoptiformes, #Acariformes), such as #Histiostomatidae shown here, practice #direct #spermtransfer via #copulatoryorgans in #males and #females. An #evolutionary #innovation derived from #spermatophoretransfer without copulation in #Oribatidmites. Advantage: a huge egg can develop and new sperm can be stored simultaneously.
©#StefanFWirth, July 2026

Please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#SEM #photos
©S.F.Wirth: #Histiostoma #palustre, H. sp, #aedeagus

#Mites of the #Astigmata (#Sarcoptiformes, #Acariformes), such as #Histiostomatidae shown here, practice #direct #spermtransfer via #copulatoryorgans in #males and #females. An #evolutionary #innovation derived from #spermatophoretransfer without copulation in #Oribatidmites. Advantage: a huge egg can develop and new sperm can be stored simultaneously.
©#StefanFWirth, July 2026

Please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#SEM #photos
©S.F.Wirth: #Histiostoma #palustre, H. sp, #aedeagus

In #Astigmata #mites #ovipore and #copulatory organ are spatially separated, an #evolutionary innovation that allows #spermtransfer, its #storage in the receptaculum seminis, and #egglaying to occur simultaneously. W. Witalinski (2014) described the #oogenetic and #inseminatory (secondary) #system.©#StefanFWirth

please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

reference
W.Witalinski (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.04.003

#SEM#photos
©S.F.Wirth, #Histiostoma #maritimum,H. #palustre, H. cf. #pulchrum

In #Astigmata #mites #ovipore and #copulatory organ are spatially separated, an #evolutionary innovation that allows #spermtransfer, its #storage in the receptaculum seminis, and #egglaying to occur simultaneously. W. Witalinski (2014) described the #oogenetic and #inseminatory (secondary) #system.©#StefanFWirth

please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

reference
W.Witalinski (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.04.003

#SEM#photos
©S.F.Wirth, #Histiostoma #maritimum,H. #palustre, H. cf. #pulchrum

In #Astigmata #mites #ovipore and #copulatory organ are spatially separated, an #evolutionary innovation that allows #spermtransfer, its #storage in the receptaculum seminis, and #egglaying to occur simultaneously. W. Witalinski (2014) described the #oogenetic and #inseminatory (secondary) #system.©#StefanFWirth

please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

reference
W.Witalinski (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.04.003

#SEM#photos
©S.F.Wirth, #Histiostoma #maritimum,H. #palustre, H. cf. #pulchrum

In #Astigmata #mites #ovipore and #copulatory organ are spatially separated, an #evolutionary innovation that allows #spermtransfer, its #storage in the receptaculum seminis, and #egglaying to occur simultaneously. W. Witalinski (2014) described the #oogenetic and #inseminatory (secondary) #system.©#StefanFWirth

please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

reference
W.Witalinski (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.04.003

#SEM#photos
©S.F.Wirth, #Histiostoma #maritimum,H. #palustre, H. cf. #pulchrum

In #Astigmata #mites #ovipore and #copulatory organ are spatially separated, an #evolutionary innovation that allows #spermtransfer, its #storage in the receptaculum seminis, and #egglaying to occur simultaneously. W. Witalinski (2014) described the #oogenetic and #inseminatory (secondary) #system.©#StefanFWirth

please support my research
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

reference
W.Witalinski (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2014.04.003

#SEM#photos
©S.F.Wirth, #Histiostoma #maritimum,H. #palustre, H. cf. #pulchrum

RE: https://mastodon.scot/@kim_harding/115984446339509467

#Sarcoptes #scabiei var. hominis (#Astigmata, Acariformes) is a skin-#parasitic #mite that feeds on human #epidermal cells. Infection typically occurs via adult, mated #females.The mite has #subspecies found on both #domestic and #wild #animals. The #evolutionary direction was via #humanancestors to humans and from there #spreading first to domestic animals and then to wild animals (see ref).
© #StefanFWirth 2026

Reference
R. W. Currier er al. (2012): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06364.x

RE: https://mastodon.scot/@kim_harding/115984446339509467

#Sarcoptes #scabiei var. hominis (#Astigmata, Acariformes) is a skin-#parasitic #mite that feeds on human #epidermal cells. Infection typically occurs via adult, mated #females.The mite has #subspecies found on both #domestic and #wild #animals. The #evolutionary direction was via #humanancestors to humans and from there #spreading first to domestic animals and then to wild animals (see ref).
© #StefanFWirth 2026

Reference
R. W. Currier er al. (2012): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06364.x

RE: https://mastodon.scot/@kim_harding/115984446339509467

#Sarcoptes #scabiei var. hominis (#Astigmata, Acariformes) is a skin-#parasitic #mite that feeds on human #epidermal cells. Infection typically occurs via adult, mated #females.The mite has #subspecies found on both #domestic and #wild #animals. The #evolutionary direction was via #humanancestors to humans and from there #spreading first to domestic animals and then to wild animals (see ref).
© #StefanFWirth 2026

Reference
R. W. Currier er al. (2012): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06364.x

RE: https://mastodon.scot/@kim_harding/115984446339509467

#Sarcoptes #scabiei var. hominis (#Astigmata, Acariformes) is a skin-#parasitic #mite that feeds on human #epidermal cells. Infection typically occurs via adult, mated #females.The mite has #subspecies found on both #domestic and #wild #animals. The #evolutionary direction was via #humanancestors to humans and from there #spreading first to domestic animals and then to wild animals (see ref).
© #StefanFWirth 2026

Reference
R. W. Currier er al. (2012): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06364.x

RE: https://mastodon.scot/@kim_harding/115984446339509467

#Sarcoptes #scabiei var. hominis (#Astigmata, Acariformes) is a skin-#parasitic #mite that feeds on human #epidermal cells. Infection typically occurs via adult, mated #females.The mite has #subspecies found on both #domestic and #wild #animals. The #evolutionary direction was via #humanancestors to humans and from there #spreading first to domestic animals and then to wild animals (see ref).
© #StefanFWirth 2026

Reference
R. W. Currier er al. (2012): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06364.x

A striking #character of adult #mites in #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) is a highly #sclerotized area on the upper surface of #proterosoma. Its #latticelike #structure forms a #taxonomically relevant #symmetrical #pattern of windows, for which I introduced a #nomenclature in my PhD thesis. This area is a site of #muscleorigins (see #SEM section through a bigger specimen of #Acaridae).
©#StefanFWirth 2026

Please support my work with a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#pics
©S.F. Wirth edit 2026

A striking #character of adult #mites in #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) is a highly #sclerotized area on the upper surface of #proterosoma. Its #latticelike #structure forms a #taxonomically relevant #symmetrical #pattern of windows, for which I introduced a #nomenclature in my PhD thesis. This area is a site of #muscleorigins (see #SEM section through a bigger specimen of #Acaridae).
©#StefanFWirth 2026

Please support my work with a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#pics
©S.F. Wirth edit 2026

A striking #character of adult #mites in #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) is a highly #sclerotized area on the upper surface of #proterosoma. Its #latticelike #structure forms a #taxonomically relevant #symmetrical #pattern of windows, for which I introduced a #nomenclature in my PhD thesis. This area is a site of #muscleorigins (see #SEM section through a bigger specimen of #Acaridae).
©#StefanFWirth 2026

Please support my work with a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#pics
©S.F. Wirth edit 2026

A striking #character of adult #mites in #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) is a highly #sclerotized area on the upper surface of #proterosoma. Its #latticelike #structure forms a #taxonomically relevant #symmetrical #pattern of windows, for which I introduced a #nomenclature in my PhD thesis. This area is a site of #muscleorigins (see #SEM section through a bigger specimen of #Acaridae).
©#StefanFWirth 2026

Please support my work with a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#pics
©S.F. Wirth edit 2026

A striking #character of adult #mites in #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) is a highly #sclerotized area on the upper surface of #proterosoma. Its #latticelike #structure forms a #taxonomically relevant #symmetrical #pattern of windows, for which I introduced a #nomenclature in my PhD thesis. This area is a site of #muscleorigins (see #SEM section through a bigger specimen of #Acaridae).
©#StefanFWirth 2026

Please support my work with a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth

#pics
©S.F. Wirth edit 2026

#Mouthparts in #mites of the #Acariformes are usually normal shaped as typical for #arachnids. The #chelicerae are the feeding organs consisting of digitus fixus and d. mobilis. #Pedipalps have sensing functions with different kinds of #sensoryorgans. In #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) the whole #gnathosoma is modified into a complex #filterfeeding organ that creates an #underpressure on #food surfaces.
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2026

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

#Mouthparts in #mites of the #Acariformes are usually normal shaped as typical for #arachnids. The #chelicerae are the feeding organs consisting of digitus fixus and d. mobilis. #Pedipalps have sensing functions with different kinds of #sensoryorgans. In #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) the whole #gnathosoma is modified into a complex #filterfeeding organ that creates an #underpressure on #food surfaces.
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2026

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

#Mouthparts in #mites of the #Acariformes are usually normal shaped as typical for #arachnids. The #chelicerae are the feeding organs consisting of digitus fixus and d. mobilis. #Pedipalps have sensing functions with different kinds of #sensoryorgans. In #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) the whole #gnathosoma is modified into a complex #filterfeeding organ that creates an #underpressure on #food surfaces.
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2026

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

#Mouthparts in #mites of the #Acariformes are usually normal shaped as typical for #arachnids. The #chelicerae are the feeding organs consisting of digitus fixus and d. mobilis. #Pedipalps have sensing functions with different kinds of #sensoryorgans. In #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) the whole #gnathosoma is modified into a complex #filterfeeding organ that creates an #underpressure on #food surfaces.
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2026

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

#Mouthparts in #mites of the #Acariformes are usually normal shaped as typical for #arachnids. The #chelicerae are the feeding organs consisting of digitus fixus and d. mobilis. #Pedipalps have sensing functions with different kinds of #sensoryorgans. In #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) the whole #gnathosoma is modified into a complex #filterfeeding organ that creates an #underpressure on #food surfaces.
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2026

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) not only have highly #modified #mouthparts (see photo) that form a #filterfeeding organ, but their #copulatoryposition is also an #evolutionary #modification. Other Astigmata mate back-to-back, while Histiostomatidae have the male riding on top of the female, head over head. See here the dorsal #copulationopening of a #female of #Histiostoma sp..

©#StefanFWirth 2025

Further reading S.F. Wirth ( 2024)
https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

SEMphotos ©S.F. Wirth

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) not only have highly #modified #mouthparts (see photo) that form a #filterfeeding organ, but their #copulatoryposition is also an #evolutionary #modification. Other Astigmata mate back-to-back, while Histiostomatidae have the male riding on top of the female, head over head. See here the dorsal #copulationopening of a #female of #Histiostoma sp..

©#StefanFWirth 2025

Further reading S.F. Wirth ( 2024)
https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

SEMphotos ©S.F. Wirth

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) not only have highly #modified #mouthparts (see photo) that form a #filterfeeding organ, but their #copulatoryposition is also an #evolutionary #modification. Other Astigmata mate back-to-back, while Histiostomatidae have the male riding on top of the female, head over head. See here the dorsal #copulationopening of a #female of #Histiostoma sp..

©#StefanFWirth 2025

Further reading S.F. Wirth ( 2024)
https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

SEMphotos ©S.F. Wirth

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) not only have highly #modified #mouthparts (see photo) that form a #filterfeeding organ, but their #copulatoryposition is also an #evolutionary #modification. Other Astigmata mate back-to-back, while Histiostomatidae have the male riding on top of the female, head over head. See here the dorsal #copulationopening of a #female of #Histiostoma sp..

©#StefanFWirth 2025

Further reading S.F. Wirth ( 2024)
https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

SEMphotos ©S.F. Wirth

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata) not only have highly #modified #mouthparts (see photo) that form a #filterfeeding organ, but their #copulatoryposition is also an #evolutionary #modification. Other Astigmata mate back-to-back, while Histiostomatidae have the male riding on top of the female, head over head. See here the dorsal #copulationopening of a #female of #Histiostoma sp..

©#StefanFWirth 2025

Further reading S.F. Wirth ( 2024)
https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

SEMphotos ©S.F. Wirth

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata, #Acariformes) are adapted due to #evolution to form #species with #small sizes of about 200-400 micrometers in adults. Their thin #cuticles and modified #filterfeeding #mouthparts for #fungus-bacterial #food intake allowed their #radiation within shortliving moist and bacteria/fungus rich habitats.

©#StefanFWirth October 2025,

Photos
Females of #Histiostoma sp., from #sapropel #mud around gravel pit ponds, #Berlin #Grunewald, 2019, New edit 2025

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata, #Acariformes) are adapted due to #evolution to form #species with #small sizes of about 200-400 micrometers in adults. Their thin #cuticles and modified #filterfeeding #mouthparts for #fungus-bacterial #food intake allowed their #radiation within shortliving moist and bacteria/fungus rich habitats.

©#StefanFWirth October 2025,

Photos
Females of #Histiostoma sp., from #sapropel #mud around gravel pit ponds, #Berlin #Grunewald, 2019, New edit 2025

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata, #Acariformes) are adapted due to #evolution to form #species with #small sizes of about 200-400 micrometers in adults. Their thin #cuticles and modified #filterfeeding #mouthparts for #fungus-bacterial #food intake allowed their #radiation within shortliving moist and bacteria/fungus rich habitats.

©#StefanFWirth October 2025,

Photos
Females of #Histiostoma sp., from #sapropel #mud around gravel pit ponds, #Berlin #Grunewald, 2019, New edit 2025

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata, #Acariformes) are adapted due to #evolution to form #species with #small sizes of about 200-400 micrometers in adults. Their thin #cuticles and modified #filterfeeding #mouthparts for #fungus-bacterial #food intake allowed their #radiation within shortliving moist and bacteria/fungus rich habitats.

©#StefanFWirth October 2025,

Photos
Females of #Histiostoma sp., from #sapropel #mud around gravel pit ponds, #Berlin #Grunewald, 2019, New edit 2025

#Mites of the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata, #Acariformes) are adapted due to #evolution to form #species with #small sizes of about 200-400 micrometers in adults. Their thin #cuticles and modified #filterfeeding #mouthparts for #fungus-bacterial #food intake allowed their #radiation within shortliving moist and bacteria/fungus rich habitats.

©#StefanFWirth October 2025,

Photos
Females of #Histiostoma sp., from #sapropel #mud around gravel pit ponds, #Berlin #Grunewald, 2019, New edit 2025

In #Astigmata #mites #chemosensitive/#tactile interactions take precedence over #visualsenses. #Histiostomatidae (here, #Histiostoma sp., H. feroniarum complex, ex #rottinglemons, #Italy) communicate using various #pheromones/allomones produced by the #opisthonotal #glands. See here a #glandularopening on the upper hindbody #(hysterosoma) of a #female, #SEM.

© #StefanFWirth, 2025

Reference:

Stefan F. Wirth about a lemon mite (2024): https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

Photos:
© SFWirth Bln, 2006-25

In #Astigmata #mites #chemosensitive/#tactile interactions take precedence over #visualsenses. #Histiostomatidae (here, #Histiostoma sp., H. feroniarum complex, ex #rottinglemons, #Italy) communicate using various #pheromones/allomones produced by the #opisthonotal #glands. See here a #glandularopening on the upper hindbody #(hysterosoma) of a #female, #SEM.

© #StefanFWirth, 2025

Reference:

Stefan F. Wirth about a lemon mite (2024): https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

Photos:
© SFWirth Bln, 2006-25

In #Astigmata #mites #chemosensitive/#tactile interactions take precedence over #visualsenses. #Histiostomatidae (here, #Histiostoma sp., H. feroniarum complex, ex #rottinglemons, #Italy) communicate using various #pheromones/allomones produced by the #opisthonotal #glands. See here a #glandularopening on the upper hindbody #(hysterosoma) of a #female, #SEM.

© #StefanFWirth, 2025

Reference:

Stefan F. Wirth about a lemon mite (2024): https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

Photos:
© SFWirth Bln, 2006-25

In #Astigmata #mites #chemosensitive/#tactile interactions take precedence over #visualsenses. #Histiostomatidae (here, #Histiostoma sp., H. feroniarum complex, ex #rottinglemons, #Italy) communicate using various #pheromones/allomones produced by the #opisthonotal #glands. See here a #glandularopening on the upper hindbody #(hysterosoma) of a #female, #SEM.

© #StefanFWirth, 2025

Reference:

Stefan F. Wirth about a lemon mite (2024): https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

Photos:
© SFWirth Bln, 2006-25

In #Astigmata #mites #chemosensitive/#tactile interactions take precedence over #visualsenses. #Histiostomatidae (here, #Histiostoma sp., H. feroniarum complex, ex #rottinglemons, #Italy) communicate using various #pheromones/allomones produced by the #opisthonotal #glands. See here a #glandularopening on the upper hindbody #(hysterosoma) of a #female, #SEM.

© #StefanFWirth, 2025

Reference:

Stefan F. Wirth about a lemon mite (2024): https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/gsid24/posters/en/

Photos:
© SFWirth Bln, 2006-25

When #animals #carry other organisms: If it is a regular dispersal strategy it can be #phoresy. When phoretic #mites, such as soil mite #Histiostoma sp. (#Astigmata) here, disperse #fungi themselves, this can be hyperphoresy. The mating adult mites in my #SEM carry #macroconidia, presumably of Ascomycota. Adult mites aren't the phoretic stage, thus they can disperse a fungus only within their limited #habitat.
©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

When #animals #carry other organisms: If it is a regular dispersal strategy it can be #phoresy. When phoretic #mites, such as soil mite #Histiostoma sp. (#Astigmata) here, disperse #fungi themselves, this can be hyperphoresy. The mating adult mites in my #SEM carry #macroconidia, presumably of Ascomycota. Adult mites aren't the phoretic stage, thus they can disperse a fungus only within their limited #habitat.
©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

When #animals #carry other organisms: If it is a regular dispersal strategy it can be #phoresy. When phoretic #mites, such as soil mite #Histiostoma sp. (#Astigmata) here, disperse #fungi themselves, this can be hyperphoresy. The mating adult mites in my #SEM carry #macroconidia, presumably of Ascomycota. Adult mites aren't the phoretic stage, thus they can disperse a fungus only within their limited #habitat.
©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

When #animals #carry other organisms: If it is a regular dispersal strategy it can be #phoresy. When phoretic #mites, such as soil mite #Histiostoma sp. (#Astigmata) here, disperse #fungi themselves, this can be hyperphoresy. The mating adult mites in my #SEM carry #macroconidia, presumably of Ascomycota. Adult mites aren't the phoretic stage, thus they can disperse a fungus only within their limited #habitat.
©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

When #animals #carry other organisms: If it is a regular dispersal strategy it can be #phoresy. When phoretic #mites, such as soil mite #Histiostoma sp. (#Astigmata) here, disperse #fungi themselves, this can be hyperphoresy. The mating adult mites in my #SEM carry #macroconidia, presumably of Ascomycota. Adult mites aren't the phoretic stage, thus they can disperse a fungus only within their limited #habitat.
©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Reference
S. F. Wirth (2023)
https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/GSP/GSOIL4N/GSOIL4N-Posters/ID_167.pdf

Overview of the topic of #muscleattachment and origin points and #muscle #morphology in #Astigmata #mites (#Acariformes). Figs. 1-3 show a view from the #proterosoma towards the #gnathosoma of a mite of the #Acaridae. Fig. 4 shows a female of a #Histiostomatidae mite in the area of #​​legs 1 and 2 with the associated muscles and muscle attachment points. The already older preparations were critically - point dried before #SEM observations. #acarology #biology
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Overview of the topic of #muscleattachment and origin points and #muscle #morphology in #Astigmata #mites (#Acariformes). Figs. 1-3 show a view from the #proterosoma towards the #gnathosoma of a mite of the #Acaridae. Fig. 4 shows a female of a #Histiostomatidae mite in the area of #​​legs 1 and 2 with the associated muscles and muscle attachment points. The already older preparations were critically - point dried before #SEM observations. #acarology #biology
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Overview of the topic of #muscleattachment and origin points and #muscle #morphology in #Astigmata #mites (#Acariformes). Figs. 1-3 show a view from the #proterosoma towards the #gnathosoma of a mite of the #Acaridae. Fig. 4 shows a female of a #Histiostomatidae mite in the area of #​​legs 1 and 2 with the associated muscles and muscle attachment points. The already older preparations were critically - point dried before #SEM observations. #acarology #biology
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Overview of the topic of #muscleattachment and origin points and #muscle #morphology in #Astigmata #mites (#Acariformes). Figs. 1-3 show a view from the #proterosoma towards the #gnathosoma of a mite of the #Acaridae. Fig. 4 shows a female of a #Histiostomatidae mite in the area of #​​legs 1 and 2 with the associated muscles and muscle attachment points. The already older preparations were critically - point dried before #SEM observations. #acarology #biology
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Overview of the topic of #muscleattachment and origin points and #muscle #morphology in #Astigmata #mites (#Acariformes). Figs. 1-3 show a view from the #proterosoma towards the #gnathosoma of a mite of the #Acaridae. Fig. 4 shows a female of a #Histiostomatidae mite in the area of #​​legs 1 and 2 with the associated muscles and muscle attachment points. The already older preparations were critically - point dried before #SEM observations. #acarology #biology
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

The #complex #mouthparts of #Acariformes #mites. As an example, here is the #SEM image of a non determined #mite from the #Acaridae (#Astigmata) #cut in the area of ​​the #proterosoma, #perspective towards #gnathosoma from #internally. Visible are the complex #muscles that #move the gnathosoma and partly (left) also the first pair of legs. #Photo from my early postdoc times, re-edited in 2024.
#evolution #Astigmatina

© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2024

The #complex #mouthparts of #Acariformes #mites. As an example, here is the #SEM image of a non determined #mite from the #Acaridae (#Astigmata) #cut in the area of ​​the #proterosoma, #perspective towards #gnathosoma from #internally. Visible are the complex #muscles that #move the gnathosoma and partly (left) also the first pair of legs. #Photo from my early postdoc times, re-edited in 2024.
#evolution #Astigmatina

© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2024

The #complex #mouthparts of #Acariformes #mites. As an example, here is the #SEM image of a non determined #mite from the #Acaridae (#Astigmata) #cut in the area of ​​the #proterosoma, #perspective towards #gnathosoma from #internally. Visible are the complex #muscles that #move the gnathosoma and partly (left) also the first pair of legs. #Photo from my early postdoc times, re-edited in 2024.
#evolution #Astigmatina

© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2024

This is the first #freeliving #instar of a #mite from the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata, #Acariformes) : named the #larva and being characterized by having only #3pairs of #legs, which is a phylogenetically old character. #Specific and thus #apomorphic for Histiostomatidae is that there is a #dorsalpattern of #sclerites, differing between subtaxa. The photo shows the species #Histiostoma sp. (H. feroniarum-complex) from rotting #lemonfruits in Italy (Sorrento).

© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2024

This is the first #freeliving #instar of a #mite from the #Histiostomatidae (#Astigmata, #Acariformes) : named the #larva and being characterized by having only #3pairs of #legs, which is a phylogenetically old character. #Specific and thus #apomorphic for Histiostomatidae is that there is a #dorsalpattern of #sclerites, differing between subtaxa. The photo shows the species #Histiostoma sp. (H. feroniarum-complex) from rotting #lemonfruits in Italy (Sorrento).

© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2024