| Uropodidae | |
|---|---|
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| Oplitis pusaterii (dorsal) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Mesostigmata |
| Suborder: | Monogynaspida |
| Infraorder: | Uropodina |
| Superfamily: | Uropodoidea |
| Family: | Uropodidae Kramer, 1881 |
Uropodidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. [1]
As part of superfamily Uropodoidea, Uropodidae are tortoise-like mites with an oval to circular outline, and with armour both dorsally and ventrally. They can be distinguished from other uropodoids by their chelicerae lacking a large, sclerotized node and their genital opening being in an intercoxal position. [2]
Several species in the family commonly infest worm bins and consume food intended for the worms. [3]
An undescribed species of Uropodidae sucks out the hemolymph of pupae of Pheidole megacephala ants, resulting in the death of pupae. It preferentially attacks pupae of soldier and male ants. [4]
Uropodidae are phoretic on larger arthropods, meaning that they attach to larger arthropods to be transported to new places. [5] This attachment is achieved using a pedicel of translucent material extruded from the mite's anus. [5] One known host for uropodid mites is the red palm weevil ( Rhynchophorus ferrugineus ), [6] though this particular relationship may actually be parasitic, as mite-infested weevils have a shorter lifespan than uninfested weevils. [7]
| Authority control databases: National |
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