Brachypylina

Brachypylina
Temporal range: Jurassic–present
Peloribates sp. (Haplozetidae)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Oribatida
Suborder: Brachypylina
Hull, 1918
Superfamilies

Pycnonoticae

Amerobelboidea
Ameronothroidea
Carabodoidea
Cepheoidea
Charassobatoidea
Cymbaeremaeoidea
Damaeoidea
Eremaeoidea
Eremelloidea
Gustavioidea
Gymnodamaeoidea
Hermannielloidea
Hydrozetoidea
Microzetoidea
Neoliodoidea
Oppioidea
Otocepheoidea
Plateremaeoidea
Polypterozetoidea
Tectocepheoidea
Trizetoidea
Zetorchestoidea

Poronoticae

Achipterioidea
Ceratozetoidea
Galumnoidea
Licneremaeoidea
Limnozetoidea
Oribatelloidea
Oripodoidea
Phenopelopoidea
Unduloribatoidea
Zetomotrichoidea
Tereticepheus palmicinctum (Cepheidae)

Brachypylina is a group of oribatid mites, variously listed as a suborder,[1] infraorder,[2][3] or a cohort.[3][4]

Description[edit]

Brachypylina are 0.15 to 2.0 mm or more in length, beetle-like, usually tan to dark brown, and covered in armour. Some have pteromorphs (wing-like flaps possessed by some oribatids). The notogastral shield is separated from the prodorsal and ventral shields by a line of dehiscence (circumgastric furrow). There is usually a pair of trichobothria on the prodorsum. There are 3 (rarely seemingly 2) pairs of genital papillae. The subcapitulum is often diarthric, and sometimes has a mental tectum or is suctorial.[4]

Females have a well-developed ovipositor. Males are usually half the mass of females with a smaller genital opening, and they have a spermatophoric organ instead of an ovipositor.[4]

Ecology[edit]

These mites occur in various habitats including on vegetation. They feed on algae, fungi, detritus and small invertebrates.[4]

In one study of oribatids in German forests, Brachypylina made up the vast majority of oribatids collected (23,168 individuals out of 25,162). The highest densities were found in lichen and mosses, and they made up all of the oribatids found on tree bark. Densities were lower in sod, dead wood and litter.[5]

Families[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Suborder Brachypylina". bugguide.net. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  2. ^ "Brachypylina Hull, 1918". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b Walter, David Evans; Latonas, Sarah; Byers, Kaylee; Lumley, Lisa M (2014). "Almanac of Alberta Oribatida Part I, Version 2.4". doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.15348.07044. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d "Brachypylina". keys.lucidcentral.org. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  5. ^ Wehner, Katja; Norton, Roy A.; Blüthgen, Nico; Heethoff, Michael (2016). Nielsen, U. (ed.). "Specialization of oribatid mites to forest microhabitats—the enigmatic role of litter". Ecosphere. 7 (3). doi:10.1002/ecs2.1336. ISSN 2150-8925.
  • Subías, Luis S. (2007): Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (Excepto fósiles). PDF — most up to date catalogue available