Fine Structure of the Rhagidial-Organs of the Prostigmatid mite Rhagidia halophila (Laboulbène, 1851) (Actinotrichida, Rhagidiidae)

Authors

  • Gerd Alberti † Fakultät II, Biologie, Universität Vechta, Driverstr. 22, 49377 Vechta, Germany
  • Rainer Ehrnsberger Fakultät II, Biologie, Universität Vechta, Driverstr. 22, 49377 Vechta, Germany

Keywords:

Rhagidial-organs, Actinotrichida, fine structure

Abstract

The rhagidial organs of Rhagidia halophila were studied using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. They are located on the legs I and II and consist of 4 recumbent setae on tarsi I and of 4 setae on tarsi II and 1 on tibiae I. In addition to the 4 anterior setae there is a very small stellate setae at the medial base of the second proximal recumbent seta. All setae are innervated and thus represent sensilla. The recumbent sensillae are innervated by three sensory cells with distal dendrites and a lattice-like cuticular sheath and many wall pores (wp-sensillum, likely olfactory). The innervation of the stellate sensillum could only partly been observed. This sensillum bears a terminal pore (tp-sensillum, likely gustatory) and is provided with an additional internal cuticular layer, likely bearing the birefringence properties of almost all setae of actinotrichid mites, except for the so-called solenidia. We regard the recumbent setae as peculiar solenidia and the stellate setae as reduced so-called eupathidia. Certainly, the rhagidial organs are an important chemical receptor for these mites and deserve further experimental research.

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References

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Published

2017-08-01

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How to Cite

Fine Structure of the Rhagidial-Organs of the Prostigmatid mite Rhagidia halophila (Laboulbène, 1851) (Actinotrichida, Rhagidiidae). (2017). Soil Organisms, 89(2), 69–74. https://soil-organisms.org/index.php/SO/article/view/78