Morphology of juvenile stages of Gustavia microcephala (Acari, Oribatida, Gustaviidae)

Abstract

The morphology of juvenile stages of the oribatid mite Gustavia microcephala is described and illustrated. In most aspects all juvenile instars are similar: body broadly oval, with microgranular cerotegument; with distinct continuous ridge between bothridia; sensilli elongate spindle-shaped, with noticeable swelling and flagellate tip. Nymphs are characterized by having very small interlamellar setae. The gastronotal region of nymphs carries reticulate exuvial scalps. Setal formulas of body (larva to tritonymph): genital (0–1–3–5), aggenital (0–0–1–1), anal (0–0–0–2), adanal (0–0–3–3), gastronotic (12–12–12–12) and epimeral (3–1–2, 3–1–2–1, 3–1–2–2, 3–1–3–3). Chelicerae styliform in all instars.