Morphology of juvenile instars of Banksinoma lanceolata (Acari, Oribatida, Thyrisomidae)

Abstract

The morphology of juvenile instars of the oribatid mite Banksinoma lanceolata is described and illustrated. In most aspects all juvenile instars are similar. Body with microgranular cerotegument. Gastronotic cuticle smooth, without sclerites. Sensilli elongate, spindle-shaped. Nymphs characterized by having small, spiniform interlamellar setae. 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 (12–15–15–15) and epimeral (3–1–2, 3–1–2–1, 3–1–3–2, 3–1–3–3). Palpal setation similar for all juvenile instars: 0–2–1–3–9(+1ω). Solenidia of leg tibia and genua not coupled (setae d absent). Tarsi II with one solenidion. The juveniles of Banksinoma lanceolata differ from juveniles of Pantelozetes alpestris by the morphology and colour of body cuticle; morphology of sensilli; length of some gastronotic setae; deutonymphal epimeral formula.