Eyes & Eye-like Structures
Several groups of oribatid mites appear to have independently evolved a new type of light sensitive organ called the lenticulus. This structure is median, unpaired and often a simple oval of lightly colored cuticle, but may have a distinct convex lens. It is usually situated at the anterior edge of the notogaster. Some early derivative acariform mites also have a single median eye, often hidden under a nose-like process above the chelicerae called the naso.