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Palpigradida (Palpigradi)

Common names: palpigrades

Probability of encounter: low

Quarantine importance: no known importance. 

Similarity to mites: small size, strong chelicerae; somewhat mite-like when the flagellum breaks off (common), but with clear opisthosomal segmentation.

Morphology

Normal adult length: <1 mm
Body tagmata: prosoma, opisthosoma, segmented telson (flagellum)
Eyes: absent
Antennae: absent
Mouthparts: 3-segmented chelicerae; leg-like palps
Legs: 4 pairs; legs I antenniform
Distinguishing features: tail-like flagellum; finger-like median and lateral organs; 3-segmented chelicerae

 

Diversity: 2 families, 6 genera, > 78 spp.

 

References

 

Harvey, M.S.  2003.  Catalogue of the smaller arachnid orders of the World.  CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria