CHAPTER II 



Tlie Suhordei' Onychopalpida Wharton^ 1947 



MOST mites have such speciaHzed pedipalps that there are no 

 palpal claws on the palpal tarsi, although some may have second- 

 arily developed tibial claws. The groups Notostigmata and Holothy- 

 roidea, that comprise the Onychopalpida are unique in that they possess 

 reduced ambulacral claws on the pedipalps and a radula-like organ on 

 the labrum. Although it is far from clear that these two represent a 

 monophyletic group, their inclusion in a single suborder helps to 

 emphasize their primitive nature and does set them apart as possibly 

 representing living remnants of a former extensive fauna of primitive 

 mites. 



Morphology: The palpal claws have already been mentioned. The 

 suborder is also unique in that its members have at least four lateral 

 stigmata. Because of the paucity of species no general account of the 

 morphology of the group will be required to explain the key characters 

 and is therefore omitted. For an account of the morphology With 1904 

 and Grandjean 1938 are recommended. 



Key to the Onychopalpida 



1. With tritosternum, at least four pairs of dorso-lateral stigmata, 

 two pairs of eyes, and leathery cuticle Notostigmata 



Without tritosternum, two pairs of lateral stigmata; no eyes, and 

 sclerotized cuticle Holothyroidea 



NOTOSTIGMATA WITH, 1903 



Chamberlain and Mulaik 1942 erected the family Neocaridae to 

 accommodate a new species of Notostigmata that they found in Texas. 



36 



