Morphological ontogeny of Oribatella similesuperbula (Acari: Oribatida: Oribatellidae)

Abstract

Morphological ontogeny of Oribatella similesuperbula Weigmann, 2001 based on specimens from Romania, is described and illustrated. The nymphs of this species are apopheredermous, i.e. they carry the exuvial scalps of previous instars away from the dorsal integument, using modified setal pair da. The prodorsal and most gastronotal setae of juveniles are long and barbed, except for medium sized h2 and minute h3 in the larva, and medium sized c1, p2 and p3 in the nymphs. The larva has 12 pairs of gastronotal setae, the nymphs have 15 pairs. In all juveniles, a humeral organ is present.