First insights into the morphological development of tarsal claws in terrestrial oribatid mites

Mites occupy a wide range of ecological niches and are good models to investigate correlations morphological structures ecology in arthropods. Here we compare tarsal claw shape three terrestrial oribatid mite species with different backgrounds. By means geometric morphometrics describe shape, size development the monodactyl Lamellovertex caelatus Platynothrus peltifer, tridactyl Melanozetes meridianus. After analysis juvenile adult mites can distinguish euryoecious P. peltifer alpine M. meridianus similar curvatures from saxicolous L. considerably less curved claws. The height on other hand, is remarkably higher than two species. Despite these differences, no correlation between characteristics environmental factors be inferred. During mites, curvature remain constant protonymph increases direct proportionally body growth all studied Neither nor show any specific changes characteristics.