Mites are small arachnids historically grouped in the subclass Acari, spanning two large orders, Acariformes and Parasitiformes, though recent genetic analysis does not recover the two as each other's closest relative within Arachnida. Most mites are less than one millimeter long, with a simple, unsegmented body plan that makes them easy to overlook; some live in water, many live in soil as decomposers, others live on plants and sometimes create galls, and still others are predators or parasites, a group that includes the commercially destructive Varroa parasite of honey bees and the scabies mites of humans. Most species are harmless to people, but a few are associated with allergies or may transmit disease.
Facts
Classification
DietDetritivore or Scavenger 1 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Partially Attested
Scientific NameAcari was historically used for this group, but recent genetic analyses do not recover Acariformes and Parasitiformes as each other's closest relatives, so modern classifications no longer treat Acari as a single formal taxon. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceMost mites are tiny, less than 1 mm in length, with a simple, unsegmented body plan. 1 Connections
Sources
1. Mite - Wikipedia
Evolution and taxonomy
Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) of two large orders, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari.
Description
Most mites are tiny, less than 1 mm (0.04 in) in length, and have a simple, unsegmented body plan.
article text (relationship to people), EntityId 300032
Most species are harmless to humans, but a few are associated with allergies or may transmit diseases.
Child Taxon Of: Arachnida, Taxobox
Wikipedia taxobox field: parent = Arachnida
View the Source2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ19137, descriptionView the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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