The ptychoid defensive mechanism in Phthiracarus longulus (Acari, Oribatida, Phthiracaroidea): Exoskeletal and muscular elements

The most complex defensive mechanism in oribatid mites is ptychoidy, a special body form allowing the animals to retract their legs and coxisternum into a secondary cavity in the idiosoma and to seal it off with the prodorsum. Many exoskeletal and muscular adaptations are required to enable the fun...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sebastian Schmelzle, Lukas Helfen, Roy A. Norton, Michael Heethoff
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung 2010-08-01
Series:Soil Organisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://soil-organisms.org/index.php/SO/article/view/231