The #complex #mouthparts of #Acariformes #mites. As an example, here is the #SEM image of a non determined #mite from the #Acaridae (#Astigmata) #cut in the area of ​​the #proterosoma, #perspective towards #gnathosoma from #internally. Visible are the complex #muscles that #move the gnathosoma and partly (left) also the first pair of legs. #Photo from my early postdoc times, re-edited in 2024.
#evolution #Astigmatina

© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2024