Skip to content

Hypopus

Definition

A specialised heteromorphic deutonymphal form in certain astigmatan mites. Its structure and role should be interpreted using suitable mite expertise. The term is not a synonym for every resting mite or for diapause.

Context
Mite development

For example, a specialised transport-associated mite stage should be identified using appropriate characters rather than calling every small resting mite a hypopus.

Transport associations must be assessed rather than inferred from the name alone.

Related terms

Association
A supported relationship between an observation or item and the material, source or event under examination. The observed location of a specimen...
Cleridae
A beetle family including Necrobia species with carrion and stored-product associations. Feeding and predatory roles depend on the species and conditions. A...
Dermestidae
A beetle family including species associated with animal material and stored products; presence is not a universal late-stage clock. Some exploit dry...
Elytra
Modified forewings of beetles, covering differing amounts of the body across taxa. Their extent and other characters can assist identification alongside the...
Phoresy
Transport of one organism by another, distinct from assuming parasitism. In mite associations, the carrier and relevant life stage should be identified....
Silphidae
A historically recognised carrion-beetle family treated within Staphylinidae as Silphinae in some modern classifications. Explain the taxonomic convention used by the key...
Skeletonisation Stage
A descriptive condition of substantial skeletal exposure that does not have a universal elapsed-time value. A stage label summarises observed condition under...
Staphylinidae
The rove-beetle family, with diverse feeding roles and taxonomic treatments that may include Silphinae. Carrion beetles historically recognised as Silphidae are treated...
Urogomphi
Paired terminal or near-terminal processes used among other larval identification characters. Urogomphi are paired processes near the posterior end of certain beetle...

Explained in