Cochlodispus Minimus
''Cochlodispus minimus'' is a species of mite from the family Microdispidae, formally described by Sándor Mahunka in 1976. One adult individual was measured with a body length of 79 μm (0.079 mm), making it the smallest known mite species. It was originally described from Ethiopia, along with cogeners ''C. africanus'' and ''C. fimbrisetus'', and inhabits soil and litter. Taxonomy The Microdispidae are the least diverse family of pygmephoroid mites, with 20 described genera and about 120 species. Most members of this family are Fungivore, fungivores, although some may be parasitoids of insects. ''Cochlodispus minimus'' is one of 11 species currently described from the genus ''Cochlodispus''. It can be distinguished within its genus by the absence of barbs on Seta, setae ''ps2'' (a characteristic shared only with ''C. zanzibariensis'') and by the absence of barbs on setae ''f'' and on the setae of the anterior sternal plate (both distinctly barbed in ''C. zanzibariensis)''. Se ...
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Mite
Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods). Mites span two large orders of arachnids, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari, but genetic analysis does not show clear evidence of a close relationship. Most mites are tiny, less than in length, and have a simple, unsegmented body plan. The small size of most species makes them easily overlooked; some species live in water, many live in soil as decomposers, others live on plants, sometimes creating galls, while others again are Predation, predators or Parasitism, parasites. This last type includes the commercially destructive ''Varroa'' parasite of honey bees, as well as scabies mites of humans. Most species are harmless to humans, but a few are associated with allergies or may transmit diseases. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of mites is called acarology. Evolution and taxonomy The mites are not a defined taxon, but is used for two disti ...
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