''Alaskozetes antarcticus'' is a species of non-parasitic

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 e ...

, known for its ability to survive in subzero temperatures. This animal's name derives from its

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

: ''Alasko'', meaning "from

Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S. ...

", and ''antarcticus'', in connection with frigid conditions in which the mite lives. Scientists are unclear as to how ''Alaskozetes antacticus'' has been able to adapt to an environment so different from those of other

arthropod Arthropods (, (gen. ποδός)) are invertebrate animals with an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and paired jointed appendages. Arthropods form the phylum Arthropoda. They are distinguished by their jointed limbs and cuticle made of chiti ...

s. Whereas most arthropod species inhabit hot, moist environments, ''A. antarcticus'' survives in freezing conditions with almost no humidity. There are three subspecies: ''Alaskozetes antarcticus antarcticus'', ''Alaskozetes antarcticus grandjeani'', and ''Alaskozetes antarcticus intermedius''.

Diet

''Alaskozetes antarcticus'' eats moss, algae and fungi. These mites are not parasitic and do not suck blood. They are harmless to humans and large organisms.

References

Sarcoptiformes Animals described in 1903 Fauna of Heard Island and McDonald Islands {{Sarcoptiformes-stub