gaster -most posterior body segment of ants. The lateral dorsal profile of gaster may be smooth or distinctly notched as an identifying characteristic.

gnathosoma -collective name for mite mouthparts in total. View picture.

haltere -posterior pair of wings that have been reduced to knob-shaped structures in some insects (Diptera).

lamella -ridges of cuticle between the trichobothria on the dorsal anterior of some oribatids. Plural: lamellae.

larva -six-legged juvenile stage in mite life history. Plural: larvae.

"love handles" -here, term referring to a widening of the body around the middle of some minis and predators.

median -along the bilateral line of symmetry of an organism, in the middle.

microarthropod -a small arthropod.

mite -one of a diverse group of tiny eight-legged organisms within the order Acarina.

moniliform -term used to describe something resembling the structure of beads on a string. Applies to some oribatid legs.

nymph -eight-legged stage in mite life history before becoming an adult.

opisthonotal gland -secretory gland visible as a tube on the sides of some mites. View picture.

opisthosoma -general term referring to large shields on the dorsal surface of an organism

oribatid -members of Oribatidae, the largest family of mites. Primarily soil-dwelling, possessing hard exoskeletons in adult stages

palp -second appendage, associated with chelicerae to make up mouthparts. View picture.

pedicel -part of a spider that connects the cephalothorax and the abdomen.

pedipalp -a modified second appendage. The end of the pedipalp may be enlarged and rounded in adult male spiders, or modified into claws in pseudoscorpions. View spider picture.

petiole -small body segment in ants, between the thorax and the gaster. Some species have one petiole, some have two, in which case the posterior node can be referred to as the post-petiole.

plicate -exhibiting parallel "wrinkles" on the surface. Seen in some oribatids and other organisms.

post-petiole -see petiole.

posterior -towards the back end.

pteromorphs -the "wings" on some oribatids, flaps of exoskeleton that form a shield-like structure around the legs. These appendages may or may not be hinged. View picture.

ptychoid -referring to the folding mechanism exhibited by box mites where the legs tuck away and the body closes up.

reticulated -having a net-like pattern

rostrum -on an oribatid, a part of the dorsal exoskeleton that projects over the mouthparts like a "hood". From Latin, rostrum="beak". View picture.

scalps -on an oribatid, layers of previously shed skin that are retained on the body.

sclerotized -term describing hardening and darkening of arthropod exoskeletons.

seta -a hair, usually connoting properties of being fairly slender and rigid. Plural: setae.

spinneret -posterior finger-like appendage of a spider, usually six in total. The spinnerets produce silk at their tips. View picture.

sternum -ventral cephalothorax of a spider. View picture.

stigma -opening in the exoskeleton of some mites, part of the respiratory system, like a spiracle. Plural: stigmata.

symphypleonid collebmbola -a type of collembola with a more globose body and visible little abdomen. View picture.

thorax -the second body segment of most insects, between the head an the abdomen.

trichobothria -sensory setae attached at its base in a small pit. The trichobothria detect air currents and vibrations. Singular: trichobothrium. View picture.

tritosternum -a small, forked structure found at the ventral base of the mouthparts of some mites.

venter -the underside of an mite. As opposed to dorsum.

ventral -referring to the "front" or underside of an organism. As opposed to dorsal.

wings -see pteromorphs