Acarodomatia (singular ''Acarodomatium'') (

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through ...

: ''

Acari 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 evid ...

'' - mites, ''domus'' - dwelling), are tussocks of hairs or nonglandular

trichomes Trichomes (); ) are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants, algae, lichens, and certain protists. They are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae. A covering of any kind of hair on a plant ...

located in pits situated in major leaf vein axes of many plant species, occupied and caused by predatory and mycophagous

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 ...

s. Acarodomatia have also been described from lizards where they are commonly called "mite pockets". These cavities or skin folds are usually located around the neck or behind the legs and occupied by chiggers. Their function is debated, but they are thought to distract mites from damaging or blocking important skin surfaces such as the tympans.

References

Plant morphology Acari {{botany-stub

See also

References