Brachypylina are 0.15 to 2.0 mm or more in length, beetle-like, usually tan to dark brown, and covered in armour. Some have pteromorphs (wing-like flaps possessed by some oribatids). The notogastral shield is separated from the prodorsal and ventral shields by a line of dehiscence (circumgastric furrow). There is usually a pair of
trichobothria on the prodorsum. There are 3 (rarely seemingly 2) pairs of genital papillae. The
subcapitulum is often diarthric, and sometimes has a mental tectum or is suctorial.[4]
Females have a well-developed
ovipositor. Males are usually half the mass of females with a smaller genital opening, and they have a spermatophoric organ instead of an ovipositor.[4]
Ecology
These mites occur in various habitats including on vegetation. They feed on algae, fungi, detritus and small invertebrates.[4]
In one study of oribatids in German forests, Brachypylina made up the vast majority of oribatids collected (23,168 individuals out of 25,162). The highest densities were found in
lichen and
mosses, and they made up all of the oribatids found on tree bark. Densities were lower in
sod, dead wood and
litter.[5]
Subías, Luis S. (2007): Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (Excepto fósiles).
PDF — most up to date catalogue available