Subclass Acari
Definition of Subclass Acari as it relates to Animals, Arachnids, Pseudoscorpions
Subclass Acari encompasses a diverse group of small arachnids commonly known as mites and ticks. These minute creatures are characterized by their unsegmented bodies, which are typically divided into two tagmata: the gnathosoma, bearing mouthparts, and the idiosoma, housing the remainder of the body's organs. Acari species exhibit a wide range of ecological roles, with some being predatory while others feed on plants, fungi, or other animals, including vertebrates. They are found in various habitats worldwide, from terrestrial to freshwater and marine ecosystems, and play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and food webs.