Sejus_bdelloides_Leica_z16APOA_5x_LeicaDFC490_ventr

Mite in historic Baltic amber piece stored in the Berlin Museum of Natural History, collection number MB.A.1634 (ex Berendt collection no. 7279). Dark, crumbling piece; mite is situated deep in it. The low image quality results from the depth and turbidity of amber. Image stacks are obtained with Leica z16APOA microscope with 5x lens; LED illumination (both incident and transmitted), and LeicaDFC490 camera. Cordial thanks to Birger Neuhaus for his help with the optics. Mite length is approximately 650 micrometers. Name is considered nomen dubium by Dunlop et al. (2018). The fossil belongs to Prostigmata, most probably Anystina, NOT Parasitiformes. Dunlop, J.A., Walter, D.E., Kontschán, J. (2018) A putative fossil sejid mite (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) in Baltic amber re-identified as an anystine (Acariformes: Prostigmata). Acarologia, 58, 665–672.