Arrenurus cf. bicuspidator mating

Arrenurus cf. bicuspidator

(photo made a bit lighter)

Here are two more photos of Arrenurus cf. bicuspidator in mating position. I was not able to observe the entire mating, the mites were already glued when I scooped them up. The glue is clearly visible in the left photo (the white thread-like mass). Arrenurus males do not transfer their sperm directly, but stick it to the surface in a package on a stalk, the spermatophore (=sperm carrier). Then the male walks slightly forward, after which the female takes this package in the genital opening (see also link below). After a certain time the glue comes loose. The male also seems to make pushing movements with his hind legs against the abdomen of the female, to break the bond. Incidentally, he has hook-shaped protrusions on those hind legs with which he anchors the female extra: the two hooks and the glued bottom form a kind of three-point plane.

Article by Procter & Smith on mating Arrenurus manubriator
Read on http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/biology/bsmith_pubpdf/proctor_smith94.pdf.

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