Paratarsotomus macropalpis
| Paratarsotomus macropalpis | |
|---|---|
| Details of a large palp (centre), which is the species' distinguishing feature. Also shown are a tarsal claw (right) and the mandibles (bottom left). | |
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| Genus: | Paratarsotomus |
| Species: | P. macropalpis |
| Binomial name | |
| Paratarsotomus macropalpis (Banks, 1916) | |
Paratarsotomus macropalpis is a species of mite belonging to the family Erythracaridae. The mite is endemic to Southern California and is usually observed darting amongst sidewalks and in rocky areas. Earlier classified as belonging to genus Tarsotomus, it was reclassified in 1999, along with four other species, to genus Paratarsotomus. It is quite small—0.7 mm—but has been recorded as the world's fastest land animal relative to body length.