Male morph determination in Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acaridae).

In Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze and Robin) two male morphs occur: heteromorphs, with a thickened and sharply terminated third pair of legs that serve as a weapon in intrasexual conflicts, and homeomorphs, with unmodified legs. This study investigated the system of male morph determination. No significant heritability of male morph was found, but cues emanating from a dense colony were found to suppress the production of heteromorphs. Developmental plasticity was retained throughout the protonymphal stage. Diet did not influence morph expression, but lowered temperature decreased the proportion of heteromorphs emerging.