Mating Behavior and Related Morphological Specialization in the Uropodine Mite, Caminella peraphora.

Sperm transfer in Caminella peraphora is closely associated with secretion and construction of a female-associated structure, the signet ring. The ventral portion of the ring serves as an external spermatheca early in mating. Although sperm assimilation occurs prior to development of the dorsal ring elements, male participation is instrumental in successful ring completion.