Alaskozetes antarcticus is a species of non-parasitic mite

Mite

Mites, along with ticks, are small arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari and the class Arachnida. The scientific discipline devoted to the study of ticks and mites is called acarology.-Diversity and systematics:...

, known for its ability to survive in subzero temperatures.

This animal's name derives from its habitat

Habitat

* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...

: Alasko, meaning "from Alaska

Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...

", and antarcticus, in connection with frigid conditions in which the mite lives. Scientists are unclear as to how Alaskozetes antacticus has been able to adapt

Adaptation

An adaptation in biology is a trait with a current functional role in the life history of an organism that is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection. An adaptation refers to both the current state of being adapted and to the dynamic evolutionary process that leads to the adaptation....

 to an environment so different to those of other arthropod

Arthropod

An arthropod is an invertebrate animal having an exoskeleton , a segmented body, and jointed appendages. Arthropods are members of the phylum Arthropoda , and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others...

s. Whereas most arthropod species inhabit hot, moist environments, A. antarcticus survives in freezing conditions with almost no humidity. It also has six eyes to absorb sunlight.

There are three subspecies: Alaskozetes antarcticus antarcticus, Alaskozetes antarcticus grandjeani, and Alaskozetes antarcticus intermedius.