Abstract

On the basis of females and males found on the adult beetles of the mycophagous tenebrionid Diaperis boleti (L.) and on the polypore fungi Fomitopsis betulina, Laetiporus sulphureus, and Cerioporus squamosus infested with this beetle, which serve as a specific phoretic host for the new species, a new blattisociid mite, Lasioseius boleti sp. nov. was described. The new species is characterised by a pronounced sexual dimorphism of the dorsal chaetotaxy, which is unusual for the genus, and by several features more typical of other highly specialized fungicoles among the mesostigmatic mites than of other species of Lasioseius Berlese, such as the genera Hoploseius Berlese (Blattisociidae), Mycomelichares Mašán and Joharchi (Melicharidae), and Bulbolaelaps Faraji, Zare and Rahmani (Digamasellidae). The new species is unusual among the known congeners mainly because of its unusual bionomy, sexual dimorphism, presence of unequal setae that vary greatly in length and form in both sexes, moderately shortened peritremes, sharp cheliceral teeth, and brush-like tritosternum.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.