A review of a new catalog and illustrated key to facilitate identification of and research on flat mites (Acariformes: Tenuipalpidae)

Abstract

The flat mites, also known as the false spider mites, are one of the most diverse groups of plant feeding mites (Prostigmata: Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae). There has been increasing interests in the Tenuipalpidae both from applied and fundamental perspectives (Gerson 2008). The applied interest is to a large extent caused by roles of Brevipalpus species in vectoring the leprosis virus resulting in the widespread epidemic in the Americas (Childers et al. 2003) and also the recent introduction of invasive mites such as Raoiella indica Hirst to the Americas (Flechtmann & Etienne 2004). Also there has been recent interest in using tenuipalpid mites as model organisms to explore basic evolutionary questions such as sex determination and microorganism-mite interactions (Gerson 2008). There is a great need for an updated and comprehensive guide to the taxonomy of the family. The recent book by Mesa et al. (2009) is the first step towards fulfilling that need.