New Identification Key for some Acaridides (Acaridida) from Upper Egypt,with Description of a New Acaridae Species

Abstract

The study herein presents brief characterizations and a new identification key for some Acaridides (43 species)collected from different habitats in upper Egypt during 1993 to 2003 in addition to a new species. The present key ofthe Acaridides hypopi is a blending of both keys illustrated by Eraky, 1997 (for 16 histiostomatid species pertaining to 6genera) and Eraky, 2000 (for 26 histiostomatid and acaridid species belonging to 12 genera). While, Eraky (1990)erected an identification key for all histiostomatid genera, the present work is a continuity of the collecting activity ofthe first author. Samples were collected from manure and dunghills (Assiut and Sohag Governorates), planted onion andgarlic, potato tubers, pomegranate and date fruits, uprooted banana suckers and rodent burrows (Assiut Governorate) ;nests of termites (Aswan, Qena and New Valley Governorates) and skin of dead animals (El-Minia governorate). Theidentification key is simple and easy to understand and the diagnosis is in most cases based on genera and species. Anew mite species, extracted from nests of termites in Qena Governorate, is described and illustrated.