The predatory mite family Ologamasidae Ryke, 1962 and its position within the higher groups of Parasitiformes (Acarina) with new species from South America

Abstract

The Ologamasidae Ryke belong to the super-family Rhodacaroidea Krantz & Ainscough. This group further includes four families: Rhodacaridae Oudemans, Sessiluncidae Lee, Gamasiphidae Lee and Laelaptonyssidae Womersley. The Ologamasidae are divided into 4 groups of genera based on synapomorphies: 1. Ologamasus -group, 2. Gamasellus -group, 3. Cyrtolaelaps -group, 4. Cymiphis -group. Here, we analyse the distribution of genera of these four groups and relate it to events in geological history. The origin of the majority of these genera is linked to the separation and splitting of the Gondwanian super-continent at the end of the Jurassic, 135 million years ago. Further, we determine the position of the Rhodacaroidea within the Parasitiformes Reuter, 1909. Previous comprehensive investigations by Hennig applying phylogenetic methods are supplemented by comparing the chaetotaxy of legs and characteristics developed by phoretic behavioural patterns. The results show that the Ixodides are related to the Uropodina, particularly very closely to the Uropodoidea. Hence, the Ixodides must be integrated into the subgroups of Parasitiformes. The Parasitiformes comprise three distinguished main groups: 1. Gamasina Leach, 2. Margotrichina Karg & Schorlemmer and 3. Antennophorina Berlese s. Karg & Schorlemmer, 2008. Classifications are explained by means of cladograms and synapomorphies. Lastly, we describe and illustrate four new species from South America (Venezuela and Ecuador). These new species belong to the Ologamasus genera-group, genus Neogamasellevans Loots & Ryke and genus Geogamasus Lee and to the Gamasellus genera-group, genus Desectophis Karg. Differential diagnoses of new and related species are completed by keys for 32 species of Geogamasus Lee, Desectophis Karg and Acuphis Karg. Acuphis eulateris Karg, 1998 is transferred to the genus Desectophis Karg. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)