New Mite Species Research Articles

Descriptions of five new species of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands

ABSTRACT Five mite species belonging to the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), namely, Amblyseius andamanicus Karmakar and Biswas sp. nov., Amblyseius reticulatus Karmakar and Biswas sp. nov., Euseius jhinukae Karmakar and Biswas sp. nov., Euseius madhubanensis Karmakar and Biswas sp. nov., and Ueckermannseius samudricus Karmakar and Biswas sp. nov., are discovered as new to science and are described based on specimens collected from plants amidst the lush green and dense tropical evergreen rainforest areas of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A new species group samudricus under the genus Ueckermannseius is proposed. Zoobank registration numberhttp://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D365B615-0D5F-4FC9-A688-C5B4BBD7E15F

The first record of the genus Julolaelaps Berlese (Acari, Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) in Republic of Korea and description of a new species on a captive giant African millipede (Spirostreptidae, Archispirostreptus).

This paper reports on a new species of mite of the genus Julolaelaps Berlese in Republic of Korea. Females and males of a new species, Julolaelapsgigassp. nov., were collected on a captive giant African millipede, Archispirostreptusgigas (Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae). The new species is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult females and males and compared with known congeners. This new species is the first record of Julolaelaps from Republic of Korea. In addition, an updated key to all known species of the genus is presented.

Two new species of the genus Dactyloscirus (Acari: Prostigmata: Bdelloidea: Cunaxidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia, with a key to known species.

Two new species of predatory cunaxid mites belonging to the genus Dactyloscirus are described: Dactyloscirus sumatranus Corpuz-Raros and Naredo sp. n. and D. ladangjagung Corpuz-Raros and Lit sp. n. Both inhabit soil in corn fields in Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Dactyloscirus. sumatranus closely resembles D. dolichosetosus Den Heyer, 1979, but differs in having the basal half of chelicera strongly inflated, about four times thicker than in the distal half (vs. slender and gradually tapered), hysterosomal setae f1 and h1 at least twice as long as the anterior pairs c1-e1 (vs. only slightly longer), and famulus of tarsus I only ¾ the length of the closely associated asl (vs. longer). Dactyloscirus ladangjagung resembles D. hoffmannae Swift, 1996, but differs by the number of setae on some leg segments, namely, basifemora (5-5-3-2 vs. 5-5-3-1 sts) and tibiae (5-5-5-4 vs. 4-5-4-2 sts), and in having setae g4 the longest of genital setae (vs. setae g3). An updated key to 30 known Dactyloscirus species is provided.

Two new species of the family Scheloribatidae from China, with remarks on the genus Annobonzetes Pérez-Íñigo, 1983 (Scheloribatidae)

Two new species of oribatid mites are described based on adult specimens from China. Similobates linzhiensis sp. nov. differs from S. deficiens Wallwork, 1977 by its lanceolate shaped bothridial setae, and it also differs from S. staryi Ermilov, 2018 and S. demetororum Mahunka, 1982 by shorter adanal setae ad1 and ad2. Annobonzetes hamatus sp. nov. differs from A. sphaericus Pérez-Íñigo, 1983 by barbed prodorsal setae. The genera Annobonzetes and Similobates are recorded in China for the first time. The updated description and an identification key for the genus Annobonzetes are given. 

Three new species Nothopoda Keifer (Acari, Nothopodinae) from Guangxi, China

ABSTRACT In this paper, three new species of eriophyoid mites belonging to the subfamily Nothopodinae from Guangxi are described and illustrated. They are Nothopoda maesae sp. nov. collected on Maesa perlaria (Lour.) Merr. (Myrsinaceae), Nothopoda camelliae sp. nov. collected on Camellia oleifera Abel (Theaceae), and Nothopoda nepalense sp. nov. collected on Alnus nepalensis D. Don (Betulaceae). All the species are vagrants on the lower leaf surface, causing no apparent damage to their host plants. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4AC5CCA4-22FD-4B9B-B76D-35CDA24392C4

Description of Acaralox latifolia n. sp. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) on water bamboo from Taiwan

Water bamboo, Zizania latifolia (Griseb.), Poaceae, is the major crop in Puli Township, Taiwan. Following some unknown mite infestations causing leaf curling symptoms first observed in 2018, water bamboos experienced a dramatic crop yield. Our morphological evaluation revealed their infestation with a new species of eriophyoid mite, Acaralox latifolia n. sp. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea). Here, we described and illustrated this new species and provided its scanning electronic micrographs and DNA sequences of COI and ITS regions. This is the first record of the genus Acaralox from Taiwan.

Iranotrichus crassisetosus gen. nov., sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Zetomotrichidae) from central Iran

A new genus and species of oribatid mites (Oribatida) of the family Zetomotrichidae are described from soil in the Central Plateau of Iran, Yazd Province. Iranotrichus gen. nov., with type species Iranotrichus crassisetosus sp. nov., differs from all other genera of the family by a combination of the following character states: large body size; denticulate rostrum; dorsosejugal furrow medially interrupted; divided posterior margin of notogaster; prodorsal, notogastral and ventral plates ornamented with fine, fragmented longitudinal striae; large, thick notogastral seta c2; presence of notogastral lyrifissures ia and im, humeral sac and pyriform organ; absence of custodium; barbed epimeral setae, 1a and 1c longer than others, 1a longest; four pairs of genital, two pairs of anal and three pairs of adanal setae; tarsus I with 20 setae; presence of thick setae on genua I and II, tibia II and tarsi II–IV, with seta tc″ on tarsus IV slightly enlarged but not a thick spine; leg IV enlarged, acetabulum not dorsally displaced. Leg IV representing an intermediate stage between the genera with a well-developed jumping leg and those without a jumping leg. In addition, data on geographic distribution and some information about all known genera of Zetomotrichidae are given.

New Molecular-Based Phylogeny of Mussel-Associated Mites Reveals a New Subgenus and Three New Species Representing an Example of a Host-Driven Radiation in Indochina and Confirms the Concept of Division of the Genus Unionicola Haldeman, 1842 (Acari: Unionicolidae) into Numerous Subgenera

Here we describe a new subgenus and three new species of parasitic water mites in the genus Unionicola (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from Myanmar: Myanmaratax subgen. nov., Unionicola (Myanmaratax) savadiensis subgen. and sp. nov. (hosts: Lamellidens savadiensis and L. generosus), U. (My.) generosa sp. nov. (the same hosts), and U. (My.) trapezidenssp. nov. (hosts: Trapezidens dolichorhynchus and T. angustior). These taxa were identified based on a two-gene phylogenetic analysis (COI + 28S), which also confirms the division of the genus Unionicola into numerous subgenera. The new species are cryptic species, which are morphologically indistinguishable but strongly resemble U. (Prasadatax) brandti Vidrine, 1985 described from Thailand (hosts: Lens spp. and Ensidens spp.). We also transfer the latter taxon from Prasadatax to Myanmaratax based on a set of morphological evidence and propose U. (My.) brandti comb. nov. The new subgenus contains a total of five species, one of which needs future sampling efforts and will be described elsewhere. Additionally, 56 valid subgenera, which were placed in the synonymy of the genus and in one case raised to the genus level, are restored here until robust phylogenetic evidence on their taxonomic status is available. Our results also confirm that Unionicola mites are narrow host specialists that are associated with either one or a few closely related freshwater mussel species belonging to one or two sister genera.

A New Aculodes Species (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) Described from an Invasive Weed by Morphological, Morphometric and DNA Barcode Analyses.

Simple SummaryNatural enemies of cheatgrass, an invasive plant in the western USA that is associated with recent increases in destructive wildfires, were sought as part of a classical biological control program targeting that plant. A population of mites was discovered infesting cheatgrass plants in central Bulgaria and determined to be a new species using morphological, morphometric analysis (i.e., measurement of specific body parts) and DNA barcoding (i.e., comparison of DNA sequences in genes shared by all mite species). Without these modern analytical tools, this mite would probably have been considered as the same species as another mite that infests other plants. This new mite species will now be tested to determine if it is suitable for importation and release in the USA as a biological control agent of cheatgrass.A new species of eriophyoid mite, Aculodes marcelli sp. nov., was discovered on cheatgrass, Anisantha tectorum (L.) Nevski (syn. Bromus tectorum L.), an annual grass that is native to Eurasia and Northern Africa. This grass was introduced to North America near the end of the 19th century and now is widespread and associated with the observed increases in the size, frequency, and intensity of wildfires in western N. America. In this paper, A. marcelli sp. nov., is morphologically described and illustrated. Compared with other Aculodes spp., it differs based on morphology and the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene, subunit I (MT-CO1). Results of morphometric analysis showed clear differentiation between A. marcelli sp. nov., and the most similar congener, A. altamurgiensis from Taeniatherum caput-medusae. Analysis of MT-CO1 sequence divergence revealed significant levels of genetic variation (17.7%) and supported the results from the morphometric analysis; therefore, it is determined that they are two different species. Aculodes marcelli sp. nov., is a new candidate agent for classical biological control of A. tectorum.

A new, broadly distributed species of predacious mites, Neoseiulus neoagrestis sp. nov., (Acari: Phytoseiidae) discovered through GenBank data mining and extensive morphological analyses

A new species of phytoseiid mites, Neoseiulus neoagrestis sp. nov., was described based on all ontogenetic stages and extensive comparison with types/vouchers of closely related species and a thorough analysis of GenBank data. Mite specimens were collected in an area at the eastern coast of the Black Sea of Russia and cultured. Molecular barcoding revealed a close match (100–99.25%) with several unidentified COX1 sequences from Canada. Both Canadian and Russian mites reproduced sexually and had consistent morphology, including the presence of gd2 gland pores, indicating that they belong to a single species, N. neoagrestis sp. nov. The presence of gd2 gland pores distinguishes N. neoagrestis sp. nov. from a closely related, parthenogenetic species N. agrestis (Karg), which lacks gd2 gland pores. Despite having an arguably negligible morphological difference, these two species were clearly distinct by COX1 sequences (19.95–22.01% K2P distances). We studied the ontogeny of N. neoagrestis sp. nov. and provided comparison with related Neoseiulus species. Furthermore, our examination of types of N. agrestis, N. salish, and N. striatus indicated that the latter two species are potential junior synonyms of N. agrestis.

Description of nine new species of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Sikkim, a north eastern States of India.

A rapid roving survey was done in the East Sikkim district of the state Sikkim with a target to explore phytoseiid fauna of the region. Nine species of phytoseiid mites namely Amblyseius lanceae sp. nov.; Amblyseiulella cancellatus sp. nov.; Amblyseiulella gangtokiensis sp. nov.; Euseius tubuliferus sp. nov.; Okiseius pahari sp. nov.; Paraamblyseius ranipoolensis sp. nov.; Phytoseius ferrum sp. nov.; Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) himaliniae sp. nov. Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) kanchanjanghai sp. nov. are described with proper illustrations in the present paper.

A new subgenus and two new species of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Madagascar

This study is based on oribatid mite materials collected by swiping bushes in central Madagascar. Four species are identified; a new subgenus and two new species, Afreremella (Arboreremella) n. subgen., with type species Afreremella (Arboreremella) madagascarensis n. sp. (Eremellidae), and Lucoppia ankaratraensis n. sp. (Oribatulidae) are described. An identification key to known representatives of Lucoppia is provided. The initial subgeneric status of Eremella (Archeremella) is supported.

Three new species of Nothopodinae (Acari, Eriophyidae) from China

In this paper, three new species of Nothopodinae mites from China are described and illustrated. They are Disella miliusae sp. nov. collected on Miliusa sinensis Finet & Gagnep. (Annonaceae), Disella dendrocalama sp. nov. collected on Dendrocalamus yunnanicus Hsueh & D.Z.Li (Poaceae), and Colopodacus machili sp. nov. collected on Machilus nanmu (Oliv.) Hemsl. (Lauraceae). All the species are vagrants on lower leaf surface and causing no apparent damage to their host plants.

Two new Aceria species (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Meshginshahr rangelands, Iran

During a first faunistic survey on the eriophyoid mites of Meshginshahr rangelands in Ardabil province, Iran, two new Aceria species of eriophyid mites were found, and they are described and illustrated. They are: Aceria ayvatliorum Lotfollahi et Hemmatzadeh sp. nov. from Rhaponticum repens (L.) Hidalgo (Asteraceae), and Aceria beygdiliorum Lotfollahi et Hemmatzadeh sp. nov. from Astragalus compactus Lam. (Fabaceae). The first aforementioned new species is the third eriophyoid associated with R. repens. And the second new species is the fourth Aceria species found on Astragalus species. Both new species were vagrants, and no plant deformations were observed. Due to the presence of numerous endemic Astragalus species in Iran, an intensive and cohesive survey of eriophyoid mites of Astragalus is strongly suggested.

Two new species and a new record of eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyodea) from Guangxi, China.

Two new species of eriophyoid mites are described and illustrated from Guangxi, China: Acaphylla quercus sp. nov. collected on Quercus glauca Thunb. (Fagaceae), Rhyncaphytoptus miliusius sp. nov. collected on Miliusa sinensis Finet Gagnep. (Annonaceae). We further report Cecidodectes euzonus Nalepa, 1917, collected on Trema tomentosa (Roxb.) H.Hara (Cannabaceae), for the first time from China. All the species are vagrants on lower leaf surface causing no apparent damage to their host plants.

A new genus and two new species of chigger mites (Trombidiformes: Leeuwenhoekiidae) from Brazilian caves with notes about the genus Whartonia Ewing, 1944

ABSTRACT The family Leeuwenhoekiidae has a worldwide distribution. In Brazil, it is represented by five genera and 10 species parasitising all groups of terrestrial vertebrates. Examination of material housed in the Acari Collection of the Instituto Butantan revealed undescribed species belonging to this family. In the present study, we describe a new genus, Caramuruacarus gen. nov., with the type species Caramuruacarus carnavalesca sp. nov. from the Minas Gerais State and a new species for the genus Whartonia, Whartonia parauapebensis sp. nov., from Pará State, both from the soil of Brazilian caves. In addition, a discussion of the genus Whartonia and its subgenera is provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B4D09A27-D163-4772-B4FA-79949D5FEC9F http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F3533B72-8643-467F-A348-63534EB67AAA http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3BC85F16-1E6D-4FFB-9B71-465A2689D9EE

New species of the family Scheloribatidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Peru

ABSTRACT Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Scheloribatidae – Urubambates jakobi sp. nov. and Pachygena annae sp. nov. – are described, based on adults collected from upper soil and leaf litter in primary mountain forests in the Andes, Central Peru. Pachygena makarovae is supposedly a member of the genus Perscheloribates. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:10DAA55B-EBB2-45EF-9CB9-F0B5535B9030

Efficacy of fluralaner (Exzolt) for the treatment of natural Allopsoroptoides galli infestations in laying hens

Mite infestations in laying hens can cause losses to producers due to stress, reduced egg production and even death of birds. A new species of mite, Allopsoroptoides galli (A. galli), Analgoidea: Psoroptoididae, was recently identified in commercial laying farms in Brazil, causing damage due to its highly aggressive infestation that results in a sharp drop in egg production and culling. The present study evaluated the acaricidal action of a formulation containing fluralaner (Exzolt) against A. galli. Thirty-four laying hens naturally infested with A. galli were equally divided into a fluralaner-treated group and an untreated control group. The fluralaner-treated group received Exzolt in drinking water at a dose of 0.05 mL/kg body weight (equivalent to 0.5 mg fluralaner/kg body weight), twice, 7 d apart. Both groups were followed for 70 d evaluating the level of infestation by counting mites in skin scrapings and assessment of skin lesions. The average mite count of the treated group decreased significantly, dropping from 61.6 to 3.8 mites (D+7 to D+70). The efficacy progressively increased on subsequent days, reaching 98.8% on d +56 post-treatment and 96.9% on d +70. Recovery of skin lesions was observed after administration of Exzolt, showing a marked remission in the degree of lesions (2.5 on d −14 to 0.2 on d +70). The mean number of mites in the untreated control group ranged from 79.3 to 124.1 and the lesion score from 2.6 to 2.9, thus remaining stable throughout the study. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated that Exzolt administered at a dose of 0.05 mL of product/kg body weight (equivalent to 0.5 mg of fluralaner/kg body weight), twice at a 7-d interval, in drinking water was effective in the treatment of the mite Allopsoroptoides galli in naturally infested laying hens.

Two New Species of Cosmolaelaps (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from the United States of America

This paper reports on two new species of mites of the genus Cosmolaelaps in soil, C. floridius sp. nov. and C. spatulatus sp. nov., from the United States of America (USA). The description of the first species has been presented based on the morphological characters of both female and male and for the later based on the female members.

Three new species of the eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from Guangxi, China

ABSTRACT In this paper, three new species of eriophyoid mites from Guangxi, China, are described and illustrated. They are as follows: Paraphytoptus niveae sp. nov. infesting Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich. (Urticaceae), Boczekiana broussonetiae sp. nov. infesting Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent. (Moraceae), and Trimeroptes kaempferi sp. nov. infesting Broussonetia kaempferi Siebold (Moraceae). All three new species are vagrants on the lower leaf surface and cause no apparent symptom to their host plants.