Species Of Oribatid Mites Research Articles

Three new species of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari, Oribatida) from South Africa.

Three new species of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae are described from soil and coniferous litter of Hogsback State Forest, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Pilogalumna hogsbackensis sp. nov. differs from Pilogalumna tenuiclava and P. ornatula by the presence of elongate oval postanal porose area and narrowly unilaterally dilated bothridial head. Pergalumna amatholensis sp. nov. differs from Pergalumna distincta by the presence of smaller body size, rounded rostrum, unilaterally dilated bothridial head, one pair of notogastral porose areas Aa, and the localization of opisthonotal gland opening and lyrifissure im. Stictozetes ihaguensis sp. nov. differs from all species of the genus by presence of bothridial seta with narrowly dilated head and median pore in both genders. An identification key to known species of Stictozetes is presented.

<p class="Body"><strong>A new species of <em>Pergalumna</em> (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae) from southeastern Iran, including a key to all species of the genus from the Palaearctic region</strong></p>

A new species of oribatid mite of the family Galumnidae, Pergalumna sistanbaluchestanica sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult specimens from soil in Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran. The new species is characterized by dentate rostrum; long interlamellar setae; long, setiform, finely barbed bothridial setae; complete dorsosejugal furrow; large, nearly triangular porose areas Aa; presence of median pore in females and males; large, elongated postanal porose area and large body size. The new species is most similar morphologically to P. seminervosa Mahunka & Mahunka-Papp, 2008, however, differs from it in morphology of bothridial setae and notogastral porose areas Aa and also by the surface ornamentation of the pteromorphs and genital plates; localization of setal alveoli la and lyrifissures im and body size. An identification key to known species of Pergalumna from the Palaearctic region is given.

Descriptions of two new species of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Taroko National Park, Taiwan

ABSTRACT Two new species of oribatid mites are described on the basis of adult specimens sampled from soil in Taroko National Park (Taiwan). Tectodamaeus truku Ermilov sp. nov. (Damaeidae) differs from its most similar species, T. kuankuoshuiensis and T. spiniger by the presence of long propodolateral apophysis, long rostral and lamellar setae having flagellate tip and different leg setation. Kalyptrazetes kbayan Ermilov sp. nov. (Microzetidae) differs from its most similar species, K. harpezus by the presence of setiform, with flagellate tip, shortly ciliate basally rostral and lamellar setae, triangular anterior opening of the interlamellar region and sculpturing/ornamentation of the notogaster. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A3939C15-3BC9-4C66-A416-784C1699ED84

Oribatid mite (Acari, Oribatida) richness and diversity in Oak forests of West Azerbaijan Province (Northwestern Iran)

Up to now, oribatid mite richness and diversity have not been studied in oak forests of Iran. This study aimed at determining the relationships among Oribatid mite composition, richness and diversity as well as ecological factors such as elevation, soil pH and soil moisture, tree species and stand density in oak forests in northwestern Iran. Thirty samples were randomly arranged at three elevation levels (1,000-1,300 m, 1,300-1,500 m and 1,500-1,650 m). Results indicated that 42 oribatid mite species were recorded in the study area. Nine and six species were exclusively observed in the elevations 1,100-1,300 and 1,300-1,500 m, respectively; while five mite species were commonly recorded in these two elevation categories. The study revealed that oribatid mite composition was affected by elevation gradient; however, the mean differences of species richness and diversity indices were not significant among elevation categories. Moreover, there were no significant correlations either between the densities of most frequent species of oribatid mite species and soil pH (except for Tectoribates sp.), soil moisture (except for Tectocepheus velatus), elevation, density of Quercus infectoria and density of Quercus libani in study area. Generally, variations in oribatid mite composition were more affected by physiographic factors e.g., altitude than by soil properties and oak species densities, nevertheless no environmental factors influenced oribatid mite richness and diversity in this region.

TAXONOMIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ORIBATID MITE GENUS NEORIBATES (ACARI, ORIBATIDA, PARAKALUMMIDAE)

A new oribatid mite species of the genus Neoribates (Oribatida, Parakalummidae) is described from Bolivia. A new generic diagnosis and an identification key to the known species of the aforementioned genus from the Neotropical region are provided.

Two new species of insect phoretic Siculobata (Paraleius) (Acari, Oribatida, Scheloribatidae) from U.S.A. and Trinidad

Two new species of oribatid mites of the subgenus Siculobata (Paraleius), phoretic on Insecta (Coleoptera and Diptera), are described from the U.S.A. and Trinidad, based on adults. Siculobata (Paraleius) americana sp. n. differs from Siculobata (Paraleius) leontonycha (Berlese, 1910) by the presence of monodactylous legs and a slightly modified claw on all pretarsi. Siculobata (Paraleius) trinidadensis sp. n. differs from S. (P.) americana sp. n. by the presence of sublamella, fusiform bothridial seta and a normal claw on pretarsi III, IV, and the absence of pedotectum II. Subgeneric morphological traits and an identification key to known species of Siculobata (Paraleius) are presented.

Two remarkable new species of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Acacia litter of Kerala, India.

Two new oribatid mite species viz. Papillacarus (Vepracarus) acaciensis sp. nov. and Licneremaeus indicus sp. nov. belonging to the respective oribatid families, Lohmanniidae and Licneremaeidae are described and illustrated. Specimens of both species were collected from litter of Acacia auriculiformis Benth. (Leguminosae) growing in different localities of the Calicut University Campus, Malappuram Dt. of Kerala. The family Licneremaeidae is recorded for the first time from India. Identification keys to all known species of the nominative subgenus Vepracarus and the genus Licneremaeus are also provided.

Biodiversity of soil arthropods with emphasis on oribatid mites in three different tea agro-ecosystem with three different agronomical practices in Assam, India

Soil represents an important reservoir of biodiversity consisting of various forms of life and role in promoting soil health and fertility. The present study was undertaken to explore the diversity and seasonal occurrence of soil arthropod mesofauna with emphasis on oribatid mites in three different tea agro-practicing gardens viz., conventional, organic and biorational approaches located in Assam. Periodical survey was carried out for a period of two years (August 2016–July 2018) and the soil arthropods were extracted, preserved, counted and identified. Oribatid mites were recognized as the most numerically dominant group of arthropod mesofauna in tea soils. A total of 40 species of oribatid mites belonging to 19 families were recorded in the present work. Population of oribatid mites exhibited a fluctuating trend being higher in post-monsoon period (October–November), slightly declined in monsoon (June –September), then in winter (December–February) and was sharply declined during summer (March–May). The Shannon diversity index (H) was found to be appreciably high in organic tea garden (3.08) followed by biorational tea garden (2.8) and conventional tea garden (2.72).

<p class="Body"><strong>First record of intertidal oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Canaries – a new species and its complete ontogeny</strong></p>

A new species of intertidal oribatid mites from Tenerife is described and its full ontogenetic development is given in detail. Thalassozetes canariensis sp. nov. can easily be distinguished from its congeners by its characteristic notogastral cuticular pattern showing loosely distributed irregular elevations, and its rectangular median sternal cavity. Based on morphology, Thalassozetes canariensis sp. nov. is most closely related to the Mediterranean T. riparius; both species share a small transversal band-like notogastral light spot and the longitudinal orientation of lyrifissure iad. The juvenile morphology of T. canariensis sp. nov. conforms basically to those of known Thalassozetes juveniles but there are discrepancies in certain aspects that require further research into all known species. This report of T. canariensis sp. nov. from Tenerife is the first record of an intertidal mite for the Canaries, and also for the Eastern Atlantic area. Further records of this species within the area may be expected.

Spatiodamaeus ziemowiti sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Damaeidae) from Russia

A new species of oribatid mite of the genus Spatiodamaeus (Oribatida: Damaeidae) is described from the Russian Far East. Spatiodamaeus ziemowitisp. nov. differs from all species of the genus by the presence of bothridial setae with attenuate tips, prodorsobasal tubercles La, narrowly phylliform dorsal notogastral setae, and one pair of median ventral tubercles. The generic placement of the new species is discussed.

New Species of Oribatid Mites of the Genera Indoribates and Protoribates (Acari: Oribatida: Haplozetidae) from Madagascar

Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Haplozetidae are described on the basis of adult specimens sampled from leaf forest litter in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park of eastern Madagascar. Indoribates olszanowskiisp. nov. differs from all species of the genus by the presence of lineolate notogastral surface. Protoribates ziemowiti sp. nov. differs from Protoribates magnus (Aoki, 1982) by the presence of lanceolate bothridial setae with well-developed, setiform apex, four pairs of notogastral setae, and femora II rounded anteroventrally. The genus Indoribates is recorded in the Ethiopian region for the first time; the genus Protoribates is recorded in Madagascar for the first time.

Oribatid Mites of the Families Scheloribatidae and Oripodidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Babeldaob Island of Palau

We found five species of oribatid mites belonging to the families Scheloribatidae and Oripodidae from Babeldaob Island of Palau Republic, which is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. Two new species, Euscheloribates olszanowskiisp. nov. and Oripoda minusculasp. nov. are described from litter and soil of the primary and secondary forests in Palau, and supplementary descriptions of three hitherto known species, Perscheloribates benguetensis (Corpuz-Raros, 1980), Protoripoda insularis Balogh, 1970 and Scheloribates praeincisus (Berlese, 1910) are provided. Following the descriptions and comparisons, we discuss aspects of the taxonomy, distribution and habitat ecology of all studied species.

A new species of Erioppia with remarks on Oppiidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar

ABSTRACT Thirteen species of oribatid mites of the family Oppiidae are recorded from Andasibe-Mantadia National Park (eastern Madagascar). One new species is described on the basis of adult specimens sampled from forest litter. Erioppia corpuzrarosae sp. nov. differs from its most similar species, Erioppia malalatinae by having bothridial setae with long, thickened apexes, smaller body size, and absence alveoli of of notogastral setae c. The new generic diagnosis, identification key, distribution and habitats of all known species of Erioppia are presented. Another species, Paroppia breviseta is recorded in the Madagascar fauna for the first time.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6A0389C2-D584-4997-86D9-EE3CC2E574D0

Biology of the oribatid mite Acrotritia clavata (Märkel, 1964) from the mangrove ecosystems of North Kerala, India

In this study, the development of the oribatid mite species Acrotritia clavata (Märkel, 1964) was studied for the first time under laboratory conditions in 2015. The postembryonic development was documented in plastic culture cells with a base of plaster of Paris-charcoal mixture (4:1 ratio) at room temperature of 28±2°C and relative humidity (RH) of 79±2%. The total duration of the life stages of A. clavata from egg to adult was 61-72 days in saline water (pH 7.9) collected from its natural habitat, which was used for rearing. Morphological features of all juvenile stages were studied. The present study revealed the morphology of all the juvenile stages and the duration of post-embryonic development of A. clavata collected from the mangrove ecosystem of North Kerala, India.

<p class="Body"><strong>New findings of oribatid mites of the family Oppiidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Babeldaob Island of Palau </strong></p>

We found four species of oribatid mites belonging to family Oppiidae from Babeldaob Island of Palau Republic, which is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. Two new species, Anomaloppia babeldaobensis sp. nov. and Oxyoppia palauensis sp. nov. are described from litter and soil in a secondary forest of Palau, and supplementary descriptions of two hitherto known species, Arcoppia corniculifera (Mahunka 1978) and Arcoppia hammerae Rodríguez & Subías, 1984 are provided, which are reported for the first time from the Oceania region. Following the descriptions and comparisons, aspects of the taxonomy, distribution and habitat ecology of studied species are discussed.

<p class="Body"><strong>Two new species of </strong><strong><em>Pilobates</em></strong><strong> (Acari, Oribatida, Haplozetidae) from Madagascar</strong></p>

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Pilobates (Oribatida, Haplozetidae) are described on the basis of adult specimens sampled from Andasibe-Mantadia National Park of eastern Madagascar. Pilobates staryi sp. nov. differs from Pilobates africanus Ermilov & Starý, 2020 by the presence of long tutoria, comparatively short interlamellar setae, minute and setiform notogastral setae, 15 pairs of notogastral setae including c3 on pteromorphs, elongate notogastral sacculi, and anterodorsal process on leg trochanters IV. Pilobates parastaryi sp. nov. differs from P. staryi sp. nov. by having long interlamellar setae, adanal setae ad1 and ad2 and anal setae an1 with curved tips, heavily sculptured notogaster, and well developed triangular ventrobasal tubercle on leg tibiae I. A revised generic diagnosis of Pilobates is presented.

<p class="Body"><strong>New species of the genera <em>Belbodamaeus</em> and <em>Epidamaeus</em> (Acari, Oribatida, Damaeidae) from Russia</strong></p>

Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Damaeidae collected from the Russian Far East, are described. Belbodamaeus gobilliensis sp. nov. is most similar to Belbodamaeus rarituberculatus Bayartogtokh, 2004, but differs from the latter by the larger body size, the absence of propodolateral apophyses and ventrosejugal tubercles, and the presence of prodorsobasal tubercles Ba, neotrichy on epimere II and five setae on femora III and IV. Epidamaeus chopeensis sp. nov. is most similar to Epidamaeus nortoni Bayartogtokh, 2004, but differs from the latter by the smaller body size, the presence of comparatively long and narrowly phylliform dorsal notogastral setae, parastigmatic apophyses Sa and leg tarsi formula 22-18-18-15, and the absence of thick setae on leg segments.

Analysis of Oribatid Fauna of the East European Tundra with First Reported Data of Subpolar Urals

This study presents data on the oribatid mite fauna of the Subpolar Urals for the first time. Observations were made in the Lembekoyu River valley and 35 species of oribatid mites from 24 genera and 21 families were found. The analysis of taxonomic diversity and distribution of East European tundra oribatid mite species is presented based on available literature and the author’s own research findings. The taxonomic list includes 163 species from 81 genera and 45 families. Ceratozetidae (15 species), Crotoniidae (14 species), Oppiidae (12 species), Suctobelbidae (12 species), Damaeidae (9 species), Brachychthoniidae (8 species), Phthiracaridae (5 species), Humerobatidae (5 species), Achipteriidae (5 species), Punctoribatidae (5 species), and Galumnidae (5 species) are the leading families, comprising more than 58% of all species. The zoogeographical structure of the fauna is dominated by widely distributed Holarctic, cosmopolitan, and semi-cosmopolitan species. The share of Palaearctic species is 23%. The specificity of the fauna of East European tundra manifests itself in the small group of Arctic species, both in the mainland tundra and on the Arctic islands. A complex of arctic-boreal species, widely distributed in the Eurasian sector of the Arctic, is distinguished.

A new species of the genus Paralycus from Fujian, China

A new oribatid mite species of the family Pediculochelidae, Paralycus nortoni sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on adult specimens collected from barks of dead Pinus massoniana Lamb. infested by Monochamus alternatus in Fuzhou city, China. This new species described here is the fourth species of the genus Paralycus in China. An updated key to the species of the genus Paralycus is provided.

<p><strong><em>Sadocepheus nortonroyi </em>sp. nov. (Acari, Oribatida, Cepheidae) from Chile, with identification key to known species of the genus</strong></p>

A new species of oribatid mites of the family Cepheidae is described based on adults from rainforest in Chile. Sadocepheus nortonroyi sp. nov. differs from Sadocepheus foveolatus by the larger body size, the presence of transverse notogastral ridge and divergent lamellar cusps, and the location of notogastral setae on the notogastral surface. Explanations on placement of some species in Sadocepheus are presented. An identification key to known species of Sadocepheus is given.