Species Of Macrochelidae Research Articles

Mesostigmata diversity by manure type: a reference study and new datasets from southwestern Iran

Manure-inhabiting Mesostigmata mites are important biological control agents of pest flies. However, the biodiversity of this mite community is mainly known from Europe and America, and especially from cattle manure. This study examined the diversity and abundance of Mesostigmata mites associated with various types of manure in an (intensive) agricultural region of the Middle East, i.e., the city Ahvaz and its suburbs, in southwest Iran. Mite samples were extracted from manure of cattle, buffalo, sheep, horse, poultry and quail in 30 livestock and poultry farms. In total, 40 species belonging to 24 genera and 16 families were identified. The most diverse families were Laelapidae with eight species, Macrochelidae with seven and Parasitidae with six. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Uroobovella marginata were the most widespread species, recorded in 28 and 27 out of 30 collection sites, respectively. Two species, M. sumbaensis and U. marginata, were found in all studied manures. Simpson’s diversity index recorded the highest diversity in buffalo and sheep manure. Real and theoretical species richness (rarefaction curves) were congruent in number of individuals. The presence of seven species of Macrochelidae in the manure confirms that these are important predators of the house fly for the region of Ahvaz and its suburbs. Members of the Parasitidae were highly prevalent, with one species known as a specialized predator of house fly eggs. This work aims to encourage further studies on the diversity of Mesostigmata in these agricultural settings, and further continue assessing the feasibility of these mites as effective biocontrol agents of filth flies in different types of manure and from different corners of the world.

Gamasina Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) Associated with Animal Remains in the Mediterranean Region of Navarra (Northern Spain).

Mites should not be overlooked as a forensic tool, as many are commonly associated with decomposing animal matter and are closely associated with specific insect carriers and habitats. It is necessary to increase our understanding of the diversity of mites that are found in human and animal remains, their geographical distribution, and their population dynamics. This work is the first study of the role of mites in forensic science in the Mediterranean region of Navarra (northern Spain). Samples were taken using three types of traps (96 modified McPhail, 96 modified pitfall, and 32 carrion on surface) baited with pig carrion during the period between 11 April and 24 June, 2017. Insects were collected in 100% of the traps and only 27% of them contained mites. Information on 26 species of mites belonging to seven families, their ontogenetic phoretic stage/s, their abundance, and presence/absence during the spring season of the study is given. The most abundant species collected were Macrocheles merdarius, Poecilochirus austroasiaticus, and Poecilochirus subterraneus. We are contributing 16 new records for the Iberian Peninsula: seven species of Parasitidae, three species of Macrochelidae, four species of Eviphididae, one species of Halolaelapidae, and one species of Laelapidae.

Two new species of the genus Longicheles Valle, 1953 from the Kelkit Valley, Turkey, with redescription Longicheles lagrecai (Valle, 1963) (Acari: Macrochelidae).

The Kelkit Valley is geographically a transitional zone between the Middle Black Sea and Inner Anatolia regions in Turkey. Two new species of Macrochelidae are described from this area--Longicheles ozkani sp. nov. and Longicheles ayyildizi sp. nov. Longicheles lagrecai (Valle, 1963) is recorded for the Turkish fauna and redescribed on the basis of specimens collected from the Valley. A world-wide key to species of Longicheles Valle is provided.

A new genus and species of Macrochelidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with the Texas leafcutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley) in Louisiana, USA

Adults and nymphs of a new genus and species of the family Macrochelidae are described from detritus cavities of the leafcutting ant, Atta texana. This new species is notable in having peritremes with no posterior loop, a series of small subterminal teeth on the fixed cheliceral digit rather than the single large tooth typical of other macrochelids and well-developed paranal cribral extensions in both the protonymph and the deutonymph, but not in adults.

The seasonal abundance of phoretic predatory mites associated with dung beetles in South Eastern Australia (Acari: Macrochelidae, Parasitidae)

Abstract The seasonal abundance of two species of Macrochelidae, Macrocheles glaber and M. merdarius, and two species of Parasitidae, Parasitus coleoptratorum and P. fimetorum, was determined using dung-baited pitfall traps. The abundance of both Macrocheles species was closely tied in with the abundance of their two principal dung beetle carriers, vix. Onthophagus granulatus and O. australis. Many Parasitus were also brought to the traps by those dung beetles but many more were attracted to the traps independently of the beetles. M. glaber had two main periods of abundance, viz. spring/early summer and midsummer/early autumn. M. merdarius was active from late summer to autumn. P. coleoptratorum activity was concentrated in late spring/early summer and P. fimetorum was active throughout the year but most abundant from spring to early autumn.

Macrochelidae from the Kermadec Islands and a key to species ofMacrocheles Latreillefrom the New Zealand region (Acari : Mesostigmata)

Two species of Macrochelidae are reported from the Kermadec Islands: Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and M. robustulus. A key to the 12 species of Macrocheles from the N.Z. region is presented. The N.Z. records of M. caelatus are misidentifications of M. peniculatus.

Acarina Occurring in Domestic Animal Manure1

A total of 211 samples from 92 different farms in New York State were collected from manure of dairy cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, and ducks. Macrochelidae, Uropodidae, Parasitidae, Oribatidae, and Laelaptidae were collected in that order of abundance. Seven species of Macrochelidae were found, in order of abundance: Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli, 1772), M. medarius (Berlese, 1889), M. subbadius (Berlese, 1904), Glyptholaspis confusa (Foa, 1900), M. glaber (Muller, 1804), M. matrius (Hull, 1925), and M. robustulus (Berlese, 1904). These seven species are illustrated. The first four were common in manure from dairy cattle, the last three rare. In chicken manure M. muscaedomesticae was usually the only macrochelid species found.

New Records of North American Macrochelidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata) and Their Predation Rates on the House Fly1

Three species of Macrochelidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata) not previously reported from North America have been repeatedly collected from cow and horse manure in New York State in 1959 and 1960. These are Macrocheles robustulus (Berlese, 1904) (= Macrocheles rothamstedensis Evans & Browning, 1956) ; Macrocheles subbadius (Berlese, 1904) (not Evans & Browning, 1956) ; and Glyptholaspis confuse (Foa, 1900) (= female only Macrocheles plumiventris Evans & Browning, 1956). Macrocheles medarius Berlese, 1889, reported previously from Canada (Chant 1960) but not from the United States, was repeatedly collected. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli, 1772) (= Macrocheles muscae Ewing, 1913) was also repeatedly collected from domestic animal manure.