Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari,Oribatida) from Vietnam

Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae, Allogalumna monodactyla sp. n. and Galumna (Galumna) paracalcicola sp. n., are described from dark loamy soil under crown of Ficus sp. in southern Vietnam. Allogalumna monodactyla sp. n. is the first identified member of Allogalumna recorded for Vietnam. The identification keys to the species of Allogalumna from the Oriental region and species of Galumna (Galumna) from Vietnam and the calcicola-group are given.     

A new species of the genus Pergalumna Grandjean, 1936 from Iran (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae)

A new species of galumnid mite (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae), Pergalumna persica sp. n., is described from Fars province, southern Iran. The new species is characterised by a pointed rostrum, minute interlamellar setae, medium long, setiform sensilla, with finely barbed, slightly dilated head, complete dorsosejugal suture, large, nearly elongate-triangular areae porosae Aa, absence of median pore, and large body size.     

Peruvian oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida) from the German Biological Expedition,with description of a new species of the genus Pergalumna

The present study is based on oribatid mite material (Acari, Oribatida) collected during the German Expedition in 2011 in Peru. An annotated checklist of identified oribatid mites, including 16 species from 14 genera and 8 families, is provided. Thirteen species and two genera (Notohermannia, Zetomimus) are recorded for the first time in Peru; the genus Notohermannia and species Notohermannia obtusa are recorded for the first time in the Neotropical region. A new species of the genus Pergalumna (Galumnidae), Pergalumna paraboliviana sp. n., is described. The new species is most similar to Pergalumna boliviana Ermilov, 2013 from Bolivia, however, it differs from the latter by the body size, morphology of porose areas A1 and the presence of interlamellar setae.     

Contributions to the knowledge of oribatid mites of Indonesia. 1. The genus Allogalumna (Galumnidae) with descriptions of two new species (Acari,Oribatida)

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Allogalumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae) are described from litter and soil materials of Sumatra, Indonesia. Allogalumna indonesiensis sp. n. is morphologically most similar to Allogalumna borhidii Balogh & Mahunka, 1979, Allogalumna quadrimaculata (Mahunka, 1988), Allogalumna rotundiceps Aoki, 1996 and Allogalumna plowmanae Balogh & Balogh, 1983; however, the new species differs by having densely ciliate bothridial heads, larger body size and absence of a median pore. Allogalumna paranovazealandica sp. n. is morphologically most similar to Allogalumna novazealandica Hammer, 1968; however, the new species differs by the shorter body length and barbed and curving postero-laterad bothridial setae. The genus Allogalumna is recorded for the first time in the Indonesian fauna.     

Two new species of Pergalumna (Acari,Oribatida, Galumnidae) from Costa Rica,including a key to all species of the genus from the Neotropical region

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Pergalumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae), P. elongatiporosa sp. n. and P. striatiprodorsum sp. n., are described from leaf litter of a secondary forest in Costa Rica. Pergalumna elongatiporosa sp. n. is most similar morphologically to P. horvathorum P. Balogh, 1997 and P. sura P. Balogh, 1997, however, it differs from both by the body size, body surface ornamentation and morphology of notogastral porose areas A1 and A3. Pergalumna striatiprodorsum sp. n. is most similar morphologically to P. hawaiiensis hawaiiensis (Jacot, 1934) and P. strigulata Mahunka, 1978, however, it differs from P. hawaiiensis by the length of interlamellar setae and surface ornamentation of the prodorsum; from P. strigulata by the surface of ornamentation of the notogaster, length of interlamellar setae and morphology of bothridial setae. An identification key to known species of Pergalumna from the Neotropical region is given.     

Contributions to the knowledge of oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida) of Indonesia. 3. The genus Galumna (Galumnidae) with description of a new subgenus and seven new species

Seven new species of oribatid mites of the genus Galumna are described from litter and soil materials of Sumatra, Indonesia. A new subgenus, Galumna (Atypicogalumna) subgen. n., is proposed; it differs from all galumnid genera and subgenera by the simultaneous presence of porose areas and sacculi on the notogaster (vs. either porose areas or sacculi present). Galumna (Galumna) calva Starý, 1997 is recorded for the first time in the Oriental region, and Galumna (Galumna) sabahna Mahunka, 1995 is recorded for the first time in the Indonesian fauna.     

A new oribatid mite species of the genus Protoribates (Acari,Oribatida, Haplozetidae) from Ethiopia

A new oribatid mite species, Protoribates aethiopicus sp. n., from Ethiopia is described. This species is morphologically similar to Protoribates dentatus (Berlese, 1883), but differs from it in the longer lamellae and notogastral setae, shorter adanal setae ad ₁ and smaller notogastral porous areas, as well as in the presence of two claws on all legs.     

Mixacarus (Phyllolohmannia) pectinatus sp. n. (Acari,Oribatida, Lohmanniidae), a new species of oribatid mites from India

A new species of oribatid mites (adult and juvenile instars), Mixacarus (Phyllolohmannia) pectinatus sp. n., is described from India. The new species differs from the majority of species of the subgenus in the absence of distally dilated setae and narrower leaf-shaped setae on dorsal and ventral body sides.     

Two new species of oribatid mites of Lasiobelba (Acari,Oribatida, Oppiidae) from Nepal,including a key to all species of the genus

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Lasiobelba (Oribatida, Oppiidae), Lasiobelba (Lasiobelba) daamsae sp. n. and Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n., are described from eastern Nepal. Lasiobelba (L.) daamsae sp. n. is most similar to L. (L.) remota Aoki, 1959 and L. (L.) gibbosa (Mahunka, 1985), however, it differs from both by the anterior part of pedotecta I specifically curved, rostrum pointed and exobothridial setae not shorter than bothridial setae. Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n. is most similar to L. (A.) granulata (Mahunka, 1986), however, it differs from the latter by the larger body size, exobothridial setae longer than rostral setae and bothridial setae not longer than interlamellar setae. An identification key to known species of Lasiobelba is given.     

A list of oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida) of Vietnam

A species list of identified oribatid mite taxa (Acari, Oribatida) in the fauna of Vietnam is provided. During 1967–2015, a total of 535 species/subspecies from 222 genera and 81 families was registered. Of these, 194 species/subspecies were described as new for science from Vietnam.     

New species of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of the genera Belbodamaeus (Damaeidae), Malaconothrus (Malaconothridae) and Nothrus (Nothridae) from India

Three new oribatid mite species, Belbodamaeus indicus sp. n. (Damaeidae), Malaconothrus macrofoveolatus sp. n. (Malaconothridae) and Nothrus phylliformis sp. n. (Nothridae), are described from Indian soils. Belbodamaeus indicus sp. n. is clearly distinguishable from all species of Belbodamaeus by the absence of discidia, very long sensilli and morphology of parastigmatic tubercles Sa. Malaconothrus macrofoveolatus sp. n. is very similar morphologically to Malaconothrus yinae Yamamoto, Aoki, Wang & Hu, 1993 from China, however it differs from the latter by the morphology of notogastral and genital setae, size of body foveolae, epimeral formula, and number of genital setae. Nothrus phylliformis sp. n. is very similar morphologically to Nothrus mystax Mahunka, 1986 from Tanzania, however it differs from the latter by the smaller body size, length of interlamellar setae and the position of notogastral setae d ₁. An identification key to known species of Belbodamaeus is presented.     

The genus Galumna in Nepalese oribatid mite fauna,with notes on systematic placement of some species (Acari,Oribatida, Galumnidae)

The oribatid mite genus Galumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae) is recorded for the first time in Nepal. A new species, Galumna tetraporosasp. n., is described from soil of secondary mixed broadleaved forest. It is most similar morphologically to G. tokyoensis Aoki, 1966 and G. valida Aoki, 1994, however, it differs from both by the absence of interlamellar setae and the presence of two pairs of notogastral porose areas Aa. Galumna granalata Aoki, 1984 is redescribed on the basis of specimens from Nepal. Galumna floridae (Jacot, 1929) and G. hexagona Balogh, 1960 are transferred to the genus Notogalumna; G. mauritii Mahunka, 1978 is transferred to the genus Dimidiogalumna.     

The oribatid mite subgenus Galumna (Galumna) (Acari,Oribatida, Galumnidae) in the Philippines

Five species of the subgenus Galumna (Galumna) (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae) are registered in the Philippine oribatid mite fauna. A new species, Galumna (Galumna) makilingensis sp. n., is described; it is most similar morphologically to Galumna (Galumna) tokyoensis Aoki, 1966, but differs from the latter by the morphology of porose areas Aa and Ap, rostral setae, and length of interlamellar setae. Three species, Galumna (Galumna) crenata Deb & Raychaudhuri, 1975, Galumna (Galumna) cf. exigua Sellnick, 1925 and Galumna (Galumna) khoii Mahunka, 1989, are recorded in the Philippines for the first time. The species Galumna (Galumna) crenata is redescribed. An identification key to the Philippine species of Galumna (Galumna) is given.     

The oribatid mite genus Benoibates (Acari,Oribatida, Oripodidae)

Two species of oribatid mites of the genus Benoibates (Oribatida, Oripodidae), i.e., Benoibates bolivianus Balogh & Mahunka, 1969(a) and Benoibates minimus Mahunka, 1985, are recorded for the first time in Costa Rica. Both are redescribed in details, using drawings, images and SEM micrographs, on the basis of Costa Rican specimens. An identification key to the known species of Benoibates is given.     

New Data on the fauna of oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida) from the polar Urals

The fauna of oribatid mites in soils of the polar Ural mountains (the lower Malaya Paipudyna River, Labytnangi District, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, 67°06′N, 65°20′E) was studied. Samples from the upper soil layer and litter were collected along a transect running from the floodplain to the mountain lichen tundra (from 150 to 520 m a.s.l.. A total of about 10 thousand mites belonging to 82 species of 34 families were collected, and the distribution of some species in various biotopes was recorded. 46 species and 11 families (Hypochthoniidae, Euphthiracaridae, Phthiracaridae, Nanhermanniidae, Trhypochthoniidae, Cepheidae, Eremaeidae, Thyrisomidae, Micreremidae, Passalozetidae, and Scutoverticidae) are new to the fauna of the polar Urals. Together with these new taxa, the oribatid fauna of the polar Urals comprises not less than 106 species of 34 families. This fauna consists mainly of species with the wide polyzonal geographical distribution.     

Taxonomic distribution of defensive alkaloids in Nearctic oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida)

The opisthonotal (oil) glands of oribatid mites are the source of a wide diversity of taxon-specific defensive chemicals, and are likely the location for the more than 90 alkaloids recently identified in oribatids. Although originally recognized in temperate oribatid species, alkaloids have also been detected in related lineages of tropical oribatids. Many of these alkaloids are also present in a worldwide radiation of poison frogs, which are known to sequester these defensive chemicals from dietary arthropods, including oribatid mites. To date, most alkaloid records involve members of the superfamily Oripodoidea (Brachypylina), although few species have been examined and sampling of other taxonomic groups has been highly limited. Herein, we examined adults of more than 60 species of Nearctic oribatid mites, representing 46 genera and 33 families, for the presence of alkaloids. GC–MS analyses of whole body extracts led to the detection of 15 alkaloids, but collectively they occur only in members of the genera Scheloribates (Scheloribatidae) and Protokalumma (Parakalummidae). Most of these alkaloids have also been detected previously in the skin of poison frogs. All examined members of the oripodoid families Haplozetidae and Oribatulidae were alkaloid-free, and no mites outside the Oripodoidea contained alkaloids. Including previous studies, all sampled species of the cosmopolitan oripodoid families Scheloribatidae and Parakalummidae, and the related, mostly tropical families Mochlozetidae and Drymobatidae contain alkaloids. Our findings are consistent with a generalization that alkaloid presence is widespread, but not universal in Oripodoidea. Alkaloid presence in tropical, but not temperate members of some non-oripodoid taxa (in particular Galumnidae) deserves further study.     

Morphology of ovipositors in oribatid mites of the superfamily Crotonioidea (Acari,Oribatida)

The structure of ovipositors in 16 species of oribatid mites from the superfamily Crotonioidea (Acari, Oribatida) was studied. Similarities and differences in the ovipositor morphology are revealed. A brief comparative analysis of the structure of ovipositors in Macropylina (Crotonioidea) and Brachypylina oribatid mites was performed.     

Further experimental proof of thelytokous parthenogenesis in oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida: Desmonomata)

Based on available sex-ratio data, and a few published laboratory proofs, it appears that thelytokous parthenogenesis is probably widespread in the oribatid mites. It is especially common in early-derivative taxa, such as the Desmonomata, where it seems to characterize whole families. Fifteen species of that group were proven capable of parthenogenesis by rearing immatures in groups or in isolation, and following the reproductive success of resulting adults; these include:Afronothrus incisivus, Allonothrus giganticus, Archegozetes longisetosus, Heminothrus ornatissimus, Nanhermannia dorsalis, Na. elegantula, Nothrus anauniensis, No. terminalis carolinae, Platynothrus banksi, P. biangulatus, P. bicarinatus, Trhypochthoniellus badius, Trhypochthoniellus excavatus, andTrhypochthonius americanus. Males are rare or absent in natural populations of each of these species. For three,P. biangulatus, Al. giganticus, andAr. longisetosus (two populations), thelytoky was proven by rearing parthenogenetically generated progeny. Existing evidence suggests that highly female-biased sex-ratios in the Desmonomata are a reliable indication of thelytokous capability, rather than reflecting an evolutionarily stable ratio of sexually reproducing species.