The occurrence of Limnohalacarus (Acari: Halacaridae) in Lake No,White Nile

Limnohalacarus africanus and L. fontinalis are recorded from Lake No. These are respectively the third and second records of these species, and represent considerable extensions of their known ranges.     

Global diversity of halacarid mites (Halacaridae: Acari: Arachnida) in freshwater

Halacarid mites have successfully invaded the sea and approximately 56 species colonized the freshwater. Invasion from the sea into continental waters probably started in the Mesozoic or Pre-Mesozoic and went on in the following epochs. The number of genera (14) and species (34) recorded from the Palaearctic is remarkably higher than that of other geographical regions. These numbers do not imply that the Palaearctic is a centre of origin, they reflect the sampling activity rather than reliable data on diversity. Guest editors: E. V. Balian, C. Lévêque, H. Segers & K. Martens Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment     

Mating and spermatophore morphology of water mites (Acari: Parasitengona)

In this paper I synthesize original and published studies of sperm transfer behaviour of 23 genera of water mites from 15 families. The morphology of spermatophores from 16 genera (12 families) is described. Behaviour and/or spermatophores are described for the first time for the following species: Hydrachna magniscutata Marshall, Hydrachna hesperia Lundblad, Hydrachna sp. nr. leegei Koenike, Limnochares americana Lundblad, Limnesia undulata (Müller), Neumania distincta Marshall, Unionicola (three species in the U. crassipes-complex), Thyas slolli Koenike, Lebertia annae Habeeb, Lebertia sp., Piona sp. nr. debilis (Wolcott), Tiphys vernalis (Habeeb), Arrenurus dentipetiolatus Marshall, Arrenurus marshalli Piersig and Arrenurus birgei Marshall. On the basis of proximity of male and female during sperm transfer, I divide water mites into four groups: complete dissociation, involving no physical or chemical contact between the sexes (nine genera); incomplete dissociation, requiring distance-or contact-chemoreception but not involving pairing behaviour (five genera); pairing with indirect transfer, involving pairing behaviour with females controlling sperm uptake (three genera); pairing with direct transfer (=copulation), involving pairing behaviour and male placement of sperm in the receiving structure of the female (12 genera). Four genera have representative species in more than one category of sperm transfer. Factors possibly leading to the diversity of water mite mating behaviour include an evolutionarily flexible mode of sperm transfer in the ancestral water mite, and the development of planktonic and endoparasitic habits in many mites. Morphological features of spermatophores that improve physical stability, probability of females taking up sperm and resistance against osmotic stress are discussed. Finally, I present implications of mating behaviour and spermatophore morphology for phylogenetic relationships within water mites and between this group and terrestrial Acari.     

根螨属螨类进境风险分析

通过对根螨进境风险进行定性分析,初步认为花叶芋根螨(Rhizoglyphus caladii)、小根螨(R.minutus)、长毛根螨(R.setosus)和单列根螨(R.singularis)为检疫性有害生物;刺足根螨(R.echinopus)和罗宾根螨(R.robini)为限定的非检疫性有害生物。     

Phylogeny of parasitiform mites (Acari) based on rRNA

Acari (mites and ticks) form one the most diverse lineages of arthropods, but basal relationships in the group are still poorly understood. The current study addresses this issue for one of its two main lineages, the order Parasitiformes. Relationships are examined at the subordinal and infraordinal level using complete 18S and partial 28S nuclear rRNA sequence data. Most currently recognized lineages are recovered with good support, suggesting that nuclear rRNA, and specifically 18S rRNA, is very well suited for analyzing relationships at this level in this lineage. These results were found despite quite variable rates of sequence evolution, with rates "ratcheting up" from relatively low in most non-mite arachnid lineages, to intermediate in Pseudoscorpiones, the mite order Acariformes, and the parasitiform suborders Opilioacarida, Holothyrida, and Ixodida, to high in the parasitiform suborder Mesostigmata. The most species rich mesostigmatid infraorder, Dermanyssina, shows huge distances to the outgroups, but remarkably low within-group divergence in nuclear rRNA. This suggests the possibility of a relatively recent origin of this lineage.     

The camerobiid mites (Acari, Camerobiidae) of Turkey

Three new species of Neophyllobius viz. N. demirsoyi, N. yunusi, N. bolvadinensis and male, protonymph and larvae of N. lachishensis Bolland, 1998 from Turkey are described and illustrated. Neophyllobius lachishensis is reported from Turkey for the first time.     

Adaptation, specificity and host-parasite coevolution in mites (ACARI)

Parasitism by mites is widespread and involves all the classes of vertebrates, from fishes to mammals. Owing to their small size and their great plasticity, mites are able to adapt to a wide range of habitats. Most of the species are ectoparasites but endoparasitism, especially in the respiratory tract, is common in birds and mammals. The morphological modifications appearing during the process adaptation to parasitic life, especially in Myobiidae, are analysed. Two kinds of characters are particularly important: the constructive specialized characters, consisting of the production of new structures, especially attachment organs allowing the mite to attach to the skin and the hair of the host, and regressive characters. Regression of the external structures is the most important phenomenon appearing in the process of evolution of parasitic mites. The importance of the regression in the parasite is correlated with the degree of evolution of the host. Host and parasite have a parallel evolution, but they go in opposite directions. The author surmises that the regressive evolution is related to the immunological reactions of the host that tend to reject the parasite. To escape from this rejection the parasite tends to select the less antigenic and therefore the most regressed phenotype. Specificity is generally strict in permanent parasites. Coevolution of host and parastie is studied-in the family Myobiidae which parasitizes marsupials, insectivores, bats and rodents. The concordance between the radiations of the mites and that of their hosts is very high.     

Parasitism of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) by larval mites (Acari: Parasitengona) in Adelaide, South Australia

Larval mites (Acari) from the cohort Parasitengona were collected from adult female mosquitoes captured in Adelaide, South Australia, from 1997 to 2000. Larvae from three families were identified: Arrenuridae, Hydryphantidae and Erythraeidae. Arrenurid larvae were associated with mosquitoes that use ground pools for larval habitat, while hydryphantids were associated with tree-hole and container-breeding species. Only a single erythraeid record was made. The overall prevalence of parasitism was very low (0.27% of 19 280 mosquitoes) and ranged from 0 to 5.6% for the 16 mosquito species collected. New mite–host records are presented.     

The moss mites of Yes Tor, Dartmoor, Devon (Acari: Oribatida) and their evolutionary significance

A species list of oribatid mites collected from the summit of Yes Tor, Dartmoor, is given, together with notes on their distribution. Yes Tor lies south of latitude 51° in that part of Britain which remained ice free during the Pleistocene. The species found on Yes Tor are compared with the species recorded from the summits of 11 mountains lying north of latitude 53°, which were all ice-covered at the period of maximum glaciation. In the case of Yes Tor and these 11 northern montane sites, three similar faunal elements have been identified arctic-alpine species, European-alpine species and a group of British montane species that are also common in the lowlands. The view is advanced that the similarity of the montane oribatid fauna of Yes Tor with that of the mountains to the north of latitude 53° has resulted from the probable movements of the mites during Quaternary and postglacial times over an area extending from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean. It is suggested that these movements, while being largely spontaneous, have also been aided by transportation agents, both physical and biological.     

Three new species of eriophyoid mites (Acari,Eriophyoidea) associated with Lauraceae in China

In this paper, three new species of eriophyoid mites in the family Eriophyidae associated with Phoebe hunanensis Hand.–Mazz. (Lauraceae), namely Gammaphytoptus striatilobus sp. n., Phyllocoptes setalsolenidion sp. n., and Dechela phoebe sp. n. are described and illustrated. All are vagrants causing no apparent damage to the same host plants.     

Phylogenetic relationships in rhinonyssid mites (Acari: Rhinonyssidae) based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA sequences

A 390 bp region of the 16S rDNA gene was sequenced from six species ofrhinonyssid mites (Tinaminyssus columbae, T. minisetosum, Sternostomaturdi, S. sternahirundo, S. fulicae and Ptilonyssus euroturdi) andtwo subspecies (Tinaminyssus melloi melloi andTinaminyssus melloi streptopeliae) to examine the level ofsequence variation and the taxonomic levels to show utility in phylogenyestimation. Furthemore, two different geographic locations of T. m.melloi and T. m. streptopeliae were analyzed todetect variation between populations. Molecular data revealed the existence oftwo distinct groups in the genus Tinaminyssus parasitic oncolumbiform birds. These results are in agreement with those reported by someauthors using morphological characters. Sternostoma turdi parasitizing aerial birds appeared to be phylogenetically separated from otherspecies of this genus isolated from aquatic birds. Moreover, our studyaddressesthe validity of the subspecies status of T. melloistreptopeliae. This region of the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene is auseful marker for inferring phylogenetic relationships among closely relatedrhinonyssid species, but not for more distantly related taxa.     

Diversity and biogeography of southern African intertidal Acari

Abstract Aim The aims were (1) to describe the diversity and geographical distribution of the intertidal mite fauna of southern Africa, and (2) to show how species richness, endemism and geographical patterns of this fauna (comprising taxa of variable terrestrial ancestry) compare with typically marine faunas. Location and methods To assess intertidal mite diversity and endemism, records (published and unpublished) were compiled for a variety of habitats (mainly rocky shores and mangroves), between Swakopmund (Namibia) and Inhambane (Mozambique). The geographical study was based on a dedicated sampling programme from rocky shores, at nine localities between Elandsbaai (on the west coast) and St Lucia (on the east coast). Results Eighty‐two species of marine mite, from thirty‐three genera, are currently known from southern Africa. The majority belong to the earlier marine ancestral Halacaridae (forty‐eight species), with the Ameronothroidea and Hyadesiidae collectively comprising seventeen species. In constituting three faunistic provinces, corresponding with the west (Atlantic), south and east coast (Indian) regions, the mite fauna conforms with trends for the southern African marine fauna in general. Species richness was greatest in the southern province, which deviates from the general pattern of increase from west to east, but is similar to that of some invertebrate taxonomic groups. Conclusions Despite their relatively recent marine connections, marine mites show typical geographical distributions, comparable with those of other rocky‐shore biota in southern Africa. The marine faunistic provinces are ‘insular’ and apparently remain largely intact, across taxonomic groups and with increased taxonomic resolution.     

Water mites of the genus Sperchon Kramer (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Sperchontidae) from Turkey,with description of a new species from Taurus Mountains (southern Turkey)

A new water mite species Sperchon (Hispidosperchon) serapae n. sp. is described. The material was collected from a slow-flowing stream during field study on the water mite fauna of the Lakes region in southwestern Turkey. An updated list of hitherto known species of Sperchon Kramer from Turkey, including nomenclatural changes and numerous new locality records to the species, is also given.     

革螨新同物异名(蜱螨亚纲:中气门亚目)

The present paper reports new synonyms ofgamasid mites （2 genera and 28 species）.     

Life tables of the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on two pest mites as prey,Aculops lycopersici and Tetranychus urticae

Abstract

Studies on the life history and life table parameters of Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were carried out under laboratory conditions of 25?±?1?°C and 65?±?5% RH; 30?±?1?°C and 60?±?5% RH; 35?±?1?°C and 55?±?5% RH. As prey, immature stages of tetranychid spider mite T. urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the moving stages of the Tomato Russet Mite A. lycopersici (Massee) (Acari: Eriophyideae) were selected. The predatory phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) was able to develop successfully from egg to adult stage through the entire life history on both preys. The higher of different temperatures and relative humidities shortened the development and increased reproduction and prey consumption and vice versa. The maximum reproduction (3.91, and 3.09 eggs/♀/day) was recorded at 35?°C and 65% RH, while the minimum (2.12, and 1.90 eggs/♀/day) was at 25?±?1?°C and 55?±?5% RH. when N. cucumeris fed on A. lycopersici and T. urticae, respectively. The reproductive rate on eriophyid was significantly higher than previously recorded on tetranychid. Life table parameters indicated that feeding of phytoseiid mite N. cucumeris on tomato russet mite A. lycopersici led to the highest reproduction rate (rm?=?0.268, 0.232 and 0.211 females/female/day), while feeding on T.urticae gave the lowest reproduction rate (rm?=?0.159, 0.143 and 0.131) at 35?°C and 55% RH, 30?°C and 60% RH and 25?°C and 65% RH, respectively. The population of N. cucumeris multiplied (36.81, 28.71 and 20.47) and (24.60, 19.58 and 14.62 times) in a generation time of (20.10, 23.20 and 25.14) and (22.35, 25.36 and 27.79 days) when a predator fed on A. lycopersici and T. urticae at the same temperature above mentioned, respectively. These results suggest that the two mites, particularly A. lycopersici, proved to be suitable prey for N.cucumeris, as a facultative predator.     

Molecular phylogeny of oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari): evidence for multiple radiations of parthenogenetic lineages

Nucleotide sequences of the D3 expansion segment and its flanking regions of the 28S rDNA gene were used to evaluate phylogenetic relationships among representative sexual and asexual oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acariformes). The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that oribatid mites consist of species-rich clusters of asexual species that may have radiated while being parthenogenetic. Furthermore, the systematic position of the astigmate mites (Astigmata, Acariformes) which have been hypothesised to represent a paedomorphic lineage within the oribatid mites, is investigated. This is the first phylogenetic tree for oribatid mites s.l. (incl. Astigmata) based on nucleotide sequences. Intraspecific genetic variation in the D3 region was very low, confirming the hypothesis that this region is a good species marker. Results from neighbour joining (NJ) and maximum parsimony (MP) algorithms indicate that several species-rich parthenogenetic groups like Camisiidae, Nanhermanniidae and Malaconothridae are monophyletic, consistent with the hypothesis that some oribatid mite groups diversified despite being parthenogenetic. The MP and maximum likelihood (ML) method indicated that the D3 region is a good tool for elucidating the relationship of oribatid mite species on a small scale(genera, families) but is not reliable for large-scale taxonomy, because branches from the NJ algorithm collapsed in the MP and ML tree. In all trees calculated by different algorithms the Astigmata clustered within the oribatid mites, as proposed earlier.