Distribution of chigger mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) over hosts, parasitopes, collection localities, and seasons in northern Iran.

We studied the distribution of chigger mite species over mammal hosts, attachment sites on the host body, habitats, and seasons in Iran. The study was based on 2155 specimens of 36 chigger species collected from 10 species of Muridae, Cricetidae, and Soricidae across six provinces of northern Iran. A high level of mixed infestation by chiggers was recorded-76% of hosts parasitized by chiggers were infested by more than one (2-8) species. Statistically significant differences in the preference for anterior and posterior parts of the host body were found. Three species-Neotrombicula lubrica, N. delijani, and Cheladonta firdousii-preferred the posterior part of the host body; 12 species were characterized by the occurrence in the anterior part and differed from one another by the frequency of presence in the posterior part. One species, Hirsutiella alpina, was found only in the anterior part of the host body (inside the ears of rodents). The most diverse chigger fauna was on the fringe of Golestan National Park (species richness = 21, Shannon-Wiener index = 2.823). The chigger fauna of the high-mountain localities on the Alborz Range was the least diverse (species richness = 16, Shannon-Wiener index = 2.439). The seasonal aspect of activity was evident for Neotrombicula elegans, which exposed the autumn-winter period of the occurrence on hosts, and N. vernalis, with the winter-spring peak of abundance.

Contributions to the fauna of chigger mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) of Iran.

Chigger mites of northern Iran were studied on the basis of field collections from rodent hosts. Thirty-five species were recorded. Two new species, Cheladonta afshari Stekolnikov and Shamsi sp. nov., collected on Apodemus sp. in Guilan and Mazandaran Provinces, and Neotrombicula tehranensis Stekolnikov and Shamsi sp. nov., collected on Cricetulus migratorius and Chionomys sp. in Tehran Province, are described. One new synonym is established: Neotrombicula vernalis (Willmann, 1942) (= Neotrombicula kermani Kudryashova, 1977 syn. nov.). Seventeen species were recorded in Iran for the first time; thus, the number of known Iranian chiggers constitutes 104. The record of Neotrombicula autumnalis (Shaw, 1790) in Iran is important from the veterinarian and medical points of view, as this species attacks humans and domestic animals.

Chigger mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) of Iran.

Chigger mites of Iran have been revised based on examination of type materials in the collection of Zoological Museum of Moscow University and reference data. Hitherto, 85 species of trombiculids were recorded in Iran; synonymy, diagnoses, data on depositories of type specimens, lists of hosts and collection localities are given for each species. Original measurements of holotypes or paratypes are provided for 46 species. Four new combinations are proposed: Ornithogastia merops (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970) comb. nov., transferred from Guntherana; O. oenanthe (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970) comb. nov., transferred from Guntherana; Microtrombicula galerida (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970), comb. nov., transferred from Eltonella; and M. meriones (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970), comb. nov., transferred from Eltonella. Comparison of our measurements of holotypes with those given in the original species descriptions published by Kudryashova was carried out using statistical methods to establish probable systematic bias between metric data obtained by different researchers. A key to species of Iranian trombiculid larvae is compiled. With the use of public geoinformation online resources, actual names and coordinates were established for all 48 sites of Iran where chigger mites were collected.

Revision of the genus Pollux (Acari: Erythraeidae) and redescription of P. kovalamicus.

Pollux kovalamicus Haitlinger, 2002 is redescribed based on the holotype and three additional specimens (larvae) collected from Iran (Sistan and Baluchistan Province) and Pakistan. It is the first report of the genus from Iran. The following character states from the original description are corrected: scutum and scutalae AL and PL present, ML absent, 4n setae on BFe I (3 in original description), microseta on Ge I and II and Ti I present (absent in original description); companion seta (z) and famulus on Ta I and II present (absent in original description). Pollux walii Kamran et al., 2010 is herein considered to be a junior synonym of P. kovalamicus. A key to the world species of Pollux is given.

A new genus and species of Xyphosiini (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Iran.

Valera, a monotypic new genus (Tephritidae, Tephritinae, Xyphosiini) and Valera ariana n. sp., the type and only known species, are described from Iran. Systematic relationships with other Xyphosiini are discussed and a key to the genera of the tribe Xyphosiini is presented.

A new species of the genus Achaemenothrombium (Acari: Achaemenothrombiidae) from Iran.

Achaemenothrombium dariusi Saboori, Wohltmann & Hakimitabar sp. nov. (Acari, Prostigmata: Trombidioidea) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on Euxoafallax (Eversmann) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Sirch and Cheshmeh Bondar, Kerman province, Iran. It is the third species of this genus, which is recorded only from Iran. The status of this small family is discussed and a key to species of A chaemenothrombium (larvae) is presented.

Chigger mites (Acari, Trombiculidae) parasitizing small mammals in the Eastern Hindu Kush and some other Afghan areas.

Chigger mites of Afghanistan were studied on the base of collections made in Eastern and Central Hindu Kush, Kabul, and some other localities. Fifteen chigger species parasitizing nine species of Rodentia, two species of Lagomorpha, and one species of Soricomorpha were found, including 13 species which were not previously recorded in Afghanistan. Eco-geographical variability is observed in Shunsennia oudemansi: Individuals of this species from high-mountain localities of Eastern Hindu Kush are characterized by larger values of most morphometric characters than the specimens collected in Kabul. Vertical and horizontal distribution of chiggers and chigger-host relationships in Eastern Hindu Kush is discussed. Comparison of our data with that on chigger fauna in the region of Tirich Mir clearly demonstrates the role of the Eastern Hindu Kush main ridge as a border between different chigger faunas.