The first record of the genus Julolaelaps Berlese (Acari, Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) in Republic of Korea and description of a new species on a captive giant African millipede (Spirostreptidae, Archispirostreptus).

This paper reports on a new species of mite of the genus Julolaelaps Berlese in Republic of Korea. Females and males of a new species, Julolaelapsgigassp. nov., were collected on a captive giant African millipede, Archispirostreptusgigas (Spirostreptida: Spirostreptidae). The new species is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult females and males and compared with known congeners. This new species is the first record of Julolaelaps from Republic of Korea. In addition, an updated key to all known species of the genus is presented.

An integrative approach to explore species limits in Laelaps mazzai Fonseca, 1939 (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae), a South American widespread mite parasitizing the cricetid Calomys Waterhouse, 1837.

Laelaps mazzai Fonseca, 1939 (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) parasitizes several species of the widespread South American rodent genus Calomys Waterhouse, 1837. Morphological variation has been noticed within this laelapid but has yet to be analyzed. Since several other species of laelapids that initially were considered generalists have resulted in host-specific species, after further analyses, herein we explored, through morphology and genetics, the variation of this parasite across six species of Calomys, trying to establish if it constitutes a polymorphic species or a complex of cryptic host specific-species. An integrative approach was applied, including principal component and discriminant analyses of females and males and DNA sequences (nuclear region ITS and the COI gene). The obtained results indicate that female mites tend to differentiate only the sizes of their dorsal shield among host species but with extensive overlapping. At the same time the males lack metrical differentiation, and the genetic evidence failed to resolve specific-species clades. We conclude that L. mazzai is a single widespread mite with little genetic and phenotypic differentiation.

De novo transcriptome sequencing of the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum, shed light on parasitiform poultry mites evolution and its chemoreceptor repertoires.

The northern fowl mite (NFM), Ornithonyssus sylviarum, and the poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, are the most serious pests of poultry, both of which have an expanding global prevalence. Research on NFM has been constrained by a lack of genomic and transcriptomic data. Here, we report and analyze the first global transcriptome data across all mite live stages and sexes. A total of 28,999 unigenes were assembled, of which 19,750 (68.10%) were annotated using seven functional databases. The biological function of these unigenes was classified using the GO, KOG, and KEGG databases. To gain insight into the chemosensory receptor-based system of parasitiform mites, we furthermore assessed the gene repertoire of gustatory receptors (GRs) and ionotropic receptors (IRs), both of which encode putative ligand-gated ion channel proteins. While these receptors are well characterized in insect model species, our understanding of chemosensory detection in mites and ticks is in its infancy. To address this paucity of data, we identified 9 IR/iGluRs and 2 GRs genes by analyzing transcriptome data in the NFM, while 9 GRs and 41 IR/iGluRs genes were annotated in the PRM genome. Taken together, the transcriptomic and genomic annotation of these two species provide a valuable reference for studies of parasitiform mites and also help to understand how chemosensory gene family expansion/contraction events may have been reshaped by an obligate parasitic lifestyle compared with their free-living closest relatives. Future studies should include additional species to validate this observation and functional characterization of the identified proteins as a step forward in identifying tools for controlling these poultry pests.

Two new species and a new record of emGaeolaelaps/em Evans amp; Till (Acari: Laelapidae) from Altai Mountains, Russia.

This paper reports on three species of mites of the genus Gaeolaelaps from Altai Mountains, Russia. Gaeolaelaps altaiensis sp. nov., G. lenis Vatankhah Nemati were collected from nests of Lasius sp. and Formica sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), respectively, and G. euparadactylifer sp. nov. from moss on the shore of the Teletskoye Lake. The new species have the unusual character state of short peritremes, ending near the middle of coxae II. In G. euparadactylifer sp. nov., the pretarsal paradactyli on legs II-IV are strongly elongated, apically pointed and with their tips projecting well beyond the claws. Both new species are described based on morphological characters of the adults. In addition, the male of Gaeolaelaps lenis is described for the first time.

Review of the genera Berlesia Canestrini, 1884, and Katydiseius Fain amp; Lukoschus, 1983, the subfamily Katydiseiinae Fain amp; Lukoschus, 1983, and their family group relationships (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina), with description of three new species parasitic on gryllacridid crickets (Orthoptera).

The gamasine genus Berlesia Canestrini, 1884, is revived and further diagnosed, based on descriptions of adult females, males and nymphs of three new species (B. hospitabilis sp. nov., B. multisetosa sp. nov., B. vorontsovi sp. nov.) ectoparasitic on raspy crickets of three genera of Gryllacrididae (Ensifera) from Australia and the Philippines. A tight sister relationship of Berlesia with the monobasic genus Katydiseius Fain Lukoschus, 1983, known only from a pseudophylline katydid in Malaysia, is proposed. The subfamily Katydiseiinae Fain Lukoschus, 1983 (previously included in the family Otopheidomenidae in the superfamily Phytoseioidea) is redefined to include only those two genera, and moved to the dermanyssoid family Laelapidae, while its previously other monobasic genus, Eickwortius Zhang, 1995, is retained tentatively in the family Otopheidomenidae. Among other taxa relevant to Katydiseiinae reviewed here, Berlesia cultrigera Berlese, 1910a is transferred to the genus Orthopteroseius Mo, 1996, at present Otopheidomenidae, as Orthopteroseius cultrigerum (Berlese) comb. nov., and Berlesia nuda Berlese, 1910b is transferred to the genus Prasadiseius Wainstein, 1972, at present Otopheidomenidae, as Prasadiseius nudum (Berlese) comb. nov. A key to the two genera and five species recognized as belonging in Katydiseiinae is presented. Notable morphological traits of Berlesia, including only deutonymphs equipped with well-developed claws and males with dimorphically more elongated salivary stylets, are discussed. The one known life cycle of a species of Berlesia, B. hospitabilis sp. nov., includes protonymphipary, followed by a fully functioning deutonymph, and male copulation with pharate females-traits, rarely or not known among gamasine mite associates of invertebrates. The possible significance of elongate spermatodactyls and male reduced feeding are explored.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on wild raptors in Brazil

This research reports ticks on wild raptors in Brazil. Between the years 1936 and 2019, 127 larvae, 230 nymphs and 34 adult ticks were collected on 92 raptors (among 27 different species) from 35 localities in distinct Brazilian biomes. Additionally, an extensive literature review on ticks on wild raptors has been carried out, demonstrating that from 1993 to 2016, 29 larvae, 81 nymphs, 29 adults and 186 indeterminate immature ticks (larvae or nymphs) were collected on 41 raptors (16 different species) in 17 distinct localities in the Brazilian territory. The following tick species were identified on wild raptors in the country: Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas, 1772), Amblyomma auricularium (Conil, 1878), Amblyomma brasiliense Aragão, 1908, Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) sensu stricto, Amblyomma calcaratum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma coelebs Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844), Amblyomma nodosum Neumann, 1899, Amblyomma ovale Koch, 1844, Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca & Aragão, 1952, Amblyomma sculptum Berlese, 1888, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Cooley, 1946, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) sensu lato. This study is therefore a significant contribution to our knowledge of the ticks associated with Brazilian raptors.

Review of the genus Holostaspis Kolenati, 1858 (Acari: Laelapidae).

Mites in the genus Holostaspis Kolenati, 1858 (Acari: Laelapidae) are usually found in association with ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). In this paper we review the genus based on examination of six species from Slovakia, namely H. ambigua sp. nov., H. collina (Huhta Karg, 2010), H. flexuosa (Michael, 1891) comb. nov., H. isotricha Kolenati, 1858, H. montana (Berlese, 1904) and H. oophila (Wasmann, 1897). We also carried out a careful study of the published work on Holostaspis and related genera, and examined types in the Berlese Acaroteca and other collections. Seven species previously described under the names Hypoaspis (Holostaspis) and Holostaspis are transferred to other genera-H. (H.) brevidentis Karg, 1978 = Pseudoparasitus brevidentis (Karg, 1978) comb. nov., H. (H.) chelaris Teng, Zhang Cui, 1992 = Euandrolaelaps chelaris (Teng, Zhang Cui, 1992) comb. nov., H. (H.) metapodalii Karg, 1978 = Gymnolaelaps metapodalii (Karg, 1978) comb. nov., H. mooni Keum, Jung Joharchi, 2017 = Hypoaspisella mooni (Keum, Jung Joharchi, 2017) comb. nov., H. (H.) serpentis Karg, 1979 = Hypoaspisella serpentis (Karg, 1979) comb. nov., H. (H.) tridentata Karg, 1979 = Gymnolaelaps tridentatus (Karg, 1979) comb. nov., and Holostaspis (Holostaspis) marginedentatus Trägårdh, 1910 is transferred to Glyptholaspis (Macrochelidae). Based on features of the type specimens (deposited at the Berlese Collection in Florence), the morphological concept of Myrmonyssus (Laelaspulus) acuminatus Berlese, 1903 is revised and the systematic status of the subgenus is re-evaluated. The monobasic Laelaspulus Berlese, 1904 is now removed from synonymy with Myrmozercon Berlese, 1902 and newly considered as a junior synonym of Holostaspis. Another four revised species, originally classified in Laelaps Koch, Myrmozercon Berlese or Hypoaspis Canestrini, are transferred into Holostaspis-L. flexuosa Michael, 1891 = Holostaspis flexuosa (Michael, 1891) comb. nov., M. iranicus Babaeian Nemati, 2014 = Holostaspis iranica (Babaeian Nemati, 2014) comb. nov., M. michaeli Joharchi, 2013 = Holostaspis michaeli (Joharchi, 2013) comb. nov., and H. submontana Bai, Gu Chen, 1994 = Holostaspis submontana (Bai, Gu Chen, 1994) comb. nov. A complete list of all species formerly classified in Holostaspis is presented, with details of their current placement. An identification key for the species now included in Holostaspis is also provided.

Review of some mites (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with ants and bumblebees in Western Siberia, Russia.

This paper reports on ten species of laelapid mites associated with ants and bumblebees in Western Siberia. Androlaelaps myrmecophilus (Evans Till), Cosmolaelaps dendrophilus (Davydova), C. neocuneifer (Evans Till), C. siberiensis Joharchi sp. nov., Gaeolaelaps praesternalis (Willmann), Holostaspis isotricha Kolenati, H. montana (Berlese) and H. oophilus (Wasmann) were collected from ants' nests, and Pneumolaelaps hyatti (Evans Till), P. marginepilosa (Sellnick) on bumblebees. The new species is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult female.

A new species of Cosmolaelaps Berlese (Acari: Laelapidae) from Ukraine.

This paper reports on a new species of mites of the genus Cosmolaelaps from Ukraine. Cosmolaelaps sidorchukae sp. nov. was collected from unknown ant's nest. The new species is described and illustrations provided based on morphological characters of the adult female. A key to all known Ukrainian species of the genus is presented.

New records and new species of mites from Cuba, with description of a new genus of Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata).

This paper presents a new genus, two new species, and several new records of mites associated with insects and soil in Cuba. A new monotypic genus of Laelapidae, Acantholaelaps gen. nov., is described to accommodate a new species, A. strategus sp. nov., on the basis of adult female and male specimens collected on Strategus sarpedon (Burmeister) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and Strategus surinamensis hirtus Sternberg (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The other species recorded were Macrocheles merdarius (Berlese) (Macrochelidae), Asca quinquesetosa Wharton (Ascidae), Gaeolaelaps cubaensis sp. nov. (Laelapidae) and Pseudoparasitus missouriensis (Ewing) (Laelapidae).

Two new records of the Family Celaenopsidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from China, with description of a new species.

Two species of the mite family Celaenopsidae, Pleuronectocelaeno barbara Athias-Henriot, 1959 and Schizocyrtillus fuzhouensis sp. nov., were recorded in China. Specimens were collected in bark and rotten wood on Pinus massoniana Lamb. in Sanming city and Fuzhou city, respectively. Information on current distribution, host association and morphological diagnostics of these two mites is provided.

Advancing mite phylogenomics: Designing ultraconserved elements for Acari phylogeny.

Mites (Acari) are one of the most diverse groups of life on Earth; yet, their evolutionary relationships are poorly understood. Also, the resolution of broader arachnid phylogeny has been hindered by an underrepresentation of mite diversity in phylogenomic analyses. To further our understanding of Acari evolution, we design targeted ultraconserved genomic elements (UCEs) probes, intended for resolving the complex relationships between mite lineages and closely related arachnids. We then test our Acari UCE baits in-silico by constructing a phylogeny using 13 existing Acari genomes, as well as 6 additional taxa from a variety of genomic sources. Our Acari-specific probe kit improves the recovery of loci within mites over an existing general arachnid UCE probe set. Our initial phylogeny recovers the major mite lineages, yet finds mites to be non-monophyletic overall, with Opiliones (harvestmen) and Ricinuleidae (hooded tickspiders) rendering Parasitiformes paraphyletic.

A catalogue of the species of Mesostigmata (Arachnida, Acari, Parasitiformes) recorded from Ireland including information on their geographical distribution and habitats.

The study of Irish Mesostigmata extends back for more than 100 years, and most of the principal Irish habitat types have been studied. In this paper we provide a catalogue of the species of Mesostigmata (Arachnida, Acari, Parasitiformes) recorded from Ireland over that time. The catalogue includes 329 species, information on the habitats and locations where they occurred and provides a comprehensive list of the literature related to the Irish fauna. This catalogue increases the number of Mesostigmata species known in Ireland by 40% over the number recorded in the most recent catalogue (Luxton, 1998).

Mites of the family Parasitidae Oudemans, 1901 (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Japan: a new species of Vulgarogamasus Tichomirov, 1969, and a key to Japanese species.

Vulgarogamasus edurus sp. nov. (Acari: Parasitidae) is described based on females, deutonymphs and males extracted from leaf litter and soil in Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Morphological differences between the new species and its closely related species, Vulgarogamasus fujisanus (Ishikawa, 1972), are recorded based on the examination of type materials. Information about parasitid mites reported in Japanese literature is reviewed, and a key to species is provided.

Key to the world species of Holoparasitus Oudemans, 1936 (Acari: Parasitiformes: Parasitidae).

Keys to the world species of the mite genus Holoparasitus (Parasitidae family) are provided separately for males and females. The genus includes 55 species, 42 of which are allocated to eight species groups. The Holoparasitus inornatus species group is newly defined.

A new genus and species of Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Iran.

A new monotypic mite genus of the family Laelapidae, Persicolaelaps gen. nov., is described to accommodate a new species, P. hallidayi sp. nov., on the basis of adult female specimens collected from decaying wood, soil and litter in northern Iran, Golestan and Mazandaran provinces, respectively. The new genus can be distinguished from other members of the family by a combination of morphological attributes, some of which are unique or rarely observed in laelapids, such as (1) a series of small subrectangular sclerites flanking dorsally coxae I and gnathosomal base and adjoining podal plates anterolaterally, which are extending from and fused with sternal shield between coxae I and II; (2) an epigynal shield, so broad as to reach or even overlap acetabula III-IV, posteriorly axe-shaped; (3) metasternal setae absent; (4) a typical anal shield, though capturing pair of opisthogastric setae JV3; (5) gnathotectum triangular and acuminate; (6) the presence of six setae on trochanter IV; (7) genu IV with two ventral setae (occasional in Laelapidae); (8) internal malae with a series of thick, elongate filaments.

Microtomography of the Baltic amber tick Ixodes succineus reveals affinities with the modern Asian disease vector Ixodes ovatus.

BACKGROUND: Fossil ticks are extremely rare and Ixodes succineus Weidner, 1964 from Eocene (ca. 44-49 Ma) Baltic amber is one of the oldest examples of a living hard tick genus (Ixodida: Ixodidae). Previous work suggested it was most closely related to the modern and widespread European sheep tick Ixodes ricinus (Linneaus, 1758). RESULTS: Restudy using phase contrast synchrotron x-ray tomography yielded images of exceptional quality. These confirm the fossil's referral to Ixodes Latreille, 1795, but the characters resolved here suggest instead affinities with the Asian subgenus Partipalpiger Hoogstraal et al., 1973 and its single living (and medically significant) species Ixodes ovatus Neumann, 1899. We redescribe the amber fossil here as Ixodes (Partipalpiger) succineus. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that Ixodes ricinus is unlikely to be directly derived from Weidner's amber species, but instead reveals that the Partipalpiger lineage was originally more widely distributed across the northern hemisphere. The closeness of Ixodes (P.) succineus to a living vector of a wide range of pathogens offers the potential to correlate its spatial and temporal position (northern Europe, nearly 50 million years ago) with the estimated origination dates of various tick-borne diseases.

Redescription of two species of Oplitis Berlese (Acari, Mesostigmata, Oplitidae) from Iran.

Two new species records of Oplitidae, Oplitis exopodi Hunter & Farrier, 1975 and Oplitis sarcinulus Hunter & Farrier, 1976 are redescribed based on Iranian specimens from leaf-litter forest in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. A key to the Iranian species of Oplitis is presented.

Description of a new species of the genus Laelaspis Berlese (Acari, Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) from Iran.

A new species of the genus Laelaspis Berlese, Laelaspis elongatus sp. n. is described based on adult female and male specimens collected in association with Pheidole pallidula (Nylander) (Hym., Formicidae) in Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran, and also Acinopus (Acinopus) picipes (Olivier) (Col., Carabidae) in Bam, Kerman Province, southeastern Iran.

An ant-associated mesostigmatid mite in Baltic amber.

Fossil mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) are extremely rare, and specimens from only nine families, including four named species, have been described so far. A new record of Myrmozercon sp. described here from Eocene (ca 44-49 Myr) Baltic amber represents the first-and so far only-fossil example of the derived, extant family Laelapidae. Significantly, modern species of this genus are habitually myrmecophilous and the fossil mite described here is preserved attached to the head of the dolichoderine ant Ctenobethylus goepperti (Mayr, 1868). It thus offers the oldest unequivocal evidence for an ecological association between mesostigmatid mites and social insects in the order Hymenoptera.