Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Tritegeus (Acari, Oribatida, Cepheidae), with description of a new species from Nepal

A new species of oribatid mites of the family Cepheidae (Oribatida)—Tritegeus janosbaloghi sp. nov.—is described based on adults from soil-litter in Nepalese forest. The generic diagnosis of Tritegeus is updated. An identification key and data on distribution of known species of Tritegeus are provided.

The genus Oligonychus Berlese (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae): taxonomic assessment and a key to subgenera, species groups, and subgroups

A comprehensive taxonomic assessment of the most agriculturally important and highly diverse spider mite genus, Oligonychus Berlese (Acari: Tetranychidae) was performed. The sub-generic division, species groups, doubtful species, species complexes and the interpretation of a key generic character are discussed. Based on the orientation of the male aedeagus, only two subgenera, namely Oligonychus Berlese (aedeagus downturned) and Reckiella Tuttle & Baker (aedeagus upturned), are valid in the genus Oligonychus. The subgenera Homonychus Wainstein, Metatetranychoides Wainstein, and Wainsteiniella Tuttle & Baker are considered to be synonyms of the subgenus Oligonychus, whereas the subgenus Pritchardinychus Wainstein is proposed as a synonym of the subgenus Reckiella. Moreover, based on female morphological characters, four species groups (coffeae, exsiccator, iseilemae, and peruvianus) and 11 species subgroups (aceris, biharensis, coffeae, comptus, exsiccator, gossypii, iseilemae, peruvianus, pritchardi, smithi, and subnudus) are suggested in the subgenera Oligonychus and Reckiella. Fourteen Oligonychus species are proposed as species inquirendae, and potential cryptic species complexes in the genus Oligonychus are briefly highlighted. It is agreed that the clunal seta h1 is always absent, while the para-anal setae h2 and h3 are always present in the genus Oligonychus. A key to subgenera, species groups, and species subgroups of the genus Oligonychus is provided.

Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Cultrobates (Acari, Oribatida, Ceratokalummidae), with description of a new species from Peru

Description of a new species of oribatid mite (Oribatida) of the genus Cultrobates (Ceratokalummidae)—C. lehmanni sp. nov.—is presented, based on materials collected from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest of Amazonian Peru. Summarized generic traits, distribution and habitats of all known species of Cultrobates are presented. An identification key to known Ceratokalummidae species is provided.

Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Gittella (Acari, Oribatida, Oppiidae), with description of a new species from Peru

A new species of the genus Gittella (Oribatida, Oppiidae) - G. kontschani n. sp. - is described, based on materials collected from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest of Amazonian Peru. Generic diagnosis, an identification key, distribution, and habitats of all known species of Gittella are presented.

Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Leobodes (Acari, Oribatida, Nippobodidae)

Three new species of oribatid mites of the genus Leobodes (Oribatida, Nippobodidae) - L. becki n. sp., L. schalleri n. sp. and L. schawalleri n. sp. - are described from Nepal. Revised generic diagnosis and an identification key to 10 known species of Leobodes are provided.

Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Mesotritia (Acari, Oribatida, Oribotritiidae)

The genus Mesotritia (Oribatida, Oribotritiidae) was represented by eight species in China prior to this work. In this study, two new species, Mesotritia baxoiensis sp. nov. from Tibet and Mesotritia paranitida sp. nov. from Xinjiang, are described. An identification key to Chinese species of Mesotritia is provided to facilitate the further study on this group.

Overlooked Species Diversity and Distribution in the Antarctic Mite Genus Stereotydeus

In the harsh Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, invertebrates are currently confined to sparse and restricted ice free areas, where they have survived on multi-million-year timescales in refugia. The limited dispersal abilities of these invertebrate species, their specific habitat requirements, and the presence of geographical barriers can drastically reduce gene flow between populations, resulting in high genetic differentiation. On continental Antarctica, mites are one of the most diverse invertebrate groups. Recently, two new species of the free living prostigmatid mite genus Stereotydeus Berlese, 1901 were discovered, bringing the number of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species of this genus up to 15, of which 7 occur along the coast of Victoria Land and in the Transantarctic Mountains. To examine the biodiversity of Stereotydeus spp., the present study combines phylogenetic, morphological and population genetic data of specimens collected from nine localities in Victoria Land. Genetically distinct intraspecific groups are spatially isolated in northern Victoria Land, while, for other species, the genetic haplogroups more often occur sympatrically in southern Victoria Land. We provide a new distribution map for the Stereotydeus species of Victoria Land, which will assist future decisions in matters of the protection and conservation of the unique Antarctic terrestrial fauna.

The identity of Plesialges mimus Trouessart, 1919 and taxonomic notes on the feather mite genus Hemialges Trouessart, 1895 (Acariformes: Analgidae)

The feather mite Plesialges mimus Trouessart, 1919, briefly described from the White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus (Vigors & Horsfield) (Passeriformes: Pomatostomidae), is the only species of the genus Plesialges Trouessart, 1919. In this work, I redescribe this mite species based on the type specimens, transfer it into the genus Hemialges Trouessart, 1895, and provide it with the valid name Hemialges mimus (Trouessart, 1919) comb. n. The genus Plesialges syn. n. is synonymized with the genus Hemialges. A new diagnosis, comments on taxonomy and an updated checklist of species are provided for the genus Hemialges. The transfer of P. mimus to the genus Hemialges created a conflict with the previously named Hemialges mimus Trouessart, 1920 from the Trumpet Manucode, Phonygammus keraudrenii (Lesson & Garnot) (Passeriformes: Paradisaeidae). Hemialges mimus (Trouessart, 1919) comb. n. is now the older homonym within this genus and H. mimus Trouessart, 1920 from the Trumpet Manucode is a junior homonym; here I provide the latter with a new name, Hemialges trouessarti nom. n.

Two new feather mites of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899 (Acariformes: Trouessartiidae) from tyrant flycatchers (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) in Argentina

Two new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae) are described from tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae) in Argentina: Trouessartia salvadori sp. nov. from the White-crested Tyrannulet Serpophaga subcristata (Vieillot) and T. gonzalezacunai sp. nov. from the Vermilion Flycatcher Pyrocephalus rubinus (Boddaert). Trouessartia salvadori sp. nov. is close to T. longiducta Hernandes et Valim, 2015 and most clearly differs from the latter in having, in males, the genital apparatus with wedge-shaped hyaline extensions and the anterior genital papillae situated more distant from the midline than posterior ones, and in females, setae h1 not extending beyond the margin of the interlobar membrane, and the posterior part of the hysteronotal shield bearing well outlined ovate lacunae except in the narrow median area. Trouessartia gonzalezacunai sp. nov. is similar to T. savanae Hernandes, 2014, but is distinguished from that species in having, in males, the terminal lamellae shaped as a fishtail, the epiandrum shaped as a goblet, the apophyses of adanal apodemes represented by thick spine-like tubercles, and in females, setae h1 minute spiculiform about 10 long, and the external copulatory tube shaped as a small rounded tubercle near the margin of interlobar membrane.

Two new feather mites of the genus Proctophyllodes (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from passerines of China (Aves: Passeriformes)

Two new species of the feather mite genus Proctophyllodes (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) are described from two passerine birds (Passeriformes) in China: Proctophyllodes scleroticus sp. nov. from the Brandt's Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti pallidior (Fringillidae) and P. micrurus sp. nov. from the White-rumped Snow Finch Onychostruthus taczanowskii (Passeridae). Proctophyllodes scleroticus sp. nov. belongs to the tricetratus species-group, and differs from the most similar species P. petroniae Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by the following characters: in male, the genital sheath is heavily sclerotized, peach shaped, and extending to the level of setae g, anal suckers are surrounded with a pair of membranes, and terminal lamella is relatively greater, and in female, lobar shield is divided into two independent shields by the anal opening and anal opening extends beyond the level of setae ps1, terminal appendage is long. Proctophyllodes micrurus sp. nov. belongs to the musicus species-group, and differs from the most similar species P. saltatoris Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by the following characters: in male, genital arch and the anterior part of opisthogastric shield are about the same width, anal suckers are surrounded with a pair of membranes, genital organ extends to the anterior 1/3 of the level of setae g and setae ps3, terminal lamella are located closely to each other and slightly greater, and in female, lobar shields are medially divided into two halves, terminal appendages are small, about 1/10 of setae h3, edge of the cleft is almost horizontal.