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Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are the economically and ecologically most important blood-sucking arthropod vectors that can transmit disease agents under temperate climate. In this group, the highest number of species (currently nearing 270) belongs to the genus Ixodes. For this review, more than 400 papers related to this genus in the context of Russia were checked for data on the host records, locations of collection, as well as ecology of assigned tick species. This monograph compensates for the lack of a similarly comprehensive English-language overview of Ixodes species in the region of Russia for nearly half century, and also makes a large set of data easily available for international readers, which is especially important if the original source is difficult to access from outside this country. In addition, the data from a significant number of papers on this topic available only in the Russian language are made accessible through this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction paper provides a brief response and critique Khan et al.'s (2023) proposal categorisation about dividing four subgenera of the genus Raphignathus Dugès. The present work contains following nomenclatural recommendation in Raphignathus: (1) Raphignathus bengalensisModak, 1991 and R. sayedi Gomaa and Hassan, 1986 are considered here as nomina nuda due to no formally publishing. (2) Raphignathus curtipilus Berlese, 1888 is transferred to the genus Eustigmaeus Berlese. (3) Raphignathus striatus Trägardh, 1904 is moved to the genus Prostigmaeus? Kuznetsov in Stigmaeidae based on their original descriptions and illustrations. This paper also presents a current species list for the family Raphignathidae Kramer, with a new country (Türkiye) recorded species and a case of numerical variation in its external suranal setae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study provides detailed information on six previously described species of syringophilines associated with starlings and records new host and locality data. Additionally, three new species are described: Aulonastus indonesianus sp. n., Aulonastus anais sp. n., and Syringophiloidus poeopterus sp. n., from various starling hosts across Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Tanzania. The study reveals that species from the genera Syringophiloidus and Syringophilopsis exhibit a broad host range among passerine birds, suggesting a long-established symbiotic relationship before the global dispersal of starlings. In Europe, the Eurasian Starling hosts Krantziaulonastus, while in Africa, related niches are occupied by Picobiinae mites. The research highlights the intricate coevolutionary dynamics between quill mites and their avian hosts. Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae are widely distributed parasites of birds inhabiting the interior of feather quills. In this paper, we provide detailed information on the host spectrum and distribution for six previously described species of syringophilines associated with starlings with new host and locality records. Additionally, we describe three new species: Aulonastus indonesianus Marcisova, Skoracki, and Patan sp. n. from the Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Linnaeus in Indonesia (Java) and the White-necked Myna Streptocitta albicollis (Vieillot) in Indonesia (Celebes); Aulonastus anais Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Golden Myna Mino anais (Lesson) in Papua New Guinea; and Syringophiloidus poeopterus Skoracki and Patan sp. n. from the Abbott's Starling Poeoptera femoralis (Richmond) in Tanzania. Finally, we explore the host–parasite interactions within the system comprising starlings and syringophiline mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes two new species of the genus Ologamasus (Acari: Ologamasidae), namely Ologamasus margaridae n. sp. and Ologamasus tuberculatus n. sp., based on females, males and nymphal stages collected in apple orchards (Malus domestica Borkh.) in southern Brazil. Ologamasus tuberculatus has a distinctive pair of large pores inserted on protuberances on the dorsal shield.

Two new eriophyid mite species (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) were described from the host plants of the genus Callerya Endl. during a field survey in China: Tetra nitidae sp. nov. vagrant on leaves ofCallerya nitida (Bentham) R. Geesink (Leguminosae),and Calepitrimerus calleryus sp. nov. vagrant on leaves ofCallerya tsui (F. P. Metcalf) Z. Wei & Pedley. Both species caused no apparent symptoms in their host plants. Additionally, this paper provides a supplementary morphological description and illustrations of Fujianacarus wisterianis Song, Xue & Hong, 2008 (Eriophyoidea).

The genus Cryptofavognathus is represented with only two species: Cryptofavognathus anatolicus Doğan & Dönel and C. afyonensis (Koç & Akyol). The third species, Cryptofavognathus bellussp. nov., was detected during a faunistic study on raphignathoid mites of Sansa Gorge (Türkiye) and described here. This paper also presents a current species list for the family Cryptognathidae Oudemans, with the following taxonomic recommendation in the genus Favognathus Luxton: Favognathus aegyptiaca (Fawzy, Khalil & Yassin) and Favognathus rosetta (Fawzy, Khalil & Yassin) described from Egypt should be considered species inquirendae due to their inadequate diagnostic characteristics and poor descriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soil-dwelling organisms populate the spaces--referred to as interstices--between the litter on the soil surface and the pores in the soil's organo-mineral matrix. These organisms have pivotal roles in soil ecosystem functions, such as the breakdown and decomposition of organic matter, the dispersal of bacterial and fungal spores and biological habitat transformation. These functions, in turn, contribute to broader ecosystem services like carbon and nutrient cycling, soil organic matter regulation and both chemical and physical soil fertility. This study provides morphological data pertaining to a range of soil organism sizes, specifically in Argiudol soils subjected to varying levels of agricultural activity in the Rolling Pampas Region, one of the world's most extensive and fertile plains. The primary focus is on soil microarthropods--namely, Acari (mites) and Collembola (springtails)--with a body width of less than 2 mm. These organisms constitute the majority of life in the intricate soil pore network. Additionally, the study documents species of earthworms (Oligochaeta, Crassiclitelata), recognised as ecosystem engineers for their ability to create physical channels in the soil matrix and to distribute organic matter. Moreover, the study includes measurements of morphological traits of soil-dwelling "macrofauna" (organisms with a body width greater than 2 mm), which are also implicated in various soil ecosystem functions. These include population regulation by apex predators, organic matter decomposition, biogenic structure formation, nutrient mobilisation and herbivory. New information:In this paper, we report both the geographical locations and individual measurements of key morphological traits for over 7,000 specimens, covering a range of soil-dwelling organisms. These include springtails (Entognatha, Collembola), mites (Arachnida, Acari), earthworms (Oligochaeta, Crassiclitellata) and additional soil macrofauna. All specimens were collected from typical Argiudol soils located in three distinct agricultural systems characterised by varying levels of land-use intensity. To our knowledge, no other dataset exists providing this information for the Argentinian Pampas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iolinid mite Coccalicus clavatus Willmann, 1952 was collected during a survey from the soil of Gilanegharb, Kermanshah, Iran in 2022. This species was first described in the family Alycidae by Willmann in 1952 and then André and Uusitalo transferred it to the family Iolinidae in 2006, accompanied by transferring species from the genus Paratydaeolus to the genus Coccalicus. Some challenges about species characters of this mite are discussed in this paper and the synonymy of C. lukoschusi and C. clavatus is proposed. The genus consists of 12 species with clavate trichobothria, and is related to various habitats like soil, stored products, under barks, on leaves of different plants, and on birds. They have been reported from Europe, Antarctica and North America and this is the first record of the Coccalicus mites from Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of our studies of the morphological ontogeny of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) based primarily on specimens reared in a laboratory at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand. We describe all postembryonic stages and illustrate them in detail: the larva, protonymph, deutonymph (male and female), and adult female and male.

As a group of ectoparasites, chiggers (larvae of chigger mites) are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease). Rodents are the most important hosts of chiggers. The Anderson's niviventer rat, Niviventer andersoni, is an endemic species of rodent in China. However, few studies have involved this endemic rodent species and its ectoparasites including chiggers. According to the field investigation in five provincial regions of southwest China between 2001 and 2019, this paper retrospectively analysed the infestation and distribution of chiggers on the body surface of N. andersoni in southwest China for the first time. From 77 Anderson's niviventer rats captured, a total of 527 chiggers were collected and they were identified as 39 species and nine genera in two subfamilies of family Trombiculidae. Of 39 chigger species identified, Leptotrombidium deliense and L. scutellare are the most important vectors of scrub typhus in China. The overall infestation indexes were PM = 29.87%, MA = 6.84 and MI = 22.91, and the indexes of chigger mite community were Mf = 39, H' = 2.60, E = 0.71 and D = 0.12. The dominant chigger species are L. wenense, L. xiaguanense and L. fujianense with a total Cr = 51.04%, among which L. wenense is one of the six main vectors of scrub typhus in China. The dominant chigger species are of aggregated distribution among different individuals of the rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The geographic distribution of Rhipicephalus linnaei is much wider than previously known. • Rhipicephalus linnaei was recorded on a dingo. • The record of R. linnaei on a dingo suggest that dingoes might aid the spread of Ehrlichia canis in Australia. • We discuss possible incursion routes and how E. canis has apparently spread rapidly in Australia. The tropical brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus linnaei , is a tick of much medical, veterinary, and zoonotic importance. This tick has a nearly world-wide distribution due to its ability to survive and propagate in kennels and houses. Rhipicephalus linnaei is the vector of Ehrlichia canis , the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, an often debilitating disease of canids and, occasionally, humans. To prevent incursion of E. canis into Australia, dogs entering Australia have been required to have a negative immunofluorescence antibody test for E. canis. In May 2020 however, E. canis was detected in Western Australia. The detection of E. canis in Australia prompted disease investigation and concerted surveillance for R. linnaei and E. canis in regions across Australia. These investigations revealed that R. linnaei was established far beyond the previously recognised geographic range limits of this tick. In the present paper, using records from various collections, published data, and data from our network of veterinarian collaborators and colleagues, we update the current geographic range of R. linnaei in Australia. Our analyses revealed that the geographic range of R. linnaei in Australia is much wider than was previously supposed, particularly in Western Australia, and in South Australia. We also map, for the first time, where E. canis has been detected in Australia. Last, we discuss the possible routes of incursion and subsequently the factors which may have aided the spread of E. canis in Australia which led to the establishment of this pathogen in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of Acari associated with cricetid rodents in Mexico began at the end of the 1930s. Despite efforts to gathering the information, only listings were built, but none of these studies present an analysis of the available data. A search was made through electronic databases; in addition, some not published records contained at Collection of Laboratorio de Acarología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México were included in the inventory. Combining the literature records and those deposited in the collection, the total number of species of Acari associated with this family of rodents is 165, distributed in two superorders, four orders, 15 families, and 57 genera. Of the 15 families registered, the richest is Trombiculidae (70 nominal species and 75 taxa), followed by Laelapidae (39 and 42, respectively), Ixodidae (13 nominal and 16 taxa), and Leewenhoekiidae (13 nominal and taxa). From the bibliographic searches, a total of 76 papers were recovered with information on the association between Acari and cricetid rodents in Mexico. The main detected approach in the literature was taxonomic (75 works) and one on detection of pathogens. From the 145 known species of cricetids recorded in Mexico, only 72 (distributed in 18 genera) have been studied and found to host Acari. The use of regionalization of Mexico in provinces allowed us to map the records of Acari associated to cricetids in the most natural approximation of their distribution. We recognize and discuss seven factors that favor the scarcity and asymmetry of acarological studies in Mexico., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Simple Summary: We report on the occurrence of parasitic quill mites of the family Syringophilidae on the well-known avian group birds-of-paradise. Our investigation resulted in the discovery of two new species of mites belonging to the subfamily Picobiinae, which has never before been recorded on birds-of-paradise. We hypothesise that the interspecific sexual behaviour of paradisaeids, which involves copulation with non-closely related host species, may have facilitated the spread of syringophilid mites between different and unrelated host species. These findings highlight the potential role of sexual behaviour in the distribution and transmission of parasitic quill mites among avian hosts. While birds-of-paradise (Passeriformes: Paradisaeidae) are a well-known group of birds, our understanding of their parasites is still limited. This study reports on parasitic quill mites of the subfamily Picobiinae (Acariformes: Syringophilidae), which have never before been recorded on this group of birds. The mite specimens presented in this paper were collected from birds-of-paradise that had been captured in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia in the years 1910–1911 and are now deposited in the Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Munich, Germany. Two syringophilid species are described as new to science: (i) Picobia frankei sp. n. from the magnificent riflebird Lophorina magnifica, the glossy-mantled manucode Manucodia ater, and the crinkle-collared manucode Manucodia chalybatus, and (ii) Gunabopicobia garylarsoni sp. n. from the twelve-wired bird-of-paradise Seleucidis melanoleucus and the lesser bird-of-paradise Paradisaea minor. We hypothesise that the presence of both picobiine species on phylogenetically unrelated paradisaeids may be caused by the sexual behaviour of these birds, where interspecific copulations may play a role in the switching of parasites between non-closely related host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Trigonuropoda (Latipilitrigon) foliata sp. n. was recorded in material collected from soil and leaf-litter in Bidoup Nui Ba National Park in Vietnam. This paper presents an illustrated description of the female and male of this species along with comparisons with closely related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teneriffiidae (Prostigmata: Anystoidea) is a poorly studied family of predatory mites that are recognized among its superfamily by thick raptorial palps, weakly marked naso, and rosette-like bothridial organs on prodorsum. In the present paper, a new species – Teneriffia aethiopica sp. nov. – is described from the soil material collected in Ethiopia. It is a relatively large species (about 1 mm); almost all coxal fields (I–III) have at least five epimeral setae; prodorsal shield and palpal oncophysis are present; ventral opisthosoma does not exhibit neotrichy, i.e. there are only six to seven pairs of aggenital setae ag present; pseudanal setal series is represented by four pairs of setae ps; claws on tarsi I–II are strongly bipectinate without empodia, and claws on tarsi III–IV are slightly serrate with smooth, hook-like empodia (almost the half of the size of each claw). Although representing unique characters, the rest of its morphological features suggest that it may form a group with members of the two currently defined genera Heteroteneriffia Hirst, 1925 and Teneriffia Thor, 1911 of which further study and re-examination have recently been proposed; hence, the present paper contributes some new knowledge that may be helpful in a future revision of this intriguing family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes two new species of predatory mites belonging to the genus Paragigagnathus Amitai & Grinberg (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiisae), namely Paragigagnathus neodesertorum sp. nov. from Acacia raddiana L. (Fabaceae), and, P. jazanensis sp. nov. from Tamarix sp. (Tamaricaceae). Also, P. amantis (Chaudhri, Akbar & Rasool, 1979) is a new species record for Saudi Arabia, reported from Tamarix sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten Opilioacaridae species from the genera Caribeacarus and Neocarus are found in subterranean habitats in Brazil, and several new species are waiting to be described. As part of our studies on cave opilioacarid species, two new species from Peruaçu Caves National Park, Minas Gerais state, are described in the present paper. The two new species present six or more d type setae on the palp, with a stout and rounded lobe: Neocarus chimerasp.nov. with 6 to 9 setae and Neocarus peruassusp.nov. presents 6 or 7 foliate setae (d1). The combination of these characters is a transitional state observed between Neocarus (4 to 9 foliate d type setae on palp, with a stout and rounded lobe) and Caribeacarus (8 to 12 foliate d type setae on palp, with a fine and pointed lobe). The systematic position of the new species is briefly discussed. Additionally, the habitat description and some ecological notes are provided for both new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 20 Mesostigmata species are recorded from the Korean Peninsula, of which 15 (Asca nubes Ishikawa, 1969, Lasioseius tomokoae Ishikawa, 1969, Evimirus uropodinus (Berlese, 1903), Macrocheles glaber (Müller, 1860), Macrocheles punctatus Ishikawa, 1967, Pachylaelaps ishizuchiensis Ishikawa, 1977, Gamasiphis pulchellus (Berlese, 1887), Ololaelaps ussurinensis Bregetova & Koroleva, 1964, Gamasellus humosus Ishikawa, 1969, Gamasholaspis variabilis Petrova, 1967, Parholaspulus hiasmaticus Petrova, 1967, Podocinum tsushimanum Ishikawa, 1970, Neoparasitus scleoides Ishikawa, 1969, Veigaia ochracea Bregetova, 1961, Uropoda similihamulifera Hiramatsu, 1979) are presented as first occurrences from this peninsula. Asca aphidioides (Linnaeus, 1758) is already reported from the southern part of the peninsula, but we present the first occurrence in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One species (Trachytes koreana Kontschán & Lim, sp. nov.) is described and illustrated in this paper. Seventeen of the recovered species were collected in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; the others were collected in the area of Republic of Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In addition to causing dermatitis, some gamasid mites are also the vector or potential vector of some zoonotic diseases. Located in the northwest Yunnan Province of southwest China, the Three Parallel Rivers Area of China is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research in the world. Based on the previous field survey in the Three Parallel Rivers Area from 2001 to 2015, this paper reports the species diversity and basic community characteristics of gamasid mites on small mammals in this unique geographical area for the first time. From the body surface of 3830 small mammal hosts, 26,048 gamasid mites were collected and identified as 10 families, 21 genera and 82 species (excluding 847 unidentified specimens) with high species diversity. The species diversity of the gamasid mite community fluctuated greatly in different elevation gradients. The highest peaks of species richness and β diversity appeared at altitudes of 3000–3500 m (S = 42) and 1500–2000 m (β = 17.5), respectively. The species abundance distribution of the mites was successfully fitted by Preston's lognormal model, and the total number of gamasid mite species in the Three Parallel Rivers Area was estimated to be 153 species. (1) Background: Gamasid mites are a large group of arthropods, and some of them are of medical importance. Besides directly biting humans and causing dermatitis, some gamasid mites are the vector of rickettsialpox and potential vector of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The Three Parallel Rivers Area of China is one of the hotspots of biodiversity research in the world, with complicated topographic landforms, different types of vegetation, special elevation gradients and high biodiversity. (2) Methods: Species richness (S): the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H), Simpson dominance index (D) and Pielou evenness index (E) were used to analyze the basic community structure. The β diversity (Cody index) was used to reflect the diversity difference between any two adjacent elevation gradients. The method based on Preston's lognormal model for species abundance distribution was used to estimate the total number of gamasid mite species. (3) Results: A total of 3830 small mammal hosts captured from the nine survey sites were identified as 44 species, 27 genera and nine families in five orders. Apodemus chevrieri, Eothenomys miletus and A. draco were the dominant host species with a total constituent ratio Cr = 52.037%. From the body surface of the hosts, 26,048 gamasid mites were collected and identified as 10 families, 21 genera and 82 species (excluding 847 unidentified specimens) with high species richness (S = 82) and diversity (H = 2.33). The three dominant mite species were Dipolaelaps anourosorecis, Laelaps nuttalli and L. echidninus, with a total Cr = 64.46% (16,791/26,048). There are significant differences in the species composition, species diversity and dominant species of gamasid mites on different hosts. The species diversity of the mite community fluctuated greatly in different elevation gradients. The highest peaks of species richness and β diversity appeared at altitudes of 3000–3500 m (S = 42) and 1500–2000 m (β = 17.5), respectively. The species abundance distribution of the mites was successfully fitted by Preston's lognormal model with S ^ (R) = 19 e − [ 0.22 (R − 0) ] 2 (α = 0.22, R2 = 0.9879). Based on fitting the theoretical curve by Preston's model, the total number of gamasid mite species was estimated to be 153 species. (4) Conclusions: Gamasid mites on small mammals are abundant with complex community structures and high species diversity in the Three Parallel Rivers Area of China. There is an apparent community heterogeneity of the mites on different hosts and in different environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Natural enemies of cheatgrass, an invasive plant in the western USA that is associated with recent increases in destructive wildfires, were sought as part of a classical biological control program targeting that plant. A population of mites was discovered infesting cheatgrass plants in central Bulgaria and determined to be a new species using morphological, morphometric analysis (i.e., measurement of specific body parts) and DNA barcoding (i.e., comparison of DNA sequences in genes shared by all mite species). Without these modern analytical tools, this mite would probably have been considered as the same species as another mite that infests other plants. This new mite species will now be tested to determine if it is suitable for importation and release in the USA as a biological control agent of cheatgrass. A new species of eriophyoid mite, Aculodes marcellisp. nov., was discovered on cheatgrass, Anisantha tectorum (L.) Nevski (syn. Bromus tectorum L.), an annual grass that is native to Eurasia and Northern Africa. This grass was introduced to North America near the end of the 19th century and now is widespread and associated with the observed increases in the size, frequency, and intensity of wildfires in western N. America. In this paper, A. marcellisp. nov., is morphologically described and illustrated. Compared with other Aculodes spp., it differs based on morphology and the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene, subunit I (MT-CO1). Results of morphometric analysis showed clear differentiation between A. marcellisp. nov., and the most similar congener, A. altamurgiensis from Taeniatherum caput-medusae. Analysis of MT-CO1 sequence divergence revealed significant levels of genetic variation (17.7%) and supported the results from the morphometric analysis; therefore, it is determined that they are two different species. Aculodes marcellisp. nov., is a new candidate agent for classical biological control of A. tectorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with three species, of which one is new to science, Torrenticola (Megapalpis) yii Gu & Guo sp. nov., and two are newly recorded species for the Chinese fanua, Torrenticola (Torrenticola) neoungeri Pešić, Asadi & Smit, 2019 and Neoatractides (Allotorrenticola) malayensis (Wiles, 1991). Torrenticola (Megapalpis) yii Gu & Guo sp. nov. is the second species of Megapalpis in China, and the 21st in the world. Meanwhile, Neoatractides (Allotorrenticola) malayensis (Wiles, 1991) represents a newly recorded subgenus Allotorrenticola from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sennertia is a diverse and widely distributed genus of mites within the family Chaetodactylidae, and the most successful group of mites in establishing phoretic relationships with bees. Although 77 valid species of Sennertia are known in the world, only two species, Sennertia (Sennertia) gargantua Zachvatkin and Sennertia (S.) zhelochovtsevi Zachvatkin have been recorded from Turkey. But, these two bee-associated species have not been noticed and not listed in the studies on mite fauna of Turkey. OConnor & Klimov in 2003 and Klimov & OConnor in 2008 stated that the distribution information of Sennertia (S.) gargantua in Turkey was probably an error. This paper reports the presence of Sennertia (S.) gargantua on a Carpenter bee in Turkey with an additional new record of the genus from Turkey, viz. Sennertia (S.) cerambycina (Scopoli). In the present work, a key to the known species for Turkey is also provided. It is noticed that genital setae are duplicated on the right side of an examined specimen of Sennertia (S.) gargantua. In the genus, some variations and local anomalies have been previously recorded; however, no abnormalities of the genital setae in Sennertia have been reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamasiphis Berlese is the most diverse genus of Ologamasidae, with 74 described species, seven of which were described from Ecuador. The main objective of this paper is to report the Gamasiphis species found in surveys recently conducted in Ecuador, including a new species here described, Gamasiphis vikkiae Melo-Molina Santos n. sp. Complementary descriptions of two previously described species, also collected in this study, are presented.

This paper is a review of the mite family Parholaspididae, including 163 species and 14 genera. We provide a diagnosis for the family and each genus, and a key to the genera. For each species we provide a synonymy and bibliography, information about the type locality, habitat, and institutional deposition of type specimens.

Acari represent the most diverse group within the arachnids with some 60,000 described species. It is generally believed that most species of mites are waiting to be discovered and described. Zootaxa was the most important journal for mite taxonomy during the last twenty years (2001 to 2020). It published 1305 papers by 1057 authors during these two decades, with descriptions of 3271 new taxa/names, which account for 24.4% of the total indexed in Zoological Record. The numbers of new synonyms of Acari in Zootaxa (334) also accounted for nearly a quarter (24.9%) of the total published during this period. These data indicate that Zootaxa has been an important and leading journal for acarologists to document the diversity of mites and ticks in the world.

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.

A checklist of the Acari type specimens deposited in the Jalal Afshar Zoological Museum (JAZM), Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran is given. From a total of 451 type specimens (which comprises 166 valid species names) cited in the list, 164 are available and two are lost. Based on the comparison of these type specimens, the following taxonomic change is proposed in this paper: Erythraeus (Zaracarus) ueckermanni is considered as a valid species and is not a junior synonym of Erythraeus (Zaracarus) budapestensis.

Studies on obligatory, ectoparasitic mites of the family Syringophilidae associated with birds in Germany were scarce and scattered over the time. This paper summarizes current knowledge of German syringophilid fauna. We present new host and locality records and describe two new species: Niglarobia lapponicasp. nov. and Charadriineopicobia ristowisp. nov. from the quill feathers of bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus) (Scolopacidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we studied the morphological ontogeny of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) based on specimens collected from Southwest University (Chongqing, China) and reared in laboratory of Shanxi Agriculture University.

Bdella longicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) is a widespread species. There has been no description of its immature stages before. In this paper, we redescribe its female adult and describe its four immature stages for the first time based on the specimens from P. R. China. Meanwhile, the ontogeny of chaetotaxy in B. longicornis is discussed.

Besides being an important pest in agriculture and forestry, the Himalayan field rat (Rattus nitidus) can be the reservoir host of many zoonoses. Some ectoparasitic gamasid mites on rodents (rats, mice and voles, etc.) are associated with some zoonoses. A field investigation was made in 39 counties in Yunnan Province of southwestern China between 1990 and 2015, and a total of 928 R. nitidus were collected. Based on some strategies of "data mining", the present paper analyzed the infestation and distribution of gamasid mites on the body surface of R. nitidus in Yunnan for the first time. There were 19,585 individuals of gamasid mites collected, and 18.971 of them were identified as 54 species and 19 genera under seven families. The results indicated that R. nitidus has a high potential to harbor abundant gamasid mites of diverse species. The two dominant mite species, Laelaps nuttalli and Laelaps echidninus, had an aggregated distribution among different individuals of R. nitidus. The identified 54 species of gamasid mites showed a high species diversity on a single rat species (R. nitidus), and the diversity index at the family level was higher than that at the genus level. The infestation of R. nitidus with gamasid mites in the different habitats and altitude gradients was uneven and heterogenic, which reflects the infestation bias in different environments. Most gamasid mites tended to infest male and adult rats rather than female and juvenile ones, which reflects the infestation bias on different sexes and ages. Based on Chao1's formula, the total number of gamasid mite species on R. nitidus was estimated to be 66. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There was an unfortunate error in a paper that appeared recently in Zootaxa (Babaeian et al., 2019). The addresses of two of the authors were listed incorrectly. The correct addresses of the authors are as follows:.

This paper presents the first results of a study on the Scaptognathus (Acari: Halacaridae) mites from the Mediterranean Sea coast of Turkey. Two species, S. hallezi Trouessart, 1894 and S. sabularius André, 1961, are newly recorded from Turkey. They are briefly described with drawings, habitats, and worldwide distributions. Additionally, a checklist is provided for the marine halacarid species of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sperchon is a common water mite genus in running waters in the Palaearctic. The present study is based on material collected in July 2013 during a collecting trip of the authors to Kyrgyzstan. Seven species new to science of the genus Sperchon Kramer, 1877 are described in this paper, i.e. Sperchon grigorievkasp. nov., S. tuzovskijisp. nov., S. tienshanensissp. nov., S. karakalisp. nov., S. kyrgyzicussp. nov., S. nasutipalpissp. nov., and S. ampliscutatussp. nov.). The hitherto unknown male of Sperchon asiaticus is described. Additionally, the first records for Kyrgyzstan are given for Sperchon cf. noshaqensis and S. cf. orbipatella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Norway rat, Ratttus norvegicus, is a common agricultural pest and an important reservoir host of many zoonoses. A long-term field investigation on gamasid mites was made in 39 counties of Yunnan province, southwest China from 1990 to 2015. A total of 1448 Norway rats were captured, and 10,034 individuals of gamasid mites were collected from the body surface of the rats, which were identified as 42 species and 16 genera under 6 families. Based on some strategies of "data mining", the present paper took advantage of the long-term accumulated original data and made an ecological analysis of gamasid mites on the Norway rat. The results showed that the infestation of gamasid mites on 1448 Norway rats was common with an overall prevalence (48.55%), mean abundance (6.93) and mean intensity (14.27). Of 42 species of gamasid mites, Laelaps nuttalli, Laelaps echidninus and Ornithonyssus bacoti were three dominant species, and they showed an aggregated distribution among different individuals of their rat host, R. norvegicus. There were much more species (39 species) of gamasid mites on the outdoor rats with a higher prevalence (65.12%), mean abundance (10.24) and mean intensity (15.72) than on the indoor rats (p < 0.001). The Norway rats in the lower altitude gradients showed a higher infestation prevalence and intensity of the mites, but lower species diversity. The adult rats had higher infestations (prevalence, mean abundance and mean intensity) of the mites than the juvenile rats. Most gamasid mites showed a predominantly male-biased sex ratio on Norway rats. The association coefficient was used to analyze the interspecific relationship between any two dominant mite species, and a positive association was found between L. nuttalli and L. echidninus. The curve tendency of species-sample relationship showed that the numbers of mite species still kept increasing without an eventual "platform" stage when the sampled rats reached 1200 individuals, and this implies a great heterogeneity of the mite community on the rat. Preston's lognormal distribution model successfully fitted the theoretical curve of species abundance distribution of gamasid mites on R. norvegicus, which illustrated the distribution of the dominant, common and rare species of the mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a long-term field investigation in the five provincial regions of Southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper studied the infestation and related ecology of chigger mites (chiggers) on the large Chinese vole (Eothenomys miletus), an endemic and dominant rodent species in the regions. A total of 52331 chiggers were collected from 2661 voles, and 52261 mites were identified as 185 species and 13 genera in the family Trombiculidae with very high species diversity. The identified 185 chigger species on E. miletus (a single rodent species) even exceeded those recorded in some countries. The overall infestation prevalence (P m = 53.96%), mean abundance (MA = 19.64) and mean intensity (MI = 36.39) on E. miletus were much higher than those on some other rodent species in the same regions. Although the species composition showed a moderate similarity (J = 0.63) between male and female hosts (E. miletus), the infestation indices (P m = 56.25%, MA = 21.67) of chiggers on male hosts were higher than those on the females (P m = 51.23%, MA = 17.09) (P < 0.05). Two dominant chigger species, Leptotrombidium scutellare (C r = 19.17%) and L. sinicum (C r = 11.06%), showed an aggregated distribution pattern among different individuals of their host E. miletus , and a relatively high degree of positive association existed between the two dominant chigger species with PCC = 0.57, DI = 0.60 and OI = 0.62 (x 2 = 857.46, P < 0.001). Leptotrombidium d ensipunctatum , Walchia koi , Helenicula hsui , L. scutellare and W. ewingi showed a high degree of environmental adaptability to their environments with high niche breadths. The theoretical curve of the species abundance distribution of chigger community on E. miletus was successfully fitted with Preston's lognormal distribution model. Based on the theoretical curve fitting, the expected total number of chigger species on E. miletus was roughly estimated to be 223 species, and 38 chigger species were probably missed in the sampling investigation. [Display omitted] • Chiggers are the common ectoparasites of rodents and vector of scrub typhus, Eothenomys miletus is the reservoir host and infectious source of zoonoses. • The dominant chigger specie, Leptotrombidium scutellare , is one of the main and powerful vectors of scrub typhus in China. • To study the chigger mites of E. miletus voles in such a wide geographical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

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.

Macrocheles bolivari Iavorschi, 1987 was described in a volume of invited papers on hypogean invertebrate fauna collected primarily in Venezuela in 1982 during the first Romanian/Venezuelan Biospeleogical Expedition [corrected]. The volume, "Hypogean and hemiedaphic fauna from Venezuela and other countries of South America. 1" was recently brought to my attention by Bruce Halliday, who recognised the similarity between Iavorschi's M. bolivari and Allogynaspis flechtmanni Krantz, 2018, recently described from Brazil. Although some important opisthosomatic and gnathosomatic details were omitted from Iavorschi's description, the nature of the epigynal and dorsal shields (Iavorschi 1987, Figs 1A, B), along with the unusual fixed cheliceral digit dentition (Iavorschi 1987, Fig. 1C), leave little doubt that Macrocheles bolivari is a species of Allogynaspis. However, there are discrepancies between the descriptions of M. bolivari and A. flechtmanni, such that final verification of species synonymy may only be possible if type specimens of these two entities can be compared. Of special significance here are differences in sternal shield morphology and ornamentation (Krantz 2018, Fig. 2; Iavorschi 1987, Fig. 1A), and omission of any mention in Iavorschi's description of greatly enlarged setae on tarsus IV as described for A. flechtmanni (Krantz 2018, Fig. 6).

The morphological ontogeny of Eharius chergui (Athias-Henriot, 1960) is described in this paper based on laboratory-reared specimens originating from Marrubium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) collected in North Island, New Zealand. Malformation was observed in the development of some idiosomal setae in some specimens and was suggested to be related to the host plant M. vulgare.

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).

This paper reports on six species of soil-inhabiting mites of the family Laelapidae from Zanzibar, Tanzania: Gaeolaelaps praesternalis (Willmann), G. zanzibarensis sp. nov., Hypoaspisella bernhardi sp. nov., Ololaelaps placentula (Berlese), Ololaelaps placidus (Banks) and Pseudoparasitus missouriensis (Ewing). The subgenus Hypoaspis (Hypoaspisella) Bernhard, 1971 is raised to the genus level and its diagnosis is clarified.

Water mites of the genus Corticacarus Lundblad, 1936 (Acari: Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) are among the most widespread and abundant riverine genera in the Neotropics. In this paper we reported 12 species of the genus Corticacarus from streams and rivers from Argentina, Chile and Costa Rica. Two species from Chile (Corticacarus cooki.sp. nov.) and Costa Rica (C. habeebisp. nov.), respectively, are described as new for science. The number of species of this genus now tallies 71 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typically, females of eriophyoid mites of the large conifer-associated genus TrisetacusKeifer 1952 have long spermathecal tubes, which are at least twice as long as the spermathecae. In this paper, we report on four Trisetacus species collected in the USA from Cupressaceae that possess atypical short spermathecal tubes and demonstrate a distinct reduction trend in leg chaetotaxy when setae l′ and/or bv II may be absent, and setae ft′ II are very short. They are: 1) Trisetacus virginianusn. sp. and 2) T. thujae (Garman 1883, = T. thujivagransSmith 1977asyn. nov.) from indigenous North American conifers Juniperus virginianus and Thuja occidentalis, respectively, and 3) Trisetacus maculatusn. sp. and 4) T. morgantownensisn. sp. from Japanese endemics, Chamaecyparis pisifera and C. obtusa, respectively, introduced to the USA. In these four Trisetacus species, the spermathecal apparatus consists of two drop-shaped segments, each about 2.5–3 µm long and about 2–2.5 µm wide, and resembles that of Boczekella, a nalepellid genus restricted to pinacean genera Larix and Pseudolarix. A new subgenus, Brevithecusn. subgen., is erected within the genus Trisetacus to accommodate the four Trisetacus species from Cupressaceae. Future molecular phylogenetic studies are needed to test whether Brevithecus is nested within Trisetacus or represents a separate genus, which may be a sister to either Trisetacus or Boczekella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trombiculid mites (or chigger mites) are a large group of arthropods, and some of these species are vectors of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus). Yunnan Province is situated in the southwest of China, and its complicated topography, special altitude gradients, and high biodiversity have aroused the interest of many scientists to study the fauna and species diversity of plants and animals. To replenish our former faunal study, this paper listed all the scientific names of trombiculid mites in Yunnan Province, together with their hosts and collection sites (geographical distribution). A total of 120,138 individuals of trombiculid mites were collected from the body surface of 13,760 small mammal hosts (89.06 % of them are rodents) in 29 collection sites (counties) of Yunnan Province from 2001 to 2013. The 120,138 mites were identified as comprising 2 families (Trombiculidae and Leeuwenhoekiidae), 26 genera, and 274 species. The genus Leptotrombidium had the most abundant species (109 species) of 26 genera. Of the six main vectors of scrub typhus in China, five of them were found in Yunnan. Of the 274 chigger mite species, 23 were determined as the newly recorded species (new records), which were found in Yunnan Province for the first time. The identified 274 species of trombiculid mites in the present paper are much more than those from other provinces in China and even largely exceeded the species of trombiculid mites recorded from some other regions and countries in the world. Based on the formula of Chao 1, the total number of chigger mite species in Yunnan was approximately estimated to be 346 species, and about 72 species might have been missed in our sampling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]