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At the centre of our investigation are the five genera Africoseius Krantz, 1962, Afrogamasellus Loots et Ryke, 1968, Rykellus Lee, 1970, Laelaspisella Marias et Loots, 1969 and Oloopticus Karg, 1978. These genera are distinguished by their extraordinary distribution in Africa and South America. We detected relations between the origin of these genera and the development of the earth's continents. These five genera must have developed during a geological period when the African and the South American continents were still connected, but separate from the other continents. The five genera belong to different super families and families of Gamasina. Within these groups, the cited genera are distinguished by extraordinary organ-formations in relation to their primary groups. Further, we identified genera that are with high probability the sister genera of the investigated five genera in agreement with the progression rule explained by W. Hennig. We also discuss the question, what time frames within geological periods are necessary for the development of higher categories, such as genera, families and even cohorts. The development of the five genera named above is placed at an estimated range of 20 to 30 million years. Results of investigations from the Galapagos Archipel and an island of the Lesser Antilles showed that within 4 million years new species developed, but no new genera. The family Leptolaelapidae Karg which includes 11 genera with 42 species are distributed over Sub Antarctic, South Africa, South America, Malaysia and Australia. These continents formed during the Mid Jurassic to the upper of Cretaceous period the Gondwanian super-continent. This means, a period of 60 to 80 million years was necessary to allow the development of this mite family. Corresponding findings refer to the Ologamasidae and, Trigynaspida. The origin of higher systematic categories, such as super-families and cohorts, has to be attributed to the oversized continent Pangaea. Several systematic groups, which are today distributed worldwide, already existed in the Permian and Triassic. Regarding the Parasitiformes the following groups of soil mites are significant: Gamasina, and Margotrichina. The subsequent gradual splitting of the Pangaea continent over 150 to 160 million years forced the development of these ancient higher systematic groups. Finally, we revise the subfamily Hypoaspidinae, the genera Oloopticus Karg, Laelaspisella Marais et Loots and Rykellus Lee including two new species and complete it with keys for 9 genera and 20 species. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The present studies continue our acarological investigations of soil inhabiting Parasitiformes from South and Central America. We discovered very remarkable species of the genus Cheiroseius Berlese, 1916 (Gamasina, Ascidae) from Ecuador. We explain the function of special organs of Cheiroseius and outline the significance of Parasitiformes in soil biology. Two new species of the subgenus Cheiroseius Berlese, 1916 s. str. and three new species of the subgenus Episeius Hull, 1918 are described and illustrated. Diagnoses of the genus Cheiroseius and the subgenera are given. We further generate keys for known and new species of the Cheiroseius tennesseensis-complex and the Cheiroseius necorniger-complex.

The Ologamasidae Ryke belong to the super-family Rhodacaroidea Krantz & Ainscough. This group further includes four families: Rhodacaridae Oudemans, Sessiluncidae Lee, Gamasiphidae Lee and Laelaptonyssidae Womersley. The Ologamasidae are divided into 4 groups of genera based on synapomorphies: 1. Ologamasus -group, 2. Gamasellus -group, 3. Cyrtolaelaps -group, 4. Cymiphis -group. Here, we analyse the distribution of genera of these four groups and relate it to events in geological history. The origin of the majority of these genera is linked to the separation and splitting of the Gondwanian super-continent at the end of the Jurassic, 135 million years ago. Further, we determine the position of the Rhodacaroidea within the Parasitiformes Reuter, 1909. Previous comprehensive investigations by Hennig applying phylogenetic methods are supplemented by comparing the chaetotaxy of legs and characteristics developed by phoretic behavioural patterns. The results show that the Ixodides are related to the Uropodina, particularly very closely to the Uropodoidea. Hence, the Ixodides must be integrated into the subgroups of Parasitiformes. The Parasitiformes comprise three distinguished main groups: 1. Gamasina Leach, 2. Margotrichina Karg & Schorlemmer and 3. Antennophorina Berlese s. Karg & Schorlemmer, 2008. Classifications are explained by means of cladograms and synapomorphies. Lastly, we describe and illustrate four new species from South America (Venezuela and Ecuador). These new species belong to the Ologamasus genera-group, genus Neogamasellevans Loots & Ryke and genus Geogamasus Lee and to the Gamasellus genera-group, genus Desectophis Karg. Differential diagnoses of new and related species are completed by keys for 32 species of Geogamasus Lee, Desectophis Karg and Acuphis Karg. Acuphis eulateris Karg, 1998 is transferred to the genus Desectophis Karg. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

International audience; The present study has been initiated by new species from South America and the deviating classification of sub-groups by several authors. We assume a division of the Parasitiformes into three main groups: 1. Antennophorina Berlese, 1892 s. lat., 2. Margotrichina Karg et Schorlemmer, 2008, 3. Gamasina Leach, 1815. Here, we analyse these groups step by step. Cladograms that are based on autapomorphies and synapomorphies visualize relationships between subgroups. 1. The Antennophorina are divided into the Sejides Berlese and the Trigynaspida Camin et Gorirossi including the Celaenopsoidea Berlese, Cercomegistoidea Trägårdh Fedrizzioidea Trägårdh, Megisthanoidea Berlese and Trigynaspidoidea Camin et Gorirossi. Two new species belong to the Cercomegistoidea and the Fedrizzioidea. A new genus of the Fedrizziidae is erected: Holostethus n. gen. 2. Larval-systematic investigations and comparisons of the chaetotaxy of extremities lead to two novel findings. First, the group of the Microgyniina belongs to the Margotrichina. Second, the Thinozerconina have to be separated from the Uropodina group. Hence, the Margotrichina now comprise the four subgroups Microgyniina, Thinozerconina, Uropodina and Ixodides. 3. The state of art regarding the Gamasina is briefly outlined. We describe two new species of Gamasiphoides - family Gamasiphidae and generate a key for new and known species of the genus.

The present study is a continuation of previous acarological investigations of tropical rainforests in the course of the International Biological UNESCO Program. In total, 28 new species from Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Cuba are described and documented. Distribution and taxonomy of studied groups are explained. Keys are provided for known and new species, in total for 106 species. Based on an autapomorphy of the sperm, Ribbon sperm, the Eugamasides and Eviphidides are combined and a new taxon is erect naming Ribbondides n. subcohors. The following 12 groups are investigated: Evimirus Karg, 1963; Parholaspis Berlese, 1918; Africoseius Krantz, 1962; Afrogamasellus Loots & Ryke, 1968 – subgen. Foliogamasellus Karg, 1977; Poropodalius Karg, 2000; Dendrolaelaspis Lindquist, 1975; Rykellus Lee, 1970; Neogamasellevans Loots & Ryke, 1967; Ologamasus Berles, 1888; Hydrogamasellus Hirschmann, 1966; Parasitus Latreille, 1795 – subgen. Bacuterus Karg, 1998; Zygoseius Berlese, 1916. The Podocinidae Berlese, 1916 are revised and 9 groups categorized. Concerning their distribution it is conspicuous that taxa regarded as endemic African groups occur in South America: Africoseius Krantz, 1962, Afrogamasellus Loots & Ryke, 1968 and Rykellus Lee, 1970. Dominant are the Rhodacaroidea Oudemans, 1903. Several subgroups of this group are limited to the Neotropic where they occupy ecological niches which are held by other predatory mite groups, especially by the Parasitidae Oudemans, 1901, in the Holarctic. However, in high altitudes of 2900 to 4200 m above sea level (a.s.l.), Parasitidae were detected. Some groups are distributed worldwide: Pachylaelaps Berlese, 1886, Hypoaspis Canestrini, 1885, Ameroseius Berlese, 1904, Lasioseius Berlese, 1916 and Multidentorhodacarus Shcherbak, 1980. The distribution is analysed by means of the Historical Zoogeographic Method, revealing connections to past geological events. It leads to the following conclusion: Ancestral groups that are distributed worldwide (Hypoaspis, Pachylaelaps, Ameroseius, Lasioseius, Multidentorhodacarus) already existed in the Permian and the Triassic before Pangaea started splitting into today´s continents. Specialized forms with particular pattern of distribution developed at the end of the Jurassic (Africoseius, Rykellus, Afrogamasellus) and during the Cretaceous (Neogamasellevans, Ologamasus, Hydrogamasellus and Parasitus) (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Cheiroseius sistaniensis n. sp. collected from damp soil in Iran is described and illustrated. A key is provided for the known species of Cheiroseius necorniger species–complex. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Die Gattung Neojordensia Evans, 1957 stellt ein Zwischenglied dar zwischen den Familien Phytoseiidae Berlese und Podocinidae Berlese. Bisher waren drei Arten bekannt. Eine neue Art aus Sudamerika wird beschrieben und durch Abbildungen und Differentialmerkmale belegt.

Vier neue Arten der Gattung Pseudoparasitus OUDEMANS werden beschrieben. Drei Arten werden der Untergattung Pseudoparasitus s. str. zugeordnet: P. quadrisetatus n. sp., P. ocularis n. sp. und P. exilis n. sp. Eine Art wird zur Untergattung Gymnolaelaps BERLESE gestellt: P. reniculus n. sp. Die Differentialmerkmale der Arten werden in Bestimmungstabellen der bisher bekannten Arten der Gattung eingegliedert.

Aus Tiermaterial, das in Sudamerika gesammelt wurde, werden 5 neue Milbenarten der Uberfamilie Phytoseioidea KARG, 1965 beschrieben. 2 Arten gehoren der Gattung Lasioseius an, eine Art der Gattung Proprioseiopsis und 2 Arten der Gattung Proctolaelaps. Die Arten werden durch Abbildungen und Differentialdiagnosen belegt. Weiterhin wird die wiedergefundene Art Podocinum jamaicense EVANS et HYATT abgebildet. Die Gattung Proctolaelaps wird in die Untergattungen Proctolaelaps s. str. und Proctofissus n. subgen. geteilt. Es wird ein Bestimmungsschlussel fur die Arten der Untergattung Proctofissus gegeben.

From a grassland-soil and from a forest-soil with deciduous trees in Central Europe two novae species and from Northern Europe one nova subspecies of the genus Typhlodromus Scheuten, 1857 are described and documented by figures. The differential features are integrated into a key for the known species and subspecies of the Typhlodromus pyri-group. The scientific terms for organo-parts of the spermatheca of the females in the Phytoseiidae Berlese are revised.

To the knowledge of the Eugamasides Karg with new species from the rain-forests of Ecuador (Acarina, Parasitiformes) From Ecuador 25 new species are described and documented by differential diagnoses and keys for identification and by figures. One new genus and one new subgenus are established. The zoogeography and the origin of the Eugamasides in the Cretaceous period is discussed. A cladogram is provided. The Parasitoidea are a specialized branch arised from the Rhodacaroidea forming together the subcohors Eugamasides.

Aus den Familien Hypoaspididae Vitzsthum, Phytoseiidae Berlese, Gamasiphidae Lee, Parasitidae Oudemans und Rhodacari-dae Oudemans werden 18 novae species beschrieben. Ein novum genus der Gamasiphidae wird aufgestellt. Es wird die Evolution der Merkmale Spermatodactylos, Inseminationssystem, Hypostom und Chaetotaxie der Extremitaten kritisch untersucht. Apomorphe Merkmalsstufen entstanden oft konvergent. Die Familien Rhodacaridae und Parasitidae sind durch einen Bulbodactylos charakterisiert, der entweder distal frei bleibt oder sich mit dem Digitus mobilis verbindet. Predatory mite species from the tropical rain forest of Ecuador with a critical survey of character evolution in Gamasina (Acarina, Parasitiformes). The evolution of the characters spermatodactylos, insemination system, hypostom, and chaetotaxy of the legs is critically surveyed. Simnilar character states often evolved independently, however, microstructures are proven synapomorphies of genera and families. In addition to other characters the families Rhodacaridae and Parasitidae are characterized by a bulbodactylos that either remains free distally or fuses with the digitus mobilis. Monophyly of these two groups is thus supported.

Die Hypoaspididae werden in die Subfam. Hypoaspidinae s. str. und Pseudoparasitinae geteilt. Fur die Pseudoparasitinae ist eine ausgedehnte, ventrale Sklerotisierung charakteristisch. Sie erreicht ein Maximum im Genus Oloopticus Karg, 1978. Das Muster der Diagnosemerkmale fur die Rhodacaridae wird analysiert. Es werden 25 Genera untersucht. Die Merkmale sind in den Gattungen unterschiedlich manifestiert. Es werden 3 neue Genera der Rhodacaridae aufgestellt. Insgesamt werden aus beiden Familien 21 neue Arten beschrieben und durch Differentialdiagnosen und Abbildungen belegt. Die Zoogeographie einiger Gattungen wird im Zusammenhang mit palaogeographischen Ereignissen diskutiert. The systematic of the predatory mite families Hypoaspididae v. Vitzthum, 1941 and Rhodacaridae Oudemans, 1902 (Acarina, Parasitiformes) with new species from South- and Central America. The Hypoaspididae are divided into the subfam. Hypoaspidinae s. str. and Pseudoparasitinae. The Pseudoparasitinae are characterised by a lerger ventral sclerotisation with a maximum in the genus Oloopticus Karg, 1978. The pattern of diagnostic features of the Rhodacaridae is analysed. 25 genera are investigated. The characteristics are differently manifested in the genera. Three new genera of Rhodacaridae are established. Concerning both families 21 new species are described and documented by differential diagnoses and by figures. The zoogeography of some genera is discussed in connection with palaeogeographical events.

Material of mites obtained from soil samples, collected in coffee farms on Cuba was investigated. Together with nematodes predatory mites were observed. Two new species of the genus Proctolaelaps Berlese were distinguished. The species are described and documented by figures and differential diagnosis.

Species of the genus SchwiebeaOUDEMANS inhabit microhabitats of woodlands, the rhizosphere and humid habitats near waters. Out of feeding tunnel of clearwing Aegeria tipuliformis at red currant a new species is described: Schwiebea cepa n. sp. A key is given for 30 species of the genus Schwiebea.

Out of nests of termites of Nasutitermes spec. from Cuba two new species of predatory mites of the subgenus Cosmolaelaps Berlese (genus Hypoaspis Can.) are described and documented by figures and differentialdiagnoses.

Material of mites of the family Phytoseiidae BERLESE gathered from different trees and shrubs in Norway is investigated. 21 species are distinguished, including 5 new species belonging to the genera SeiulusBERLESE, AnthoseiusDE LEON, TyphlodromusSCHEUTEN and AmblyseiusBERLESE. The species are described and documented by figures and differential diagnosis.

Several species of the genus Proctolaelaps Berl. infest cultures of different species of Drosophila Fall. When mite infestations increase population of flies crash. A new species of Proctolaelaps was found in a Drosophila culture at the University of Leeds. The new species is described and documented by differential features and figures.

From animal material collected in soil-biological investigations 3 new species of mites of the family Tydeidae are described and documented by figures and differential-diagnosis. They belong to the genera Tydeus Koch and Coccotydaeolus Baker.

Species of the genus Evimirus Karg colonize climatic warm regions. In Central Europe one species occures in soils under cultivation in glasshouses. From Central America a new species is discribed, and for 5 species a key is arranged.

From Central Europe and Central America 3 new species are described and documented by figures and by differentialdiagnoses. The species belong to the subgenera Amblyseius s. str. and Neoseiulus Hughes, 1948. A key is given for the 7 subgenera of the genus Amblyseius Berlese.

Two new predatory mite species of the Parasitinae OUDEMANS out of greenhouse-soils (Acarina, Parasitiformes) Out of greenhouse-soils two new predatory mite species are described and documented by differentialdiagnoses and figures. The species belong to the genera Anadenosternum Athias-Henriot and Neogamasus Tichomirov.

New Predatory Mite Species of the Ascidae Oudemans, 1905 in the Tropical Rain Forest of the Ecuador (Acarina, Parasitiformes) Especially upper soil lager in the mountains of Ecuador are investigated. Here are living predatory mites of the same main genera of Ascidae as in Europe. But 2 genera are only represented by few species. Whereas the genera Cheiroseius Berlese and Asca v. Heyden are existing with a great number of species. 26 new species are described and documented by pictures. Keys for identification are arranged. The suitability to use the predatory genera as biological indicators is discussed.

From New Caledonia 30 new species are described and documented by differential diagnoses (as determination keys mostly) and by figures. The species belong to 16 different genera. The zoogeography of the genera is analysed and related to palaegeographical events to obtain indications of their origin and of the former conditions of ecosystems. Obviously above all the palaeogeographic events of the Jurassic have caused the origin of groups of genera.

The female of Chelaseius arnei n. sp. collected from weeds in France is described and illustrated. A key is provided for the known species of Chelaseius . (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Lasioseiusbarbensiensis n. sp., a new species collected from an apple orchard in Barbens, Spain is described and illustrated. This is also the first report of a species belonging to the subgenus Borinquolaelaps Fox from Europe. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

This study critically reviews the classification of Parasitiformes, especially of Gamasina. Results indicate that the establishment of the following groups of Parasitiformes is based on plesiomorphic characters which renders the grouping invalid: Anactinochitinosi Grandjean, 1935, Monogynaspida Camin et Gorirossi, 1955, Trichopygidina Hirschmann, 1975 and, within the Gamasina: Dermanyssides (Dermanyssina) Evans et Till, 1978, Epicriides Evans et Till, 1978 and Ascidae Oudemans sensu Lindquist et Evans, 1965. Several taxa of the Ascidae sensu Lindquist et Evans belong to other taxa: Proctolaelaps Berlese and Melichares Hering to the Ameroseiidae Evans, Antennoseius Berlese to the Halolaelapidae Karg, Protogamasellus Karg to the Rhodacaridae Oudemans, Neojordensia Evans and Lasioseius Berlese to the Podocinidae Berlese and Blattisocius Keegan to the Phytoseiidae Berlese. The systematic of Gamasina is revised and a cladogram of 25 families is drawn. The taxon Gamasina is divided into three taxa: Eviphidides, Eugamasides and Ascides. The cladogram reveals that the Ascides first split off and that Eugamasides and Eviphidides have a common root. Further, 18 new species from Ecuador are described and illustrated. Differential diagnoses of new and related species are completed by keys. A total of 15 keys is provided for the taxa Gamasholaspis Berlese, Oloopticus Karg, Platyseius Berlese, Acuphis Karg, Gamasolaelaps Berlese, Proctofissus Karg, Hypoaspis Canestrini, Amblyseius Berlese, Proctolaelaps Berlese, Cheiroseius Berlese, Asca v. Heyden and Parasitus Latreille.

A new species belonging to the genus Typhloromips De Leon, 1965 is described. It was collected from Calluna moorland soil on Jurmo, a remote island in the SW archipelago of Finland. Typhlodromips herbarius (Wainstein, 1960) is considered a senior synonym of T.tenuis (Westerboer, 1963), syn.n. A key is given to related species with a similar spermathecal structure. peerReviewed

A new species is described belonging to the Amblyseius (s. str.) americanus group (Denmark & Muma, 1989). It was collected regularly from trunks of old trees in Finland. A key is given including the known species of the A. americanus group.

The configuration of body setation in a given species is essentially constant and therefore important for diagnosis and determination keys. Previous concepts of setal nomenclature are critically analysed. The majority of these efforts were mostly restricted to a limited taxonomic group and therefore limited in use, although most concepts aimed towards general application. For the revised setal nomenclature, embryonic development was analysed. A decisive process is the formation of the gnathosoma with a separation from the subsequent idiosoma segments. In the anterior part of the idiosoma, the segements of legs I, II, III and IV develop, furthermore those of the genital segment consisting of the fused segments 7 and 8. The posterior part of the idiosoma comprises the segments 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. The parts of the dorsal shield should be named prodorsum and postdorsum, the parts of the ventral idiosoma sternum and venter. Transverse rows of setae and gland pores allow residues of the ancestral body segmentation to be recognised. On the dorsum of basal derivative Gamasina groups, 10 transverse rows of setae are clearly differentiated. On the dorsum we refer to four pairs of longitudinal rows with a tranverse division in five rows on the prodorsum and five rows on the postdorsum. We define a corresponding setal nomenclature separately for the prodorsum: i1 to i5, z1 to z5, s1 to s5, r1 to r5 and for the postdorsum: I1 to I5, Z1 to Z5, S1 to S5, R1 to R5. This pattern is generally maintained in all superfamilies of Gamasina. However, in single groups certain setae are suppressed or additional setae developed. Also, sometimes setae have changed their positions. The superfamilies of the Gamasina show specialisations concerning habitats and nutrition. According to their evolution, each superfamily has also developed characteristic trends in dorsal setation. This facilitates categorising unknown species. The findings are explained by 27 figures of species grouped into 6 superfamilies.

In abandoned cocoons of spiders in caves near Vienna a new species of the genus Amblyseius BERLESE, 1904 was detected: Amblyseius caviphilus n. sp. The species is described and documented by figures and by a differentialdiagnose. In verlassenen Spinnenkokons in Hohlen bei Wien wurde eine neue Milbenart der Gattung Amblyseius BERLESE, 1904 gefunden: Amblyseius caviphilus n. sp. Die Art wird beschrieben und durch Abbildungen und durch eine Differentialdiagnose belegt.