Search

Cancer cells are characterized by accumulation of mutations due to improperly repaired DNA damage. The DNA double strand break is one of the most severe form of damage and several redundant mechanisms have evolved to facilitate accurate repair. During DNA replication and in mitosis, breaks are primarily repaired by homologous recombination which is facilitated by several genes. Key to this process is the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well as the accessory RAD52 gene. Proper chromatin remodeling is also essential for repair and the KAT5 histone acetyltransferase facilitates histone removal at the break. Here we undertook a pan cancer analysis to investigate mutations within the KAT5 gene in cancer cells. We employed two standard artificial algorithms to classify mutations as either driver (CHASMPlus algorithm) or pathogenic (VEST4 algorithm). We find that most predicted driver and disease-causing mutations occur in the catalytic site or within key regulatory domains.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), or Covid-19, burst into a pandemic in the beginning of 2020. An unprecedented worldwide effort involving academic institutions, regulatory agencies and industry is facing the challenges imposed by the rapidly spreading disease. Emergency use authorization for vaccines were granted in the beginning of December 2020 in Europe and nine days later in the United States. The urge for vaccination started a race, forcing governs and health care agencies to take decisions on the fly regarding the vaccination strategy and logistics. So far, the vaccination strategies and non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as social distancing and the use of face masks, are the only efficient actions to stop the pandemic. In this context, it is of fundamental importance to understand the dynamical behavior of the Covid-19 spread along with possible vaccination strategies. In this work a Susceptible - Infected - Removed - Sick with vaccination (SIRSi-Vaccine) model is proposed. In addtion, the SIRSi-Vaccine model also accounts for unreported, or asymptomatic, cases and the possibility of temporary immunity, either after infection or vaccination. Disease free and endemic equilibrium points existence conditions are determined in the (! ? ?) vaccine-effort and social distancing parameter space. The model is adjusted to the data from S\~ao Paulo, Santos and Campinas, three major cities in the State of S\~ao Paulo, Brazil.

Shrews (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) are amongst the most diverse and widely distributed groups of small mammals worldwide. In Mexico, more than 40 species of the genera Sorex, Cryptotis, Megasorex , and Notiosorex have been documented. There is little knowledge about epizoic arthropods of shrews, with 40 species recorded, 28 corresponding to the subclass Acari, and 12 to Insecta. Sorex oreopolus Merriam, 1892, is an endemic species of Mexico, distributed from southwest Jalisco to east Puebla and west Veracruz. This study reports the first records of epizoic arthropods of S. oreopolus . Five specimens of S. oreopolus were collected during 2016 from four sites at La Malinche National Park, state of Tlaxcala. Epizoic arthropods were removed from the pelage of shrews and processed for identification. For each species found in S. oreopolus , ecological parameters of infestation were calculated; for parasitic species, also the degree of host specificity was estimated. A total of 1,194 arthropods were found, corresponding to six mite and one insect taxa. All are new records for this host species. The mites Orycteroxenus soricis (Oudemans 1915) and Pygmephorus horridus Mahunka, 1973 are recorded for the first time in Mexico. The prevalence and abundance of O. soricis was high, while Corrodopsylla lira Traub, 1950 is less prevalent/abundant (Table 1). Epizoic arthropods comprise commensals (Myobiidae), temporary ectoparasites (Trombiculidae) and (Ctenophthalmidae), and phoretic (Glycyphagidae and Pygmephoridae). Seven taxa of epizoic arthropods recorded in this study represent the first record of association with S. oreopolus . The mites O. soricis and P. horridus had already been documented on shrews of the genus Sorex ; however, they are recorded for the first time in Mexico, increasing the richness of symbionts of Mexican shrews from 40 to 42 species. Further investigations on the richness of arthropods associated with Mexican shrews are needed, as only seven of 40 species of shrews have been documented, representing 20 % of hosts.

Do partners’ levels of self-control and forgiveness change over the course of marriage? Based on the idea that marriage may function as a training ground for these vital relationship abilities, we hypothesized that people increase their levels of self-control and forgiveness over time and that these developments take place simultaneously. We tested these predictions among 199 newlywed couples in the first 4 years of marriage, using a dyadic latent growth curves analysis. Confirming our hypotheses, results showed significant increases in self-control and forgiveness as well as a positive concurrent correlation between these variables. However, the developments of self-control and forgiveness were unrelated. So, while people become more self-controlled and forgiving over the course of a marriage, these developments do not coincide.Keywords: Forgiveness, marriage, romantic relationships, self-control

Specimens of Oroperipatus eisenii (Wheeler, 1898) were re-examined, including 13 new records for the species collected in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, and Michoacan in Mexico. Scanning electron micrographs that illustrate most of the diagnostic characters were provided allowing a redescription of the species, as well as a map of the localities where the collections were carried out. DNA sequences were obtained from the collected specimens for the cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) gene; results of the similarity analysis showed that there was no genetic divergence for COI within the sampled onychophoran populations. Natural history information of the species is included.

Distribution and host data from published literature and previously unpublished collection records are provided for all nine species of the Holarctic tick genus Dermacentor that are known to occur in Mexico, as well as two species that may occur there. Parasite-host and host-parasite lists are presented, together with a gazetteer of collection localities and their geographical coordinates. Fil: Guzmán Cornejo, Carmen. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México Fil: Robbins, Richard G.. Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy; Estados Unidos Fil: Guglielmone, Alberto Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina Fil: Montiel Parra, Griselda. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México Fil: Rivas, Gerardo. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México Fil: Pérez, Tila María. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México

Anyphaena zorynae sp. nov. Figs. 1 –2, 5– 11 Type material. male holotype from Delegación Coyoacán (19 ° 21 ′00″N, 99 °09′ 42 ″W, 2240m), Distrito Federal, Mexico, 17.XI. 1999, Castelo leg. (CNAN-T0239). Paratypes: one female, same data as holotype (CNAN-T0240); one female, Distrito Federal, 1.XI. 2000, Durán-Barrón leg. (IBSP 91248); one male, 1.XI. 2001, Distrito Federal, Durán-Barrón leg. (IBSP 91246). Etymology. The species name is a patronimic composed from an anagram of Zoey Marina Durán Gómez, and is dedicated to the niece of the first author. Diagnosis. Anyphaena zorynae resembles A. pacifica (Banks) by the tegular projection whitout distal invagination in the male palp and by the longer that wide atrium in the female epigynum (see Platnick 1974, figs. 63, 66) but differ by the presence of groups of strong ventral setae in the coxae I–IV (Fig. 7), distally narrowed tegular projection and median apophysis distally elongated in the male palp (Figs. 5, 9); epigynum with transversaly sulcated plate and atrium with rebordered posterior margin (Figs. 8, 10). Description. Male (IBSP 91246): Carapace pale yellow, eyes borders dark, thoracic groove red, clypeus lateral borders orange (Fig. 1). Eyes anterior row recurved, posterior row procurved. Legs pale yellow with a distal small dark area on tarsus. Abdomen dark posteriorly, laterally darker, and dorsally much lighter, with sparse orange spots (Fig. 1). Total length 6.7. Carapace 2.9 long, 2.3 wide. Clypeus 0.08. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.18, PME 0.18, PLE 0.18; AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PME 0.016, PME–PLE 0.08, AME–PLE 0.06. Chelicerae with three promarginal teeth and eight retromarginal denticles. Femora lengths: I 2.7; II 2.7; III 2.2; IV 2.8. Leg spination: I and II—tibia v 2 - 2 -0, p 1 - 1 -0, r 1 - 1 -0, metatarsus v 2 - 2 -0, p 1 - 1 -0, r 1 - 1 -0; III—tibia v 1 p- 2 - 2, p 1 - 1 -0, r 1 - 1 - 0; metatarsus I v 2 - 2 - 2; p 1 - 1 - 1, r 1 - 1 - 1; IV—tibia v 1 p- 2 - 2, p 1 - 1 - 1, r- 1 - 1 - 1, metatarsus v 2 - 2 - 2, p 1 - 1 - 1, r 1 - 1 - 1. Coxae I–IV ventrally with groups of strong setae (Fig. 7). Palp with retrolateral tibial apophysis elongated, with large base; filiform embolus covered by tegular apophysis (Figs. 5 ‒6, 9). Female (IBSP 91248). Coloration as in male, except abdomen almost white dorsally (Fig. 2). Total length 10.4. Carapace 3.3 long, 2.7 wide. Clypeus 0.10 high. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.18, ALE 0.20, PME 0.20, PLE 0.20; AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.04, PME–PME 0.08, PME–PLE 0.18, ALE–PLE 0.14. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal teeth and 8 retromarginal denticles. Femora lengths: I 3.0; II 2.9; III 2.4; IV 3.3. Spination differs from male on leg I and II—metatarsus p 0-1 - 1, r 0-1 - 1; III—tibia v 1 p- 1 p- 2; IV—tibia p 1 - 1 -0, r 1 - 1 -0. Epyginum internaly with oval spermathecae and long, coiled ducts (Figs 8, 10, 11). Variation. Males (n= 10): total length 6.5–7.8; carapace length 2.6–3.4; femur I length 2.5–3.8. Females (n= 4): total length 9.4–11.2; carapace length 3.3–4.2; femur I length 3–3.7. Other material examined. MEXICO. Distrito Federal: Delegación Benito Juárez, Colonia del Valle (19 ° 23 ’ 41 ”N, 99 ° 10 ’04”W, 2242m), 1 ♂, 21.I. 1985, Aguirre leg. (CNAN-Ar 010100); 1 ♂, 3.III. 1986 (CNAC- AR010099); Colonia Nativitas (19 ° 22 ’ 54 ”N, 99 °08’ 15 ”W, 2242m), 1 ♂, XI. 2002, Hinostroza leg. (IBSP 166119); Delegación Coyoacán, Colonia Santo Domingo (19 ° 19 ’ 55 ”N, 99 °09’ 37 ”W, 2243m), 2 ♂, XI. 2002, González-Santillán leg. (CNAN-Ar 010101); Colonia Romero de Terreros (19 ° 20 ’ 16 ”N, 99 ° 10 ’ 30 ”W, 2243m), Metro Copilco, 1 ♂, 26.X. 1999, Castelo leg. (CNAN-Ar 010104); Delegación Cuauhtémoc, Colonia Santa María Insurgentes (19 ° 27 ’ 41 ” N, 99 °09’ 28 ” W, 2230m), 1 ♂, 29.X. 2002, Montiel-Parra leg. (CNAN-Ar010098); Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, Colonia 16 de Septiembre (19 ° 24 ’09”N, 99 ° 12 ′ 20 ″W, 2265m), 1 ♂, 1.X. 2002, Olguín leg. (CNAN-Ar 010103); 1 ♀, 9.IX. 2001, Durán-Barrón leg. (IBSP 166116); Ciudad de México, 1 ♀, 10.V. 1949 (CNAN-Ar 010107); 1 ♀, 1.XI. 2000, Durán-Barrón leg. (IBSP 91251); 1 ♀, 1.XI. 2000, Durán-Barrón leg. (IBSP 91247); 1 ♂, 1.XI. 2002, Durán-Barrón leg. (IBSP 91250); 1 ♂, 1.XI. 2003, Durán-Barrón leg. (IBSP 91249); Estado de México: Naucalpan de Juárez, Colonia Ciudad Satélite (19 ° 30 ’ 17 ”N, 99 ° 14 ’ 27 ”W, 2275m), 1 ♂, 20.XI. 1998, Álvarez-Padilla leg. (CNAN-Ar 010102); 1 ♀, 27.XII. 1998 (IBSP 166117); 1 ♀, 23.V. 1996, Álvarez-Padilla & Castelo leg. (CNAN-Ar 010106); Atizapan de Zaragoza, Colonia Fuentes de Satélite (19 ° 31 ’ 19 ”N, 99 ° 15 ’ 26 ”W, 2280m), 1 ♂, 27.XII. 1998, Álvarez-Padilla leg. (IBSP 166118); Puebla: San Pedro Cholula (19 °04’ 23 ”N, 98 ° 20 ’ 35 ”W, 2190m), 2 ♂, 13.XI. 1977, Gamboa leg. (CNAN-Ar 010105). Natural history. The material studied was collected commonly inside houses or public buildings (on walls, roofs, etc.), in the exterior walls of buildings or, sometimes, in gardens. Adult specimens were more common during the months of January, March, May, September, November and December. Distribution. Known from Mexico City and Puebla.

Anyphaena zuyelenae sp. nov. Figs. 3 ���4, 12��� 18 Type material. male holotype from Delegaci��n Miguel Hidalgo (19 �� 24 ���09���N, 99 �� 12 ��� 20 ���W, 2265m), Distrito Federal, Mexico, 23.IV. 2003, Olgu��n leg. (CNAN-T0241). Paratypes: one female, Delegaci��n Azcapotzalco (19 �� 27 ��� 57 ���N, 99 ��08��� 43 ���W, 2240m), Distrito Federal, Mexico, V. 2005, Castelo leg. (CNAN-T0242); one male and one female, Distrito Federal, Mexico, 1.XI. 2000, Dur��n-Barr��n leg. (IBSP 91252, 91253). Etymology. The species name is a patronimic composed from an anagram of Zuri Ayelen Dur��n G��mez, and is dedicated to the second niece of the senior author. Diagnosis. Anyphaena zuyelenae sp. nov. resembles A. gertschi Platnick by the groups of rounded knobs in the leg coxae of males and the C-shaped internal copulatory ducts in the female genitalia (see Platnick 1974, fig. 72) but differ by the acuminate apex of the tegular projection and by the voluminous retrolateral apophysis in the male palp (Figs. 12 ���13, 16); females can be recognized by the epigynum with an anterior, narrow transversal atrium (Figs. 15, 17��� 18). Description. Male (IBSP 91253): Carapace pale yellow, with small dark area around eyes, thoracic groove redish. Legs orange brown with small dark spots on tarsus. Abdomen distally white with postero-lateral dark areas, dorsally yellow with pale orange median V-shaped area (Fig. 3), ventrally light. Total length 6.2. Carapace 2.8 long, 2.3 wide. Clypeus 0.10. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.16, PME 0.16, PLE 0.16; AME���AME 0.06, AME���ALE 0.04, PME���PME 0.14, PME���PLE 0,0 8, AME���PLE 0,0 8. Chelicerae with 2 promarginal teeth and 7 retromarginal denticles. Femur measurements: I 2.4; II 2.3; III 2.1; IV 2.7. Leg spination: I���tibia I v 2 - 2 -0, p 1 - 1 - 1, r 0-1 - 1, metatarsus v 2 - 2 -0, p 1 - 0-1, r 1 - 0-1; II���tibia v 2 - 2 -0, p 0-1 -0, r 1 - 1 - 1, metatarsus v 2 - 2 -0, p 1 - 0-1, r 1 - 0-1; III���tibia v 1 p- 1 p- 2, p 1 - 1 -0, r 1 - 1 -0, metatarsus v 2 - 2 - 2; p 1 - 1 - 1, r 1 - 1 - 1; IV���tibia v 2 - 2 - 2, p 1 - 1 - 1, r- 1 - 1 - 1, metatarsus v 2 - 2 - 2, p 1 - 1 - 1, r 1 - 1 - 1. Coxae I���IV ventrally with group of strong knobs (Fig. 14). Palp with retrolateral tibial apophysis presenting a unesclerotized area in retrolateral view (Fig. 13), embolus filiform, covered by the tegular apophysis; median apophysis with short tip (Figs 12, 16). Female (IBSP 91252). Coloration as in male, except abdomen darker (Fig. 4). Total length 6.8. Carapace 2.9 long, 2.1 wide. Clypeus 0.06 high. Eye diameters and interdistances: AME 0.16, ALE 0.16, PME 0.18, PLE 0.20; AME���AME 0.06, AME���ALE 0.04, PME���PME 0.14, PME���PLE 0.10, ALE���PLE 0.06. Chelicerae with 3 promarginal teeth and 8 retromarginal denticles. Femora lengths: I 2.4; II 2.4; III 2.1; IV 2.8. Spination differs from male on leg I���tibia p 0-1 -0, r 0-1 -0, metatarsus p 0-1 -0, r 0-1 - 1; II���tibia p 1 - 1 -0, r 0-1 -0; III���metatarsus p 1 - 1 -0, r 1 - 1 -0; IV���tibia p 1 - 1 -0, r 1 - 1 -0. Epyginum internaly with oval spermathecae and long, coiled ducts (Figs 15, 17, 18). Variation. Males (n= 5): total length 6.2���7; carapace length 2.8���3.5; femur I length 2.4���2.9. Females (n= 4): total length 6.8���7.5; carapace length 2.9���3.5; femur I length 2.4���3.1. Other material examined. MEXICO. Distrito Federal: 1 ♂, 3.III. 1957, Gertsch leg. (CNAN-Ar 010110), 1 ♂, 1.XI. 2001, Dur��n-Barr��n leg. (IBSP 166120); Delegaci��n Miguel Hidalgo, Colonia 16 de septiembre (19 �� 24 ���09���N, 99 �� 12 ��� 20 ���W, 2265m), 1 ♂, 23.IV. 2002, Olgu��n leg. (CNAN-Ar 010108); Delegaci��n Coyoac��n, Colonia Ciudad Universitaria CU (19 �� 19 ��� 18 ���N, 99 �� 11 ���06���W, 2243m), ���Instituto de Biolog��a���, 1 ♂, 26.IV. 1999, Castelo leg. (CNAN- Ar 010109); Colonia Ciudad Jard��n (19 �� 20 ��� 10 ��� N, 99 ��08��� 42 ��� W, 2243m), 1 ♀, 14.IV. 1957 (CNAN-Ar 010111). Natural history. specimens were relatively common inside houses, the exterior walls of buildings and in gardens, mainly during the months of March, April and November. Distribution. Known only from Mexico City., Published as part of Dur��n-Barr��n, C��sar G., P��rez, Tila M. & Brescovit, Antonio D., 2016, Two new synanthropic species of Anyphaena Sundevall (Araneae: Anyphaenidae) associated to houses in Mexico City, pp. 189-194 in Zootaxa 4103 (2) on pages 192-194, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4103.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/265794, {"references":["Platnick, N. I. (1974) The spider family Anyphaenidae in America North of Mexico. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 146, 205 - 266."]}

Se revisaron 35 ejemplares de Passalus cognatus Truqui recolectados en Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México. En 20 de ellos se encontraron 245 ácaros pertenecientes a ocho especies, ocho géneros, ocho familias y tres subórdenes. Las especies de acáros más abundantes fueron Uroobovella californiana Wisniewski y Hirschmann (35%), Euzercon hyatti Hunter y Rosario (20%) y Uropoda sp. (17.5%). Las zonas de fijación preferidas por los ácaros fueron las coxas; en menor proporción el mesoesternón y los húmeros. Los pasálidos infestados presentaron de 1 a 40 ácaros, con un promedio de 12. El número de especies de ácaros por pasálido infestado fue de 1 a 4.Mites associated to the Coleopteran Passalus cognatus (Coleoptera:Passalidae) from Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. There are few records of mites associated with the tropical coleopterans of Mexico. We examined 35 passalid beetles (bessbugs) Passalus cognatus from Los Tuxtlas region in Veracruz State, Mexico. Twenty of them had a total of 245 mites (representing eight species, eight genera, eight families and three suborders). The most abundant species were Uroobovella californiana Wisniewski & Hirschmann (35%), Euzercon hyatti Hunter & Rosario (20%), and Uropoda sp. (17.5%). The preferred attachment areas were the coxae; followed by the mesosternum and the humeri. Each beetle had 1 to 40 mites (average: 12); and we found 1-4 mite species per beetle. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 1261-1268. Epub 2008 September 30.

Sugar cane cachasse was tested as an organic soil amendment at 0, 2, 4 and 9% (dry weight), for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil (with an average initial concentration of 14,356 mg/Kg), which had been pre-treated by the incorporation of 4% (dry weight) calcium hydroxide according to the chemical-biological stabilization treatment method. Remediation efficiency was measured in terms of overall hydrocarbon reduction, hydrocarbon stabilization, soil leachates, microbial activity, acute toxicity and biomass production in a tropical forage grass (Brachiaria humidicola). Compared to the control, the over all half life for hydrocarbon degradation was optimal with 2 - 4% cachasse, reducing the half life from 301 days to about 195 days. The treatment with 9% cachasse presented reduced respiration rates, probably due to fermentation conditions, and a longer half life. Hydrocarbon availability (versus stabilization), and thus potential toxicity and leachability, was lowest in the treatments with 4 and 9% cachasse. In these treatments, there were no methanol extractable hydrocarbons after 19 months, although the TPH concentration was 1,000 - 1,500 mg/kg. In less than four months, toxicity, as determined by the Microtox method, was reduced to regional background levels (Effective Concentration 50 > 100,000 mg/L), and soil leachates (TCLP) were reduced to < 1 mg/L in all treatments. Grass biomass production was related to the amendment concentration, being two to three times greater in the treatment with 9% cachasse during the major part of the treatment. According to these results, a 4% application rate is recommended to optimize the microbial response, with an additional 4% added after one year to further stimulate pasture growth.Key words: Soil remediation, petroleum, biodegradation, toxicity, biomass production, pasture.

Mites of the family Klinckowstroemiidae establish an association with beetles of the family Passalidae known as phoresy. In order to obtain information about this association, we analyzed the relationship between mites of the family Klinckowstroemiidae and beetles of the family Passalidae, as adult mites have been exclusively collected from host beetles. We examined 1 150 beetles collected in seven states of the Mexican Republic, and found 19 species of klinckowstroemiid mites associated with 168 passalids, that belong to 28 different species in 15 genera. Host specificity between species of both groups does not exist, as one species of passalid beetle can have several different symbionts; conversely, a given mite species can associate with passalid beetles of different species and even of different genera. This way, Odontotaenius zodiacus has been found associated with mites of seven species of the genus Klinckowstroemia. Besides, Klinckowstroemia valdezi is associated with five species of passalids. Furthermore, two and even three different species of mites have been found on one host beetle (synhospitality). The lack of congruence between the phylogenies of the mites and that of the beetles indicates that a process of co-adaptation by colonization is going on, because the association is due to the resources that passalid beetles can offer to the mites, like transportation, food and refuge. Since these resources are not host-specific, the klinckowstroemiid mites can climb onto virtually any species of passalid beetles occurring on the same habitat.

Bertrandiella griseldae, new species is described based on specimens found on the gecko Tarentola americana. Additionally, the female of Geckobiella javieri is described for the first time, new data for larvae and deutonymphs are presented, and a summary of the leg chaetotaxy for Geckobia tarentolae is reported. A taxonomic identification key for the mite species of Pterygosomatidae ectoparasitic on lizards from Cuba is also provided.

A cladistic analysis based on 274 morphological characters was performed including the 13 previously recognized speciesof the scale mite genus Hirstiella, 2 new species, 5 species in closely related genera, and 3 more distant out-group species.An analysis based on 148 informative characters resulted in one most parsimonious tree (L = 400, CI = 0.57 and RI =0.79). According to this, the genus Hirstiella in its current concept is a polyphyletic taxon whose member species belongto three different clades. The first lineage (Bremer support and jackknife values 2 and 78%) includes the type species H. trombidiiformis and seven additional species of Hirstiella that are parasites on iguanian lizards. The genus Geckobiella isincluded in this lineage, and the latter taxon name has priority over Hirstiella; therefore, the genus Hirstiella is considereda synonym of Geckobiella and no longer valid. For the second lineage (Bremer support and jackknife values of 2 and 73%)we propose the name Bertrandiella gen. nov.; it includes H. tenuipes, H. otophila, H. jimenezi and Bertrandiella chame- laensis sp. nov. The third lineage, and sister taxon of Bertrandiella, is a clade comprising Pimeliaphilus and the species H. sharifi and H. insignis. The latter taxa are transferred back to Pimeliaphilus (Bremer support and jackknife values >4and 100%). Updated diagnoses are provided for the genera Geckobiella sensu nov. (including a new species Geckobiella donnae sp. nov.) and Bertrandiella gen. nov., and for all their species, as well as for the genera Pimeliaphilus sensu nov.and Tequisistlana, based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses. The analyses support the hypothesis that lizards arethe ancestral hosts for Pterygosomatidae; associations with arthropods (in Pimeliaphilus) appear to be secondary, the result of host switching from lizards.

Pimeliaphilus insignis (Berlese) Geckobia insignis Berlese, 1892: 64. Pimeliaphilus insignis Tr��g��rdh, 1905: 40; Hirst 1926: 199; Radford 1943: 71. Pimeliaphiloides insignis Vitzthum, 1942: 613; Radford 1950: 377. Hirstiella insignis Cunliffe, 1952: 164. Type. Berlese Collection (42 / 10���11), Istituto Sperimentale per la Zoologia Agraria, Firenze, Italy (Andr�� 1961; Jack & Girot 1965). Type locality. Portici, Italy. Type host. Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus) (cited originally as Platydactylus muralis, Cunliffe 1952 and Jack & Girot 1965). Distribution. ex Tarentola mauritanica, ITALY, FRANCE, MOROCCO and ALGERIA (Cunliffe 1952; Andr 1961; Jack & Girot 1965). ex Hemidactylus turcicus, SPAIN (Baker 1998) (Table 4). Material examined. 1 female ex undetermined gecko, IRAQ, south, coll. J. Robson (BM(NH)). Remarks. According to Jack (1964) this species has all the five setae on femur II however the examined specimen from Iraq lacked seta l���. In the latter specimen it is also difficult to see whether both p��� and p��� are present. The specimen from Iraq has the same three setae, d, l��� and v���, on genua III as mentioned by Jack and Girot (1965) instead of d, l��� and l��� sensu Jack (1964). It also has solenidion �� on tarsus III (mentioned as absent by Jack 1964 and Jack & Girot 1965). Setae a��� and a��� are very difficult to see. Additional data included in the phylogenetic analysis were obtained from Andr�� (1961), Jack (1964) and Jack and Girot (1965)., Published as part of Paredes-Le��n, Ricardo, Klompen, Hans & P��rez, Tila M., 2012, Systematic revision of the genera Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 and Hirstiella Berlese, 1920 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with description of a new genus for American species parasites on geckos formerly placed in Hirstiella, pp. 1-40 in Zootaxa 3510 on pages 25-26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.282509, {"references":["Berlese, A. (1892) Ordo Prostigmata (Trombidiidae). Acari, Myriopoda et Scorpiones hucusque in Italia reperta, 60: 1 - 155.","Tragardh, I. (1905) Acariden aus Agypten und dem Sudan. In: Jagerskiold, L. A. (Ed.) Results of the Swedish Zoological Expedition to Egypt and the White Nile. Part II, Expedition. Upsala. pp. 1 - 124.","Hirst A. S. (1926) On the parasitic mites of the suborder Prostigmata (Trombidioidea) found on lizards. Linnean Society Journal (Zoology), 36, 173 - 200.","Vitzthum, H. G. (1942) Acarina. In: Bronns, H. G. (Ed.) Klassen und Ordungen des Tierreiches, 5, Sect. 4, Book 5. pp. 1 - 1011.","Cunliffe, F. (1952) Biology of the cockroach parasite, Pimeliaphilus podapolipophagus Tragardh; with a discussion of the genera Pimeliaphilus and Hirstiella. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 54, 153 - 169.","Jack, K. M. & Girot, B. (1965) Notes on the development of Hirstiella insignis (Berlese) 1892. Acarologia, 7, 286 - 293.","Andr, M. (1961) Observations sur Hirstiella insignis (Berlese). Acarologia, 3, 1959 - 64.","Baker, A. (1998) A new species of Hirstiella Berlese (Acari: Pterygosomatidae) from captive rhinoceros iguanas, Cyclura cornuta Bonnaterre (Reptilia: Iguanidae). Systematic and Applied Acarology, 3, 183 - 192.","Jack, K. M. (1964) Leg-chaetotaxy with special reference to the Pterygosomidae (Acarina). Annals of the Natal Museum, 16, 152 - 171."]}

Geckobiella stamii (Jack) new combination Hirstiella stamii Jack, 1961: 311. Diagnosis. Adults. Distinct prodorsal shield absent, area striated or ridged over its entire surface. Female. Dorsal setae short, flattened, expanded and densely spiculate (club-like). Femur II without setae l���, l��� and v���; genua II���IV without seta l���; femur III���IV without seta l���. Male. Some dorsal setae short and spinous (club-like). Seta d of palpal femur very short and stout, forming a ���five-pronged fork��� (Jack 1961). Type. Female HOLOTYPE, male and larva PARATYPES (BM(NH)). Type locality. Origin unknown, mites collected from captive iguanas in the Amsterdam Zoological Gardens, Netherlands. Type host. Iguana iguana (Linnaeus). Material examined. Female HOLOTYPE ex captive Iguana iguana, coll. A. B. Stam (BM(NH)). 6 females, 9 males, 2 deutonymphs, 2 larvae ex Iguana iguana, MEXICO, Veracruz, coll. F. Olvera (CNAC 007016��� 32). 1 male ex Iguana iguana, MEXICO, Campeche (OSAL 0067360). Remarks. This species appears to be a specific ectoparasite of Iguanidae lizards (see Table 2)., Published as part of Paredes-Le��n, Ricardo, Klompen, Hans & P��rez, Tila M., 2012, Systematic revision of the genera Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 and Hirstiella Berlese, 1920 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with description of a new genus for American species parasites on geckos formerly placed in Hirstiella, pp. 1-40 in Zootaxa 3510 on page 11, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.282509, {"references":["Jack, K. M. (1961) A re-examination of the genera Pimeliaphilus Tragardh 1905 and Hirstiella Berlese 1920 (Acari; Prostigmata). The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 4, 305 - 314."]}

Bertrandiella otophila (Hunter and Loomis) new combination Hirstiella otophila Hunter and Loomis, 1966: 683. Diagnosis. Female. Prodorsal shield triangular bearing 3 pairs of peripectinate setae (vi, ve and sci) and with posterior end as wide as distance between setae vi (not acute ending). Tarsus I with long solenidion �� 2 with slightly longer companion seta ft. Male. Prodorsal shield trapezoid in shape with posterior margin wider than anterior and with 4 pairs of long peripectinate setae (vi, ve, sci and c 1). Companion seta ft longer than solenidion �� 2. Type. Female HOLOTYPE at Chigger Research Collection at California State University, Long Beach, California, USA (CSULB); female, male, deutonymphal and larval PARATYPES at CSULB, USNMC, OSAL, University of Kansas, University of California at Riverside and Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas (Hunter & Loomis 1966); deutonymphal and male PARATYPES (BM(NH)). Type locality. Barstow, San Bernardino Co., California, USA. Type host. Coleonyx variegatus (Baird). Material examined. 1 deutonymphal PARATYPE ex Coleonyx variegatus, USA, California, San Bernardino Co., Barstow 2 mi S, 1 March 1964, coll. W. L. Hunter (BM(NH)); 1 male PARATYPE ex Coleonyx variegatus, USA, California, Riverside Co., 5.8 mi NW Desert Center on New rd to Eagle, J. C. Geest (BM(NH)). 2 females ex Coleonyx brevis, MEXICO, Coahuila, San Pedro de las Colonias, Santa Eulalia, 1250 m asl, 19 June 1994, W. Schmidt (CNAC 004416��� 17). Remarks. This species appears to be a specific ectoparasite of Eublepharidae and Phyllodactylidae (see Table 3)., Published as part of Paredes-Le��n, Ricardo, Klompen, Hans & P��rez, Tila M., 2012, Systematic revision of the genera Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 and Hirstiella Berlese, 1920 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with description of a new genus for American species parasites on geckos formerly placed in Hirstiella, pp. 1-40 in Zootaxa 3510 on page 19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.282509, {"references":["Hunter, W. & Loomis, R. (1966) A new species of mite, genus Hirstiella (Acarina: Pterygosomidae) from the banded gecko, Coleonyx variegates, of Western North America. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 39, 681 - 687."]}

Bertrandiella tenuipes (Hirst) new combination Pimeliaphilus tenuipes Hirst, 1917: 142; Hirst 1926: 197; Radford 1943: 71. Pimeliaphiloides tenuipes Vitzthum, 1942: 613. Hirstiella tenuipes Cunliffe, 1952: 169. Diagnosis. Adults. Unknown. Deutonymph. Dorsal propodosomal shield triangular with anterior margin almost straight (slightly concave in middle) and posterior end bluntly pointed; with 3 pairs of long peripectinate setae, 2 anterior (vi and ve) that form transverse row along anterior margin and third inserted posteriorly (sci) (Hirst 1917, 1926). With long seta sce adjacent to each eye reaching to base of dorsal setae e 2 and with seta v on trochanter I feather-like (Jack 1961). Type. Deutonymph HOLOTYPE (BM(NH)). Type locality. Honda, Magdalene River, Colombia. Type host. Gonatodes albogularis (Dum��ril & Bibr��n). Material examined. Deutonymph HOLOTYPE ex Gonatodes albogularis, COLOMBIA, Magdalene River, Honda (BM(NH)). Remarks. We checked the only known specimen of this species and found that it is a deutonymph. Jack and Girot (1965) mention that Hirstiella tenuipes closely resembles the deutonymph of H. insignis, differing by its leg setation in the possession of two rather than one seta on femur IV. They concluded that, in the absence of data on the variability in chaetotaxy in these species, it is possible that H. tenuipes may (1) be a deutonymph and (2) be synonymous with H. insignis. We are confirming their first assumption but we are not agreeing with the latter conclusion and keep both as valid species based on the following evidence: in H. tenuipes (1) prodorsal shield shaped as an inverted equilateral triangle, almost as long as wide and with the end bluntly pointed, (2) setae vi on the prodorsal shield is located proximal to ve, (3) setae sci as long as vi, (4) palpal seta v of tibia with nude stalk ending in a thick brush-like structure, (5) subcapitulum simple, not expanded at apex and (6) cheliceral fixed digit membranous and spiniform, and movable digit robust and curved; while in H. insignis (1) prodorsal shield shaped as an inverted pentagon with the posterior sides sharply converging and with a very acute end, (2) setae vi on prodorsal shield located anterior to ve, (3) setae sci longer than vi (twice or more), (4) palpal tibia seta v simple and smooth, (5) subcapitulum apex (hypostome) with a rostral flange (the structure stiff, hyaline shelf just proximal to the striated velum) and (6) the cheliceral digits (movable and fixed) are long and spine-like. According with these and additional characters (noted above in the Pimeliaphilus section), all used in our phylogenetic analysis, H. tenuipes and H. insignis are two valid and unrelated taxa (Fig. 1), the former included in Bertrandiella gen. nov. and the latter transferred back to Pimeliaphilus. This species appears to be a specific ectoparasite of Sphaerodactylidae (see Table 3)., Published as part of Paredes-Le��n, Ricardo, Klompen, Hans & P��rez, Tila M., 2012, Systematic revision of the genera Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 and Hirstiella Berlese, 1920 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with description of a new genus for American species parasites on geckos formerly placed in Hirstiella, pp. 1-40 in Zootaxa 3510 on pages 18-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.282509, {"references":["Hirst, A. S. (1917) On some new mites living on lizards. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 8, 136 - 143.","Hirst A. S. (1926) On the parasitic mites of the suborder Prostigmata (Trombidioidea) found on lizards. Linnean Society Journal (Zoology), 36, 173 - 200.","Vitzthum, H. G. (1942) Acarina. In: Bronns, H. G. (Ed.) Klassen und Ordungen des Tierreiches, 5, Sect. 4, Book 5. pp. 1 - 1011.","Cunliffe, F. (1952) Biology of the cockroach parasite, Pimeliaphilus podapolipophagus Tragardh; with a discussion of the genera Pimeliaphilus and Hirstiella. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 54, 153 - 169.","Jack, K. M. (1961) A re-examination of the genera Pimeliaphilus Tragardh 1905 and Hirstiella Berlese 1920 (Acari; Prostigmata). The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, 4, 305 - 314.","Jack, K. M. & Girot, B. (1965) Notes on the development of Hirstiella insignis (Berlese) 1892. Acarologia, 7, 286 - 293."]}

Geckobiella harrisi Davidson Geckobiella harrisi Davidson, 1958: 75. Diagnosis. Female. Idiosoma laterally compressed; dorsal setae short club-like, occurring in patches; short peritremes which do not extend to second palpal segment. Setae ps 1���2 spinose spatulate (club-like) and ps 3 sparsely barbed. Male. Idiosoma dorso-ventrally flattened; club-like setae present, most abundant anteriorly on margin of dorsum. Type. Female HOLOTYPE (USNMC 1860) and allotype (USNMC); PARATYPES in OSAL. Type locality. 12 miles south of Santarem, Para, Brazil. Type host. Plica plica (Linnaeus). Material examined. Female HOLOTYPE, 1 male ALLOTYPE ex Plica plica, BRAZIL, 12 mi South Santarem, Para, 5 September 1955, coll. L. E. Harris Jr. (USNMC); 2 females ex Plica plica, BRAZIL, Para, 13 January 1956, coll. L. E. Harris Jr. (OSAL 0067352��� 53). Remarks. This species appears to be a specific ectoparasite of Tropiduridae lizards (see Table 2). Davidson (1958) mentioned the absence of eyes as a diagnostic character for this species, however we found that G. harrisi has a pair of eyes each located anterolaterally as in other pterygosomatids. Apparently without solenidion �� on tarsus III (unlike Jack 1964)., Published as part of Paredes-Le��n, Ricardo, Klompen, Hans & P��rez, Tila M., 2012, Systematic revision of the genera Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 and Hirstiella Berlese, 1920 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with description of a new genus for American species parasites on geckos formerly placed in Hirstiella, pp. 1-40 in Zootaxa 3510 on page 10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.282509, {"references":["Davidson, J. A. (1958) A new species of lizard mite and a generis key to the family Pterygosomidae (Acarina, Anystoidea). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 60, 75 - 79.","Jack, K. M. (1964) Leg-chaetotaxy with special reference to the Pterygosomidae (Acarina). Annals of the Natal Museum, 16, 152 - 171."]}

Tequisistlana Hoffmann and S��nchez Tequisistlana Hoffmann and S��nchez, 1980: 99 Type species: Tequisistlana oaxacensis Hoffmann and S��nchez, 1980, by original designation. Diagnosis. Female. Idiosoma almost circular, oligotrichous; prodorsal shield present, rectangular (wider than long) with 3 pairs of setae (vi, ve and sci), vi anterior and internal to ve (both setal pairs not aligned vertically or horizontally); dorsal setae (except h 1 and f 2) pectinate and long (reaching the bases of the next setal row); dorsal setal pair h 1 tuft-shaped very reduced (quarter of length of h 2); dorsal setal pair f 2 tuft-shaped and very reduced (tenth part of length of f 1); genital region covered with folded fan-shaped cuticular structure; genital setae (g 1) thick and sparsely serrate and not located on lobes; setae ag 1 long (although shorter than f 1) and pectinate; setae ag 2���3 short, thick and sparsely serrate (as setae g 1); setae ps 1���3 tuft shaped, subequal in length and very reduced (quarter of length of h 2). Seta v��� on genua IV absent. Setal development. Setae ps 1���3 present from larval instar on. Hosts. All instars parasitize lizards of the family Xantusiidae. Included species. Monotypic genus., Published as part of Paredes-Le��n, Ricardo, Klompen, Hans & P��rez, Tila M., 2012, Systematic revision of the genera Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 and Hirstiella Berlese, 1920 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with description of a new genus for American species parasites on geckos formerly placed in Hirstiella, pp. 1-40 in Zootaxa 3510 on page 26, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.282509, {"references":["Hoffmann, A. & O. Sanchez. (1980) Genero y especie nuevos de un acaro parasito de lagartijas (Acarida: Pterygosomatidae). Anales de la Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas, Mexico, 23, 97 - 107."]}

Geckobiella diolii (Baker) new combination Hirstiella diolii Baker, 1998: 183. Diagnosis. Female. Prodorsal shield distinct, pyriform with 2 pairs of setae (vi and sci) (Fig. 2 G). All dorsal setae spatulate spinose (subclavate to clavate), except for f 2 and h 1 which peripectinate or barbed. Solenidion �� 2 on tarsus I as long as companion seta ft (as in G. javieri). Male. Characterized by having subclavate median hysterodorsal setae that not overlap and located on smooth plates; dorsal surface largely covered by transverse shields (except posterior end of opisthosoma) (Baker 1998). Type. Female HOLOTYPE, female, male, deutonymphal and larval PARATYPES (BM(NH)). Type locality. Origin unknown, mites collected from captive iguanas in Regent��s Park Reptile House of London Zoo, England. Type host. Cyclura cornuta (Bonnaterre). Material examined. 3 females, 1 male ex Cyclura cornuta USA, captive (OSAL 0067363��� 64; 66; 68). Remarks. Geckobiella diolii was described as very close to Geckobiella javieri (see remarks). Both species are ectoparasite of Cyclura (Iguanidae) species from the Caribbean region., Published as part of Paredes-Le��n, Ricardo, Klompen, Hans & P��rez, Tila M., 2012, Systematic revision of the genera Geckobiella Hirst, 1917 and Hirstiella Berlese, 1920 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pterygosomatidae) with description of a new genus for American species parasites on geckos formerly placed in Hirstiella, pp. 1-40 in Zootaxa 3510 on page 12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.282509, {"references":["Baker, A. (1998) A new species of Hirstiella Berlese (Acari: Pterygosomatidae) from captive rhinoceros iguanas, Cyclura cornuta Bonnaterre (Reptilia: Iguanidae). Systematic and Applied Acarology, 3, 183 - 192."]}