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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 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)

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)

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.

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

To the Knowledge of the Predatory Mite-Cohort Gamasina LEACH (Acarina, Parasitiformes) of Tropical and Subtropical Regions Preliminary the importance of the predatroy mites is outlined. From Chile and from New Caledonia 15 new species are described and documented by figures. Differentialdiagnoses are given most as keys for determination. 12 of the new species belong to the family Rhodacaridae OUDEMANS, 2 new species belong to the Hypoaspididae v. VITZTHUM and one new species to the Veigaiidae OUDEMANS.

New Predatory Mite Species of the Antennophorina BERLESE, 1892 (A carina, Parasitiformes), Phoretic on Passalid Beetles From southern hemisphere of the earth 6 new species are ascertained belonging to the following families of the Antennophorina: Megisthanidae, Fedrizziidae, Diplogyniidae and Schizogyniidae. The new species are described and documented by figures and differential diagnosis.

Predatory Mites of the Cohors Gamasina Leach (Acarina, Parasitiformes) in the Galapagos Archipelago In a third study 30 new predatory mite species of the Galapagos islands are described and documented by differential diagnoses and figures. The genus Protogamasellopsis EVANS & PURVIS is revised. The predatory mites investigated from Galapagos belong to 22 genera of the cohors Gamasina. All are known from different continents. Out of genera with numerous species several representatives evidently reached the archipelago. Beginnings of an adaptive radiation are recognizable.

Predatory Mites of the Ascidae, Ameroseiidae, Rhodacaridae and Macrochelidae in the Galapagos Archipelago (Acarina, Parasitiformes) In this second study of the predatory mites of the Galapagos Islands 4 further families are investigated. They are represented by 10 genera. 13 novae species are described and documented by differential diagnoses and figures. The nearest related sister species of the novae species are predominantly known from Central and South America. The morphological-functional alteration let assume advantages of selection.

Predatory Mites of the Hypoaspididae, Laelapidae and Phytoseiidae in the Galapagos Archipelago (Acarina, Parasitiformes) For the first time the predatory mites (cohors Gamasina) of the Galapagos islands are investigated. The presented publication, concerning 3 families, is a first contribution of a series of investigations. The 3 families are only represented by 5 genera. Comparing the mouthparts of the Hypoaspididae it becomes clear that in Galapagos predatory mites of few genera have to control very different prey. 19 out of 21 ascertained species are novae species. They are described and documented by differential diagnoses and figures.

Faraji, Farid, Sakenin-Chelav, Hamid, Karg, Wolfgang (2006): A new species of Dendroseius Karg from Iran (Acari: Rhodacaridae), with a key to the known species. Zootaxa 1221: 63-68, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.172559

The subgenus Cosmolaelaps BERLESE of Hypoaspis CANESTRINI is revised. Keys for determination of the females of 40 species are arranged. 9 new species are described and documented by figures. The subgenus is divided into 3 species-complexes.

From Central America 5 new species of the genus Hypoaspis Canestrini are described and documented by figures. The differential-features are arranged into keys for determination of species-groups of subgenera.