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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 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)

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.

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)

Two new species of gamasine mites (Acari: Ascidae), Cheiroseius aldershofae n. sp. and Leioseius sabelisi n. sp., are described and illustrated. Leioseius sabelisi was collected from sandysoil in 't Harde, The Netherlands and C. aldershofae from weeds in an apple orchard in southwest France.

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.

In Europe, mites of the genus Gamasiphis Berlese, 1904 occur in agricultural soils of glass-houses. The species are living free only in tropical and subtropical climates. Twenty species are registered. A key is arranged for 16 species, for 4 species till now described inexactly short diagnoses are given. A new species, Gamasiphis lanceolatus n.sp., is described from a glass-house near Rostock. This species is documented by figures and differentialdiagnosis.

On the Predatory Mite Genus Andregamasus Costa of the Podocinidae Berlese (Cohors Gamasina Leach: Acarina, Parasitiformes), Associated With Nematodes and Hermit Crabs Mites collected on the Philippines in shells of hermit crabs have been determined as Andregamasus conchylicola (ANDRE). Female, male and deuto-nymph are described. The genus Andregamasus COSTA is investigated taxonomically and included in the family Podocinidae BERLESE. Keys are given for the species of the genus Andregamasus and for the genera of the Podocinidae.