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The genus Torrenticola Piersig, 1896 is a common water mite group in the running waters in all biogeographical regions except Antarctica and Australasia. In the present study we used an integrative taxonomic approach by applying partial COI sequences (DNA-barcodes) to describe a new species of the genus Torrenticola, T. dowlingi Pešić sp. nov. from Iran. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to T. laskai Di Sabatino, 2009 from which it differs by the larger dimensions of idiosoma and genital field. The K2P distance that separated the new species from T. laskai was amounted to 3.98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water mites of the Hygrobates fluviatilis complex are common in Palaearctic inhabiting mainly running and slowly flowing waters. In this study, we examined the specimens collected in a stream in Golestan Province of Iran which is currently the easternmost distribution limit of the latter species complex. We used a fragment of the mtDNA COI gene and the D2 region of 28S rDNA to test the genetic structure. Molecular analyses revealed presence of two new well-supported species with a mean genetic divergence of 12.80% and 14.66% COI, respectively, from their closest relatives. Phylogenetic analysis based on COI and nuclear DNA data placed H. grabowskiisp. nov. as the sister species of H. persicus, and H. uliisp. nov. as the sister species of H. turcicus. Discriminant statistical analysis revealed that the two newly discovered species could be separated on the basis of morphometric characters, but robust morphological differences were not found. Yet we were able to show that diversity in water mites is underestimated and that species delimitation requires an integrative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of chigger mite, Odontacarus scorpionivorus Stekolnikov and Saboori sp. nov., is described from a scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus (Koch) in the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. It is the tenth known case of a chigger parasitizing an arthropod. The new species is similar to Odontacarus paradoxus (André) described from a scorpion host in Greece and to a group of Odontacarus species from Transcaucasia, Middle Asia, and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varroa destructor is a major ectoparasitic mite which feeds on the western honey bee, Apis mellifera hemolymph. Morphometric analysis of V. destructor in Iran was performed in order to detect differences within some populations of the species. Totally, 145 female mites were collected from A.mellifera colonies in different geographical regions in Iran and Europe (Spain and France). Eight morphological variables were measured: 1) length of dorsal shield (LDS), 2) width of dorsal shield (WDS), 3) length of genital shield (LGS), 4) width of genital shield (WGS), 5) length of metapodal shield (LMS), 6) width of metapodal shield (WMS), 7) length of anal shield (LAS) and 8) width of the anal shield (WAS). The ratios of LDS/WDS, WDS/LDS, LGS/WGS and LAS/WAS were also calculated. Multivariate analyses demonstrated significant differences in means of body length (LDS) and body width (WDS) between populations. Using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis with pair group method, five morphological groups were established. PCA analyses were also shown one morphotype, A3, between samples. Collectively, our findings suggest a wide phenotypic plasticity within the populations of Varroa mite in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper four water mite species of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 (Acari, Hygrobatidae) from Iran are described as new to science. Three of these have a complicated taxonomic history with misidentification and/or confusion. The populations from Iran provisionally assigned by Pešić et al. (2004) to Atractides lunipes Lundblad, 1956 is described as A. zagrosensis sp. nov. The male specimen from Bakhtiari Province, originally assigned by Pešić et al. (2004) to A. fluviatilis (Szalay, 1929) is described as A. bakhtiari sp. nov. Two of the new species belong to the nodipalpis-species group. The populations of the latter group in Iran were analysed using canonical discriminant analyses. Morphological analysis focused on morphometric characters helped us to resolve issues within this group of species and to correct the previous misidentifications. Atractides farsensis sp. nov. is a sister species of A. robustus (Sokolow, 1940) and is described from Fars province. The male specimen from Kerman province originally assigned by Asadi et al. (2003) to A. nodipalpis Thor, 1899 is here described as A. kljajici sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species records of Oplitidae, Oplitis exopodi Hunter & Farrier, 1975 and Oplitis sarcinulus Hunter & Farrier, 1976 are redescribed based on Iranian specimens from leaf-litter forest in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. A key to the Iranian species of Oplitis is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinibdella tabarii Paktinat-Saeej & Bagheri sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Amol city, Mazandaran province, Iran. Worldwide distributions and differential characters of all Spinibdella are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexabdella persiaensisPaktinat Saeej and Bagherisp. nov.is described and illustrated from Amol city, Mazandaran province, Iran. This is the first species of this genus described from Asia. An updated key to all species of the genusHexabdellais also presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3BA520C7-E2D7-4387-80CB-E2BA17590B3F [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Erythraeus ( Zaracarus) hafezi Saboori, Hakimitabar & Mahmoudi sp. nov. is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on various insects collected in Shiraz city, Fars Province, Iran. A key to world species of Erythraeus ( Zaracarus) larvae is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the family Stigmaeidae namely,Stigmaeus isfahaniensissp. nov.andCheylostigmaeus sepasgosarianisp. nov.collected from soil and leaf litter underPinussp. (Pinaceae) andArmenian bulgur(Itch) are illustrated and described. LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CEB7D976-DE97-4A94-9B07-BAC0326BCC04 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hypoaspis alborzensis Razavi Susan & Joharchi sp. nov. and H. rhinocerotis Oudemans, 1925 were collected on adult female Oryctes sp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Karaj, Alborz province, Iran. The new species is described and illustrated from adult females. Hypoaspis rhinocerotis is reported for the first time from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on five species of mites of the genus Laelaspis associated with ants in Iran – Laelaspis astronomicus (Koch) from Tapinoma simrothi, Laelaspis equitans (Michael) from Messor sp. and Camponotus sp., Laelaspis kamalii Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tapinoma sp., Laelaspis pennatus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tetramorium caespitum, and Laelaspis persicus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Pheidole pallidula. Laelaspis imitatus Reitblat has also been reported from Iran, in association with an unknown insect. A key to species of Laelaspis occurring in the Western Palaearctic Region is presented, with a summary of their host associations and biology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effect of five cotton cultivars (Varamin, Mehr, Bakhtegan, Sahel, Saiokra) on the fitness of Tetranychus urticae was assessed by determining the developmental time and fertility life-table parameters for mites on leaf discs at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 16:8 hours light:dark photoperiod. To investigate this effect, the duration of each life stage, longevity, reproduction rate and fertility life-table parameters including intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m), net reproductive rate (R 0), mean generation time (T), doubling time (DT) and finite rate of increase (λ) of the two-spotted spider mite on different cotton cultivars were calculated. The results indicated that the Varamin cultivar was the most suitable one for two-spotted spider mite among the tested plants because of its shorter immature developmental period and higher reproduction and intrinsic rate of natural increase, whereas Bakhtegan was the least suitable cultivar because of the longer immature developmental time and the lowest reproduction rate and intrinsic rate of natural increase. The lowest r m value suggests an antibiosis resistance in this cultivar in comparison with other cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original description, particularly the leg chaetotaxy, was imperfect so we redescribe Caraboacarus krczali Eidelberg, 1994 (Acari: Heterostigmata: Caraboacaridae) associated with Calosoma auropunctatum Gebler, 1833 (Coleoptera: Carabidae). This is the first record of the species from Iran and Senegal. The host specificity and distribution of this species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abalakeus jahromiensis Sedghi, Saboori and Hakimitabar n. sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on an undetermined nymph of a bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from Jahrom, Fars Province, Iran. A key to world larval species of the genus Abalakeus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Coptocheles Summers and Schlinger 1955 (Acari: Caligonellidae), Coptocheles farsiensis, from Iran is described. A key to all the species in the genus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and two new species of mites of the family Trochometridiidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) are described from Iran: Neotrochometridium sensillum Hajiqanbar and Khaustov gen. nov., sp. nov. associated with two carabid beetles and Trochometridium iranicum Hajiqanbar and Khaustov sp. nov. associated with a halictid bee. We also present the first report of two previously described species. These findings provide the first record of the family Trochometridiidae from Iran. The chaetotaxy of tarsus I of the family is discussed and a key to world genera and species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enemothrombium wohltmanni Saboori, Shojaei, and Hakimitabar n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on unidentified Chironomidae (Diptera). This is the third larval-described species of this genus in the world and the first Asian species. A key to species of Enemothrombium larvae of the world is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pteridopus alivaensis n. sp. (Acari: Chyzeriidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on adults of Paradrymadusa sp. (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), which is a new host, from Naviz village, Aliva area, Taleghan city, Tehran Province, Iran. A key to the species of Pteridopus of the world (larva) is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empitrombium pesici Saboori and Hakimitabar n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) is described and illustrated. Larvae were reared from eggs in the laboratory at room temperature. This is the third larval species of this genus in the world and the first non-American species. A key to species of Empitrombium of the world (larva) is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dorsipes saxicolae n. sp. (Acari: Podapolipidae) is described from Amara (Paracelia) saxicola Zimm. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from northeastern Iran. Dorsipes saxicolae is compared with 4 other species in the inflatus group of Dorsipes Regenfuss. A key to the species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charletonia behbahanensis sp.n. and C. bojnordensis sp.n., larval erythraeids, are described from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]