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Nothrotrombidium sadeghii Noei and Kohansal sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Trombellidae) ectoparasitic on Erebidae, Noctuidae, Geometridae, Plutellidae (Lepidoptera) and Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) in Hotel Kouhestan and Band-e dareh regions, Chahardeh, Chahkand, Chahkandan, Esfahrood, Giuk, Noferest, Rach and Razg villages, Birjand city, South Khorasan province, Iran, is described and illustrated. A key to world larval species of Nothrotrombidium is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the results of surveys carried out over a period of two years (2018 and 2020) in four provinces of Iran: Guilan, Razavi Khorasan, Mazandaran, and Sistan and Baluchestan. Twenty-three species from eight genera of Phytoseiidae have been collected, of which two species were newly recorded for Iran, namely: Euseius gallicus and Proprioseiopsis lineatus. Three species, namely Neoseiulus agrestis, Amblyseius obtusus, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) haiastanius are new records for the Guilan Province. Neoseiulus californicus and Amblyseius swirskii are new records for the Mazandaran Province while Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) haiastanius is a new record for the Razavi Khorasan Province. All species collected in Sistan and Baluchestan are new records for this province. The worldwide distribution and plant hosts of all collected phytoseiids during this study are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the occurrence and the identification of tick species infesting wild songbirds in northern Iran. Totally, 342 songbirds belonging to 15 families and 37 species were captured and examined for tick infestation during 2015-2016. Of which, 70 specimens were infested by ticks (infestation rate = 20.46%). Three tick species detached from examined birds and identified as follow: Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758), Hyalomma sp., and Rhipicephalus sp. The most common one was I. ricinus. In all infected birds, collected ticks were in immature stages and the number of specimens of the larval stage was more than in the nymphal stage, and no adult tick was found. Following songbirds were introduced as new hosts: Petronia petronia (Linnaeus, 1766), Gymnoris xanthocollis (Burton, E, 1838), Hippolais pallida (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833), Emberiza calandra Linnaeus, 1758, Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766), Oenanthe picata (Blyth, 1847), O. pleschanka (Lepechin, 1770), Rhodospiza obsoleta (Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823), Serinus pusillus (Pallas, 1811), and Ficedula parva (Bechstein, 1792) for I. ricinus. The overall mean intensity and mean abundance were 4.6 and 0.95, respectively. The highest mean intensity, 12.18 ticks per bird, was recorded from Common Starling. The highest prevalence of infestation was recorded on Common Blackbird (53%). The most prevalence of tick infestation occurred in the Turdidae family (37.83%) followed by Passeridae (33.33%) and Sturnidae (28.57%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records of water mites from Iran and Turkey revealed by DNA barcoding are presented. DNA barcodes were recovered from 44 water mite specimens morphologically assigned to 18 species. The DNA barcoding data for the twelve species were uploaded into the BOLD database. One species of the Hygrobates longiporus-complex, H. thori Pešić & Smit sp. nov. is described as new for science and Hydrodroma persicaPešić & Saboori, 2012 is reported as new for Turkey. We propose to lower the taxonomic status of Hydrodroma golestanica to a subspecies of H. torrenticola, i.e. H. torrenticola golestanicanov. stat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the first descriptions of the male of Hypoaspis maryamae Joharchi and Halliday and heteromorphic male of Cosmolaelaps rectangularis Sheals, collected on scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and from a Lasius sp. nest (Formicidae), respectively, in Taleqan, Iran. Moreover, we supplement the description of female Hypoaspis maryamae with further morphometric data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the distribution of chigger mite species over mammal hosts, attachment sites on the host body, habitats, and seasons in Iran. The study was based on 2155 specimens of 36 chigger species collected from 10 species of Muridae, Cricetidae, and Soricidae across six provinces of northern Iran. A high level of mixed infestation by chiggers was recorded—76% of hosts parasitized by chiggers were infested by more than one (2–8) species. Statistically significant differences in the preference for anterior and posterior parts of the host body were found. Three species—Neotrombicula lubrica, N. delijani, and Cheladonta firdousii—preferred the posterior part of the host body; 12 species were characterized by the occurrence in the anterior part and differed from one another by the frequency of presence in the posterior part. One species, Hirsutiella alpina, was found only in the anterior part of the host body (inside the ears of rodents). The most diverse chigger fauna was on the fringe of Golestan National Park (species richness = 21, Shannon–Wiener index = 2.823). The chigger fauna of the high-mountain localities on the Alborz Range was the least diverse (species richness = 16, Shannon–Wiener index = 2.439). The seasonal aspect of activity was evident for Neotrombicula elegans, which exposed the autumn–winter period of the occurrence on hosts, and N. vernalis, with the winter-spring peak of abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptus (Leptus) pouryayevalii sp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae), collected by shaking the leaves of weeds on white tray (off host) from Koushk Bala village, Chalous road, Alborz Province, Iran, is described and illustrated based on larva. This species belongs to the sudanensis species group and hospeticus species subgroup which can be identified based on the following characters: TFe I without solenidion, Ge I with two solenidia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, larva of Abrolophus bochkovisp. nov. collected from Qazvin province is described and illustrated. A key to larval species of Abrolophus of the world with a comb-like seta on the palpal tarsus is presented. Moreover, A. karamani Haitlinger & Šundić, is considered as a junior synonym of A. aitapensis (Southcott 1948). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new phyllocoptine species and two eriophyine species collected in Norther-West Iran are described and illustrated: Aculops shalchii Lotfollahi sp. nov. (Phyllocoptinae) from Sweet Clover, Melilotus indicus (L.) All. (Fabaceae), Eriophyes euphorbiae (Nalepa, 1891) from Euphorbia boissieriana (Woronow) Prokh. (Euphorbiaceae) and Aceria rubiae (Canestrini, 1897) from Rubia tinctorum L. (Rubiaceae). Our supplementary data on morphology of A. rubiae and E. euphorpbiae indicate that they both have a thin translucent supracapitular plate situated below the frontal lobe of the prodorsal shield. Data from literature suggest A. rubiae and E. euphorbiae to be gall-forming species, however no visible damages causing by these mites were found in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larva, deutonymph and adult of Calyptostoma seemani Masoumi & Saboori sp. nov. (Trombidiformes: Calyptostomatidae) are described from the Kandovan region, Alborz province, Iran. Larvae were reared from eggs laid by adults kept at room temperature in plastic pots. A key to larval and post-larval species of Calyptostoma of the world and corrections in the description of C. gorganica are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is an important factor in soil quality and functionality. Physical and chemical changes during agricultural operations influence on soil biodiversity. Tillage and irrigation significantly change the life of soil microorganisms. The current study was conducted in Khodabandeh County during the wheat growing season. The effect of the first treatment (two tillage systems: conventional and no-tillage systems) and the second treatment (months) in two years on the biodiversity of oribatid mites, were investigated in irrigated and rain-fed wheat farms. Twelve samples were collected randomly per each sampling time during 21 April, 5 June and 30 July 2014 and 10 May, 12 June and 31 July 2015 coinciding with tillering stage, stem elongation and harvesting. Twelve species from eight families and 12 genera were identified. Among them, Opiella nova with 24.4% relative abundance was the abundant species in 2014 and Rhinopia bipectinata with 27.5% was the abundant species in 2015. The highest value of the Shannon-Wiener diversity index was observed in the irrigated no-tillage (I-NT) system. The statistical results of the ANOVA test showed a significant difference in the Shannon-Wiener diversity index among the four systems. Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the I-NT system had a significant difference with the I-CT system (irrigated-conventional tillage). There were no significant differences between I-CT and I-NT in terms of species richness index while differences between I-NT and R-CT systems and between R-NT and R-CT systems were significant. Also, results showed that species richness index at the time of tillering stage was significantly higher than that of stem elongation. The interaction between two treatments did not show a significant difference. There was no significant difference between the two years, so the results of the two years were merged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

A new species Empitrombium prasadi Saberi-Riseh & Saboori n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) is described and illustrated based on larvae extracted from soil, i.e. off their host. A key to the five species based on larvae is provided and the formula of dorsal idiosomal setae of E. pesici is corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Biskratrombium (Trombidiformes: Microtrombidiidae), B. persicumn. sp. is described and illustrated, from Fars province, southern Iran. Biskratrombium persicum larvae are ectoparasites of the adults of Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri (Sinton, 1928), P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) and Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) mervynae (Pringle, 1953) (Diptera: Psychodidae). Fars province is considered as a significant focus of leishmaniasis, a disease which is mostly associated with rural areas; these areas offer favorable habitats to the phlebotomine sandflies due to limited sanitation. This study was performed to identify the natural enemies of sandflies (as leishmania disease vectors) in this region. In this research, B. persicum larvae were removed from their sandfly hosts collected from foci of leishmaniasis (e.g., sheep and goat keeping locations) using sticky traps. Also, the abundance of sandflies infested with the parasitic mite was calculated. Some morphological abnormalities in the species are noted and world parasitengone mites parasitizing phlebotomine sandflies are reviewed. [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]

Oribatid mites are one of the dominant soil microarthropods. These mites have an important role in increasing soil fertility through organic materials decomposition. Oribatid mite communities (Acari: Oribatida) were investigated in orchards of five regions (Ahar, Kaleibar, Varzaghan, Heris and Horand) in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. The oribatid mites were studied in each orchard (apple orchards with size of approximately 0.4 ha were selected) by collecting 12 samples taken from a maximum depth of 20 cm. Sampling was performed for six months in 2015. The oribatid species diversity (Shannon-Wiener index), Species richness (Rarefaction and Jackknife methods), Evenness by Shannon's index and similarity (Sorensen index) were calculated with Ecological Methodology 6.0 software for all the regions. A total of 75 species belonging to 57 genera and 38 families of oribatid mites were collected and identified. The highest number of species (54 spp.) was found in the orchards of Kaleibar, while the studied orchards of Varzaghan had the lowest number of species (21 spp.). One-way ANOVA analysis showed that the Shannon- Wiener species diversity was highest in Kaleibar (H = 3.409) and Ahar (H = 3.419). Also, Kaleibar and Ahar had the highest species richness (Kaleibar: 79.8 species, Ahar: 70.7 species). Among studied regions, Kaleibar and Ahar had the highest species richness and species diversity but Varzaghan showed the lowest values, apparently because of geographical and climate differences between these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmaeid mites parasitizing phlebotomine sandflies were collected in Fars province, Southern Iran, during 2016–2017. The present study has revealed records of four species of stigmaeid mites, namely, Eustigmaeus johnstoni, Stigmaeus furcatus, Stigmaeus sinai, and Stigmaeus youngi. Among them, two species S. furcatus and S. youngi are recognized as new records for fauna of Iran. Meanwhile, S. furcatus is new report for mite fauna associated with sandflies in the world (S. furcatus is collected from sandflies for the first time in the world). Also, prevalence of stigmaeid mites on sandflies is evaluated. These parasitic mites were collected from phlebotomine sandflies comprising Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri (Sinton), P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi (Scopoli), Sergentomyia (Sintonius) clydei (Sinton), Se. (Se.) sintoni Pringle, and Se. (Se.) theodori (Parrot). Moreover, wound scars resulting from mites' activities have been observed on abdomen of infested sandflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Ceuthothrombium Robaux, Webb & Campbell, 1976 is redefined based on data of the original description and a new species from Jahrom, Iran. The discovery of a new species from Iran showed a variation between characters considered for the genus and some new features were considered as well. Also,Ceuthothrombium scolopendraesp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Neothrombiidae) is described and illustrated, as an ectoparasite of the centipede Scolopendra canidens Newport (Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae) from Jahrom, southern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new species of the genus Laelaspis Berlese, L. angustiseta sp. nov. is described based on morphological characters of the adult female specimens collected in association with Tapinoma erraticum (Latreille) and Tapinoma simrothi Krausse (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran. [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]

The spider genus Pterotricha Kulczyński, 1903 (Gnaphosidae) is surveyed in Iran. To date, three species of this genus were known in the country: P. loeffleri (Roewer, 1955), P. lentiginosa (C. L. Koch, 1837) and P. pseudoparasyriaca Nuruyeva & Huseynov, 2016. Here two new species are described, P. kovblyuki Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♂, western Iran) and P. montana Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. (♀, central and southwestern Iran), and P. cf. dalmasi Fage, 1929 (from Algeria to Jordan) is reported in Iran for the first time. Pterotricha tikaderi Gajbe, 1983 syn. n. (India) and P. loeffleri (Roewer, 1955), syn. n. are synonymized with P. strandi Spassky, 1936 (hitherto known from Turkmenistan only). The record of P. lentiginosa from Iran is apparently based on misidentification. A distribution map of the genus in Iran with new provincial records is provided. In addition, Iranotricha Zamani & Marusik, gen. n., a new genus closely related to Pterotricha, is described from southeastern Iran with the type species I. lutensis Zamani & Marusik, sp. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptus (Leptus) darvishi Saboori, Hakimitabar & Khademi n. sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larval stage. It was collected ectoparasitic on undetermined grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and undetermined beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae and Tenebrionidae) from the vicinity of Komaijan and Mahallat cities, Markazi Province, the centre of Iran. It belongs to a group of species of Leptus (Leptus) with one palpal femoral seta, two palpal genual setae, more than four setae between coxae II & III, and more than two sternal setae between coxae II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new species of Cunaxa, C. iranica Paktinat-Saeij, Bagheri & Castro sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on female, male and tritonymph collected from Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. The female, male and nymphal stages of Armascirus hastus Shiba, 1986 are redescribed based on Iranian specimens. In addition, the species Cunaxa gordeevae Sergeyenko, 2009 and Rubroscirus khaustovi Sergeyenko, 2006 are recorded for the first time from Iran. [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]

A new species of the genus Sphaerotarsus Womersley, 1936, S. quercus sp. nov., is described from larvae collected in an Oak ( Quercus spp.) forest in Shiraz, Iran. This is only the third species of Sphaerotarsus known as larvae and is the first time the genus is reported from outside of Australia. A key is given to the world species of larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Montenegtrombium, M. baloutchi sp. nov. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae), is described from Kandovan region, Alborz Province, Iran. The larval mites were collected as ectoparasites of three grasshopper hosts including Acridia sp., Oedipoda schochii Brunner von Wattenwyl and Chorthippus brunneus (Thunberg) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of the genus Nagoricanella Haitlinger, 2009 is modified and a redescription of N. bella (Zhang, 1996) comb. nov. collected from larvae ectoparasitic on an unknown species of dipteran fly (Diptera: Heleomyzidae) from Manshad and Madavar villages, Mehriz city, Yazd Province, Iran is presented. A key to the world larval species of Nagoricanella is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charletonia farajiisp. nov. is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Lowshan, Rudbar and Rostamabad cities, Guilan province, Iran. It is the fourth species of the genus with two setae between coxae II and III and solenidion placed in proximal half of genu I. Also, it is the second species with this feature from Iran. A key to larval species of Charletonia with two intercoxalae II and III and solenidion placed in proximal half of genu I is presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E78B4784-6BB5-4CD1-87A6-677D2193AD3E [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have shown that the composition of invertebrate communities in soil changes under the influence of stressors in the soil ecosystem. Conversely, an observed altered community structure may be indicative of stress. In this study we aimed to investigate responses of oribatid mite communities to heavy metal (zinc, copper and cadmium) contamination of grasslands nearby a lead and zinc smelting plant at Zanjan, Iran. Soil analysis showed that the Zanjan plant is a major source of zinc and cadmium in the area. No relationship could be found between metal pollution and total density of oribatids, but the number of species and the Shannon diversity index were lowest in the sites polluted by zinc and cadmium. Species diversity was significantly negatively correlated with zinc and cadmium, but not with copper concentrations. Oribatula (Zygoribatula) connexa connexaBerlese, 1904, was a dominant species at all sites; the percentage dominance of this species was highest at the most polluted site. Our survey confirms that oribatid mite communities display a great variety of responses to heavy metals, depending on the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charletonia behshahriensis Hakimitabar and Saboori sp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described from Behshahr city, Mazandaran province, Iran. A key to larval species of Charletonia with two intercoxalae II and III is presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C4860435-1673-4CC0-A24F-AF0247C5E84C [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]

We studied the genetic diversity of Hygrobates fluviatilis collected from two different types of habitats (springs and streams) based on 653 bp sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Among 39 individuals collected from Iran, the Netherlands and Germany, 29 haplotypes were found. Deviation between the two types of habitats was not found, suggesting frequent gene flow between these habitats. Haplotypes from the same countries formed each clade, and a large genetic distance was found between the samples from different countries, which poses a question about the existence of cryptic species in the populations of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing is a common natural enemy of aphids and some other arthropods. So far, there are no studies that have addressed genetic variation of this predatory mite. We investigated genetic variation of A. pulvinum across its whole known range in Iran. A 410 bp portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (coxI) and 797-802 bp portion of the internal transcribed spacer 2 of rDNA (ITS2) were sequenced for 55 individuals from 11 populations, resulting in 12 and 26 haplotypes, respectively. In the coxI region, haplotype and nucleotide diversities varied among populations from 0.00 to 0.90 and from 0.0000 to 0.0110, respectively. In the ITS2 region they varied from 0.20 to 0.91 and from 0.0006 to 0.0023, respectively. For both gene regions the highest haplotype and nucleotide diversities were detected in population Mahmoud Abad from northern Iran. Statistically significant population differentiation (FST) was detected in most pair-wise population comparisons. The results of population differentiation for both gene regions were generally congruent indicating that A. pulvinum from Iran consists of genetically different populations. This suggests that A. pulvinum comprises at least two geographically distinct populations or even more than one species. This study is an initial step towards understanding genetic variation of A. pulvinum, a taxon for which little molecular information is available. More intensive sampling and analysis of additional DNA regions are necessary for more detailed classification of this taxon. [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]

Iran is one of the richest and most complex regions in western Asia from a biodiversity point of view. A range of taxa and modeling approaches were used to understand the distributions of amphibians and reptiles and the mismatch of diversity hotspots and protected areas in the country; an economically relevant small insect species was modeled to assess its vulnerability status, as well as mangrove crabs representing important indicator taxa for fragile mangrove ecosystems. Further, two global hotspots of biodiversity are located in Iran: the Irano-Anatolian and the Caucasus hotspots. [Extracted from the article]

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]