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The cosmopolitan mite family Laelapidae includes both free-living predatory species and species associated with arthropods, mammals or birds. This work presents a list of free-living and arthropod-associated species of laelapids, with corresponding taxonomic information and references. It includes 1088 species (in addition to three subspecies) assigned to 73 genera, 61 new combinations and two new synonymies at the generic level. Laelaps (Apolaelaps) Silvestri is raised to the generic level. Many of the species described before about 1950 are poorly characterised and cannot be classified with confidence at the family or generic level. Hence, ten genera, one subgenus, 121 species (ca. 70% of which were reported as Hypoaspis Canestrini or Laelaps (Hypoaspis) Canestrini) and one subspecies, are considered incertae sedis, because of their inadequate morphological characterisation in the literature. Some of these may not even belong to the Laelapidae or to the groups of interest for this publication. A total of 89 species, 30 genera, one subgenus, one tribe and one subfamily previously associated with genera treated in this catalogue are now placed in other families or, less commonly, in laelapid genera not considered here because they are considered essentially vertebrate parasites (taxa excluded). Twenty-six other species (one cited as a “variety”) are cited as nomina nuda. An illustrated key to the 73 genera included in the catalogue along with revised generic diagnoses are provided.

Neoseiulus mungeri (McGregor, 1954) (Figs 9a–b, 11a–b, 16a; Table 2) Typhlodromus mungeri McGregor, 1954: 92. Material examined. Two females, lectotype and paralectotype; see Figs 1b, 2b–c, Table 1. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 9a). Suboval shield, 381–382 long x 201–220 wide, lateral margin smoothly concave at level of setae R 1; shield length / width ratio 1.74–1.90. Shield essentially smooth (as suspected, based on original illustration), except for light lineation in the marginal region of the shield anterolaterally. Number and position of setae are essentially the same as in other Neoseiulus species (Chant & McMurtry, 2003); 17 pairs of setae on shield, r3 and R 1 on soft cuticle (see Table 2 for setal lengths). The few dorsal setae (j1, j3, j4, J5, z5, S4–5, r3, R 1) remaining on either of the two females moderately short, and the only Z5 seta present (on lectotype) elongate (60), with no apparent barbs (although mounting media not clear). Distance between j1 setae 0.76–0.91 x length of j1 setae; seta Z5 0.16 x length of dorsal shield. Four pairs of gland openings visible (gd1, gd4, gd6, gd9), in same positions as in N. californicus; gd4 small and circular, more or less directly posterior to seta s4; gd9 as in N. californicus: conspicuous, and closely anteromesal to S5. Peritreme extending to j1. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 9b). Sternal shield essentially smooth (as in original illustration), except for lineae in anterior and lateral marginal regions; bearing st1–3. Epigynal shield essentially smooth, although micropunctation discernible. Ventrianal shield reticulate, with three pairs of pre-anal setae; all pre-anal setae (JV1–2, ZV2) broken or missing, except one ZV2 seta apparently intact (26 µm) on one female (lectotype). Gland opening gv3 small, almost punctiform, slightly crescent-shaped, moderately close to each other (separated by 21–26), slightly posterior (7–9 µm) to level of JV2; gv3–gv3 distance / JV2–JV2 distance = 0.37–0.44. Soft opisthogastric cuticle with four pairs of setae (ZV1, ZV3, JV4–5). Spermatheca (Fig. 11a–b). Calyx elongate, narrowly subconical (typically viewed in longitudinal crosssection as narrowly cuneiform, or resembling a champagne flute), 18–20 long, 8–10 wide distally; orientation of calyx’s main axis varies both within and between females, from straight to strongly curved. Atrium 4.8–5.6 long, 4.0–4.2 wide, deeply forked at junction with major duct, thick-walled. Major duct as broad as or broader than atrium. Chelicera (Fig. 16a). Cheliceral movable digit with a small, retrorse tooth, 7–8 µm from apex; fixed digit with two subapical (offset) teeth, followed by 2–3 proximal teeth (these 2–3 proximal teeth were overlooked by McGregor, because they are not aligned with the two subapical teeth (being inserted paraxially)). Legs. A single macroseta (pd3), on basitarsus of leg IV (63–66). Chaetotaxy of genu II–III as for N. californicus., Published as part of Beaulieu, Frédéric & Beard, Jennifer J., 2018, Acarine biocontrol agents Neoseiulus californicus sensu Athias-Henriot (1977) and N. barkeri Hughes (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) redescribed, their synonymies assessed, and the identity of N. californicus (McGregor) clarified based on examination of types, pp. 451-507 in Zootaxa 4500 (4) on page 468, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5297750, {"references":["McGregor, E. A. (1954) Two new mites in the genus Typhlodromus (Acarina, Phytoseiidae). Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, 53, 89 - 92.","Chant, D. A. & McMurtry, J. A. (2003) A review of the subfamily Amblyseiinae Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae): Part I. Neoseiulini new tribe. International Journal of Acarology, 29, 3 - 46. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 01647950308684319"]}

Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954) (Figs 3a, c, 4a; Table 2) Typhlodromus californicus McGregor, 1954: 89. Material examined. Male holotype, see Figs 1a, 2a; Table 1. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 3a). Oval shield, 281 long x 180 wide (shield not egg-shaped as illustrated, nor "somewhat narrowly ovate" as described, in McGregor (1954)); shield length / width ratio 1.56. Shield essentially smooth (as suspected, based on original illustration), except for light lineation-reticulation (discernible in part) near anterolateral shield margins. Number and position of setae are essentially the same as in females of Neoseiulus species (Chant & McMurtry, 2003), with 19 pairs of setae on shield, including r3 and R 1 as is typical for males (see Table 2 for setal lengths). Contrary to McGregor’s (1954) illustration, setae r3 and S5 of N. californicus inserted on dorsal shield. Most dorsal setae moderately short, with Z4 (29–32), Z5 (36–39) moderately elongate; setae apparently smooth, except one or two weak barbs discernible on one Z4 (mounting media around Z5 not clear enough to determine whether barbs are present). Distance between j1 setae subequal to (0.95–0.99 x) length of j1 setae; setae Z5 0.13–0.14 x length of dorsal shield. Four pairs of gland openings (gd1, gd4, gd6, gd9); gd4 large and somewhat triangular-shaped, positioned almost directly posterior to seta s4, slightly mesad; gd9 conspicuous, and closely anteromesal to seta S5 (as in McGregor’s 1954 illustration). Peritreme extending to or almost to j1. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 3c). Sternal shield essentially smooth (as in original illustration), except for lineae in lateral marginal regions; bearing st1–5. Ventrianal shield reticulate, with four pairs of elongate pre-anal setae (19– 23). Gland opening gv3 small, almost punctiform, slightly crescent-shaped, moderately close to each other (20 µm apart), slightly posterior (8 µm) to level of JV2; gv3–gv3 distance / JV2–JV2 distance = 0.45. Soft opisthogastric cuticle with one pair of setae (JV 5). Contrary to McGregor’s (1954) illustration which shows a narrow poststigmatic region, the peritrematal shield is typically shaped, including a poststigmatic region that is relatively broad, narrowing moderately at the parapodal region. Chelicera (Fig. 4a). Spermatodactyl T-shaped, with elongate foot and toe (18) slightly longer than heel (15– 16). Cheliceral movable digit with a small, retrorse tooth, 4.5–5 µm from apex. Fixed digit with one subapical (offset) tooth, followed by two teeth, at level of socket of pilus dentilis. Legs. A single macroseta (pd3), on basitarsus of leg IV (50). Chaetotaxy of genu II: 2 2/0, 2/0 1; genu III: 1 2/ 1, 2/0 1 (see ‘ N. barkeri, Redescription’ for more details)., Published as part of Beaulieu, Frédéric & Beard, Jennifer J., 2018, Acarine biocontrol agents Neoseiulus californicus sensu Athias-Henriot (1977) and N. barkeri Hughes (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) redescribed, their synonymies assessed, and the identity of N. californicus (McGregor) clarified based on examination of types, pp. 451-507 in Zootaxa 4500 (4) on pages 462-468, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.1, http://zenodo.org/record/5297750, {"references":["McGregor, E. A. (1954) Two new mites in the genus Typhlodromus (Acarina, Phytoseiidae). Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, 53, 89 - 92.","Chant, D. A. & McMurtry, J. A. (2003) A review of the subfamily Amblyseiinae Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae): Part I. Neoseiulini new tribe. International Journal of Acarology, 29, 3 - 46. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 01647950308684319"]}

Peindre le lecteur PATRICIA LOCKHART FLEMING Les conventions picturales familières aux pionniers du Nouveau Monde faisaient du livre une marque de piété ou de culture, d’une rangée d’ouvrages un signe de savoir et de pouvoir. Tous les peintres de la période coloniale, les autodidactes comme les artistes formés dans les règles de l’art, se sont conformés à ce code quand ils représentaient des lecteurs et leurs livres. Parmi les premières toiles nord-américaines se trouvent des portraits, parfo...

Étroitement liés à l'histoire du pays que deviendra le Canada, le livre et l'imprimé y ont fait leur apparition dès l'arrivée des premiers colons. Outils d'évangélisation, de colonisation, d'enseignement, de propagande religieuse et politique, mais aussi moyens d'exploration, de connaissance, de libération, le livre et l'imprimé ont contribué à la création d'une histoire nationale et à la construction de l'identité des peuples qui se côtoient désormais sur le territoire. Ce premier volume de l'Histoire du livre et de l'imprimé au Canada retrace le parcours de l'imprimé, depuis le débarquement des premiers colons en Nouvelle-France jusqu'aux Rébellions de 1837 et de 1838, en passant par l'apparition du premier imprimé à Halifax en 1752 et la constitution des premières bibliothèques publiques et privées. Il démontre avec clarté que l'imprimé sous toutes ses formes, que ce soit les placards, journaux, almanachs, illustrés, livres de cuisine ou ouvrages d'érudition, a fait partie intégrante de la vie quotidienne des Canadiens. Enfin, il dresse un portrait vivant de l'auteur et du lecteur, mais aussi de tous les artisans des métiers du livre et de l'imprimerie, de l'apprenti à l'éditeur imprimeur, en les replaçant dans leur contexte social et historique.

Persicolaelaps new genus (Figs 1–21) Type species: Persicolaelaps hallidayi sp. nov., by monotypy. Diagnosis (adult female). The genus can be readily distinguished from other laelapids by the following characters, unique or rarely observed in the family: (1) an epigynal shield widened and expanded anteriorly, overlapping much of posterior half of sternal shield, axe-shaped posteriorly; well removed from anal shield, bearing st5. Anteroventral region of idiosoma well sclerotised, showing (2) fusion of sternal shield with endopodal and exopodal plates between acetabula I and II, and (3) a strip of small subrectangular sclerites extending from anterior extension of exopodals and flanking dorsally coxae I and gnathosomal base. (4) An anal shield normally shaped (inversely subtriangular), capturing one pair of ventral setae (JV3). (5) Metasternal setae st4 absent. Legs with (6) trochanter IV bearing six (1 1/1 1/2 0) setae, including pd, and (7) genu IV bearing 10 setae (2 2/1 3/1 1), including pv (this seta is present in a few other laelapid genera); leg setation otherwise normal for Laelapidae (sensu Evans 1963b). (8) Gnathotectum triangular, acuminate, finely denticulate laterally. (9) Internal malae composed of several thick, tentacle-like projections. The genus is further defined by this combination of characters variously shared with other Laelapidae: dorsal shield covering all dorsal idiosoma, oval, somewhat dome-like, bearing 39 pairs of setae, including px2–3, and a few unpaired setae Jx; dorsal setae short, mostly smooth and slender; r6 and R series absent; shield with 23 pairs of pore-like structures, including seven pairs of gland pores (gd1–2, gd4–6, gd8–9). A pair of well-sclerotised presternal platelets. Sternal shield well sclerotised, wider than long. Peritremes long, narrow. Deutosternal groove moderately narrow, with six rows of denticles, each with 2–6 denticles. Chelicera moderately stout, chelate-dentate; pilus dentilis normal, short, setiform. Palp tarsal claw two-tined. Description. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 1). Dorsal shield covering all dorsal idiosoma, oval-shaped, dome-like, slightly extending to venter laterally, bearing 39 pairs of short, slender setae (Fig. 2); setae Jx may be present; r6 and R series absent. Dorsal shield with a complement of 23 pairs of pore-like structures, including seven pairs of gland pores (gd1–2, gd4–6, gd8–9) and 16 pairs of poroids. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 5). Tritosternum with a pair of free pilose laciniae and columnar base. A pair of welldeveloped sclerotised presternal platelets. Sternal shield wider than long (Figs 5, 17), well sclerotised, fused to endopodal elements between coxae I–II into arms that join exopodal strips; a series of small sclerites extending from anterior extension of podal elements and dorsally flanking gnathosomal base and coxae I (Fig. 5). Metasternal setae st4 absent; iv3 on soft cuticle. Epigynal shield (Fig. 20) expansive, broadened posteriorly, angled posterolaterally behind coxae IV, rounded posteromedially, well separated from anal shield, lineate-reticulate, with a wide Λ-shape lineation, bearing pair of epigynal setae (st5). Anal shield inversely subtriangular (Fig. 19), capturing one pair of ventral setae (JV3). Peritrematal shield well developed, widely fused anteriorly to dorsal shield, free posteriorly, bearing five discernible pairs of pore-like structures, including two gland pores and three poroids. Endopodal platelets between coxae III–IV well developed, free from sternal shield, although may overlap it. Opisthogastric region not hypertrichous. Gnathosoma (Figs 3–4, 6–7, 21). Gnathotectum a subtriangular, acuminate projection, denticulate laterally (Figs 3, 21). Corniculi horn-like; internal malae longer than corniculi, composed of a pair of fringed median projections, and lateral tentacle-like projections; hypostomal and capitular setae smooth; deutosternal groove with six rows of denticles, and a smooth ridge anteriorly (Fig. 4). Chelicera moderately stout, chelate-dentate, with relatively thick, setiform dorsal seta, fixed digit with few small teeth, pilus dentilis short and setiform, movable digit bidentate (Fig. 6). Palp chaetotaxy normal for Gamasina (sensu Evans, 1963a) with 2-5-6-14 -15 setae on trochanter-femur-genu-tibia-tarsus; tarsal claw two-tined (Fig. 7). Legs (Figs 8–16, 18). Legs moderately long, leg I approximately as long as idiosoma, leg IV longer than idiosoma; all legs with well-developed paired subequal claws and rounded pulvilli borne on ambulacral stalk. Setation of legs I-II-III-IV: coxae 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters 6, 5, 5, 6, trochanter IV with a pd seta (1 1/1 1/2 0) (Fig. 18); femora 13 (2 3/1 2/3 2), 11 (2 3/1 2/2 1), 6 (1 2/1 1/0 1), 6 (1 2/1 1/0 1); genua 13 (2 3/2 3/1 2), 11 (2 3/1 2/1 2), 9 (2 2/1 2/1 1), 10 (2 2/1 3/1 1) (Fig. 20); tibiae 13 (2 3/2 3/1 2), 10 (2 2/1 2/1 2), 8 (2 1/1 2/1 1), 10 (2 1/1 3/1 2); tarsi II-IV 18 (3 3/2 3/2 3 + mv, md). Many setae on tarsi II–IV slightly thickened or spine-like, especially ventral setae, dorsal and ventral setae of femur I, and ventral setae of genua and tibiae (Figs 12–15). Remarks. In addition to the attributes mentioned in the introduction, the well-developed internal malae of Persicolaelaps are indicative of Laelapidae in general, and their thick, elongate filaments show a resemblance (or possible relation) to some laelapids species such as Cosmolaelaps cuneifer (Michael) (Evans & Till, 1966), Cosmolaelaps vacua species group (Michael), Laelaspis spp., Pneumolaelaps spp. (FB & SK pers. obs.), Androlaelaps walkerae Till, 1963, Gaeloaelaps saboori Joharchi & Babaeian, 2014 and ‘ Hypoaspis’ cavitatis Karg, 1982, (which, at least superficially, resemble some Laelaspisella species). The internal malae of Mesolaelaps accessoria Tenorio & Radovsky, 1974 also have thick projections, but they appear shorter and originate from the lateral margin of the main, median processes. Some Laelaspisella and the apparently related Pogonolaelaps species have elongate fringed internal malae, but composed of hair-like and thinner filaments, based on illustrations and personal examination of some species (Marais & Loots, 1969; Nemati & Gowiazdowicz, 2016; SK pers. obs.). Persicolaelaps actually shares most of the character states of the putative early-derivative lineage of dermanyssoids, best exemplified by some members of Gaeolaelaps or the ‘ Hypoaspis complex’ (Laelapidae), from which other groups of facultative and obligate haematophagous groups of laelapids and other dermanyssoids theoretically evolved (Evans & Till, 1966; Radovsky, 1969, 1994). These basal laelapids are part of the subfamily Hypoaspidinae, which includes a large portion of the free-living (putatively predatory) laelapids and many insect symbionts. Like many hypoaspidines, Persicolaelaps also has a strong leg chaetome, with many setae thickened or spine-like. Persicolaelaps can suitably be placed in this subfamily, until laelapid classification improves to better reflect phylogenetic relationships. The departure of Persicolaelaps from the basic laelapid or dermanyssoid type (see Evans & Till, 1966: 111) corresponds to the main diagnostic features of the genus (features #1–9 listed in genus diagnosis), as well as the addition of dorsal unpaired setae J, the loss of setae r6, R and UR, and a dorsal shield that covers the idiosoma entirely. However, each of these features also occur in at least a few other members of laelapids, with the exception of the anal shield bearing setae JV3, which may well be unique in Laelapidae, and trochanter IV with six setae, which appears as a unique attribute within Mesostigmata (Evans, 1963a, 1972). The fragmented band of sclerites extending anteriorly from fused endo-exo-sternal elements is also exceptional, and may be rare in Mesostigmata. Note that other laelapids, e.g. Pseudoparasitus jilensis Ma, 2004 and Urozercon robustisetae Rosario & Hunter, 1988, and other dermanyssines (some Veigaiidae, Evans & Till, 1979) also have a normally-sized anal shield bearing five setae, including a pair of opisthogastric setae in addition to the circumanals. Some Haemogamasus species have several additional setae on a normally-sized anal shield, but this is due to strong opisthogastric hypertrichy (Evans & Till, 1966). A number of genera that are generally classified as hypoaspidines (e.g. Vitzthum, 1940 –1943: 762; Karg, 1965) share several of the diagnostic features of Persicolaelaps, which in some cases, might reflect a phylogenetic relationship, or alternatively, morphological convergence, or even plesiomorphies. In particular, species of Ololaelaps share with Persicolaelaps a strongly developed, well-sclerotised (thick, as indicated by the brownish tint), rounded dorsal shield (more elongate in some Ololaelaps, Jordaan & Loots, 1987, SK pers. obs.), bearing attenuate (slender) dorsal setae; an epigynal shield broadly expanded anteriorly; a pair of sclerotised presternal platelets; endopodals, exopodals and sternal shield more or less coalesced anteriorly; well-developed endopodals mesad coxae III–IV; relatively broad peritrematal shield; parapodal plate thicker than usual; a gnathotectum somewhat triangular (less acuminate in Ololaelaps), finely denticulate (more sparingly in Ololaelaps); and a deutosternal groove with few denticles per row (Evans & Till, 1966; Jordaan & Loots, 1987; FB & SK, pers. obs. on Ololaelaps spp. from North America, Iran and Australia). Furthermore, at least some Ololaelaps have a band of sclerotised cuticle extending anteriorly from the podal plates between coxae I and II, and flanking coxae I laterally (Jordaan & Loots, 1987; we have seen such a cuticular band, although weakly sclerotised, in some specimens of at least two species examined by us, FB & SK). It is possible that this band extends and dorsally surrounds the gnathosomal base (but observation is difficult in this dark, crowded region), just as the series of (more conspicuous) sclerites do in Persicolaelaps. Ololaelaps is otherwise readily distinguished from Persicolaelaps by its epigynal shield hyperdeveloped posteriorly and fused to the anal shield, the presence of setae st 4 in adult female, more slender leg setae, as well as by not having several other features characterising Persicolaelaps (#2, 4, 6, 7, 9 in genus diagnosis above). Although also exhibiting many differences from Persicolaelaps, species of Oloopticus, Laelaspisella, Pogonolaelaps and Reticulolaelaps share with it a salient attribute: the absence of metasternal setae (Marais & Loots, 1969; Karg, 2003; Nemati et al., 2013; Nemati & Gwiazdowicz, 2016; Joharchi et al., 2016). Except for Oloopticus, which has a well-developed sternal shield (and apparently bearing deep pits at the region usually occupied by st4), the absence of st 4 in these genera and Persicolaelaps may be a result of a marked anterior expansion of the epigynal shield, leaving too little space, and little functional role (being so close to another pair of setae, st3) for them to develop. An intermediate stage may be exhibited by Ololaelaps, for which seta st4 is inserted in the posterolateral margins of an otherwise normal sternal shield, near setae st3. Setae st4 are also lost in some species of the insect-associated laelapid genera Myrmozercon, Urozercon and Dinogamasus (Lundqvist, 1998; Klimov & OConnor, 2004; Ghafarian et al., 2013). The sternal shield is also broader than long in Ololaelaps, Laelaspisella and Pogonolaelaps, and concave posteriorly (also in Reticulolaelaps), seemingly also to accommodate the anterior expansion of the epigynal shield, a correlation seen in some members of many other genera of laelapids or relatives, especially associated with insects (e.g. Pneumolaelaps, Holostaspis, Laelaspis, Bisternalis, insect-associated Gaeolaelaps, Gymnolaelaps myrmophila (Michael), Melittiphisoides, Melittiphis alvearius (Berlese); Evans & Till, 1966; Baker et al., 1983; Delfinado-Baker et al., 1984; Kazemi et al., 2014) or vertebrates (Androlaelaps, Haemogamasus; Till, 1963) and more strikingly in dermanyssids, macronyssids and hirstionyssids (Evans & Till, 1966; Domrow, 1988), for which this may represent an adaptation for an increased capacity for engorgement in blood by having the opisthogastric region mostly covered by soft cuticle (Radovsky, 1969). Laelaspisella, Pogonolaelaps and Reticulolaelaps share an additional feature with Persicolaelaps: the presence of two ventral setae on genu IV. This character also occurs in several disparate laelapid genera (e.g. Pneumolaelaps, Melittiphis, and some Laelaps and Myrmozercon species, Shaw & Seeman, 2009), as well as several genera of macronyssids (Evans & Till, 1965), and a few species of ‘ Hypoaspis’ s. lat. that are difficult to classify (e.g. H. giffordi Evans & Till, H. lubrica Voigts & Oudemans, H. atomarius Berlese; Evans & Till, 1966; van Aswegen & Loots, 1970). This indicates the plasticity in the development of seta pv of genu IV. Indeed, genu IV bears a pv seta in members of various other gamasine families, while being absent in many others (Evans, 1963a). Etymology. The generic name Persicolaelaps refers to the ancient name of Iran, Persia, the country of origin of the genus (feminine).

Persicolaelaps hallidayi new species (Figs 1–21) Diagnosis. In addition to attributes given in the genus diagnosis, the new species can be further distinguished from other Mesostigmata, including other laelapids: dorsal shield oval, extending slightly onto ventrolateral aspect of idiosoma; anteriorly smooth, finely reticulate in posterior half (posterad J2 and s6), bearing 2–3 unpaired setae Jx between level of J2 and J4; setae j1, z1 situated more or less ventrally, dorsal setae much shorter than distance to following setal base, mostly smooth and slender, except setae J4–5, Z5, S5 slightly thicker, sparsely barbed, and j1 stout, blunt apically. Sternal shield strongly concave posteriorly, bearing long setae; reticulate, except smooth posterior area covered by expansive epigynal shield, reaching almost half-way of sternal shield medially, and anterolaterally setae st3 and edges of acetabula III; epigynal shield 1.2 x as long as wide, reticulate, with lineae almost reaching anterior shield margin; with variably-shaped cells, well separated from anal shield, with setae JV2 in-between. Anal shield with two small projections anteriorly; shield slightly wider than long. Setae JV3 longer than circumanal setae, post-anal seta slightly longer than para-anals. Peritremes anteriorly reaching level of coxae I. Soft opisthogastric cuticle with eight pairs of setae, JV1–2 longest. Metapodal plates divided, primary metapodals narrow, elongate. Internal malae with pair of median projections, flanked by 3–4 pairs of longer, tentacle-like projections. Deutosternal groove narrowing posteriorly. Leg setae moderately long, with many setae thickened or spine-like. Female (n=3). (Figs 1–21). Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 1). Dorsal shield length 847–922, width 615–672, broadest at level of setae s6–S1, extending slightly onto ventrolateral aspect of idiosoma, with j1, z1 and occasionally some marginal (r2–5) and lateral (s6, S1–3) setae inserted more or less ventrally; shield smooth anteriorly, with fine reticulate ornamentation posterad level of setae J2 medially and level of s6 laterally; 39 pairs of setae, 2–3 unpaired setae Jx, all setae relatively short, slender, mostly 26–38 long, j1 slightly thicker than other setae, apically blunt, 27–29 long, z1 shortest (21–23); J4, J5, Z5, S5 sparsely barbed. Adenotaxy and poroidotaxy as in genus description. Ventral idiosoma (Figs 5–6, 17, 19–20). Tritosternal base 38–41 long, 25–27 wide proximally and 13–15 apically, with two entirely free, pilose laciniae (96–108). A pair of relatively large (71– 73 x 15–17) and wellsclerotised presternal platelets flanking tritosternum base. Sternal shield length 98–106, width 156–164 (ratio of length/width = 0.65), anterior margin irregularly straight, posterior margin strongly concave, shield mostly reticulate, smooth posteriorly where epigynal shield overlaps, including a pair of putative gland openings gv1; sternal setae smooth and long, st1 82–86, st2 88–93, st3 94–98 long, poroids iv1–2 slit-like, iv1 aligned transversally, iv2 oblique (Figs 5, 17). Poroids iv3 ovoid, on soft cuticle, adjacent to endopodals between coxae III–IV. Endopodal element between coxae I–II fused to sternal shield, bearing gland pore gvb, and fused anteriorly to exopodal strip that flanks coxae I–IV; endopodal platelets between coxae III–IV well-developed, slightly overlapping posterolateral corners of sternal shield; parapodal element behind coxae IV relatively thick (Figs 5, 17). Epigynal shield expansive, length 304–319, width at level of st5 207–216, at broadest point behind coxae IV 252–263 (ratio of length/width at broadest point = 1.2), anterior hyaline margin of shield reaching beyond level of iv2 anteriorly and beyond st3 laterally, posterior margin rounded medially, angled posterolaterally; shield well removed from anal shield, lineate-reticulate, with variously shaped cells, Λ-shaped linea enclosing nine variouslyshaped cells (sometimes irregularly arranged in rows of two, Fig. 20); setae st5 (69–73) inserted on shield at midlevel of coxae IV (Fig. 5). Anal shield inversely subtriangular, length 112–120, width 122–128, anterior margin almost straight with two small projections medially, reticulate; setae on shield smooth, ventral setae JV3 (40–44) longer than circumanal setae, para-anal setae (34–36) inserted at posterior level of anal opening, slightly shorter than post-anal seta (25–28); cribrum well-developed, extending anterolaterally to level of post-anal seta; anal opening located midway of shield length; pair of gland pores gv3 on lateral shield margins at level near that of anterior margin of anus (Figs 5, 19). Peritrematal shields well-developed, broadly fused anteriorly to dorsal shield at level of coxae I, bearing three pairs of poroids and two pairs of gland pores; poststigmatic region extending to posterior level of coxae IV. Peritremes long (171–175) and narrow (6 wide), extending to level of anterior margin of coxae I. Soft opisthogastric integument with two pairs of small paragenital platelets between ZV1 and JV1; pair of primary, outer metapodals long and narrow (61– 75 x 8–9), secondary, inner metapodals small (20– 22 x 7–8); eight pairs of smooth opisthogastric setae JV1 (55–59), JV2 (51–52), JV4–5 (25–29), ZV1 (41–43), ZV2 (44–46), ZV3 (30–31), ZV4 (26–26); seven pairs of poroids, including paragenital poroids iv5 (Fig. 5). Spermathecal apparatus not seen. Gnathosoma (Figs 3–4, 6–7, 21). Gnathotectum with broad triangular projection, with smooth median spike and minute denticles laterally (7–9 denticles on each side), lineate posteriorly (Figs 3, 21). Corniculi horn-like, relatively short (56–57); salivary stylets apically blunt. Internal malae longer than corniculi, comprising a pair of pilose median projections, and 3–4 lateral, longer, tentacle-like, smooth projections; labrum acuminate, considerably longer than internal malae, fringed; hypostomal and capitular setae smooth, h3 (75–78)> pc (61–63)> h1 (53–55)> h2 (43–46); deutosternal groove with six rows of 2–6 denticles each, and a smooth anterior ridge, narrowing posteriorly, anteriormost row slightly convex (Fig. 4). Basal cheliceral segment 75–76 long, second segment 237–247 long, 50–52 wide; fixed digit 57–58 long, with 4–6 small teeth, including a subapical, small offset tooth; movable digit 65–67 long, bidentate; dorsal cheliceral seta stout, relatively long (15–16), setiform; pilus dentilis apically curved (Fig. 6). Palpgenu setae al1 and al2 and palpfemur al slightly thickened and spatulate apically; palpfemur pl and pd2 thickened; palp tarsal claw with two tines (Fig. 7). Legs (Figs 8–16, 18). Leg chaetotaxy as in genus description, including two ventral setae on genu IV (Fig. 18), and six setae, including a small pd, on trochanter IV (Figs 15, 18). All legs with ambulacrum (ambulacral stalk, pretarsus and claws), that of leg I (40–43) shorter than those of legs II (53–55), III (57–61) and IV (62–65) (Figs 13–16). Lengths of legs I: 727–744, II 611–625, III 587–601, IV 837–852. Lengths of femora I 178–179, II 123–129, III 124–129, IV 173–185; genua I 107–113, II 94 –97, III 73 –81, IV 115–118; tibiae I 119–123, II 88 –94, III 79 –81, IV 118–120; tarsi I 194–200, II 168–170, III 179–185, IV 253–262. Setae simple, smooth, moderately long, except some shortened and many thickened setae: trochanter I with al, av and pl short and fine, ad spur-like, pv2 elongate; trochanter III–IV with ad thickened or spur-like; trochanter IV with pd short and fine. Femur I with al2, av and pl2 short and fine, all other setae except pl2 thickened, ad3 short; femur II with al1–2 and ad2–3 short, ad1, av, pd1–2, pv1–2 slightly thickened; femur III with al, ad1–2 thickened, av elongate, pd and pl shorter; femur IV with al, av, pd slightly thickened, ad1–2 thickened, pl short and fine. Genu I with av2 and pv slightly thickened; genu II with al2, ad2–3, av, pv thickened; genu III with av and pv spine-like, pd2 and pl slightly thickened; genu IV with al1–2, pd2–3 thickened, av and pv spine-like. Tibia I with av2 and pv thickened, pv longest; tibia II with ventral setae thickened; tibia III with al1–2, pl thickened, av, pv spine-like; tibia IV with al1–2, pd2 slightly thickened, pl1–2, av, pv thickened. Tarsi II–IV with nearly all setae thickened or spine-like, especially al1, pl1, and ventral setae of tarsus II; tarsus IV with longest setae, although not whip-like; ad1, pd1 as fine apical processes. Material examined. Holotype: female, from rotten wood, northern Iran, Golestan Province, Qarn-Abad Forest, (36°47' N; 54° 37' E), 522 m above sea level, 2 June 2012, coll. A. Katuli, deposited in Acarological Collection, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran (ACISTE). Paratypes: one female with same collection data, deposited in ACISTE; two females collected in soil and litter, northern Iran, Mazandaran Province, Noor City (36° 34' N; 52° 03' E), - 22 m above sea level, summer 2013, coll. unknown, deposited in ACISTE. Etymology. The species is named in honour of Bruce Halliday, for his valuable work on Acari, especially Mesostigmata.

Kazemi, Shahrooz, Rajaei, Asma, Beaulieu, Frédéric (2014): Two new species of Gaeolaelaps (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from Iran, with a revised generic concept and notes on significant morphological characters in the genus. Zootaxa 3861 (6): 501-530, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3861.6.1

Gaeolaelaps jondishapouri Nemati & Kavianpour, 2013 Gaeolaelaps jondishapouri Nemati & Kavianpour, 2013: 64. Diagnosis (modified from Nemati & Kavianpour, 2013). Female with dorsal shield abruptly tapering from level of S 4 setae, bearing 39 pairs of moderately long setae, more or less reaching base of next seta in opisthosomal region, each seta with 1���4 small barbs; gland pores gd 2 and gd 6 present; seven marginal (r -R) setae, born on soft cuticle, with relatively thick sclerotised rings around alveoli. Sternal shield slightly wider than long, ratio of length/width ��� 0.9; reticulate in its anterior third, smooth posteriorly, slightly concave posteriorly, with setae st 1 on pointed edge of two anterior extensions of shield. Presternal region lightly sclerotised, lineate. Epigynal shield flask-shaped, slightly widened posteriorly, ratio of widths at level of broadest point/level of st 5 ��� 1.2, smooth except for an inversely Y-shaped line. Eight pairs of opisthogastric setae on relatively thick sclerotised rings around alveoli. Peritremes relatively short, anteriorly reaching posterior margin of acetabulum I. Epistome with anterior margin subtriangular. Deutosternum with six rows of 1���5 denticles. Fixed cheliceral digit with 5���7, rarely eight, teeth on its anterior half. Internal malae with long median projections and two additional pairs of lateral projections of similar length. Palp apotele with three tines, including a minute basal tine. Leg setae simple and mostly slender; ventral setae usually thicker than lateral and dorsal setae; av of femur II not spur-like; seta av on genu IV, setae av, pv and pl 2 on tibia IV and setae md, pv 2, pl 2 and pd 2 on tarsus IV thickened; setae pd 2 and pv 2 on tarsus IV inserted well proximal to ad 2 and av 2, respectively. Male with holoventral shield relatively narrow posteriorly, poorly developed behind coxae IV. Spermatodactyl short, curved and slightly extending beyond movable digit (male characters based on illustrations in Nemati & Kavianpour, 2013). Redescription (Figs 1���12). Female (n= 5, excluding holotype). Dorsal idiosoma (Figs 1, 11). Idiosoma 545���568 [573] long, 288���311 [291] wide. Dorsal shield 504���526 [562 (543���550)] long, 238���267 [276 (270���340)] wide, reticulate throughout except for smooth anteromedian region extending from behind j 6 setae to anterior shield apex, covering most of dorsal idiosoma but leaving an exposed band of soft lateral cuticle; shield slightly tapering after humeral region from level of r 3 to level of S 4, where it then sharply tapers into a V-shape, and ends in a rounded posterior apex; shield with 39 pairs of setae of almost uniform length, relatively short and usually not reaching base of following setae. Dorsal shield setae j 1 (39���42) [41] and z 1 (16���18) [16 (17���19)] smooth; J 5 (39���43) [39], Z 4 (44���56) [58 (50���60)], S 4 (48���52) [53], and S 5 (53���59) [54] with 2���3 barbs; Z 5 (57���61) [52] with 3���4 barbs; and all other setae (30���44) [33���47] usually with one small barb on distal half (Fig. 2); without unpaired setae. Shield with 16 pairs of discernible poroids (oval-shaped symbols) and six pairs of gland pores (circular symbols), including gd 2 (posterolaterad of setae j 4) and gd 6 (posteromediad of z 6). Setae r 6 (24���27) [24 (34���36)], R 1���6 (26���56) [28���57 (25���70] and one UR (33���34) [34] inserted on soft cuticle laterad of dorsal shield, with relatively thick sclerotised rings around alveoli (Figs 1, 11). Sigillae consistent across individuals, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 5). Tritosternum with narrow columnar base, 24���34 [34 (44���49)] long, 14���17 [17] wide at base, 7���9 [7] at apex, and two sparsely pilose laciniae 109���114 [111 (119���139)] long, and fused basally for 5���7 [6] ��m. Presternal area weakly sclerotised, lineate and very slightly granulate. Soft integument behind coxae I with three pairs of gland openings flanked by two minute valves. Sternal shield 108���114 [115 (120���138)] long, 117���121 [122 (130���145)] wide, finely reticulated anterolaterally, otherwise smooth; anterior and posterior margin of shield moderately concave, anterolateral corners narrowly extending between coxae I���II, distally bearing gland pores gvb; endopodal elements between coxae II and III fused with shield; shield bearing three pairs of smooth setae st 1 (37���41) [41], st 2 (38���42) [40] and st 3 (35���38) [38], and two pairs of slit-like poroids, iv 1 and iv 2, their axes oriented transversely; vestige of gland pores gv 1 apparently present on posterior margin of sternal shield (Fig. 12). Metasternal setae (33���35) [34 (30���34)] and poroids iv 3 on soft cuticle flanked by narrow endopodal elements between coxae III/IV. Epigynal shield flask-shaped, 196���209 [216 (180���213)] long, 99���108 [109] from setae st 5 level to posterior margin, 77���93 [94] wide, slightly broadened past st 5; anterior hyaline margin of shield irregularly convex and usually slightly covering posterior margin of sternal shield, with an inverse Y���shaped ornamentation, otherwise smooth; epigynal shield separated from anal shield by almost length of anal shield; setae st 5 (31���33) [33 (30���33)] inserted on lateral margins of shield, approximately at level of posterior edge of coxae IV. Poroids iv 5 inserted on soft cuticle, at level of tip of st 5. A strip-like postgenital sclerite (sometimes divided into 2���4 narrow strips) closely bordering posterior margin of epigynal shield. Anal shield subtriangular, 92���98 [107 (99���103)] long, 87���95 [94 (94���96)] wide, with lineate-reticulate ornamentation, anterior margin of shield slightly convex, circumanal setae smooth, postanal seta (33���39) [38 (33���36)] longer than para-anal setae (26���30) [28 (27���30)]; cribrum well developed, with two single files of denticles each extending from cribrum to near base of para-anal setae; anal opening located at mid-level of shield; pair of glands gv 3 inserted on shield lateral margins, at level between para-anal setae and posterior edge of anus. Peritrematal shields weakly developed posteriorly beyond stigmata, almost reaching level of coxae IV posterior margin, extending anteriorly and fused to dorsal shield at base of seta z 1 level; bearing three gland pores (gp) and three poroids (ip): two of these poroids and one of these pores located on short, narrow post-stigmatic plate, one pore located near anterior extremity of peritreme (Fig. 6). Peritremes somewhat short (218���228 [221]), extending from stigmata to posterior margin of coxae I (Fig. 6). Exopodal and parapodal platelets narrow, divided into sclerotised strips along coxae II-IV; gland pore gv 2 present anteromediad of parapodal platelet. One pair of minute paragenital platelets anterior to setae ZV 1. Primary (most lateral) metapodal platelets suboval, with irregular margin, and secondary (more median) pair tiny, oriented more or less transversely. Opisthogaster with five pairs of poroids (four ivo; ivp) and three pairs of smooth ventral setae JV 1 (30���34) [34 (30���32)], JV 2 (32���36) [32 (30���32)] and ZV 1 (25���29) [28 (30���33)], and five pairs of setae with 1���2 barbs: JV 3 (35���37) [38 (30���32)], JV 4 (40���43) [44 (39���41)], ZV 2 (32���37) [38 (30���33)], ZV 3 (25���29) [31 (30���33)] and ZV 4 (39���42) [42 (30���33)]; JV 5 (58���60) [60 (57���60)] with 3���4 barbs. Gnathosoma (Figs 3���4, 7��� 8). Anterior margin of epistome subtriangular and more or less rounded apically, denticulate, with about 50 small denticles (Fig. 3). Corniculi horn-like, 42���47 [46] long. Salivary stylets narrow and apically pointed. Internal malae fringed, with a pair of thick, contiguous median projections, and two pairs of thinner lateral projections, the inner pair shortest. Labrum considerably longer than corniculi. Hypostomal setae smooth, h 1 (43���47 [(31���37)]> h 3 (37���39 [(27���30)])> h 2 (27���30 [28 (24���30)]), capitular (pc) setae smooth (39���43 [(36���41)]). Deutosternal groove with six rows of denticles, each row with 2���4 and more rarely 1���5 denticles (holotype has most deutosternal rows with two denticles close to each of lateral margins of deutosternum); lateral margins of deutosternum subparallel (Fig. 7). First (basal) segment of chelicerae 64���76 [67] long, second segment 175���191 [186 (240���245)] long, including fixed digit, 54���56 wide; fixed digit of chelicera 57���63 [63] long, bearing 5���7, rarely eight, teeth on its anterior half, including subapical offset tooth (gabelzhan); pilus dentilis short and setiform (Fig. 8). Movable digit of chelicera 72���77 [79 (75-84)] long, bidentate (Fig. 8). Palp chaetotaxy normal for Laelapidae; all setae smooth, al 1 and al 2 of palpgenu and al of palpfemur slightly thickened, palptarsus apotele with two main tines, and an additional, very short basal tine (Fig. 4). Legs (Figs 9���10). Leg chaetotaxy normal for Laelapidae (sensu Evans and Till, 1965). All legs with ambulacrum, lengths of legs I-IV 549���562 [572 (539���549)], 416���428 [429 (444���452)], 386���405 [424 (418���422)] and 608���634 [621 (623���628)], respectively. Lengths of femora I 94 ���106 [113 (123���126)], II 78 ���87 [(80���84)], III 72 ���76 [76 (71���77)], IV 97 ���109 [124 (130���135)]; genua I 81 ���85 [80 (87���95)], II 61 ���66 [63 (65���70)], III 56 ���60 [59 (58���62)], IV 78 ���83 [78 (80���85)]; tibiae I 88 ���95 [85 (36���39)], II 64 ���70 [66 (73���77)], III 59 ���62 [63 (60���65)], IV 90 ���96 [89 (95���100)]; tarsi I 158���164 [163 (155���161)], II 118���130 [127 (129���136)], III 124���135 [123 (129���136)], IV 194���199 [200 (200���208)]. Leg setae mostly simple, needle-like; tarsi II-IV with al 1, pl 1, av 1, and pv 1 relatively thick; leg I without conspicuously thickened seta; trochanter II with al short and thickened; trochanter IV with ad slightly thickened; femur IV with ad 2 short and slightly thickened; leg IV with the following setae considerably thickened or spine-like: av on genu; av, pv and pl 2 on tibia; md, av 2, pv 2, pl 2 and pd 2 on tarsus. Coxa I each bearing two gland pores (gc) (Fig. 5). Remarks. Gaeolaelaps jondishapouri can be distinguished from any other Gaeolaelaps species by two distinctive, if not exceptional, characters among known members of the genus: (1) a dorsal shield abruptly tapering from the level of setae S 4; (2) setae st 1 inserted relatively far anteriorly from poroids iv 1, on the apex of two pointed extensions of the sternal shield (making the anterior margin appear bilobed, see Figs 2, 12). Whereas the original description shows a sternal shield with a straight anterior margin, without extensions, leaving st 1 completely off the shield, the re-illustration of the sternal shield by Kavianpour & Nemati (2014) is similar to ours. Other notable discrepancies that we noticed between the original description and the specimens we examined (including the holotype) are: (1) denticulate rows of deutosternal groove usually with 2���4 denticles [rows appear smooth in the original illustration, and there is no mention of denticles in the text]; (2) palp apotele with a small basal tine, in addition to the two main tines; (3) 16 poroids and six gland pores on the dorsal shield [only 18 porelike structures in the original description, missing gland pore behind j 4, and poroids near s 3, behind s 6, and laterad of Z 4; Nemati & Kavianpour had acknowledged in the text that they could have overlooked some pores or poroids]; (4) peritrematal shields anteriorly fused to dorsal shield, each bearing one gland pore [in the original description, peritremes appear without shielding anteriorly and therefore free from the dorsal shield]; (5) coxae I and surrounding soft integument with five gland openings; (6) cribrum with two files of denticles extending anteriorly to near the base of para-anal setae [not illustrated nor mentioned in the original description]; (7) setae h 1 (43���47) and h 3 (37���39) moderately longer [31���37 and 27���30, respectively, in the original description]. A few other measurements do not overlap between the original description and ours (e.g. dorsal shield; see notes in the redescription above), but these differences may at least in part be due to differences among populations; (8) most leg setae are needle-like, i.e. rather straight and with a relatively constant thickness through most of their length (not finely tapering as many setae in Nemati & Kavianpour, 2013); setae of leg I and of coxa-tibia II are thin and needle-like, except thickened al 1 on coxa and ventral setae on tibia (in contrast to the original illustrations showing most setae of legs I-II thickened or spine-like). Although this is a relatively inconspicuous feature, G. jondishapouri also has all dorsal setae with one or more barbs, with the exception of j 1 and z 1. The specimens of G. jondishapouri that we examined also differ from Nemati & Kavianpour���s (2013) description by the shape of the posterior region of the dorsal shield. We would rather describe this region as Vshaped, or even subtriangular, with a rounded apex, instead of bell-shaped, as indicated in their species key (examination of the holotype shows a dorsal shield that may appear as ���bell-shaped��� because the shield is bent posteriorly on that specimen). With such a distinctive tapering of the dorsal shield, we believe that G. jondishapouri is closely related to G. changlingensis (Ma, 2000), with the minor difference that the shield of G. changlingensis abruptly tapers from the level of S 3 instead of S 4 as in G. jondishapouri. Based on its description, G. changlingensis also differs from G. jondishapouri by its narrower sternal shield (Li-Ming Ma pers. comm.), st 2 inserted more posteriorly, and possibly longer idiosomal setae (however, some of these apparent differences may be due to inaccurate illustrations). Nemati & Kavianpour (2013) placed G. jondishapouri in the G. angusta species group (sensu Karg, 1979) based on the tapering posterior region of the dorsal shield. However, we do not concur that G. jondishapouri can be placed in the G. angusta group, because the four species originally placed in this species group have dorsal shields that taper much more anteriorly than that of G. jondishapouri, and consequently are quite narrower posteriorly. Based on Karg���s hypothesis (1979), the dorsal shield of species in the angusta group is wedge-shaped, characterised by ���shoulders��� (typically near the level of r 3���4), from which the shield gradually tapers to a relatively narrow apex (see, for example, the redescription of G. queenslandicus (Womersley, 1956) by Costa, 1966). The dorsal shield of G. jondishapouri is therefore quite distinct from that of members of the angusta species group, and the same applies to the putatively close relative G. changlingensis. Such shape of the dorsal shield is strongly reminiscent of that of Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley), which differs from congenerics by a shield abruptly tapering at level of S 1���2 (Walter & Campbell, 2003). Very few species of Gaeolaelaps have a deutosternum with fewer than five denticles per row. Gaeolaelaps jondishapouri is among the exceptions, as is G. spiniseta, which has a deutosternum with 3���4 denticles per row (Barilo, 1991). However, G. jondishapouri can easily be distinguished from G. spiniseta by several characters, including its posteriorly tapered dorsal shield (rounded in G. spiniseta), which bears 39 pairs of moderately long setae (38 in G. spiniseta, with setae longer, usually reaching the base of next setae), flanked by seven pairs of marginal setae (only one pair in G. spiniseta); its sternal shield bearing st 1 on anterior extensions of the sternal shield (st 1 inserted closer to iv 1 and well behind the anterior margin of the shield in G. spiniseta); and by its rounded epistome (subtriangular or pointed in G. spiniseta, according to the illustration in Barilo, 1991). Material examined. Holotype female: Southwestern Iran, Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province, 2010, coll. M. Kavianpour. Paratypes: 10 females: southeastern Iran, Kerman Province, Jiroft County (28 ˚ 51 ' 29 " N; 57 ˚ 71 ' 92 " E), altitude 589 m above sea level, from cow manure in a citrus orchard, 4 Jan 2011, coll. A. Rajaei, deposited in ACISTE. One female with same data, deposited in ACJAZUT. One female with same data, deposited in CNC. Five females: collected from soil and litter, in the same orchard as above, same date and collector, deposited in ACISTE., Published as part of Kazemi, Shahrooz, Rajaei, Asma & Beaulieu, Fr��d��ric, 2014, Two new species of Gaeolaelaps (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from Iran, with a revised generic concept and notes on significant morphological characters in the genus, pp. 501-530 in Zootaxa 3861 (6) on pages 505-510, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3861.6.1, http://zenodo.org/record/228197, {"references":["Evans, G. O. & Till, W. M. (1965) Studies on the British Dermanyssidae (Acari: Mesostigmata). Part 1. External morphology. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology, 13, 247 - 294.","Kavianpour, M. & Nemati, A. (2014) Gaeolaelaps (Acari: Laelapidae) mites from Iran with description of a new species. Journal of Crop Protection, 3, 315 - 325.","Ma, L. (2000) Description of a new species of Gamasid mite (Acari: Laelapidae). Entomotaxonomica, 22 (2), 150 - 152.","Karg, W. (1979) Die Gattung Hypoaspis Canestrini 1884 (Acarina, Parasitiformes). Zoologische Jahrbucher Abteilung fur Systematik Okologie und Geographie der Tiere, 106, 65 - 104.","Womersley, H. (1956) On some new Acarina - Mesostigmata from Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea. Journal of the Linnean Society of London (Zoology), 42, 505 - 599. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.1956. tb 02218. x","Costa, M. (1966) A redescription of Hypoaspis queenslandicus Womersley, 1956, comb. nov. Acari Mesostigmata with notes on the genus Hypoaspis Canestrini. Israel Journal of Zoology, 15, 141 - 147.","Walter, D. E. & Campbell, N. J. H. (2003) Exotic vs endemic biocontrol agents: Would the real Stratiolaelaps miles (Berlese) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae), please stand up? Biological Control, 26, 253 - 269. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1016 / S 1049 - 9644 (02) 00171 - 8","Barilo, A. B. (1991) New species of the soil laelapid mites (Parasitiformes, Laelapidae) from Middle Asia. Vestnik Zoologii, 1991, 13 - 17. [in Russian]"]}

Gaeolaelaps ahangarani Kazemi & Beaulieu sp. nov. (Figs 29���40) Diagnosis (based on adult female). Dorsal shield suboval, reticulated throughout, covering almost all dorsal idiosoma, leaving exposed a narrow lateral band of soft cuticle which bears four pairs of marginal setae (R 1 ���R 2, R 4���5); shield with 37 pairs of short, needle-like dorsal setae, setae Px 2���3 and unpaired setae Jx absent, with 21 pairs of pore-like structures, including six pairs of gland pores (gd 2 and gd 6 present). Sternal shield longer than wide (length/width ratio ���1.35), reticulate throughout except for a narrow smooth area posteriorly; anterolateral arms of shield broadly fused to endopodals between coxae I���II, and posterior margin of shield slightly convex. Epigynal shield tongue-shaped, only slightly widened posteriorly, with eight cells surrounded by a ��-shaped line, with cell borders sinuous. Post-stigmatic region of peritrematal shield short, extending slightly beyond level of mid-coxa IV. Soft opisthogastric cuticle with ten pairs of short setae, with alveoli surrounded by relatively thick sclerotised rings. Anal shield somewhat pear-shaped, broadly rounded anteriorly; anal opening almost entirely on anterior half of shield; cribrum spicules not extending significantly anteriorly. Peritremes long, reaching anterior margin of coxae I. Epistome margin rounded, with variously sized denticles. Deutosternum with six rows of 17���20 denticles. Fixed digit of chelicera with seven teeth. Internal malae with two pairs of lateral fringed projections in addition to the pair of long median projections. Palp apotele 2 -tined. Femur II with av seta thickened, tarsi II-IV with most subapical setae thickened or spine-like; setae av 1, pv 1 on tarsus II, pl 2���3 on tarsus IV, and pl 1 on tibia IV apically blunt, spur-like; tarsus IV with pd 2 slightly longer than other setae, otherwise without significantly elongate setae, ad 3 and pd 3 very short; most dorsal setae of genu IV and tibia IV short. Description. Female (n= 2). Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 29). Idiosoma 486���494 long, 266���271 wide. Dorsal shield 486���494 long, 247���252 wide, suboval, reticulate throughout, more distinctly on opisthonotal region, and with cells more elongate between setae j 5 and j 6; shield broadest at level of setae r 3, ratio of widths at the level of r 3 / S 3 =1.2; shield covering most of dorsal idiosoma, leaving exposed a narrow marginal band of soft cuticle. Dorsal shield with 37 pairs of short setae, setae Px 2���3 absent, setae j 2���4, z 4, s 3, r 2���3, Z 5 longest (20���25), z 1 shortest (6���8), other setae 12���17 long; Z 5 usually with 1���2 minute barbs. Setae R 1 ���R 2 (12���14), R 4 (14���15), R 5 (11���12) and one pair of poroids (idR 3) on soft lateral cuticle. Dorsal shield with 16 pairs of discernible poroids (oval-shaped symbols) and six pairs of gland pores (circular symbols). Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 30). Tritosternum with a narrow columnar base, 32���33 long, 10���11 wide at base, 7���8 wide at apex, and two free pilose laciniae (68���71). Presternal area weakly sclerotised, granulate-lineate. Sternal shield 146���150 long, 109���111 wide, distinctly reticulate throughout except for a narrow smooth area posteriorly; anterior margin of shield straight, posterior margin slightly convex with a small median depression; anterolateral corners broadly fused to endopodal platelets between coxae I-II, bearing gland pores gvb; shield bearing three pairs of smooth setae st 1 (24���25), st 2 (26���27) and st 3 (26���28), and two pairs of poroids, iv 1 slit-like and iv 2 sub-oval. Metasternal setae (26���28) and poroids iv 3 on soft cuticle (iv 3 asymmetrically captured by sternal shield in one specimen). Epigynal shield tongue-shape, very slightly broadened posteriorly, 166���169 long, and 81���83 from st 5 to posterior margin, 70���72 wide; anterior hyaline margin slightly convex, irregular, covering posterior smooth area of sternal shield; epigynal shield with a �����shape line delimiting posteriorly eight cells with sinuous borders; setae st 5 (20���21) on lateral margins of shield, almost at level of posterior edge of coxae IV. Paragenital poroids iv 5 on soft cuticle, near level of coxae IV posterior edges. Anal shield somewhat pear-shaped, anterior margin of shield broadly rounded, 67���70 long, 56���58 wide, lineate-reticulate anteriorly and laterally; circumanal setae smooth, postanal seta (20���22) longer than para-anal setae (15���16); cribrum well developed, with three rows of spicules (four medially), the two anteriormost rows only slightly extending anteriorly of postanal seta; anal opening located almost entirely on anterior half of shield; para-anal gland pores gv 3 on lateral shield margins at level of the posterior edge of anal opening. Peritrematal shields relatively well developed throughout, anteriorly fused to dorsal shield behind setae z 1, bearing one pair of gland pores near external margin of shield at level of anterior edge of coxae III and one pair of poroids at level of posterior edge of coxae II; poststigmatic region with a longitudinal line from stigmata to shield apex, and with two pairs of poroids and one pair of gland pores. Peritremes long (236���243), reaching anterior margin of coxae I. Exopodal platelet between coxae II-III well developed, exopodal between coxae III-IV fused to parapodal. Opisthogastric soft integument with pair of primary metapodal platelets moderately small, narrow, laterad of ZV 1���2; 2���3 additional pair(s) of minute metapodal platelets anterior to and inbetween ZV 1 and primary metapodals; paragenital platelets minute, at level of ZV 1; five pairs of poroids and 10 pairs of short, needle-like setae JV 1���5, ZV 1���5, 14��� 20 long. Gnathosoma (Figs 31���34). Anterior margin of epistome somewhat rounded, with about 17 variously sized teeth (Fig. 31). Corniculi horn-like, 45���47 long. Salivary stylets narrow and apically pointed, aligned beneath corniculi. Internal malae fringed, with a pair of adjacent median pilose projections, flanked by two pairs of shorter and thinner lateral projections. Labrum acuminate, pilose, considerably longer than corniculi. Hypostomal and capitular setae smooth, h 3 (46���49)> h 1 (34���37)> pc (26���27)> h 2 (19���21). Deutosternal groove with six rows of 17���20 denticles each; lateral margins of deutosternum subparallel (Fig. 32). Basal segment of chelicerae 50���52 long, second segment 140���143 long, 46���48 wide; fixed digit of chelicera 40���42 long, with seven teeth, including subapical offset tooth (gabelzhan), followed by two small teeth, and four larger teeth proximal to the short and setiform pilus dentilis; dorsal seta short and setiform. Movable digit of chelicera 48���50 long, bidentate (Fig. 33). Palp 146���149 long, palp chaetotaxy normal for Laelapidae; all setae smooth, al 1 and al 2 on palpgenu and al on palpfemur thick and subspatulate, ad on palpfemur slightly thickened, somewhat spine-like; palptarsus apotele 2 - tined, anterior tine with spatulate hyaline margin (Fig. 34). Legs (Figs 35���40). Leg chaetotaxy normal for Laelapidae (sensu Evans & Till, 1965). Legs II���III with largest claws and pulvillus, and broadest ambulacral stalk; leg I with narrowest stalk, claws and pulvillus; lengths of legs I- IV 435���438, 335 ��� 341, 289 ��� 292 and 432���440, respectively. Lengths of femora I 70 ���73, II 57 ���59, III 56 ���59, IV 89 ���92; genua I 62 ���65, II 62 ���63, III 38, IV 62 ���67; tibiae I 70 ���72, II 51 ���54, III 38, IV 62; tarsi I 116���119, II 73 ���76, III 83 ���86, IV 113���121. Leg setae mostly thin and moderately long, except: trochanter I with al and ad short and slightly thickened; trochanter II with al slightly thickened; trochanter IV with pv 1 slightly thickened; femur II with av and pd 1 slightly thickened, ad 3 and al 2 short; femur III with al and ad 1 thickened, ad 2, pd and pl short; femur IV with ad 1 and av slightly thickened, ad 2, pd and pl short; genu II with pd 2 slightly thickened, and genua III-IV with ventrals slightly thickened; tibiae II-III with pv thickened; tibia IV with av and pv thickened, pl 1 thick, somewhat spur-like, pd 2���3 very short; tarsus II with al 2���3 and pl 2���3 slightly thickened, av 1 and pv 1 stout, spurlike (apically blunt), al 1, pl 1 and md stout and spine-like, mv, av 2 and pv 2 thick; tarsus III with pl 2���3 slightly thickened, ad 2, pd 2, pv 2 and al 3 thickened, av 1���2, pv 1���2, al 1���2, mv and pl 1 thickened, somewhat spine-like, md stout, spine-like; tarsus IV with most setae thickened and of moderate length, and pl 2���3 somewhat spur-like, pl 3 half as long as pl 2, pd 2 slightly longer than other setae, ad 3 and pd 3 short and thin. Coxa I bearing two gland pores (gc) (Fig. 30). Material examined. Holotype: female, northern Iran, Mazandaran Province, Tonekabon County, Tirom Forest (40 ˚ 62 ' 69 " N; 47 ˚ 11 ' 26 " E), 1465 m above sea level, from decayed wood of Beech trees, 2 June 2010, coll. Y. Ahangaran, deposited in ACISTE. One paratype female with same collection data, deposited in ACISTE. Etymology. The species is named in honour of Yazdanfar Ahangaran (General Office of Natural Resources of Mazandaran Province, Nowshahr, Iran), for his help in collecting these mites. Remarks. Gaeolaelaps ahangarani can most readily be distinguished from all other species in the genus by the following combination of characters: very short dorsal setae, particularly so in the opisthonotal region; the absence of Px 2���3; only three pairs of marginal setae on soft lateral cuticle; epigynal shield with posterior cells with sinuous borders; an anal shield broadly rounded anteriorly, with the anus almost entirely in the anterior half of shield; and modified leg setae, such as pl 2���3 of tarsus IV and pl 1 of tibia IV spur-like, and ad 3, pd 3 very short. Many other Gaeolaelaps have short dorsal setae, but the large majority of them possess Px 2���3 setae, rarely have the anal opening positioned as anteriorly as in the new species (based on species descriptions), and have other distinctive characters. For instance, G. tenuisetus Rosario (1981) has short setae, but seems to possess Px 2���3 (at least on one side; the illustration is difficult to interpret), and has an epigynal shield considerably expanded posteriorly (nearly parallel-sided in G. ahangarani), and a subtriangular anal shield that is relatively flat anteriorly. Gaeolaelaps analis (Karg, 1982) has a broader, more oval dorsal shield, Px 2 present, and a broader anal shield with anus located on its posterior half. Gaeolaelaps gleba Karg, 1979 (= G. glabra Karg, 1978) has Px 2���3 setae as well as shortened peritremes. The few Gaeolaelaps species lacking Px 2���3 setae that we are aware of are distinguished from G. ahangarani by at least a few characters. Gaeolaelaps queenslandicus and G. angustus (Karg, 1965) have a posteriorly tapered dorsal shield, longer dorsal setae, a three-tined palp apotele, and a deutosternum narrowing posteriorly (based on Costa, 1966). Based on the illustrations, Gaeolaelaps tengi (Gu & Bai, 1991) may appear similar to the new species, but it has longer setae, a broader, subtriangular anal shield that is flatter anteriorly, a sternal shield truncate posteriorly, with st 3 setae near the edge, a post-stigmatic region of peritrematal shield almost reaching the posterior margin of coxae IV (shorter in G. ahangarani), and a narrower deutosternal groove. Gaeolaelaps wufengensis (Liu & Ma, 2003) also has relatively short setae, but possesses an epigynal shield ornamented by circular lines posteriorly, seven rows of deutosternal denticles, and an acuminate epistome. Gaeolaelaps barbarae (Strong 1995), associated with funnel-web spiders, has a more oval dorsal shield, and much longer setae, and a subtriangular epistome. Other arthropod associates also lack Px 2���3 (e.g. G. disjuncta Hunter & Yeh, 1969, G. circularis, G. ruggi, and G. rarosae Rosario, 1981), but have fewer setae on the dorsal shield (Gaeolaelaps ahangarani shares characters with G. aculeifer and relatives (see Discussion), such as the spinelike setae on tarsi, especially of legs II-III, the deutosternal groove with numerous denticles per row, and similarly shaped and ornamented dorsal, sternal, and epigynal shields (although these shields are similar in several other Gaeolaelaps species). Like G. aculeifer, it also has internal malae with two pairs of short lateral projections. However, it differs from G. aculeifer and relatives by lacking Px 2���3 setae, and having only three marginal setae laterad of the dorsal shield, a fixed cheliceral digit with fewer teeth proximal to the pilus dentilis, and shortened leg setae (see Diagnosis). At first glance, the sinuous borders of the cells of the epigynal shield appear as a fairly unique character of G. ahangarani. However, we suspect that such ornamentation occurs in other species, which we may have overlooked, or that are still undescribed., Published as part of Kazemi, Shahrooz, Rajaei, Asma & Beaulieu, Fr��d��ric, 2014, Two new species of Gaeolaelaps (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from Iran, with a revised generic concept and notes on significant morphological characters in the genus, pp. 501-530 in Zootaxa 3861 (6) on pages 514-516, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3861.6.1, http://zenodo.org/record/228197, {"references":["Evans, G. O. & Till, W. M. (1965) Studies on the British Dermanyssidae (Acari: Mesostigmata). Part 1. External morphology. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology, 13, 247 - 294.","Rosario, R. M. T. (1981) Philippine Hypoaspidinae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae). Philippine Entomologist, 5, 23 - 82.","Karg, W. (1982) Zur Kenntnis der Raubmilbeng Hypoaspis Canestrini, 1884 (Acarina, Parasitiformes). Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, 58, 233 - 256.","Karg, W. (1979) Die Gattung Hypoaspis Canestrini 1884 (Acarina, Parasitiformes). Zoologische Jahrbucher Abteilung fur Systematik Okologie und Geographie der Tiere, 106, 65 - 104.","Karg, W. (1978) Zur Kenntnis der Milbengattung Hypoaspis, Androlaelaps und Reticulaelaps (Acarina, Parasitiformes, Dermanyssidae). Zoologische Jahrbuch der Systematik, 105, 1 - 32.","Karg, W. (1965) Larvalsystematische und phylogenetische Untersuchung sowie Revision des Systems der Gamasina Leach, 1915 (Acarina, Parasitiformes). Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, 41, 193 - 340.","Costa, M. (1966) A redescription of Hypoaspis queenslandicus Womersley, 1956, comb. nov. Acari Mesostigmata with notes on the genus Hypoaspis Canestrini. Israel Journal of Zoology, 15, 141 - 147.","Gu, Y. & Bai, X. (1991) Two new species of Laelapidae from Yunnan, China (Acari: Gamasina). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica, 16, 181 - 185.","Liu, J. & Ma, L. (2003) Three new species of Gamasina from Western Hubei Province, China (Acari, Mesostigmata). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica, 28, 651 - 656.","Strong, K. L. (1995) A new species of Hypoaspis (Acarina: Laelapidae) associated with funnel-web spiders (Araneae: Hexathelidae). Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement, 52, 219 - 223.","Hunter, P. E. & Yeh, S. (1969) Hypoaspis (Geolaelaps) disjuncta (Acarina: Laelapidae) associated with the horned passalus beetles. Journal of the Georgia Entomological Society, 4, 97 - 102."]}

Chetverikov, Philipp E., Beaulieu, Frédéric, Cvrković, Tatjana, Vidović, Biljana, Petanović, Radmila U. (2012): Oziella sibirica (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Phytoptidae), a new eriophyoid mite species described using confocal microscopy, COI barcoding and 3 D surface reconstruction. Zootaxa 3560: 41-60, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.213624

Oziella sibirica sp. nov. Chetverikov Description of external morphology (Figs. 1–6; Table 2). PROTOGYNE FEMALE (n= 8). Idiosoma vermiform, whitish, 352 (321–374) long, 59 (53–65) wide. Prodorsal shield (Figs. 1, 2, 3 C & 4 B) subtriangular, with anterior margin weakly rounded and slightly indented medially; ornamentation consisting of median, two admedian and five submedian lines (Fig. 1 B). Median line straight, visible in posterior two-thirds of shield, usually entire or can be divided into 2–3 fragments. Two admedian lines straight in anterior third of shield, slightly sinuous in posterior two-thirds, together forming a bottle-like figure, usually with a gap in anterior one-third of prodorsal shield. Submedian- 1 lines short, visible in anterior one-third of prodsorsal shield. Additional short line can be present between admedian and submedian- 1. Submedian- 2 can be straight and short (Fig. 2 A & 2 B) or as long as shield and then straight in anterior half but slightly sinuous in posterior half (Fig. 2 C & 2 D). Submedian- 3 lines running from anterior shield margin, medially to ve tubercles, ending well in front of sc tubercles; those lines consisting of 2–3 fragments or may be entire, with a small curve posteriorly (Fig. 2 B & 2 C). In some individuals, submedian- 3 appear to be bifurcate, with median branch merging with posterior portion of submedian- 2 (Fig. 2 B & 2 C); a small sub-circular (almost eye-like), apparently smooth area visible (only under CLSM) in some specimens inbetween submedian- 2 and - 3 and anterad to sc tubercles (Fig. 2 A, 2 B & 2 D). Two short lines, submedian- 4 and - 5, behind each ve tubercle, flanked laterally by an eye-like structure, appearing more-or-less flat (under phase contrast) or as an oval protuberance (under CLSM), about 6 long and 4 wide. Surface of prodorsal shield anterior to ve with small granulations. Prodorsal shield 32 (32–36) long, 36 (36–46) wide; ve 10 (8–10) long, directed forward and slightly laterally; tubercles 21 (20–26) apart; sc 1 (0.5–1.5) long, directed posteromedially, tubercles 17 (16–20) apart. Distance between tubercles of ve and sc 18 (18–19). Gnathosoma 25 (24–27) long. Dorsal pedipalp genual setae d 10 (7–10) long. Leg I 30 (28–31) long, tibia 5 (5–7), l' 2 (2 – 2), tibial solenidion φ 7 (6–7); tarsus 5 (5–6), u' 2 (1–2) long, ft' 2 (1–3) long, ft'' 9 (8–11) long, ω 8 (7–9) long, without knob; empodium 5 / 4 -rayed, 7 (7 – 7) long; l'' 14 (13–16) long, femur with a small ventrolateral spine, bv 2 (1–3) long. Leg II 26 (25–27) long, tibia 5 (5–6), l' absent, tarsus 5 (5–6) long, u' 2 (1–2) long, ft' 2 (2–3) long, ft'' 8 (8–10) long, ω 9 (8–10) long, without knob; empodium 5 / 4 -rayed, 6 (6–7) long; l'' 15 (12–17) long, bv 2 (1–2) long. Coxae with numerous oval microtubercles and thin, indistinct lines. Subcapitular plate round, flat. Setae 1 b 14 (10–15) long, 16 (16–19) apart; 1a 16 (11–17) long, 12 (12–14) apart; 2a 36 (31–38) long, 28 (26–31) apart. Prosternal apodeme weakly pronounced, three-forked. Epigynium 11 (10–11) long, 23 (22–24) wide, with indistinct four long and four short lines, absent in some individuals; 3a 8 (7–8) long. Opisthosoma with 77 (73–80) ventral and 80 (75–82) dorsal microtuberculate annuli; 4 (3–5) annuli present before epigynium. Setal lengths: c 1 20 (18–24), c 2 19 (16–19), d 7 (6–8), e 5 (5–7), f 26 (22–28), h 1 4 (3–4), h 2 64 (50–72); 7 (7–8) annuli between rear shield margin and c 1 tubercles, 6 (5–7) annuli from rear prodorsal shield margin to c 2; 15 (14–16) annuli between c 2 and d, 20 (20–22) annuli between d and e, 27 (24–28) annuli between e and f, and 9 (8–9) annuli between f and h 1. MALE (n= 5). Similar in shape and colour to female; about 0.9 times the size of female. Prodorsal shield ornamentation and chaetotaxy similar to that of female. Eugenital setae not visible neither with conventional optical microscope nor in CLSM (Fig. 4 D). All measurements of males given in Table 2. LARVA (n= 9) (Fig. 5). Idiosoma wormlike, whitish, 206 (182–225) long, 43 (38–46) wide. Prodorsal shield ornamentation similar to that of female except median and admedian lines often broken and with gaps, and eyelike structures indistinct in some individuals. Leg I 19 (17–23), empodium 4 / 3 -rayed, femur with very weak ventrolateral spine. Coxae and coxisterna with numerous microtubercles; 12 (10–14) annuli present before setae 3 a. Opisthosoma with 76 (70–86) dorsal annuli and 61 (57–66) ventral annuli. Other measurements given in Table 2. NYMPH (n= 8) (Fig. 6). Idiosoma wormlike, whitish, 287 (273–318) long, 53 (49–60) wide. Prodorsal shield ornamentation similar to that of the female except median line and eye-like structures indistinct in some individuals. Leg I 23 (22–25), femur with small ventrolateral spine, empodia 4 / 3 - or 4 / 4 -rayed. Coxae and coxisterna with numerous microtubercles; 11 (11–12) annuli present before setae 3 a. Opisthosoma with 73 (70–77) dorsal annuli and 72 (68–74) ventral annuli. Other measurements given in Table 2. Host plant. Carex macroura Meinsh. (Cyperaceae). Mites were found living inside the leaf sheaths, causing no apparent damage. Type material. Female holotype (slide # 167 - 11), 4 female paratypes, 4 nymph and 4 larvae (all on the same slide) deposited in Saint-Petersburg State University, Department of Invertebrate Zoology (Universitetskaya naberejnaya, 7 / 9, Saint-Petersburg, 199034, Russia). Other paratypes (9 females, 7 males, 21 nymphs and 11 larvae on slides # 168 - 11, # 169 - 11 and # 170 - 11) deposited in the Acarological Collection of the Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences (ZIN RAS). All specimens collected from RUSSIA: Republic of Buryatia, Barguzinsky District, Maximiha village; from Carex macroura, in a firdominated (Abies sibirica) forest, on the bank of Lake Baikal (53 ° 26 ' 64 ''N, 108 ° 73 ' 55 ''E), 24 June 2011, coll. P. E. Chetverikov. Distribution. Oziella sibirica sp. nov. is at present recorded only from the Republic of Buryatia, Barguzinsky District, Russia. However, Carex macroura, the host plant of O. sibirica sp. nov., is a widely distributed East European-Asian forest species, which also occurs in the Ural, Preuralye and South Siberia regions of Russia, East Kazakhstan (Saur mountains), North-West China (Dzungaria) and Mongolia (Malyshev 1990 p. 123; Egorova 1999 p. 290; Rotreklová et al. 2011, p. 45), so future surveys could reveal a wider distribution for this new mite species. Etymology. The specific epithet, sibirica, is a feminine singular adjective derived from the name of Eastern region of Russia, the Sibir (Siberia), where the new species was collected. ...... continued on the next page Epigynium/epiandrium length 11 ± 0.5 10–11 4 ± 0.5 3–4 – – – – Epigynium/epiandrium width 23 ± 0.6 22–24 23 ± 0.7 22–24 – – – – Differential diagnosis. The new species is very similar to Oziella yuccae Keifer 1954 and Oziella rufensis Manson 1970 but can be easily distinguished from them by its extremely short setae sc, the number of empodial rays, its longer body and at least twice shorter opisthosomal setae c 1 and d (Table 3). Although the descriptions of O. yuccae, O. rufensis and O. sibirica may suggest that these species could also be distinguished by the prodorsal shield ornamentation and the position of c 1 setae, we doubt that these characters are reliable for species diagnosis because they vary within species. Moreover, illustrations in the description of O. rufensis are currently inadequate. The three aforementioned species were so far each collected from distinct monocot plants belonging to three plant families (Agavaceae, Cyperaceae and Juncaceae) on three different continents (Table 3). Species of Oziella Character O. sibirica sp. nov. O. yuccae O. rufensis Remarks on the position of setae 3 a in immature instars . In contrast to adult mites which have 3–5 annuli before the epigynium or epiandrium, the immatures of Oziella sibirica sp. nov. possess an average 11–12 annuli before setae 3 a (Figs. 5 & 6). Similar ratios of 2–3 times more annuli in immatures versus adults were noted in the phytoptid genera Phytopus Dujardin 1851, Setoptus Keifer 1944, Boczekella Farkas 1965 and Trisetacus Keifer 1952 (P.E. Chetverikov, unpublished data 2008–2012). In adult eriophyoids, setae 3 a are always intimately flanking the external genitalia. The genital shield (more or less) closely appressed to the coxisternal plates is thought to be one of the apomorphies of Eriophyoidea (Lindquist 1996 b, p. 303). In this context, the relatively remote position of setae 3 a in immature instars of phytoptids could represent a more plesiomorphic character state in contrast to the immatures of representatives of the families Eriophyidae Nalepa, 1898 and Diptilomiopidae Keifer 1944, which as we know usually have setae 3 a positioned quite more anteriorly. In Novophytoptus, setae 3 a are positioned even further posteriorly. For instance, larvae and nymphs of N. rostratae Roivainen 1947 have 12–15 and 19–22 annuli before setae 3 a, respectively (P.E. Chetverikov, unpublished data 2005–2007 and 2011–2012). Furthermore, this posterior position of 3 a is retained in adults: 10–12 annuli separate the epigynium from coxae II in N. rostratae, and 12–16 in other species (Lindquist 1996 a p. 20; Chetverikov & Sukhareva 2007). This could indicate a more ancient origin of the genus Novophytoptus relatively to other phytoptid genera, if this condition is plesiomorphic. However, this posterior position of setae 3 a and the epigynium could represent a secondarily derived condition associated with the transformation of the body of Novophytoptus in adapting to living inside air cavities and sheaths of herbaceous monocotyledonous plants of the families Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Juncaceae (Chetverikov & Sukhareva 2007; Chetverikov 2010; E. E. Lindquist pers. comm. 13 December 2011). Variability of empodium morphology. Recently, some of us have shown that the study of variability of empodia may help separate cryptic species or distinguish morphologicaly similar protogyne and deutogyne females belonging to the same species (Chetverikov et al. 2009; Chetverikov 2011). Therefore, we recommend that descriptions of new taxa include detailed description of the morphology of the empodia, based on light microscopy (with phase or differential interference contrast) but ideally also on scanning electron or confocal laser scanning microscopy and its variability in both adult and immature stages. Immatures of O. sibirica sp. nov. possess two empodium variants, with larvae usually having 4 / 3 -rayed empodia (rarely 4 / 4 -rayed empodia), and nymphs 4 / 3 - about as frequently as 4 / 4 -rayed empodia (Figs. 5 F, 6 G & 6 H; Table 4). In addition, a single nymph was found with an abnormal empodium on right leg II with two anterior rays elongate and flattened (Fig. 6 I). All studied male and female adults have 5 / 4 -rayed empodia, except a single female having one 4 / 4 - and three 5 / 4 - rayed empodia. Thus, O. sibirica sp. nov. exhibit a gradual increase in the number of empodial rays during ontogenesis from 4 / 3 -rayed empodia in the larval stage to 5 / 4 -rayed empodia in the adult stage, and with a significant proportion of the nymphs with intermediate, 4 / 4 -rayed empodia. Possession of eye-like structures (Figs. 1, 2, 3 C, 4 B, 5 B & 6 C). CLSM imaging carried out at different layers indicated that these structures are dense, ovoid globes that protrude 1–2 mkm outside the body and 3–4 mkm deep inside. The eye-like structures of O. sibirica sp. nov. are similar in shape and position (laterad ve setae) to those observed in Novophytoptus stipae Keifer (1962) (Phytoptidae). In Phytoptus oculatus Smith (1977) and in the few eriophyoids known to have lens-like structures (see Flechtmann et al. 1995 and taxa listed therein), these appear to be slightly more posterior. Unpublished observations (P. Chetverikov, December 2011) based on CLSM indicate that members of additional phytoptid and eriophyid genera possess similar eye-like structures. Such a threedimensional structure suggests that it is almost certainly a true light-sensitive organ (R. Ochoa & E. Lindquist pers. comm. May 2012 & June 2012, respectively), and its presence in many eriophyoid taxa, including phytoptids, suggests that it was also present in ancestral eriophyoid stock, as suggested by Smith (1977). Description of the internal genitalia. The genital apparatus of eriophyoid mites is difficult to study because it is small and internal. According to a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of eriophyoid mite anatomy by Nuzzaci and Alberti (1996, pp. 138–142), the female reproductive system includes soft organs (ovary, oviduct and muscles), and more or less sclerotized, chitinous structures: (1) paired spermathecae, connected to a (2) genital chamber via (3) spermathecal ducts or tubes (each provided with a special valve); the chamber is walled anterodorsally by (4) a genital apodeme, and covered ventrally by an (5) epigynium (genital coverflap). Elements 1–4 are internal whereas the epigynium is essentially external or superficial. The soft parts of the reproductive system are visible by TEM only, whereas the sclerotized elements are sometimes visible and more easily studied under light microscopy. Among light microscopy techniques, the most powerful for studying internal genitalic structures of eriophyoids was recently shown to be confocal laser scanning microscopy (Chetverikov 2012 b). The reproductive systems of eriophyoid mites remain poorly studied and no standards exist for describing them. Here, using O. sibirica sp. nov. as an incipient model, we propose a relatively simple protocol for describing the most distinct parts of the internal genitalia of eriophyoid mites based on CLSM image analysis (Figs. 7, 8 & 9). The method will probably need to be adjusted to accommodate the variation in shape and structures across taxa, and also for progress in the interpretation and homologization of structural components. For example, some structures have not yet been discussed in the literature (although coarsely illustrated in species descriptions) and their variation in form and function are essentially unknown. A more or less sclerotized, longitudinal structure is present medially, meeting with the genital apodeme anteriorly and the paired spermathecal tubes posteriorly. The function of this structure is yet to be determined. Here, it is provisionally called ‘longitudinal bridge’. Posteriorly, this structure appears to be relatively thicker and more rigid, whereas the anterior part seems to be composed of a more pliable, membranous tissue (Figs. 7, 8 & 9; see also Chetverikov 2012 b). Another structure, tentatively identified as a distal segment of the spermathecal tube, was also found in the new species, O. sibirica sp. nov. (herein called ‘prespermathecal swelling’; Figs. 7, 8 B, 9 E–H). Moreover, the architecture of the genital apodeme varies broadly and additional measurements (lengths, angles) could be taken for describing this adequately in other species. Because of several artifacts and the variability of specimen-clearing during the slide-mounting process, a large proportion (e.g. over two-thirds) of the slide-mounted specimens did not show accurately or in entirety, the structures of the internal genitalia (e.g. spermathecae, apodemes). Therefore, studying the internal genitalia of eriophyoids under CLSM requires the examination of many specimens before appropriate images can be obtained and structures measured and understood (see also Chetverikov 2012 b). Description of the internal genitalia of Oziella sibirica sp. nov. Spermathecae ellipsoid (Fig. 8 A), oriented posterolaterally (40 º– 50 º angle with longitudinal body axis), without any bend or bulge, 12.1 long, 4.7 wide (see Table 5 for standard deviations & ranges). Proximal part of spermathecal tube (Fig. 8 C) short (3.3) with margins hard to distinguish. A spherical prespermathecal swelling (representing presumably the distal segment of spermathecal tube) (Fig. 8 B). 3.6 long, 3.4 wide, forming an angle of 90 º– 120 º with spermatheca. Longitudinal ‘ bridge’ (Fig. 8 D) 17.0 long, posteriorly thicker for approximately 2 / 5 of its length, and more membranous and pliable anteriorly. Genital apodeme a transverse plate curved lateroposterad, with each of the left and right halves 14.9 long (if measured as a straight line, excluding fold), forming together a rounded (or pointed, Fig. 7 A & 7 D) angle of 80 º– 100 º medially (as if each half forms two straight lines); varying from a subtriangular shape, with almost straight halves (Fig. 7 A– 7 C), to a flattened bell shape (Fig. 7 D). Transverse apodeme distally folded on itself: first anteriorly, towards itself, and then posteriorly and tightly; each of these folds 2.2 long (note that the last fold distally connects to the anterior end of the rim of the genital aperture, and is sometimes visible, as in Figs. 7 B & 8). Structure Mean±SD Min–max COI sequence. The barcode region (sensu Hebert et al. 2004) of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI) in Oziella sibrica sp. nov. was successfully amplified and sequenced. This sequence is 657 bp long and available from GenBank under accession number NCBI JQ 342669. Base pair frequencies show that the region is AT-rich (A: 0.205, C: 0.137, G: 0.164, T: 0.494).

Subfamily: Phytoptinae Murray Diagnosis. Phytoptids with opisthosoma vermiform and with annuli dorsoventrally subequal in size and number; two pairs of prodorsal shield setae (anterior ve and posterior sc); tibial solenidion φ and opisthosomal setae c 1 usually present; spermathecal tubes relatively short.