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of conference oral presentation on The VERO: An NFT for increasing the production, flow and distribution of information associated with specimens. by Samuel Bolton of Florida State Collection Of Arthropods Gainesville United States for SPNHC2022 Conference, Edinburgh. June 5-10th 2022.

Supplementary images of the holotype and single known specimenof Caenonychus fallax Oudemans. Abstract of associated paper: The single known specimen of the monotypic genus Caenonychus Oudemans, 1902 was examined. No distinguishing characters could be found to justify the retention of Speleorchestes Trägårdh, 1909 as a separate genus from Caenonychus. Grandjean (1939) suspected these genera were synonymous but retained Speleorchestes as valid because of a difference between the two genera in opisthosomal shape. An artifactual explanation for the difference in opisthosomal shape is herein accepted based on the effects of applying different pressures to the coverslip over the same specimen. Therefore, Speleorchestes is treated as a junior synonym of Caenonychus.

A new vagrant eriophyoid mite species, Setoptus tsugivagus n. sp. Chetverikov (Eriophyoidea, Phytoptidae, Nalepellinae, Nalepellini), is described from the needles of the western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Rafinesque) Sargent (Pinaceae) in Vancouver, Canada. The new species can be distinguished from all other members of Setoptus by a distinct pattern of several short longitudinal ridges on the posterior half of the prodorsal shield. Elements of the anal secretory apparatus (ASA) were observed in adults of S. tsugivagus n. sp., suggesting that the ASA is present in both major phylogenetic lineages of Eriophyoidea (Eriophyidae s. l. and Phytoptidae s. l.). Therefore, this structure could be a synapomorphy for all Eriophyoidea. We briefly discuss the function and morphological variety of the ASA in Eriophyoidea. D2 28S rDNA sequences of four nalepelline species were obtained: Boczekella reticulata Bagnyuk 1987 (GenBank accession number MK124605), Nalepella tsugifoliae Keifer 1953 (MK124606), Setoptus pini Boczek, 1964 (MK124607), and S. tsugivagus n. sp. (MK124608). Molecular phylogenetic analyses of D2 28S rDNA sequences of the mites of the subfamily Nalepellinae confirmed monophyly of the tribe Nalepellini and retrieved Setoptus and Nalepella as polyphyletic. Additionally, our data indicate that 28S rDNA sequence KF782472.1, previously reported to be Trisetacus ehmanni Keifer 1963 by Li et al. (2014), belongs to another species of the genus Trisetacus, possibly T. quadrisetus (Thomas), and the sequence KF782471.1, previously reported to be Trisetacus sp., might belong to T. juniperinus (Nalepa). We also discuss the systematics of nalepellines and their host association with conifers.

Honduriella mcmurtryi Demite n. sp. Diagnosis. Females with dorsal shield smooth except for lateral striae anteriad of S2; all dorsal setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5, lightly serrate; with s4 longer than Z4 and Z5. Sternal and genital shields lightly reticulate over most of their extent, smooth centrally; with a pair of prominent pores on a lightly sclerotised and curved plate between JV2 setae, apparently a remnant of the ventral shield; anal shield smooth, pyriform. Calyx cup-shaped. Macrosetae smooth and sharp-tipped, present on genua of all legs, tibiae of legs III and IV and tarsus of leg IV. Description. Female (n= 8). Dorsum (Fig. 5): dorsal shield smooth, except for lateral striae anteriad of S2, 415 419 (405–435) long, 262 263 (250–275) wide at level of s4; with 15 pairs of lyrifissures (poroids) and seven pairs of pores (solenostomes). Setal lengths: j1 38 38 (34–41), j 3 14 14 (12–16), j 4 11 11 (10–11), j5 9 9 (8–10), j 6 10 8 (7–10), J 2 11 10 (9–11), J5 9 8 (7–9), z 2 13 13 (12–15), z 4 21 20 (19–21), z5 8 9 (8–9), Z 1 9 10 (8–11), Z4 125 121 (112–128), Z5 93 93 (85–110), s4 150 159 (145–170), S 2 15 15 (13–16), S 4 15 15 (11–18), S 5 10 10 (9–11), r3 58 57 (54–60), R 1 22 23 (21–26). Venter (Fig. 6): sternal shield with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; distances between st1–st3 77 80 (77–82), st2–st2 92 89 (85–94); distance between st5–st5 77 70 (66–77). Genital shield rounded behind st 5. A pair of prominent pores present on a lightly sclerotised and curved plate between JV2 setae, apparently a remnant of the ventral shield. Anal shield smooth, 90 89 (85–90) long and 55 58 (55–63) wide. Seta JV5 70 65 (55–70). Opisthogastric integument with two pairs of metapodal plates. Chelicera (Fig. 7): fixed digit 45 44 (42–45), with 19 teeth in addition to apical tooth and pilus dentilis; movable digit 43 43 (42–44) long, with seven teeth in addition to apical tooth. Spermatheca (Fig. 8): cup-shaped calyx 11 10 (9–12) long. Legs (Fig. 9): macrosetal lengths: SgeI 57 56 (53–59), SgeII 49 50 (49–54), SgeIII 50 52 (50–56), StiIII 47 46 (44–50), SgeIV 70 75 (70–81), StiIV 61 64 (60–70), StIV 175 176 (163–188). Male (n= 2). Dorsum: dorsal shield smooth, except for lateral striae anteriad of S4; 325–375 long, 250 wide at level of s4; setae: j1 34–38, j3 15, j4 11, j5 8–9, j6 10, J 2 9–10, J5 7–8, z 2 10–11, z 4 21–25, z5 7–8, Z 1 8–10, Z4 94–95, Z5 75–82, s4 127, S 2 13 –15, S4 11, S 5 9 –10, r3 45–47, R 1 20–23. Venter (Fig. 10): ventrianal shield subtriangular, 152–157 long and 210–225 wide at anterior corners; pair of pre-anal pores mesad of JV2; JV5 34–35. Spermatodactyl (Fig. 11): L-shaped, shaft 20 long; foot 70–73 long. Legs: macrosetal lengths: SgeI 53–54, SgeII 47–49, SgeIII 48, StiIII 48–49, SgeIV 60–63, StiIV 64–65, StIV 165–172. Remarks. Females of the only other species so far known in this genus, H. maxima, differ from the new species here described by having S4 and R1 distinctly shorter in relation to other setae (e.g., ratio between Z4 and each of those setae respectively 15.7 and 9.8 in H. maxima and 8.3 and 5.4 in the new species); setae j1, j3, SgeII, SgeIII, StiIII, SgeIV, StiIV and StIV of H. maxima are distinctly longer (43, 16, 61, 84, 63, 128, 120 and 220, respectively) than in the new species, but that could be related to its larger size; the movable digit of H. maxima has only with three teeth in addition to the apical tooth. Tarsus IV of H. maxima with one elongate seta in addition to macroseta (only macroseta in H. mcmurtryi). Material examined: Holotype female, on Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don (Melastomataceae), Manaus (02°54’58”S; 59°59’49”W), Amazonas state, Brazil, 9 November 2013, collected by W.P. da Cruz; 3 paratype females, Rio Preto da Eva (02°26’04”S; 59°33’46”W), Amazonas state, Brazil, 18 February 2013, same host and collector as holotype; 1 paratype female on Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae), Rio Preto da Eva, 18 February 2013, same collector as holotype; 1 paratype male on C. nucifera, Rio Preto da Eva, 15 August 2012, same collector as holotype. Deposited at Acari Collection of Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia da Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ-USP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. One paratype female, 18 February 2013, same locality, host and collector as holotype. Deposited at the Invertebrates Collection of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Two paratype females and 1 paratype male, 18 December 2015, collected by E.S. de Figueiredo, other data same as holotype. Deposited at the mite reference collection of Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Etymology: This species is named in honour of the late James A. McMurtry, eminent acarologist, specialist on biological control of pests by phytoseiid mites, and leading phytoseiid taxonomist. Modified characterisation of Honduriella. Taking into account the new species here described and our examination of the holotype of H. maxima, this genus is considered to have the following characteristics. Adult female. Idiosomal setal pattern: 10A:9B/JV-3:ZV. Dorsal shield smooth, except for lateral striae anteriad of S2 –S4, over 400 µm long, with Z4 longer than Z5; s4 also long, seemingly longer than Z4; j1 much shorter, but longer than distance between its base and the base of the same seta on the opposite side; other dorsal shield setae shorter (less than half as long as distance to seta immediately behind); r3 about 3–4 times as long as R1, both on unsclerotised cuticle. Sternal and genital shields lightly reticulate over most of their extent, smooth centrally; sternal shield about as long as wide; st4 on metasternal plate; genital shield rounded behind insertion of st5; anal shield smooth, pyriform, bearing only circumanal setae; with seven pairs of opisthogastric setae (JV1, JV2, JV4, JV5, ZV1–ZV3) on integument surrounding anal shield; pre-anal pores distinct. All idiosomatic setae sharp tipped and smooth, except Z4 and Z5 are lightly serrate. Peritreme extending anteriorly beyond level j1. Fixed cheliceral digit with at least 17 teeth and setiform pilus dentilis; movable digit with 3–7 teeth, in addition to apical tooth. Genu II with nine and genu III with seven setae (respectively 2 2/1 2/1 1 and 1 2/1 2/0 1). Macrosetae smooth and sharp-tipped, present on genua of all legs, tibiae of legs III and IV and tarsus of leg IV. Spermatheca with calyx cup-shaped and atrium discrete. Adult male. Setae r3 and R1 on dorsal shield. Sternogenital and ventrianal shields reticulate. Ventrianal shield with five pairs of pre-anal setae (JV1, JV2, JV4, ZV2 and ZV3) and one pair of pores. Spermatodactyl L-shaped. Other characteristics similar to adult female.

Demite, Peterson R., Da Cruz, Wilton P., Bolton, Samuel, De Moraes, Gilberto J. (2018): Redescription of Honduriella maxima Denmark & Evans (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), description of a new species of Honduriella Denmark & Evans from the Amazonian Forest, and a modified characterisation of the genus. Zootaxa 4442 (2): 331-337, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4442.2.9

Honduriella maxima Denmark & Evans Honduriella maxima Denmark & Evans, in Denmark et al., 1999: 21. Honduriella maxima. ��� Chant & McMurtry, 2004: 215; 2007: 83; Moraes et al., 2004: 89. Redescription. Female (n=1). Dorsum (Fig. 1): dorsal shield smooth, except for lateral striae anteriad of S4, 460 long, 304 wide at level of s4; with 13 pairs of lyrifissures (poroids) and seven pairs of pores (solenostomes). Setal lengths: j1 43, j3 16, j4 9, j5 7, j6 7, J2 missing, J5 9, z2 14, z4 19, z5 7, Z1 8, Z4 157, Z5 118, s4 broken, S2 14, S4 10, S5 10, r 3 61, R1 16. Venter (Fig. 2): sternal shield with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures (poroids); distances between st1���st3 93, st2���st2 100; distance between st5���st5 86. Genital shield rounded behind st 5. A pair of prominent pores inserted in a platelet posteromesad of JV2, apparently a remnant of the ventral shield. Anal shield smooth, 94 long and 74 wide. Seta JV5 81. Opisthogastric integument with two pairs of metapodal plates. Chelicera: fixed digit 42, with 17/19 teeth in addition to apical tooth; movable digit 48 long, with three teeth in addition to apical tooth. Spermatheca (Fig. 3): cup-shaped calyx, 9 long. Legs (Fig. 4): macrosetal lengths: SgeI 63, SgeII 61, SgeIII 84, StiIII 63, SgeIV 128, StiIV 120, StIV 220. Remarks. The information provided here complements the original description of the species, which did not include measurements of some setae (JV 5, SgeI -III and StiIII), the number of lyrifissures (poroids) on the dorsal shield, and the number of teeth of the movable cheliceral digit. Differences between information provided in the original description and as observed in our examination of the holotype refer mainly to the quadrate shape of the sternal shield (much longer than wide in the original description), and the length of the macrosetae on the genu (128), tibia (120) and tarsus (220) of leg IV (in original description: 112, 102 and 206, respectively). Detailed illustrations of the reticulation of the sternal and genital shields, and of the spermatheca are also provided. Material examined: Holotype female, from an unidentified hairy-leaved plant from Olancho, Nance, Honduras. Deposited at Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville, Florida, USA., Published as part of Demite, Peterson R., Da Cruz, Wilton P., Bolton, Samuel & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2018, Redescription of Honduriella maxima Denmark & Evans (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), description of a new species of Honduriella Denmark & Evans from the Amazonian Forest, and a modified characterisation of the genus, pp. 331-337 in Zootaxa 4442 (2) on page 332, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4442.2.9, http://zenodo.org/record/1303195, {"references":["Denmark, H. A., Evans, G. A., Aguilar, H., Vargas, C. & Ochoa, R. (1999) Phytoseiidae of Central America (Acari: Mesostigmata). Indira Publishing House, West Bloomfield, 125 pp.","Chant, D. A. & McMurtry, J. A. (2004) A review of the subfamily Amblyseiinae Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae): Part III. The tribe Amblyseiini Wainstein, subtribe Amblyseiina n. subtribe. International Journal of Acarology, 30, 171 - 228. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 01647950408684388","Moraes, G. J. de, McMurtry, J. A., Denmark, H. A & Campos, C. B. (2004) A revised catalog of the mite family Phytoseiidae. Zootaxa, 434 (1), 1 - 494. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 434.1.1"]}

Osperalycus tenerphagus Bolton and Klompen gen. nov., sp. nov. Figures 1–8 Diagnosis Osperalycus is readily distinguished from other genera of Nematalycidae by the presence of simple setae of similar size along the opisthosoma (Figure 1A, B); the simple setae next to the anal opening of Gordialycus and Nematalycus are at least three times as long as those along the rest of the opisthosoma, although the opisthosoma of Gordialycus and Nematalycus is often almost completely nude. Cunliffea and Psammolycus have bifurcate or trifurcate setae along the opisthosoma. Osperalycus is also readily distinguished from Gordialycus and Nematalycus by the baculiform solenidion on tarsus II – this solenidion has a distinctly swollen or bulbous tip in Gordialycus and Nematalycus. The most distinct characters of Osperalycus are to be found in the mouthparts (Figure 2A, B). The vessel (Ve) – modified from the lateral lips – is a very unusual structure that appears to be unique to this genus (Figure 2A). Markedly short chelicerae (Ch) (Osperalycus tenerphagus and Psammolycus delamarei, but not Nearctic cf. Psammolycus or any other genus of Nematalycidae. Osperalycus is also distinct from all other genera in having rutella (Ru) that overlap at the midline (Figure 2A). Female General morphology. Idiosoma ≈ 600 µm long (≈12 times longer than wide) when fully extended (Figure 1A, B). Cuticle with flat round projections, or palettes, sensu Haupt and Coineau (1999), lining the latitudinal annuli (Figure 3A–D). Trachea and peritremes absent. Lyrifissures absent from idiosoma. Podocephalic canals terminating anteriorly between the bases of the chelicerae; extending back beyond coxae I. Distinct glands leading into podocephalic canals at coxae I. Long narrow oesophagus extends to proximity of metapodosoma. Prodorsum. Trichobothria absent; naso absent; eyes absent. Three pairs of setae (exa, in and le) and one unpaired rostral (ro) seta. All setae simple and close to the midline of the prodorsum (Figure 2A). Setae ro, le and in subequal and short (4–8); exa long (16–22). Opisthosoma. All setae simple. Setae associated with all nine opisthonotal segments: c1–4, d1–2, e1–2, f1–3, h1–2, ps1–3, ad1–3, an1–3, pa1–3. Frequent and noticeable asymmetry in the longitudinal positions of pairs of setae (Figure 1A, B). In segmental remnants F-PA, ancestrally dorsolateral setae are displaced to a ventrolateral or ventral position that is usually noticeably more anterior than the dorsomedial setae of the same segment. Segment C very long; position of c2 and c3 much more posterior than c1 and c4. Setae on segments C–E generally shorter (5–15) than those on segments F-PA (10–19). Setae c2 short (5–8); proximal setae c3 comparatively long (9–13). Longest opisthosomal setae h2 and ps3 (15–19). From segments H to PA, ventral setae (h2, ps3, ad3, an3, pa3) typically 1 to 4 µm longer than lateral and dorsal setae on the same segment; lateral and dorsal setae subequal. Distinct anal valves projecting from the anus (Figure 4A–C). Ventral furrow, in which annular ridges terminate (Figure 4D), extending from proximity of anal valves to genital region (Figure 4A). Three pairs of genital (g) setae and two pairs of aggenital (ag) setae (Figure 1C). Genital and aggenital setae short (3–7) compared with most other opisthosomal setae. Two pairs of bilobed genital papillae (Figure 1D). Podosoma. Large gap separating legs II and III (Figure 1B). Coxal fields I and II medially separated by intercoxal region (Figure 2B). Single pair of intercoxal setae (between coxal fields II). Coxal fields III and IV medially fused (Figure 1C). Each coxal field I with one bifurcate seta and one simple seta; each coxal field II with one bifurcate seta; coxal fields III with one bifurcate seta and two simple setae on each side of the fused coxal plate; coxal fields IV with one simple seta on each side of the fused coxal plate. Legs. Pretarsi I–IV each with two lateral claws and a ciliated empodium (Figure 5A–E). Solenidial formulae femora–tarsi for individual legs I–IV: 0-1-2-1; 0-0-0-1; 0-0-0-0; 0-0-0- 0. Longitudinal grooves of shortest solenidion phi (φ) (tibia I) restricted to bulbous tip (Figure 5F). Other solenidia baculiform with longitudinal grooves extending almost all the way to the base. Solenidia omega (ω) on tarsi I and II subequal and noticeably larger than solenidion phi (φ) and sigma (σ) on, respectively, tibia I and genu I (Figure 6). Setae absent from trochanters I–IV. Setal formulae femora–tarsi for individual legs I–IV (excluding solenidia and famuli): 4-6-7-16; 2-2-2-9; 1-0-2-6; 1-0-2-5. All setae on femora–tibiae I–IV simple. Tarsi I–IV with various setae (see below). Femur I sometimes lacking the dorsal seta normally added in post-protonymphal instars – some individuals with three setae on one femur I and four on the other. Tarsus I (Figure 5A). Seven pairs of setae (p, tc, ft, u, a, pv and pl) and two unpaired setae (s and d). Proral (p) setae conical and extending from turbercle. One tectal (tc ″ ) and one fastigial (ft ″ ) seta usually semi-bifurcate, with one branch short and barb-like – sometimes short and basal enough for the seta to qualify as simple (see aforementioned criteria in Material and methods section), or rarely long enough to be bifurcate. Other fastigial (ft') seta usually bifurcate, rarely semi-trifurcate or trifurcate. All other setae simple. Subunguinal (s) seta centred between pair of anterolateral (a) setae. Dorsal (d) seta proximal and posterior to base of solenidion ω. Small stubby famulus (ε) near tc ″ . Dorsolateral lyrifissure next to posterior margin of tarsus (obscured by overlying integument when viewed under LT-SEM). Tarsus II (Figure 5B, C). Four pairs of setae (p, tc, ft and u) and one unpaired seta (d). Setae p, tc and u bifurcate and projecting forward past base of ambulacrum; ft simple; d trifurcate. Long rod-like famulus near tc ″ . Base of solenidion ω next to posterior margin of tarsus. Tarsus III (Figure 5D). Two pairs of setae (p and u) and two unpaired setae (tc ″ and d). Setae p, u and tc ″ bifurcate and projecting forward past base of ambulacrum; d bifurcate. Tarsus IV (Figure 5E). Identical to tarsus III but with tc ″ absent. Gnathosoma. Gnathosoma including a vessel (Ve) – modified from the lateral lips – into which the chelae (opposing digits) slot (Figure 2A). Chelicerae (Ch) ≈ 12 µm long and slanting downwards, anteriorly, into the vessel. Single dorsal seta on each chelicera. Rutella (Ru) consisting of a swollen base with a narrow extending digit. The rutella lie against the anterior surface of the vessel and overlap at the midline, appearing as an inverted v – more discernible, under a light microscope, when the chelae are not within the vessel. Palps (Pa) ≈ 10 µm long and three-segmented, tentatively designated femur, genu and tarsus; solenidia absent; setal formula femur–tarsus for each palp: 0-1-6; distal tarsal seta with cupshaped tip; all other setae simple. Palp tarsus also with three very small cuticular protuberances (only visible under LT-SEM and omitted from Figure 2A, B). Subcapitulum with four pairs of setae: m, a, or1–2 (Figure 2B). Adoral setae (or1–2) typically unevenly tapering (or2 sometimes evenly tapering); anterior pair (or1) vestigial and broad. Ontogeny Idiosoma and appendages. From larva to adult, the idiosoma increases greatly in length compared with the appendages (Table 1; Figures 7, 8A, B). Notably, there is no apparent increase in the length of the palp. Chaetotaxy. Aside from the legs and coxal fields (see below), setal additions only occur in the genital region and segments AD to PA (Table 2). Adults readily distinguished from tritonymphs by the presence of setae ag2 (very posterior and close to f3) and long pa1–3 (Table 2). New segmental additions of setae to the posterior tip of the opisthosoma always short (3–7), increasing two- to four-fold in length at the next instar (Table 2). Several other opisthosomal setae noticeably increase in length from the larval to adult instar (Figures 1A, B, 7): seta f3 increases approximately four-fold (from 3–4) to be subequal to f2 and f1 (11–16); setae d2 and e2 increase by about 50% (from 7–10 to 10– 15). All other opisthosomal and prodorsal setae increase only slightly ( Leg setation complete (including coxal fields) by the deutonymphal instar (Table 3). Setation of tarsus I is completed by the addition of an unpaired dorsal (d) seta in the protonymph. Chaetotaxy unchanging for tarsi II–IV. Numbers of solenidia, famuli and lyrifissures also unchanging for all leg segments. Gnathosoma without additions of setae or any other structures. Material examined Holotype female (OSAL 015134), USA, Ohio, Franklin Co., Kinnear Road, 39.9990 N, 83.0468 W, silty clay loam from suburban prairie (including shrubs, grasses and small trees); collector: Samuel Bolton, May 2011, 40 cm deep (SB11- 05-I). Same data: 9 F (OSAL 0103239, 0105137, 0105138, 0105147, 0105148, 0105149, 0105153, 0105155, 0105156), 1 TN/F? (OSAL 0105135), 5 TN (OSAL 0105143, 0105146, 0105151, 0105152, 0105157), 1 DN (OSAL 0105145), 1 PN (OSAL 0105150), 3 L (OSAL 0103237, 0105141, 0105142), 1 pharate (TN–F, OSAL 0105154). Same locality and collector, July 2010, 60 cm deep (SB10-0724-I): 4 F (OSAL 0103240, 0105136, 0105139, 0105140), 1 DN, (OSAL 0105144), 2 PN (OSAL 0103241, 0103242), 1 L (OSAL 0103245), 2 pharates (L-PN, OSAL 0103243, 0103244). August 2011 (LT-SEM material), 60 cm deep: 9 F, 1 TN/F?, 6 TN, 1 DN/ TN?, 1 DN, 1 PN (used for SEM, not recovered). USA, Ohio, Ashtabula Co., West Main Road, 41.9246 N, 80.6138 W, sandy loam in small chestnut plantation, collector: Samuel Bolton, July 2011, 40 cm deep (SB11-07- IV): 1 F (OSAL 0105133), 1 TN (OSAL 0103238), 1 DN (OSAL 0105132). Note: Measurements taken from slide-mounted specimens rather than scanning electron microscopy, for which the integument is generally not fully extended. Notes (Key): Unbracketed: simple seta; bracketed: bifurcate; bracketed and underscored: semibifurcate; double bracketed: trifurcate; angle bracketed: conical; hyphen: absence of setae; n/a: leg absent; highlighted grey: seta added in this instar. Type material and depositor Holotype female (OSAL 0105134) at Ohio State University Acarology Collection (OSAL), Columbus, Ohio, USA. Paratypes: US National Collection (USNM), housed at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, USDA, Beltsville, MD, USA: 2 F (OSAL 0105137, 0105147); Natural History Museum (BMNH), London, UK: 2 F (OSAL 0105140, 0105148); all other paratypes at OSAL. Etymology Binomial. Osperalycus tenerphagus. Ospera - is a combination of the Latin terms for “mouth” (os) and “purse/bag” (pera) in reference to the soft and unsclerotized vessel of the gnathosoma; - lycus is a Latinized Greek ending given to three of the four other genera of Nematalycidae. The species name, tenerphagus, combines the Latin term for “tender” with the Greek-derived Latin suffix for “feeding”, referring to the delicate mechanism hypothesized to explain how this mite may carefully pick up small micro-organisms and place them into its feeding vessel without rupturing them (Bolton et al. in preparation). Systematic relationships Whereas rutella were thought to be absent from the Nematalycidae (Walter 2009), they are clearly present in Osperalycus tenerphagus. Rutella also appear to be present in Gordialycus sp. nov. and cf. Psammolycus sp. nov. (pers. obs.). The presence of rutella combined with the absence of a tracheal system more firmly places the Nematalycidae within the Endeostigmata. Other newly observed characters also suggest a closer relationship with the Endeostigmata than the Tydeoidea, e.g. presence of setae for all nine opisthosomal segments and more than two pairs of setae on the C and F segments. Key to the genera of the Nematalycidae 1. Opisthosomal setae near the anal opening at least three times as long as those along the rest of the opisthosoma, which is often almost completely nude; chelicerae long (> 15 µm)............................................................................ 2 Setae along the length of the opisthosoma of similar size; chelicerae can be short ( 20 µm)............................................................... 3 2. Legs III and IV noticeably smaller than leg II; body usually extremely elongated (adult length>20× width).......................................... Gordialycus Legs III and IV not noticeably smaller than leg II; body not extremely elongated (adult length Nematalycus 3. Palps with two segments; pretarsi II to IV without claws; tritonymphs and adults with three pairs of simple genital papillae; chelicerae long (> 20 µm) but with very short chelae (opposing digits); opisthosomal setae always trifurcate......................................................................................... Cunliffea Palps with three or four segments; lateral claws present on pretarsi II to IV; tritonymphs and adults with two pairs of bilobed genital papillae; if chelicerae long (> 20 µm), chelae distinctly elongated; opisthosomal setae trifurcate, bifurcate or simple............................................................................. 4 4. Palps with four segments; opisthosomal setae distinctly bifurcate or trifurcate; rutella absent or never overlapping at the midline when present; if chelicerae long (> 20 µm), chelae distinctly elongated............ Psammolycus Palps with three segments; opisthosomal setae long and simple (with very small basal barbs that are not visible under a light microscope); rutella overlap at the midline; chelicerae short (Osperalycus