Andreas Wohltmann

An annotated checklist of terrestrial Parasitengona (Actinotrichida: Prostigmata) of the World, excluding Trombiculidae and Walchiidae

Abstract We provide a check-klist of nominal taxa of terrestrial Parasitengona mites (excl. Trombiculidae and Walchiidae) distributed worldwide and assigned to three super-families, i.e. Calyptostomatoidea, Erythraeoidea and Trombidioidea. The list contains 1784 species, of which 786 are known exclusively from larvae, 860 — from active postlarval forms and 138 — from both. The data on the type localities and the hitherto known distribution of the species are included in the survey.

Acari: Terrestrial Parasitengona inhabiting transient biotopes

The Parasitengona (Acari: Prostigmata) constitute one of the most diverse taxa among the Acari with respect to species richness as well as with respect to inhabited biotopes and realised life styles. Many of the Parasitengona species are conspicuous due to their relatively large size and their often bright red colouration. Hitherto, about 9,000 species of Parasitengona have been described, with the water mites (Hydrachnidia, chapter 7) making up the main portion.

Corrections and Additions to the Checklist of Terrestrial Parasitengona (Actinotrichida: Prostigmata) of the World, Excluding Trombiculidae and Walchiidae

Abstract. Corrections and additions are provided to the checklist of nominal taxa of terrestrial Parasitengona mites published by Mąkol and Wohltmann (2012).

The mites (Chelicerata: Acari) of the CRENODAT project: faunistic records and ecological data from springs in the autonomous province of Trento (Italian Alps).

ABSTRACT The taxonomy, distribution and biology of 3391 mite specimens collected from 104 springs in the Trentino Region (Northern Italy) are presented here. A total of 178 taxa are recorded (undetermined Mesostigmata, 14 hygric Trombidia and a further 5 Prostigmata, 2 Halacaridae, 55 Hydrachnidia, and 101 Oribatida). The material includes one subgenus and species new to science and 19 species new to the Italian fauna. One of these, Lebertia macilenta (Lebertiidae), was formerly only known from the type locality in the Czech Republic.

Notes on the Taxonomy and Biology of Smarididae (Acari: Prostigmata: Parasitengona)

Abstract. Rearing of larvae from eggs deposited by adults in laboratory proved Pilosoma pluto Southcott, 1961 (based on larva) and Fessonia papillosa (Hermann, 1804) (based on adult) to be conspecific. Clipeosoma, Southcott, 1961 (larva) and Hirstiosoma (Berlese, 1887) (adult) are congeneric. The validity of Hirstiosoma latreillei (Grandjean, 1947) is confirmed, the larva of Hirstiosoma, ampulligera Berlese, 1887 is described for the first time. Data on egg development and nutrition of postlarval instars are provided. Causal reasoning for the exclusion of Phanolophinae from Smarididae is provided.

Smaridid Mites in Baltic and Bitterfeld Amber, with Notes on the Fossil Record of Terrestrial Parasitengona (Trombidiformes: Prostigmata)

Abstract. Three species of fossil smaridid mites (Parasitengona, Smarididae) are described based on postlarval forms. Fessonia wunderlichi sp. nov., Fessonia grabenhorsti sp. nov. and Fessonia groehni sp. nov. were discovered in Eocene (ca. 44–50 Ma) Baltic amber and the former two also in the probably younger Oligocene (ca. 23–25 Ma) Bitterfeld amber. Although Smarididae has been reported from Baltic (and other) Cenozoic amber localities, these are the first species from this group to be formally described. Fessonia wunderlichi sp. nov. and Fessonia grabenhorsti sp. nov. are also the first named mites from Bitterfeld amber, and at the same time the first examples of mite species common to both the Baltic and Bitterfeld deposits. Fessonia groehni sp. nov. is known from a single specimen originating from the Baltic deposit. Although the thickened hindlimbs seen in Fessonia wunderlichi sp. nov. resemble the modern smaridid genus Kraussiana Southcott, 1961, the structure of the crista metopica implies another extant genus — Fessonia von Heyden, 1826 — which we redefine here to accommodate the morphology of the amber species. An outline of previous findings of terrestrial Parasitengona in amber is also provided.

A Redescription of Allothrombium meridionale Berlese, 1910 (Acari: Trombidiformes: Trombidioidea) with Notes on Biology and Developmental Malformations

Abstract. Allothrombium meridionale Berlese, 1910 is redescribed based on type material originating from Italy and specimens collected in Mosel Valley, Germany. Characteristics of larvae, deutonymphs and adults are provided. Data on habitat specificity and phenology of the species as well as on developmental time of larvae are given. Morphological abnormalities have been observed under laboratory conditions in larvae which hatched from eggs not exposed to lower temperatures, contrary to larvae that hatched from eggs after chilling. Larvae of Allothrombium triticium Zhang, 1995 sensu Goldarazena and Zhang (1997), reported from Spain, are considered to represent A. meridionale. An identification key to species of Allothrombium, including central European members of the genus known from adults and world species known from larvae is provided. Phanolophus oedipodarum (Frauenfeld, 1868), is new to the fauna of Germany.

A redescription of Eutrombidium locustarum (Walsh) (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) and a new North American Podapolipoides (Acari: Podapolipidae), parasites of Schistocerca piceifrons (Walker) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Yucatan, Mexico

ABSTRACT Three families and genera of parasitic mites are reported from one specimen of Schistocerca piceifrons collected in Yucatan, Mexico: Eutrombidium (Microtrombidiidae: Eutrombidiinae), Podapolipoides (Podapolipidae), and Proctotydeus (Iolinidae). A redescription of Eutrombidium locustarum (Walsh) from S. piceifrons including all active instars correlated through laboratory rearing is offered to clear misconceptions in the systematics of North American Eutrombidium. Podapolipoides yucatanensis n. sp. is described, illustrated, and compared with related species of Podapolipoides. Revised keys to American Podapolipoides and Eutrombidium are presented.

Towards resolving the double classification in Erythraeus (Actinotrichida: Erythraeidae): matching larvae with adults using 28S sequence data and experimental rearing

The taxonomy of free-living adults and heteromorphic parasitic larvae of Parasitengona mites has in the past been treated independently resulting in a double classification. Correct linkage of names still remains unknown for many species. A holistic understanding of species is imperative for understanding their role in ecosystems. This is particularly true for groups like parasitengone mites with a radically altered lifestyle during development—parasitic to predatory. Here, we infer linkages of three nominal species of Erythraeus, using matching with 28S DNA sequence data from field-collected specimens and through laboratory rearing. The general mixed Yule coalescent method (GMYC) was used to explicitly test if field-collected specimens representing heteromorphic life instars were conspecific. The field-collected larvae were allocated to adults of Erythraeus cinereus and Erythraeus regalis, respectively. Laboratory rearing of the same two species confirmed the matching done by DNA. Rearing was also successful for Erythraeus phalangoides after eggs were treated to an imitated winter diapause. This integrative taxonomic approach of molecular, morphological, and rearing data resulted in the following synonyms: E. phalangoides (De Geer, 1778) [= Erythraeus adrastus (Southcott, 1961), syn. nov.], E. cinereus (Dugès, 1834) [= Erythraeus jowitae Haitlinger, 1987, syn. nov.], and E. regalis (C.L. Koch, 1837) [= Erythraeus kuyperi (Oudemans, 1910), syn. nov., = Erythraeus gertrudae Haitlinger, 1987, syn. nov.]. The molecular evidence confirmed the separate identity of three further members of the genus. We provide redescriptions of E. phalangoides, E. cinereus, and E. regalis after modern standards, and neotypes are designated.

Morphology and life cycle of Abrolophus norvegicus (Thor, 1900) with notes on Abrolophus spp. (Actinotrichida: Prostigmata: Erythraeidae)

Abstract. Abrolophus norvegicus (Thor, 1900) is redescribed. An extended diagnosis of Abrolophus Berlese, 1891 (= Hauptmannia Oudemans, 1910) is provided for all active life instars. Description of larva of A. norvegicus is based on specimens obtained by experimental rearing from field-collected females. Variability of morphological characters is evaluated for offspring of a single female, within a particular population and between different populations originating from Europe. The specific status of A. norvegicus is discussed. A female of A. norvegicus, collected in northern Germany is selected as neotype. Hauptmannia silesiacus Haitlinger, 1986, syn. now., Abrolophus neobrevicollis Zhang et Goldarazena, 1996, syn. nov., Hauptmannia striata Saboori, Šundic et Pešic, 2011, syn. nov., Hauptmannia dagmarae Haitlinger, 2012, syn. nov. are considered synonyms of Ritteria norvegica Thor, 1900. Data on habitat specificity and phenology of A. norvegicus as well as on its development are given.