J.O. Whitaker

Ontogeny, systematics and ecology of Sennertia (Amsennertia) americana Delfinado & Baker, 1976 (Acari: Chaetodactylidae) from the nest of the carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae)

Abstract All ontogenetic stages of Sennertia (Amsennertia) americana Delfinado and Baker, 1976, are described and illustrated. The genus Sennertia Oudemans, 1905, is redefined on the basis of four derived character states of the adults, one of the larva, and four ontogenetic characters. The family Chaetodactylidae is redefined based upon eleven derived morphological character states and five ontogenetic states. Ecological observations on S. americana suggest the species may be a cleptoparasite.

Description of Cameronieta torrei dusbabeki (Acari: Mesostigmata: Spinturnicidae), New Subspecies with Nymphs, Parasitizing Pteronotus quadridens fuliginosus (Chiroptera: Mormoopidae) from Puerto Rico

Abstract We describe a new subspecies, Cameronieta torrei dusbabeki, a parasite of Pteronotus quadridens fuliginosus (Gray 1843) from Puerto Rico.

Two new species of Geomylichus Fain, 1970 (Acari, Listrophoridae) from California, U.S.A.

Abstract Geomylichus califomicus sp. n. and G. multistriatus sp. n. are described from kangaroo rats, genus Dipodomys, from California. Two other species of Geomylichus [G. dipodomius (Radford) and G. texanus Fain et al.] are reported from new hosts and localities in the U.S.A.

New observations on the genus Geomylichus Fain, 1970 (Acari, Listrophoridae) with description of four new species and a new subgenus

Abstract Four new species of Geomylichus Fain, 1970 (Acari, Listrophoridae) are described from North American heteromyid rodents: Geomylichus (G.) microdipodops sp.n. from Microdipodops megacephala, G. (G.) formosus sp.n. from Perognathus formosus, G. (G.) utahensis sp.n. from Dipodomys microps and G. (Whitakerobius) deserti sp.n. from Dipodomys deserti. The female of G. (G.) dipodomius (Radford) is redepicted and figures of G. (Ageomylichus) mexicanus Fain and G. (Neogeomylichus subg.n.) postscutatus Fain are given for the first time. A key to the known species of the genus is provided.

Food of the Armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus L. from Cumberland Island, GA

Abstract We provide a review of Dasypus novemcinctus (Nine-banded Armadillo) food studies and report on the diet on Cumberland Island, GA. Major invertebrate foods eaten by Armadillos on Cumberland Island were ants (19.3%); beetles, adults and larvae (27.4 %); centipedes (6.5%); lepidopterans, mostly larvae (caterpillars, 13.2%); millipedes (5.7%); spiders (2.1%); and sowbugs (2.2%). Vertebrates eaten (1.9% volume) were mostly frogs and lizards. Plant material comprised about 12% of the volume, including much fruit such as Melia azedarach (China Berry), Vitis (grapes), Ampelopsis arborea (Pepper Vine), and Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto). The subterranean fungi, Endogonaceae, were eaten by 23.9% of the Armadillos, comprising 1.6% of the volume of their diet. The millipede Narceus sp. appears to have been greatly reduced, based on the significant reduction of this species as a component of the gut content over three decades. This reduction could be due to Armadillo predation. Ants, scarabaeid adults and larvae, and spiders also showed significant decreases during the period of study, which could be a result of Armadillo predation. A number of items—elaterid larvae, crickets, caterpillars, centipedes, sowbugs, and Endogonaceae—showed significant increases as components of Armadillo stomachs, but it is not known whether these changes might be related to Armadillo predation. The increases could have been due to other causes such as habitat or climatic changes.

Two new fur-mites of the genus Geomylichus Fain, 1970 (Acari, Listrophoridae) from kangaroo rats, Dipodomys spp. ,from the U.S.A.

Abstract Two new species of Geomylichus Fain, 1970 (Acari, Listrophoridae) are described from kangaroo rats from the U.S.A., Geomylichus intercalatus sp.n. from Dipodomys compactus from Texas and G. quasinudus sp.n. from Dipodomys ingens from California. New hosts and localities are recorded for G. dipodomius (Radford), G. microdipodops Fain et al. and G. texanus Fain et al. A key is given to the subgenus Geomylichus (Geomylichus).