Peter Mašán

Arthropods in the nests of lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina)

In 2001–2007, altogether 57 nests of lesser spotted eagle were collected in the Orava region in northwestern Slovakia and four groups of arthropods were extracted from them. Richest in number of species and individuals were mites (23 species, 17,500 ind.), followed by beetles (12 species, 725 ind.), whereas pseudoscorpions were represented only by Pselaphochernes scorpioides (39 ind.) and fleas by Ceratophyllus garei (3 ind.). Unlike nests of other birds, free-living mites predominated in the nests fauna (83% of individuals), followed by nidicolous species with more or less free relationship to the nests, while parasitic species represented only a negligible part of the fauna. For the first time we observed phoresy of Nenteria pandioni, a specific and abundant mite in the eagles’ nests, on the nidicolous staphylinid Haploglossa puncticollis. The beetle fauna in the nests was much poorer than in nests of other birds. The predatory H. puncticollis was dominant in the nests (83%) and occurred continuously during the whole investigation period. Other beetles, even the widely distributed nidicols such as the histerid Gnathoncus buyssoni, were found rarely in nests. Predators were also the only abundant trophic group of beetles in the nests, while other trophic groups of beetles abundantly co-occur in nests of majority of other birds. The occurrence of all beetles was very unevenly distributed during the investigation period, but was positively correlated with occurrence of mites. The relatively low number of species and individuals of mites and beetles in the lesser spotted eagle nests resulted from their position on tree tops, at a height of 20–30 m and their quick drying out by sun and wind. It was also indicated by an enormously low number of species and individuals of mycetophagous beetles, which represent a significant component of the fauna in nests of other birds.

Arthropods (Pseudoscorpionidea, Acarina, Coleoptera, Siphonaptera) in nests of the bearded tit (Panurus biarmicus)

In the period 1993–2006, during investigation of reproduction biology of the bearded tit, 106 deserted nests of the species were collected in Slovakia, Austria and Italy and their arthropod fauna was analyzed. Occasionally introduced individuals of the pseudoscorpion Lamprochernes nodosus, a frequent species in Central Europe, were recorded in the nests. Altogether 984 individuals and 33 species of mesostigmatic mites (Acari) were found in 46.2% of the nests examined. The ectoparasite Ornithonyssus sylviarum was most abundant and frequent; it represented almost 68.3% of all individuals. Due to it, the parasitic mites predominated (69.4% of individuals). Other ecological groups were less represented: edaphic detriticols − 11.6%, coprophils − 10.7%, species of vegetation stratum − 8.2%, and nidicols − 0.2%. Beetles (40 species, 246 individuals) were present in 57 nests. Most of the beetles were strongly hygrophilous species inhabiting soil surface in the reed stands or other types of wetlands and the shore vegetation. Predators represented 59% of all individuals. They might find food in the nests, but none of the species had a close relationship to bird nests and represented 35% of species. All beetle species penetrated the nests occasionally, when ascending on the vegetation or searching cover during periods of increased water level. Occasionally, larvae and nymphs of the Dermacentor marginatus tick were found. They were most probably introduced by insectivores of the genus Neomys. Only one species of fleas, Ceratophyllus garei — a parasite of birds nesting in humid environment, was recorded in the nests.

Arthropods (Acarina, Coleoptera, Siphonaptera) in nests of hoopoe (Upupa epops) in Central Europe

In 1993–1995 and 2009–2011, during investigation of reproduction biology of hoopoe, 63 nests of this species were collected after fledging of the chicks in Slovakia and Austria and their arthropod fauna was analyzed. Altogether 5,481 individuals and 34 species of mesostigmatic mites were found in 82.5% of the nests examined. The nidicolous mite Androlaelaps casalis was most abundant and frequent, representing 91.7% of all individuals. The richest in species were saprophilous mites (64.7% of all recorded species), while ectoparasites of the genera Dermanyssus and Ornithonyssus represented only 0.4% of all mites. Only 8 beetle species represented by 65 individuals were found in 18 nests. The dominant trophical group were carnivores (mainly nidicolous Gnathoncus buyssoni) with almost identical representation in (86.2%), followed by a similar representation of necrophags (10.8%). Unlike nests of other birds, the typical nidicolous species Haploglossa puncticollis and the fungivors were absent due to the dry character of studied countryside and placement of the nests in boxes situated in vineyard cottages. Only one species of fleas, Ceratophyllus gallinae — parasitizing first of all in the passeriform birds and being particularly abundant in the cavity nesting birds was recorded in hoopoe nests.

A new edaphic mite of the genus Pachyseius (Acari, Mesostigmata, Pachylaelapidae) from Făgăraș Mountains (Romania), with a key to world species

Abstract Pachyseius crymophilus sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in an alpine meadow habitat in the Făgăraş Mountains, the Carpathians, Romania. It is closely related to Pachyseius strandtmanni Solomon, 1982 by the form and sculpture of idiosoma, the setae Jv3 placed on soft integument off the ventrianal shield, the fragmentation and arrangement of shields and sclerites of the peritrematal-podal-sternal complex, the hypertrophy of some poroids, and the setation of lateral and opisthogastric soft integument. A new identification key to world species of the genus Pachyseius is provided.

A review of the genus Pseudolaelaps Berlese, 1916 (Acari: Mesostigmata, Pseudolaelapidae), with descriptions of eleven new species from Europe

Abstract The study presents a review of the genus Pseudolaelaps Berlese, 1916 (Acari: Mesostigmata, Pseudolaelapidae), based on over 200 specimens collected from Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine, including the type specimens of three species (P. doderoi, P. gamaselloides, and P. paulseni) deposited in the Berlese Acaroteca, Florence. The European fauna is shown to include 14 species, 11 of which are described as new: P. barbatus sp. nov. (Romania, Serbia), P. brevipilis sp. nov. (Bulgaria), P. jozefi sp. nov. (Greece), P. lepidus sp. nov. (Italy), P. mirandus sp. nov. (Bulgaria), P.pallidus sp. nov. (Italy), P. propinquus sp. nov. (Italy), P. regularis sp. nov. (Bulgaria), P. rotundus sp. nov. (Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine), P. scaber sp. nov. (France, Italy), and P. stellifer sp. nov. (Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia). One of the Berlese species, P. gamaselloides Berlese, 1920, is redescribed and newly reported from Croatia and Slovakia. A key for identification of Pseudolaelaps species is provided.

Two new species of Pachylaelaps Berlese, 1888 from the Iberian Peninsula, with a key to European species (Acari, Gamasida, Pachylaelapidae)

Abstract Pachylaelaps (Pachylaelaps) pyrenaicus sp. n. and Pachylaelaps (Longipachylaelaps) brevipilis sp. n. (Acari, Pachylaelapidae) are described and illustrated based on specimens from litter and soil detritus of forest habitats in Spain (Pyrenees Mts) and Portugal (Serra da Labruja Mts), respectively. An identification key to European species of the genus Pachylaelaps Berlese, 1888 is provided.

A new genus and species of soil mite (Acari: Pachylaelapidae: Pachylaelapinae) from the Canary Islands

We describe Chaetodellus gen. nov., with type species Chaetodellus comatus sp. nov. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Pachylaelapidae: Pachylaelapinae), from soil in Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands. Pachylaelaps meganalis Halliday, 2005, described from soil in South Africa, is transferred to Chaetodellus gen. nov., and its description is supplemented. A key to the world genera of the subfamily Pachylaelapinae is provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7E8D6B71-8D48-412F-B1FF-6AC36405CA22

Description of two cave-dwelling mites of the genus Veigaia (Acari: Mesostigmata: Veigaiidae) from Belgium: V. hubarti sp. n. and V. leruthi Willmann, 1935

Two Veigaia species (Acari, Mesostigmata, Veigaiidae) are described and illustrated: V. hubarti sp. nov., described here as a new species, and V. leruthi, which is known primarily from the old original descriptions of Willmann in 1935 and 1936. These species are members of the V. exigua group, for which the main diagnostic characters are added, and are both reported as cave dwellers from various subterranean habitats in Belgium. A new key to females of the European species of V. exigua group is provided.

The genus Pachyseius Berlese, 1910 in Iran (Acari: Pachylaelapidae).

A new pachylaelapid mite Pachyseius persicus Babaeian & Mašán sp. nov. is described and illustrated, based on adult females collected from litter and soil detritus of forest habitat in Northern Iran (Mazandaran Province). The new species can be easily distinguished from the other congeners by the following female character states: (1) presternal shields absent; (2) sternal shield coarsely punctate-reticulate over entire surface; (3) ventrianal shield with four pairs of pre-anal setae; (4) post-stigmatic section of peritrematal shields terminally rounded, reaching slightly beyond the coxae IV; (5) exopodal shields II-III free, exopodal shields III-IV fused to posterior section of peritrematal shields; (6) idiosoma with 11 pairs of setae in soft integument; (7) trochanter I with five setae, tarsus II with three spur-like setae, tarsus IV with 17 setae. Two species of Pachyseius previously reported from Iran, namely Pachyseius angustus Hyatt, 1956 and Pachyseius humeralis Berlese, 1910, are reviewed and discussed, respectively, and both records are considered to be based on misidentifications.

Two new species of Pachyseius Berlese (Acari: Gamasida, Pachylaelapidae) from Europe, with a redescription of Pachyseius angustiventris Willmann

ABSTRACT Pachyseius accedens sp. nov. and Pachyseius arrhenobasis sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on specimens from litter and soil detritus of montane forest habitats in Bulgaria (Rhodope Mts., Malesh Mts.) and Romania (Carpathian Mts.: Bârgău Mts., Călimani Mts.), respectively. In addition, Pachyseius angustiventris Willmann, 1935, a little known and inadequately described congeneric species, is newly redescribed and illustrated, based on females from the Western and Central Europe (Wales, Germany). Comparing the type material of the following species, Pachyseius morenoi Moraza, 1993 is not considered to be a valid species, and is included in synonymy with P. angustiventris.