Impact of a tarsonemid prey mite and its fungal diet on the reproductive performance of a predatory mite.

Phytoseiid predatory mites are the most important group of biocontrol agents currently used in protected cultivations worldwide. The possibility to produce these predators at high densities on factitious prey mites is a crucial factor for their success. Commonly used factitious prey mites comprise mainly species belonging to the cohort of Astigmatina. In the present study, we investigated the potential of tarsonemid prey mites as a food source for the spider mite predator Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The oviposition of N. californicus on mixed stages of Tarsonemus fusarii Cooreman (Acari: Tarsonemidae) was similar to that on its natural prey, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). As most tarsonemids are specialized fungus-feeders, we tested the effect of different fungal species on the growth of T. fusarii. Subsequently, we analysed the impact on the fungal growing medium on the oviposition of N. californicus. The fungal growing medium of T. fusarii had a significant negative effect on the reproductive output of the predatory mite. When T. fusarii was separated from the rearing medium, these detrimental effects were not observed. The present study shows the potential of using tarsonemid prey mites in the production of phytoseiid predatory mites.

The genus Zambedania Mahunka 1972 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Pygmephoridae)-redescription of the type species Z. africana and descriptions of two new species from Africa and South America.

The type species of the genus Zambedania Mahunka, 1972 (Z. africana Mahunka, 1972) is redescribed based on the holotype collected from soil in Zimbabwe. Two new species are described and illustrated herewith: Z. madagascariana from Madagascar and Z. argentiniana from Argentina. The generic diagnosis of Zambedania is amended, and the key to its species is supplied. Morphology, taxonomy and biology of included species are briefly discussed. The first record of the genus being phoretic on a South American nemesiid spider is presented.

New Definition of Neoprotereunetes Fain et Camerik, Its Distribution and Description of the New Genus in Eupodidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Eupodoidea).

The genus Neoprotereunetes Fain et Camerik, 1994 is revised and its definition is extended in order to incorporate some species of the invalid genus Protereunetes Berlese, 1923. The former type species Neoprotereunetes-Ereunetes lapidarius Oudemans, 1906 is redescribed and transferred to Filieupodes Jesionowska, 2010 (Cocceupodidae); Proterunetes boerneri is redescribed and designated the new type species. Two species groups are proposed to embrace Arctic and Antarctic species, respectively. Protereunetes paulinae Gless, 1972 is redescribed, whereas Protereunetes maudae Strandtmann, 1967 is redescribed and designated the type species of the new genus Antarcteupodes gen. nov. A key to the species of Neopretereunetes is provided.

Correction: Laniecki, R.; Magowski, W.L. New Definition of Neoprotereunetes Fain et Camerik, Its Distribution and Description of the New Genus in Eupodidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Eupodoidea). Animals 2023, 13, 2213.

Authors' address correction: [...].

Ptyctimous Mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Peru with the Description of an Extraordinary New Phthiracaroid Mite from the Peruvian Andes.

Protophthiracarus afthonos sp. nov. is described and illustrated using line drawings, transmitted light and SEM imaging. It is characterized by an extraordinary richness of notogastral setae (ca. 166 pairs) that has been previously unseen among phthiracaroid mites. The species originates from the material collected from the litter of primary forest in the Peruvian Andes. The genus Protophthiracarus is well represented in the Neotropical Region. Many species of ptyctimous mites have been found in Peru, representing both widespread and endemic biogeographic elements. Among a total of 37 species, 20 from Peru have been described for the first time. Currently, the ptyctimous fauna consists of 12 endemite, 11 neotropical, 4 semicosmopolitan and 9 pantropical biogeographic elements.

Review of Tarsonemus heterosetiger Mahunka, 1974 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Tarsonemidae)-an unusual species from Central Africa warranting supraspecific recognition.

Tarsonemus heterosetiger Mahunka, 1974 is redescribed and illustrated. The type and non-type material are annotated; its morphology is discussed. The collection data of the type series is also corrected. In order to accommodate its systematic distinctiveness, a new supraspecific taxon is proposed.

Biotope and biocenosis of cryoconite hole ecosystems on Ecology Glacier in the maritime Antarctic.

Despite recent great interest in glacier ecosystems in the continental Antarctic, little is known about their maritime counterparts. Our study presents descriptive data on cryoconite sediments and cryoconite holes on Ecology Glacier (King George Island) to accomplish three main objectives: (a) to identify main eukaryotic (algae, invertebrates) and prokaryotic (cyanobacteria) components of microbial communities; (b) to provide a "baseline" of community composition, organic matter and artificial contamination; and (c) to identify key abiotic factors that might be important in community assembly. Cryoconite holes were sampled along an altitudinal gradient of Ecology Glacier in January, mid Austral Summer 2017. Cryoconite holes located in lower altitude were deeper than those located in the middle and the highest altitude. Seventeen species of algae and cyanobacteria with biomass of 0.79 to 5.37 µg/cm3 have been found in sediments. Dominant species were cyanobacterial Pseudanabaena frigida and Bacillariophyceae Microcostaus sp. Biomass of Bacillariophyceae was significantly higher than that of Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria. We found three species of rotifers (potentially two new to science) and for the first time a glacier dwelling Acari (suspension feeder, Nanorchestes nivalis). Organic matter content ranged from 5.4% to 7.6%. Investigated artificial radionuclides included 137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am. 210Pb seems to be related to organic matter content. Overall, cryoconite holes on Ecology Glacier present unique habitats that serve as biodiversity hotspots of psychrophiles, source of organic matter, matrices for radioactivity tracking and model for observing changes in supraglacial ecosystems in the maritime Antarctic.

The genus Tarsonemus Canestrini and Fanzago, 1876 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Tarsonemidae) in East Azerbaijan, Iran, with a description of T. lenticulatus sp. nov. and re-description of T. annotatus Livshits, Mitrofanov and Sharonov, 1979.

The tarsonemid mites from soil and plants were explored in a faunistic study of East Azerbaijan province, Northwestern Iran. Our investigation revealed 22 species of the genus Tarsonemus Canestrini and Fanzago, 1876, and its nominative subgenus, including Tarsonemus lenticulatus sp. nov., which is described and illustrated herewith. New records for the fauna of Asia are: Tarsonemus bognari Nemestothy and Mahunka, 1981, T. oncodes Kaliszewski, 1993, T. ravus Kaliszewski, 1993, T. saccatus Livshitz, Mitrofanov and Sharonov, 1979, T. scharschmidti Mahunka, 1970, T. varsoviensis Kaliszewski, 1993 and T. violae Schaarschmidt, 1960. New records for the mite fauna of Western Asia are: Tarsonemus bifurcatus Schaarschmidt, 1959, T. floricolus Canestrini and Fanzago, 1876, T. lacustris Schaarschmidt, 1959, and T. virgineus Suski, 1969; and T. stammeri Schaarschmidt, 1959 is newly recorded from Iran. Re-description and illustrations of Tarsonemus annotatus Livshits, Mitrofanov and Sharonov, 1979 are provided. The incidence of all species found across the examined area and substrates is briefly discussed. A key to females of the genus Tarsonemus in East Azerbaijan is provided.

A New Species of Zambedania (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Pygmephoridae) from the Two Rivers Platinum Mine in South Africa and Notes on the Life-cycle of the Genus.

Anne M. Camerik, Wojciech L. Magowski, Peter G. Hawkes, Edward A. Ueckermann, Ronald Ochoa, and Gary R. Bauchan (2016) A new species of relatively poorly known genus Zambedania Mahunka, 1972 was found on the baboon spider, Harpactirella overdijki Gallon, 2010 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in South Africa. Besides the abundantly available phoretic females, several males and one larva of this species in the spiders' nests were also collected. Zambedania sekhukhunensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on the phoretic females, males and larva. Improved diagnosis of the genus and a new key to species are also supplied. The descriptions and illustrations of the male and larva of this species represent the first ones of these stages in the genus Zambedania. Due to their discovery the generic diagnosis has been significantly improved.

A new species and new records of the genus Neotarsonemoides Kaliszewski, 1984 (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from East Azerbaijan province, Northwestern Iran.

Mites of the genus Neotarsonemoides Kaliszewski, 1984 (Acariformes: Tarsonemoidea: Tarsonemidae) were collected in the East Azerbaijan province, Northwestern Iran. Neotarsonemoides (N.) marandicus sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Other species collected include: Neotarsonemoides (N.) evae Magowski, 2002 , N. (N.) multiplex (Kaliszewski, 1983) and N. (N.) occultus (Kaliszewski, 1983) which represent the first records of these species outside of their type locality. Neotarsonemoides (N.) polonicus (Willmann, 1949) and N. (Ototarsonemus) alatus (Livshits, Mitrofanov and Sharonov,1979) are new records for the fauna of Asia, as well as the first record of the subgenus Ototarsonemus in Western Asia. A re-description and illustrations of N. (O.) alatus are provided. An identification key to females of the genus Neotarsonemoides in Iran is provided.

New species in the Old World: Europe as a frontier in biodiversity exploration, a test bed for 21st century taxonomy.

The number of described species on the planet is about 1.9 million, with ca. 17,000 new species described annually, mostly from the tropics. However, taxonomy is usually described as a science in crisis, lacking manpower and funding, a politically acknowledged problem known as the Taxonomic Impediment. Using data from the Fauna Europaea database and the Zoological Record, we show that contrary to general belief, developed and heavily-studied parts of the world are important reservoirs of unknown species. In Europe, new species of multicellular terrestrial and freshwater animals are being discovered and named at an unprecedented rate: since the 1950s, more than 770 new species are on average described each year from Europe, which add to the 125,000 terrestrial and freshwater multicellular species already known in this region. There is no sign of having reached a plateau that would allow for the assessment of the magnitude of European biodiversity. More remarkably, over 60% of these new species are described by non-professional taxonomists. Amateurs are recognized as an essential part of the workforce in ecology and astronomy, but the magnitude of non-professional taxonomist contributions to alpha-taxonomy has not been fully realized until now. Our results stress the importance of developing a system that better supports and guides this formidable workforce, as we seek to overcome the Taxonomic Impediment and speed up the process of describing the planetary biodiversity before it is too late.

Morphological variation in different host populations of Abacarus hystrix (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea).

The present systematic classification of Eriophyoidea is widely recognised as artificial and not reflecting plant-herbivore linkage. Quantitative description of host-related morphological variation can provide the basic information needed to improve the eriophyoid taxonomic system and enhance our understanding of mechanisms generating this variation. The purpose of this study was to investigate quantitative morphological traits of populations of cereal rust mite Abacarus hystrix (Nalepa 1896) living on different hosts. Three populations of A. hystrix collected from different grasses (Lolium perenne, Bromus inermis and Elytrigia repens) were examined morphologically. MANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in vectors of means among the three populations. Discriminant analysis yielded 11 traits that significantly differentiate the three populations. Analysis of canonical loadings showed that traits, which best discriminate the populations living on different hosts, are: body elongation, length of setae and overall body size. Host-dependent morphological variation is interpreted in terms of adaptation to specific environmental conditions created by the host. Hypotheses on the sources of this variation are discussed.

Intraspecific variation in induction of feeding preference and performance in a herbivorous mite.

Induction of food preference has often been observed in herbivorous insects. The term is used to indicate preference of individuals for the host plant they have already experienced over one they have not experienced. A typical set-up is one where individuals first feed on host X or Y, and are then offered a choice between host X and Y. This set-up--and hence the body of empirical data--has been criticised for lack of a control treatment to untangle the effects of the separate hosts. In this study, we use a design with a third, unrelated host as control to investigate induction of preference in the herbivorous arthropod, Tetranychus urticae. We provide evidence of induced preference, as well as induced performance, and show that there is considerable variation in these two traits among strains. We suggest induced resistance to toxic secondary plant chemicals as one potential explanation for induced performance. This in itself suggests associative learning as the most likely candidate learning mechanism for induction of preference in this species. Phenotypically plastic effects underlying induced performance may be a general aspect of induction of preference in herbivorous arthropods, which warrants closer attention to these phenomena.