New and cryptic species of intertidal mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Western Caribbean - an integrative approach.

ABSTRACT

The present study highlights the distribution, systematics, morphology, genetics, and ecology of two newly discovered intertidal oribatid mites from the Western Caribbean. The fortuyniid Litoribates floridae sp. nov. represents a cryptic species as it looks nearly identical to L. bonairensis. The two species can be distinguished only by subtle morphological and morphometric characteristics, whereas cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene sequences clearly separate the two taxa. The absence of morphological divergence in these disjunct species may have resulted from stabilizing selection due to the extreme intertidal environment. Litoribates floridae sp. nov. is presently known from the Florida Keys, primarily in mangrove leaf litter. The selenoribatid Thalassozetes balboa sp. nov. can be distinguished from all known congeners by a unique cuticular notogastral pattern, the presence of only two pairs of adanal setae, and two ventral teeth on each leg claw. It is morphologically most similar to T. barbara from the Eastern Caribbean. Thalassozetes balboa sp. nov. was found in Panama and Florida. This species usually occurs on rocky substrate and feeds on the intertidal alga Bostrychia. Litoribates floridaehttp//www.zoobank.org/urnlsidzoobank.orgactA4B830FC-A03F-405D-9DE4-DE4C39DB6211 Thalassozetes balboahttp//www.zoobank.org/urnlsidzoobank.orgactEBF8C435-5C07-4B0E-8279-2101DC9E2CD4.