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.

Systematic, synonymic and biogeographical list of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) in the world (1799-2022).

The primitive ptyctimous mites are one of the most important groups of oribatid mites (Acari), with almost cosmopolitan distribution, except for the Arctic and the Antarctic regions. These mites occur especially in places where there is decaying organic matter. In this study, a detailed catalogue of all known ptyctimous mite species in the world is presented. The catalogue provides information about the zoogeographical distribution of each species, discusses important nomenclatural issues and addresses some remarks. Besides this, it also contains useful data on known juvenile instars of 47 species. The catalogue also presents a classification of the higher taxa of eight families, four subfamilies, 42 genera, 15 subgenera, the taxonomic characteristics and the information about the zoogeographical distribution of 1458 valid known species from all over the world. Among them, 231 species and one genus are enumerated as synonyms, nine homonyms, one rejected name, one genus inquirenda, 41 species inquirendae, four subspecies inquirendae, one genus incertae sedis, 39 species incertae sedis, 12 species nomina nuda, two species mistakenly identified, one species without the author's name, and one non-ptyctimous mite species are included in the catalogue. Furthermore, the DNA sequence data of 53 ptyctimous species (belonging to eight families, 15 genera) can be found in the GenBank. Finally, the attached appendix contains important corrections referring to the published monographs published by the first author, and a list of new species described after the publication of these monographs. SEM photos of some typical ptyctimous mites showing their diversity are attached.

Songbird nests on the ground as islands of diversity of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida) in the primeval Bialowieza Forest (Poland).

Due to specific microclimatic conditions and accumulation of organic matter, bird nests are microhabitats that are often inhabited by various invertebrates, including mites (Acari). We tested whether nests of the ground-nesting passerine Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein) (Passeriformes: Phylloscopidae) [wood warbler] were associated with an increased local diversity of ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida) on the forest floor in the Bialowieza National Park, East Poland. In 2019-2020, we analysed 150 warbler nests shortly after they had been vacated by the birds, and additionally we sampled mites in leaf litter at 1 and 6 m distances from 21 of the collected nests. We found on average more mite species in nests sampled in 2020 than in nests sampled in 2019. Although the species composition largely overlapped between bird nests and the litter, bird nests contained a greater average number of mite species than litter samples, including species found only - Microtritia minima (Berlese) and Phthiracarus crenophilus Willmann - or mostly - Euphthiracarus cribrarius (Berlese) and Phthiracarus globosus (C.L. Koch) - in bird nests. The results suggest that the presence of bird nests may increase the local diversity of the invertebrate species assemblage.

Mites inhabiting nests of wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Aves: Passeriformes), in the Wielkopolska National Park in western Poland.

The wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Aves: Passeriformes), is a well-known model organism for studying bird migration, breeding habitat selection and nest predation. The nest acarofauna of this bird species has not been extensively studied so far. To provide a comprehensive report on mite species inhabiting wood warbler nests and to assess infestation parameters (prevalence, intensity, and abundance) for mite species and orders, we collected 45 nests of this bird species in the Wielkopolska National Park in western Poland. Analyses revealed a huge diversity (198 species) of mites inhabiting wood warbler nests. We found individuals belonging to the Mesostigmata, Trombidiformes and Sarcoptiformes. The Trombidiformes, represented in our study only by the Prostigmata, achieved statistically significantly lower intensity and abundance, compared to representatives of other orders. However, the number of recorded prostigmatid species was high (65). The most common were: Stigmaeus sphagneti (22 nests), Stigmaeus longipilis (16), Eupodes voxencollinus (15), Cunaxa setirostris (14), Stigmaeus pilatus (11), and Linopodes sp. 2 (10). The prevalence of Mesostigmata and Sarcoptiformes was equal, reaching 91.1%. Most of Gamasina (Mesostigmata) species found in this study were more characteristic of the soil environment and forest litter than bird nests, but there was also a typical bird parasite, viz. Ornithonyssus sylviarum. None of the observed species of Uropodina (Mesostigmata) or Oribatida (Sarcoptiformes) was typical for bird nests. Among the Uropodina, the highest parameters of nest infestation were achieved by Oodinychus ovalis, whereas among the Oribatida, they were achieved by Metabelba pulverosa. We discuss the importance of wood warbler nests for mite dispersal, survival and reproduction.

New Notophthiracarus species (Acarina, Oribatida, Phthiracaridae) and overview of the distribution of the genus in South Africa.

Notophthiracarus (Oribatida, Phthiracaridae) is a large genus of ptyctimous oribatid mites with species in Australasian, Ethiopian, Neotropical, Oriental and Subantarctic regions, mostly in tropical and subtropical areas. Herein, we describe two new species from the Western Cape of South Africa: Notophthiracarus sidorchukae Niedbala sp. nov. and Notophthiracarus spathulatus Niedbala sp. nov. Each is represented by adult specimens collected from soil in a coastal forest in the Kaaimansgat estuary, the only documented locality. These two bring the known South African fauna of Notophthiracarus to 31 species, all of which are either indigenous or endemic. A review of distributional data shows that within South Africa most species have been recorded from southern, eastern and northeastern parts, and are most prevalent near the coast, where woody vegetation dominates.

New and interesting species of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Nepal.

The present study is based on ptyctimous oribatid mite material (Acari, Oribatida) collected in Nepal in 1980 and 1995. A list of identified taxa, including 18 species from 12 genera and five families, is provided; of these, Apoplophora pantotrema, Euphthiracarus carinatus, Phthiracarus boresetosus and Ph. setosus are recorded for the first time in the Nepalese fauna. Two new species of the genus Plonaphacarus (Steganacaridae) are described: P. diutissimus Niedbala sp. nov. differs from P. machadoi (Balogh, 1958), P. tanzicus (Mahunka, 1993), P. ngongi Niedbala, 2001 and P. styphelos Niedbala, 2001by the length of lamellar and notogastral setae, number of notogastral lyrifissures, and the morphology of setae d on leg femora I; P. pugionis Niedbala sp. nov. differs from P. kaluzi Niedbala, 2013 by the morphology of sensilli, arrangement of notogastral setae c1-3, length of subcapitular setae h, morphology of adanal setae ad2, and the localization of setae d on leg femora, and from H. similis Niedbala, 2000 by the shape of sensilli, rostral and notogastral setae and arrangement of notogastral setae c1-3. The supplementary description of Euphthiracarus carinatus Liu, Wu Chen, 2011 (Euphthiracaridae) is given.

Catalogue of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of the world.

As important representatives of Oribatida (Acari), ptyctimous mites comprise more than 1400 described species in 40 genera and subgenera, with nearly cosmopolitan distribution except for the Arctic and Antarctic Regions. They are capable of folding the aspidosoma under the opisthosoma to protect their appendages, and are primarily soil and litter inhabitants, feeding on fungi and decaying plant remains with various levels of specificity. Our purpose was to provide a detailed catalogue of all known ptyctimous mite species in the world with information of distribution, taxonomic issues and some remarks. Data of known juvenile  instars of ptyctimous mites which were not included in Norton Ermilov (2014) were added. We hope that our catalogue with bibliography will be helpful in taxonomic and ecological studies.        The catalogue presents taxonomic information and geographic distribution of 1431 known species of the world belonging to 42 genera and eight families (not including data of genus and species inquirenda, nomina nuda and species without author name). Among them, 261 species are listed as synonyms, 43 species inquirenda, nine homonyms, 17 new synonyms, one new subgenus Mahuntritia subgenus nov. and three new names are included in the catalogue.

Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Victoria (Australia).

A list of 37 species of ptyctimous mites from the State of Victoria, Australia, is provided. Seven species new for science are described and further seven are recorded for the first time in Victoria. The genus Arphthicarus has been discovered in Victoria and is represented by two new species. Zoogeographical distribution of each species is provided. Analysis of the ptyctimous fauna from four Victorian areas (Otway Ranges, Yarra Ranges, Errinundra Plateau and Strzelecki Ranges) has revealed that four species occur in a large number of specimens in one of the areas. Similarity analyses indicate that the faunas of Errinundra Plateau and Yarra Ranges are the most similar. An overview of state of knowledge on the ptyctimous mites from State of Victoria, Australia and Australasian Region is presented.

New species and records of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Philippines.

A list of identified oribatid ptyctimous mites from the Philippine Islands Luzon, Mindanao, Polillo and Samar Islands, including 16 species, 10 genera and 5 families, is provided. The genus Mesotritia and species Atropacarus (Atropacarus) griseus (Niedbala, 1984), A. (Atropacarus) striculus (C. L. Koch, 1835) and A. (Hoplophorella) stilifer (Hammer, 1961) are recorded for the Philippine fauna for the first time. Two new species, Mesotritia paraflagelliformis Niedbala sp. nov. (Oribotritiidae) and Plonaphacarus leonilae Niedbala sp. nov. (Steganacaridae), are described from leaf litter. The supplementary descriptions of Oribotritia aokii Mahunka, 1987 and Hoplophthiracarus illinoisensis (Ewing, 1909) are presented based on the materials from the Philippines.

New and little known species of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Madagascar.

In six sifting litter samples from Madagascar, altogether 26 species of ptyctimous mites, belonging to four families and 11 genera, were found. Three new species, Arphthicarus phoxos sp. nov., Notophthiracarus parapaulianus sp. nov. and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) paralemurius sp. nov. are described and figured. Keys for species of genera and subgenera Arphthicarus, Notophthiracarus and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) from Madagascar are presented.

New species and records of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Cuba.

An annotated checklist of identified oribatid mites from Cuba, including 16 species, 9 genera and 4 families, is provided. Three new species, Prototritia triangularibus Niedbala sp. nov. (Protoplophoridae), Hoplophthiracarus vinalesensis Niedbala sp. nov. and Protophthiracarus paratripartitus Niedbala sp. nov. (both Steganacaridae), are described from leaf litter. Three species of the subgenus Atropacarus (Hoplophorella)-A. (H.) andrei (Balogh, 1958), A. (H.) brachys Niedbala, 2004 and A. (H.) stilifer (Hammer, 1961)-are recorded in the Cuban mite fauna for the first time.

Supplement to the knowledge of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Palaearctic Region.

A list of over 400 new localities studied for ptyctimous mites within Palaearctic Region and a list of 96 identified species of ptyctimous mites of 20 genera are given. The species, knowledge of whose zoogeographical ranges was extended, have been pointed out. One new species, Phthiracarus pachys sp. nov. from Spain, is described. A few rare species have been diagnosed and their additional morphological data are given. The species from a few papers that have not been included in the monograph by Niedbala (2011) are commented on. The unjustified recombinations of species between certain genera (Subías 2004, updated in 2015) and unaccepted proposals on synonymy of some species by Subías & Shtanchaeva (2011) have been commented on.

Three new species of the family Phthiracaridae (Acari, Oribatida) from Bolivia.

Three new species of the family Phthiracaridae, Austrophthiracarus longisetosus sp. nov., Phthiracarus allocotos sp. nov., Protophthiracarus amboroensis sp. nov. from Bolivia are described and figured. A comparison of morphological similarities with the most closely related species is presented. Additional descriptions and taxonomical notes for three ptyctimous species: Acrotritia peruensis (Hammer, 1961), Acrotritia vestita (Berlese, 1913), and Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) sedecimus Niedbala, 2004 are added. A list of twenty six ptyctimous species from Bolivia is presented, ten of these species are new records for the fauna of Bolivia. A key to all species of ptyctimous mites of Bolivia is presented.

Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Biological Expedition (October 2013-April 2014).

An annotated checklist of ptyctimous mite taxa, collected from the Joint Russian-Vietnamese Biological expedition (October 2013-April 2014) in four forest zones (Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, Bu Gia Map National Park, Bi Dup-Nui Ba National Park) is provided. It includes 28 species, 16 genera and six families. One new subgenus, Euphthiracarus (Parapocsia) Niedbala subgen. nov., and five new species, Acrotritia paragranulata Niedbala sp. nov., Hoplophthiracarus clavatus Niedbala sp. nov., Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) spinus Niedbala sp. nov., Euphthiracarus (Euphthiracarus) quasitakahashii Niedbala sp. nov. and Euphthiracarus (Parapocsia) medius Niedbala sp. nov., are described. Supplementary descriptions of Apoplophora minuscula Niedbala, 2013 (see Niedbala & Ermilov 2013), Arphthicarus parasentus Niedbala, 2000 and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) stilifer (Hammer, 1961) are presented.

New and little known species of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Cameroon.

Altogether 24 species of ptyctimous mites were found in sifting litter samples from the Cameroon. Twelve new species of the ptyctimous mites, Indotritia montkoupensis sp. nov., Acrotritia furca sp. nov., Acrotritia quasidivida sp. nov., Hoplophthiracarus kumboensis sp. nov., Hoplophthiracarus reticulatus sp. nov., Hoplophthiracarus spinus sp. nov., Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) quaternarius sp. nov., Austrophthiracarus bicarinatus sp. nov., Protophthiracarus diatropos sp. nov., Protophthiracarus korupensis sp. nov., Protophthiracarus preptos sp. nov., Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) gibbus sp. nov., from the Cameroon are described and figured. Seven species are recorded for the first time for the Cameroon oribatid mite fauna. A comparison of morphological similarities with the most closely related species is presented. Taxonomical notes and additional information for two ptyctimous species: Acrotritia ardua (C.L.Koch, 1841), Arphthicarus sculptilis (Niedbala, 1988), were added. Keys for Afrotropical species of genera Hoplophthiracarus and Protophthiracarus are presented. 

New species of Atropacarus (Hoplophorella), (Acari, Oribatida, Phthiracaridae) from the Afrotropical region.

Four new species of the subgenus Hoplophorella are desccribed and identified from the Afrotropical region: Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) curtisetosus sp. nov. from Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania, Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) distinctus sp. nov. from Ambohitantely Special Reserve of Madagascar, Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) othneios sp. nov. from Ranomafana National Park of Masagascar, and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) stenos sp. nov.  from Nguru and Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania. A comparison with the most closely related species of the subgenus Hoplophorella is also presented. 

Madeira's ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida).

In the material recently collected in Madeira, 16 species of ptyctimous mites have been found. A new species of Austrophthiracarus rabacalensis Niedbala sp. nov. has been described. The presence of P. globosus and S. (R.) ortizi, reported earlier from Madeira has not been confirmed, but P. anonymus and P. montanus, so far not reported from this island, have been found. All 16 species identified in the material from Madeira studied occur in the Palaearctic Region; four of them are endemites, seven occur in western Palaearctic, four are panpalaearctic, while one is a semicosmopolitan. Morphological analysis has revealed a high similarity of two endemic species of Madeira with two European species: Steganacarus (Steganacarus) crassisetosus is similar to Steganacarus (Steganacarus) applicatus, while Steganacarus (Steganacarus) similis to Steganacarus (Steganacarus) spinosus. DNA-barcode analysis using COI and D2 28S rDNA sequences confirmed the species status of these four species. The phylogenetic analyses of COI amino acid data and D2 28S rDNA sequences suggest a closer relationship between S. (S.) crassisetosus and S. (S.) applicatus, pointing to a great genetic distance between S. (S.) spinosus and the other species of Steganacarus (Steganacarus).

Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Southern Vietnam with descriptions of three new species.

An annotated checklist of ptyctimous mite taxa from Southern Vietnam, including 18 species, 11 genera and seven families, is provided. Three new species.-Apoplophora minuscula Niedbala sp. nov., Acrotritia proxima Niedbala sp. nov. and Sabahtritia dongnaiensis Niedbala sp. nov.-are described. Some remarks on descriptions of Vietnamese Apoplophora pantotrema (Berlese, 1913) and Arphthiracarus tubulus (Hammer, 1972) are presented.

New and little known ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from India.

In 2012, we registered a total of 22 species, 12 genera and five families of ptyctimous mites in India. Three new species, Apoplophora paraspinosa Niedbala sp. nov., Oribotritia duotrisetosa Niedbala sp. nov. and Plonaphacarus kaluzi Niedbala sp. nov., are described. Some remarks on descriptions of Indian Sumatrotritia inusitata Mahunka, 1989, Euphthiracarus meghalayensis Sanyal, 1988, Phthiracarus obscurus Niedbala, 1986 and Hoplophthiracarus concinuus (Niedbala, 1982) are presented. Hoplophthiracarus tropicus Mondal & Kundu, 1988 is recognized as a junior synonym of the species Hoplophthiracarus concinuus.