Going Asexual: A Survey of Mites of the Genus Thyreophagus (Acari: Acaridae) Revealing a Large Number of New Parthenogenetic Species in the Holarctic Region.

Mites of the genus Thyreophagus (Acari: Acaridae) are distributed worldwide; they inhabit concealed habitats and include several beneficial and economically important species. However, species identification is difficult because many species are poorly described or delimited and their phoretic stages are unknown or uncorrelated. Furthermore, Thyreophagus is interesting because it includes entirely asexual (parthenogenetic) species. However, among the 34 described species of Thyreophagus, the asexual status is confirmed through laboratory rearing for only two species. Here, we provide detailed descriptions of five new species from North America (four) and Europe (one) based on adults and phoretic heteromorphic deutonymphs. Four of these species were asexual, while one was sexual. For most of these mites, the asexual status was confirmed and phoretic deutonymphs were obtained through rearing in the lab. We show that asexual mites retain seemingly functional copulatory and sperm storage systems, indicating that these lineages have relatively short evolutionary lifespans. One North American species, Thyreophagus ojibwe, was found in association with the native American chestnut Castanea dentata, suggesting a possibility that this mite can be used to control chestnut blight in North America. We also provide a diagnostic key to females, males, and heteromorphic deutonymphs of the Thyreophagus species in the world.

Thyreophagus tauricus sp. n., a New Subcortical Mite Species (Acari: Acaridae), with a COX1 DNA Sequence Analysis of Several Economically Important Species of Thyreophagus.

As part of a survey of the subcortical astigmatic mites of Crimea, we discovered a new sexual acarid species, Thyreophagus tauricus sp. n. This species was cultured in the laboratory to correlate the adult and deutonymphal stages. Using specimens obtained by these rearing experiments, we provide a detailed description of Th. tauricus (light microscopy, SEM) based on females, males and heteromorphic deutonymphs. Furthermore, to facilitate molecular identification, the entire COX1 gene was also sequenced for this and three other Palearctic species reared in the lab as pure cultures. Adults of Th. tauricus sp. n. are distinct among all other species of the genus by the presence of flattened, button-shaped or minute spiniform setae s III and IV, which are well-developed spiniform in all other known species of Thyreophagus. Heteromorphic deutonymphs of Th. tauricus are distinct from all other species of Thyreophagus by the presence of well-developed setae cm on the dorsal part of the subcapitular remnant (absent all other species). Th. tauricus is morphologically very similar to Th. corticalis; however, COX1 K2P distances between these two species were large, 19.8%. COX1 K2P distances between Th. tauricus and other species (Th. entomophagus, Th. "entomophagus" NC 066986.1, Th. calusorum, Th. corticalis) ranged between 20.1 and 24.3%. We show that the GenBank sequence of Th. "entomophagus" from China (NC 066986.1) was probably misidentified.

An interesting sexually dimorphic species, Chamobates callipygis Pavlichenko, 1991 (Acari, Oribatida, Chamobatidae), with remarks on sexual dimorphism in Ceratozetoidea.

Based on materials from the leaf litter of a mixed forest in Crimea, a new diagnosis for the sexually dimorphic species, Chamobates callipygis Pavlichenko, 1991, is presented to accommodate its previously unreported females. This is the only species in Chamobatidae showing a distinct sexual dimorphism, which is expressed by the posterior porose region on the notogaster, such that males only have a large protuberance on the posterior part of notogaster bearing a pair of fused porose areas A3, and a densely striated region behind them. The specific function of this structure is not yet known, but the sexual dimorphism is presumably involved in pheromonal communication facilitating sperm transfer. Also, the males of this species have a few transverse striations in the dorsomedial part of notogaster (at level of porose areas A1 and A2). Further, we discuss all cases of sexual dimorphism in the superfamily Ceratozetoidea, and the possible function of this dimorphism.

New taxa of Athyreacaridae (Acari: Heterostigmata) from Neotropical and Afrotropical realms.

A new genus and three new species of Athyreacaridae (Acari: Heterostigmata) are described associated with beetles of subfamily Bolboceratinae (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) in Neotropical and Afrotropical realms: Neoathyreacarus pygmephoroides gen., sp. nov. collected on Bolborhinum tubericeps in Chile; Athyreacarus staturosus sp. nov. collected on Zefevazia cantisani  in Argentina; and Athyreacarus camerikae sp. nov. collected on Namibiobolbus helgae in South Africa. An updated key to genera and species of Athyreacaridae is provided. Athyreacarus staturosus sp. nov. is the largest ever described non-physogastric female among Heterostigmata.

Morphological ontogeny and complementary description of Neoseiulus subsolidus (Beglyarov) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae).

The morphological ontogeny of Neoseiulus subsolidus (Beglyarov) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) was studied based on the specimens collected from Salix sp. (Salicaceae) leaves in Tyumen region and Altai Republic, Russia. All active life stages including larva, protonymph, deutonymph, adult female and male were described and illustrated. The taxonomic challenges in recognizing species in the canadensis species group are discussed.

A transitional fossil mite (Astigmata: Levantoglyphidae fam. n.) from the early Cretaceous suggests gradual evolution of phoresy-related metamorphosis.

Metamorphosis is a key innovation allowing the same species to inhabit different environments and accomplish different functions, leading to evolutionary success in many animal groups. Astigmata is a megadiverse lineage of mites that expanded into a great number of habitats via associations with invertebrate and vertebrate hosts (human associates include stored food mites, house dust mites, and scabies). The evolutionary success of Astigmata is linked to phoresy-related metamorphosis, namely the origin of the heteromorphic deutonymph, which is highly specialized for phoresy (dispersal on hosts). The origin of this instar is enigmatic since it is morphologically divergent and no intermediate forms are known. Here we describe the heteromorphic deutonymph of Levantoglyphus sidorchukae n. gen. and sp. (Levantoglyphidae fam. n.) from early Cretaceous amber of Lebanon (129 Ma), which displays a transitional morphology. It is similar to extant phoretic deutonymphs in its modifications for phoresy but has the masticatory system and other parts of the gnathosoma well-developed. These aspects point to a gradual evolution of the astigmatid heteromorphic morphology and metamorphosis. The presence of well-developed presumably host-seeking sensory elements on the gnathosoma suggests that the deutonymph was not feeding either during phoretic or pre- or postphoretic periods.

A new genus and two new species of Tarsonemidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) associated with bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from Peru.

A new genus and species, Unguitarsonemus paradoxus n. gen., n. sp. and a new species, Pseudotarsonemoides peruviensis n. sp. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tarsonemidae), are described based on phoretic females collected on bark beetles Phloeotribus pilula and Ph. biguttatus, respectively, from Peru. A key to species of the genus Pseudotarsonemoides is provided.

Malgacheliodes martensi spec. nov. (Acari, Oribatida, Licnodamaeidae) from South Africa.

The genus Malgacheliodes is recorded in South Africa for the first time. Malgacheliodes martensi spec. nov. is described from soil of Hogsback State Forest, Eastern Cape Province. Adults of the new species differ from those of Malgacheliodes guillaumeti by the presence of ribs and furrows in the aggenital region, bacilliform leg tracheae, rounded ventral keel on leg I femur and four pairs of notogastral setae (h1 absent); while its tritonymph differs from that of M. guillaumeti by the presence of five pairs of gastronotic setae (c1 absent). The generic diagnosis of Malgacheliodes is updated. The differences in morphology of the tritonymphal instar in Malgacheliodes and other genera of Licnodamaeidae are presented.

Three new species of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari, Oribatida) from South Africa.

Three new species of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae are described from soil and coniferous litter of Hogsback State Forest, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Pilogalumna hogsbackensis sp. nov. differs from Pilogalumna tenuiclava and P. ornatula by the presence of elongate oval postanal porose area and narrowly unilaterally dilated bothridial head. Pergalumna amatholensis sp. nov. differs from Pergalumna distincta by the presence of smaller body size, rounded rostrum, unilaterally dilated bothridial head, one pair of notogastral porose areas Aa, and the localization of opisthonotal gland opening and lyrifissure im. Stictozetes ihaguensis sp. nov. differs from all species of the genus by presence of bothridial seta with narrowly dilated head and median pore in both genders. An identification key to known species of Stictozetes is presented.

First record of Athyreacaridae (Acari: Heterostigmata) from Asia with description of two new species of Athyreacarus from India and Sri Lanka.

Mites of the family Athyreacaridae are recorded from Asia for the first time. Two new species of Athyreacarus are described, A. indicus sp. nov., collected on the beetles Bolbohamatum laevicolle and B. marginale in India, and A. brevisetosus sp. nov., collected on a beetle Bolboceras sp. in Sri Lanka. An updated key to species of the genus Athyreacarus is provided.

First description of male and immatures in mite genus Dasythyreus (Acari: Dasythyreidae).

The male and immatural Dasythyreus polytrichus Khaustov and Abramov, 2010 (Acari: Dasythyreidae), collected from spruce bark in Western Siberia, Russia are described for the first time in the genus. Sexual dimorphism and leg setal development in this species are discussed.

Long-term biventricular support following myocardial infarction from anterior descending coronary artery damage due to stabbing: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The use of dual continuous-flow assist devices for biventricular support remains novel with only small case series or reports documenting outcomes. METHODS: We describe a 21-year-old woman suffered stabbing with damage of coronary artery with subsequent myocardial infarction and severe postinfarction heart failure with impaired right ventricular function. The patient underwent implantation of two continuous-flow ventricular assist devices. RESULTS: The early postoperative period was followed by severe respiratory insufficiency and an asthenic syndrome, which required prolonged intensive care and mechanical ventilation. After prolonged hospital stay, she was discharged home waiting for heart transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: With the continuing miniaturization of pump designs, less invasive, more durable and cost-effective pumps have become available for dual assist device therapy in in these critically ill heart failure patients.

Two new species of Cosmolaelaps Berlese (Acari: Laelapidae) from Sri Lanka.

Two new species of mites in the genus Cosmolaelaps (Laelapidae) are described from specimens collected from soil-litter in Sri Lanka-C. ceylonensis sp. nov. and C. trichiurus sp. nov. The genus Cosmolaelaps is reported for the first time from Sri Lanka.

New species of Microdispidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) from alpine New Zealand.

Four new species of the mite family Microdispidae, Phyllodispus tenuisetus sp. nov., Promicrodispus bisetus sp. nov., Premicrodispus (Premicrodispus) novaezealandicus sp. nov., and Premicrodispus (Premicrodispulus) secundus sp. nov., are described from soil in alpine New Zealand. The genus Promicrodispus and subgenus Premicrodispus (Premicrodispulus) are recorded from New Zealand for the first time.

Two new species of Gaeolaelaps Evans amp; Till (Acari: Laelapidae) from Sri Lanka.

Two new mite species of the genus Gaeolaelaps (Laelapidae), G. lankaensis sp. nov. and G. setillus sp. nov., collected from soil-litter in Sri Lanka, are described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult females. Both species have the unusual character state of a three-tined palp tarsal claw. The genus Gaeolaelaps is reported for the first time from Sri Lanka. An updated key to the species with a three-tined palp tarsal claw is presented.

Review of some mites (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with ants and bumblebees in Western Siberia, Russia.

This paper reports on ten species of laelapid mites associated with ants and bumblebees in Western Siberia. Androlaelaps myrmecophilus (Evans Till), Cosmolaelaps dendrophilus (Davydova), C. neocuneifer (Evans Till), C. siberiensis Joharchi sp. nov., Gaeolaelaps praesternalis (Willmann), Holostaspis isotricha Kolenati, H. montana (Berlese) and H. oophilus (Wasmann) were collected from ants' nests, and Pneumolaelaps hyatti (Evans Till), P. marginepilosa (Sellnick) on bumblebees. The new species is described and illustrated based on morphological characters of the adult female.

A new genus and species of the family Microdispidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) associated with Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt) (Isoptera: Termitidae) from South Africa.

A new genus and species of termitophilous microdispid mites, Sidorchukdispus ekaterinae gen. nov. and sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Microdispidae), associated with termites, Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt) (Isoptera: Termitidae) are described from South Africa. The morphological and biological traits of Sidorchukdispus ekaterinae gen. nov. and sp. nov. are discussed.

Revision of the genus Athyreacarus (Acari: Athyreacaridae).

Mites of the genus Athyreacarus (Acari: Athyreacaridae) associated with bolboceratine beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae: Bolboceratine) of New World are revised, a new generic concept provided, and the family concept modified. Nine new species are described: A. grandis sp. nov. on Neoathyreus lanuginosus in Brazil; A. magnificus sp. nov. on Athyreus tuberifer in Brazil; A. variabilis sp. nov. on Neoathyreus cf. anthracinus in Brazil; A. similis sp. nov. on Neoathyreus centromaculatus in Bolivia; A. vazdemelloi sp. nov. on Parathyreus rectus in Brazil; A. pusillus sp. nov. on Athyreus brasilicus in Brazil; A. latus sp. nov. on Athyreus cf. bifurcatus from unknown locality; A. angustus sp. nov. on Bolbelasmus horni in USA; and A. ovalis sp. nov. on Bolbelasmus variabilis in Mexico. Bolbapium striatopunctatum, B. minutum, and B. sculpturatum are recorded as new phoretic host beetles for Athyreacarus primitivus. A key to genera and species of the family Athyreacaridae is provided.

Naiadacarus sidorchukae sp. n. (Acariformes: Acaridae) from Western Siberia closely related to a North American species, with a new generic synonymy.

A new species of acarid mite, Naiadacarus sidorchukae sp. n., is described from phoretic deutonymphs collected from a European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, pheromone trap in Western Siberia, Russia. Morphologically, the new species is very similar to the North American species, Naiadacarus fashingi, with the only diagnostic character being the shorter tibial solenidion φ II in the former species. Unlike some Naiadacarus species, which are truly aquatic, Naiadacarus sidorchukae probably does not inhabit fully aquatic habitats. This species and other presumably non-aquatic taxa, may represent the ancestral condition in the genus Naiadacarus, and, therefore are critical in studying land to water ecological transitions that have occurred in this mite genus. The monotypic genus Naiacus Nesbitt, 1990 is considered as a junior synonym of Naiadacarus Fashing, 1974 (syn. n.), with its type-species, Naiacus muertensis Nesbitt, 1990, recombined as Naiadacarus muertensis (Nesbitt, 1990), comb. n. A key to species of Naiadacarus of the world is provided.

New Galumnoidea (Acari, Oribatida) from Tanzania.

Three new species of oribatid mites of the superfamily Galumnoidea are described from litter in the mixed forest of Zanzibar, Tanzania: Pergalumna hugocoetzeeae sp. nov., Pergalumna pietertheroni sp. nov. (both Galumnidae) and Galumnella paraokinawana sp. nov. (Galumnellidae). An identification key to the known species of the genus Galumnella from the Ethiopian region is presented.