A new species of Reticulolaelaps Costa (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from the Iberian Peninsula, with a key to world species

Abstract

A new species, Reticulolaelaps caditanus n. sp., is described based on adult females found in an oothecal cell of Mantis religiosa. The species has several morphological characteristics, including the presence of presternal shields, endopodal III-IV widely connected with sternal shield, 50 pairs of dorsal setae and at least 11 setae x, curly and barbed, and thin and smooth ventral setae including six pairs of setae on the genitoventral shield. A revised diagnosis of the genus with the addition of new characters and a key to the world species of the genus are provided.

A new genus and species of Digamasellidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) displaying some extraordinary gnathosomal structures

“…This feature is unique in the family Digamasellidae. A similar feature "membranous flap" was reported by Costa (1968), Moraza (2019) and Nemati et al (2019) for the genus Reticulolaelaps Costa (Laelapidae). By dissecting the palps, Nemati et al (2019) showed that membranous flap was connected to the inner part of the palptrochanter, more or less the same location as for the new genus here.…”

Catalogue of the free-living and arthropod-associated Laelapidae Canestrini (Acari: Mesostigmata), with revised generic concepts and a key to genera

“…Reticulolaelaps hallidayi Joharchi, Nemati & Babaeian, in Nemati et al, 2013: 76. Reticulolaelaps hallidayi.-Joharchi & Babaeian, 2015Nemati et al, 2018b: 150;2019: 94;Moraza, 2019: 381.…”

“…Reticulolaelaps is a highly distinctive genus, due at least to its dorsal hypertrichy, its expansive, posteriorly quadrate epigynal shield bearing six pairs of setae, a large bowl-shaped anal shield, the absence of st4, hypertrophied peritrematal shields, a palp trochanter with a large paraxial lobe and a narrow deutosternum with only four denticulate rows. Selected references: , , Moraza (2019).…”

“…Reticulolaelaps costai : 34. Reticulolaelaps costai.-Nemati et al, 2018b: 149, 2019Moraza, 2019: Note. The authors of this species considered provisional its placement in Laelaspisella.…”