New Macrocheles species (Acari, Mesostigmata, Macrochelidae) associated with burying beetles (Silphidae, Nicrophorus) in North America

Abstract

Burying beetles (Silphidae, Nicrophorus) are hosts to a broad diversity of mites (Acari), including several species of Macrocheles Latreille, 1829 (Mesostigmata, Macrochelidae). The macrochelid fauna associated with silphids primarily in North America was surveyed; in total, 1659 macrochelids representing seven species were collected from 112 Nicrophorus beetles representing nine host species. Three new species of Macrocheles were discovered during the survey and described as Macrocheles willowae sp. n., M. pratum sp. n., and M. kaiju sp. n. The barcode region of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was amplified from the three new described species, as well as M. nataliae and M. praedafimetorum, and analysed in a small phylogeny.

Cryptic diversity within thePoecilochirus carabimite species complex phoretic onNicrophorus buryingbeetles: phylogeny, biogeography, and host specificity

“…These effects could cause reproductive isolation among the differentially selected mite populations (Nosil & Harmon, 2009), and thus host specialization can drive genetic divergence. Indeed, a relationship between genetic divergence and host specificity has also been reported from other parasites, such as the honey bee parasite Varroa (Beaurepaire et al, 2015) and Macrocheles species that are associated with Nicrophorus beetles (Knee, 2017). Genetic clustering driven by host adaptation is also found in feather mites that are phoretic on seabirds (Stefan et al, 2018).…”

Macrocheles species (Acari: Macrochelidae) associated with human corpses in Europe

“…The family Macrochelidae includes over 470 species in 20 genera, and Macrocheles , with around 325 described species, is the most diverse genus of the family (Beaulieu et al 2011 ; Emberson 2010 ; Krantz 1962 , 1998 , 2018 ; Krantz and Moser 2012 ; Lindquist et al 2009 ; Makarova 2012 ). New species of macrochelid mites and new phoretic associations are constantly described (Acs et al 2017 ; Alatawi et al 2018 ; Azevedo et al 2017 ; Haloti et al 2005 ; Hartini and Dwibadra 2017 ; Knee 2018 ; Kontschan 2018 ; Ozbek 2017 ). Most Macrocheles species are predators feeding on small invertebrates, with the exception of only a handful of non-phoretic, detritivorous species (Manning and Halliday 1994 ).…”

Cryptic diversity within thePoecilochirus carabimite species complex phoretic onNicrophorusburying beetles: Phylogeny, biogeography, and host specificity

“…These effects could cause reproductive isolation among the differentially selected mite populations (Nosil & Harmon, 2009), and thus host specialization can drive genetic divergence. Indeed, a relationship between genetic divergence and host specificity has also been reported for other parasites, such as the honey bee parasite Varroa (Beaurepaire et al, 2015) and Macrocheles species that are associated with Nicrophorus beetles (Knee, 2017). Genetic clustering driven by host adaptation is also found in feather mites that are phoretic on seabirds (Stefan et al, 2018).…”

“…Other families of phoretic mites associated with N . pustulatus showed no apparent host specificity for this beetle species (Knee, 2017; Knee et al, 2012), indicating that this beetle's unique niche has not caused mite divergence in every case. Previously, P .…”

“…Nicrophorus pustulatus thus occupies a distinct ecological niche that may isolate the mites, and possibly select for adaptations specific to this niche. Other families of phoretic mites associated with N. pustulatus showed no apparent host specificity for this beetle species (Knee, 2017;, indicating that this beetle's unique niche has not caused mite divergence in every case. Previously, P. monospinosus had only been described from poultry manure, preying on fly eggs and larvae -it has not been documented on beetle hosts (Wise et al, 1988).…”