Revision of torrent mites (Parasitengona, Torrenticolidae, Torrenticola) of the United States and Canada: 90 descriptions, molecular phylogenetics, and a key to species

Abstract

The descriptive biology of torrent mites (Parasitengona: Torrenticolidae: Torrenticola) of North America (north of Mexico) is investigated using integrative methods. Material examined includes approximately 2,300 specimens from nearly 500 localities across the United States and Canada, and a few collections in Mexico and Central America. Species hypotheses are derived from a phylogenetic analysis of the barcoding region of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) for 476 specimens and supported with morphology and biogeography. Relationships between species are examined with a combined analysis of COI and two expansion regions (D2–3) of the large ribosomal subunit (28S rDNA) for 57 specimens. All previously described species from the US and Canada are examined. Our results indicate the need to synonymize four species: T. mercedensis (Marshall, 1943) is a junior synonym of T. sierrensis (Marshall, 1943); T. rectiforma Habeeb, 1974 is a junior synonym of T. ellipsoidalis (Marshall, 1943); T. neoconnexa Habeeb, 1957 is a junior synonym of T. magnexa Habeeb, 1955; and T. esbelta Cramer, 1992 is a junior synonym of T. boettgeri KO Viets, 1977. We describe 66 new species and re-describe all previously described regional species. Our findings indicate that total diversity of Torrenticola in the United States and Canada comprises 90 species, 57 known from the east and 33 from the west. We organize these species into four species complexes that include 13 identification groups. An additional 13 species do not fit within an identification group. The southern Appalachians are suspected to contain the highest concentration of remaining undescribed diversity. A key is provided to all known species in the US and Canada.

New records of water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) from Iran and Türkiye based on morphology and DNA barcodes with description of one new species

“…The Iranian specimen forms a unique BIN (BOLD:AFF4076), with the nearest neighboring BIN being BOLD:ACI0619, which includes specimens of T. ischnophallus Lundblad, 1956 from Germany. The level of COI differentiation between T. ramini and T. ischnophallus was estimated at 11.23% p-distance and is comparable with the observed interspecific variability between other congeneric species pairs (see e.g., Fisher et al 2017).…”

Acari of Canada

“…The barcode region has been useful for delineating species in various groups of parasitiform and acariform mites (e.g., Roy et al 2009, Knee et al 2012a, Glowska et al 2014, Doña et al 2015, Ondrejicka et al 2016, Fisher et al 2017). In Canada, approximately 60–70% of 230 morphologically recognized species of oribatids across 45 families are currently supported by barcode clusters (M Young and L Lumley unpubl.…”

New records of water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) from Portugal revealed by DNA barcoding, with the description of Atractides marizae sp. nov.

“…In recent years, the use of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI ) gene, has proven to be a highly effective tool for delimiting and identifying water mites, in particular for recognizing species complexes with potential cryptic diversity ( Martin et al 2010 ; Pešić et al 2012 , 2017 , 2019 , 2020 , 2022 ; Fisher et al 2017 ; Pešić and Smit 2020 ). The use of this system, known as DNA barcoding, in recent taxonomic studies has been accelerated by the formation of worldwide databases for the storage and public identification of sequences, such as GenBank and the BOLD system (DNA Barcode of Life Data System).…”