The family Parasitidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) - history, current problems and challenges

Abstract

The family Parasitidae comprises two subfamilies, Parasitinae and Pergamasinae. A generic concept of this family is not stable and requires a revision. The number of genera varies depending on authors and their view on the systematics of the family, especially on the rank of taxa. We recognize 23 genera within Parasitinae and 22 genera within Pergamasinae, 4 of them are subdivided into subgenera. A dichotomous key for separation of genera and subgenera is provided. A new genus, Coprocarpais n. g. with type species Parasitus copridis Costa, 1963 is proposed and a diagnosis is given. The genus Erithosoma is not assigned to any subfamily because a description of females is missing. The most pressing taxonomic problems at generic and subgeneric levels are discussed. Fourteen new combinations are proposed.

A new species of Psilogamasus Athias-Henriot, 1969 from China and redefinition of the genus (Parasitiformes: Parasitidae)

“…In regards to the number of opisthosomal shield setae, we explored the constituent species of both genera and found no other character states that were linked with this feature (Table 1). Therefore, we concluded this was best considered an intrageneric feature, as suspected by Hrúzová & Fenďa (2018). Therefore, we consider Taiwanoparasitus a junior synonym of Psilogamasus.…”

“…In Hrúzová & Fenďa (2018), the genera Psilogamasus and Taiwanoparasitus were separated by the number of setae on the opisthonotal shield (six and five pairs, respectively) and the presence of trichocystic seta pd2 on telotarsus IV (present and absent, respectively). However, (Ma & Lin, 2005) n.…”

“…It was a monotypic genus when erected, with Taiwanoparasitus pentasetosus Tseng, 1995 as type species. Recently, Hrúzová & Fenďa (2018) transferred two species from the Chinese mainland, Vulgarogamasus brachysternalis Ma & Lin, 2005 and V. longascidiformis Ma & Lin, 2005, to Taiwanoparasitus (Tseng 1995; Ma & Lin 2005. The generic diagnosis of Taiwanoparasitus was derived from only females of the type species T. pentasetosus and was proposed on the basis of its combination of five pairs of opisthonotal setae and stigmatal position.…”

“…The generic diagnosis of Taiwanoparasitus was derived from only females of the type species T. pentasetosus and was proposed on the basis of its combination of five pairs of opisthonotal setae and stigmatal position. Hrúzová & Fenďa (2018) pointed out that this genus has similarity with Psilogamasus AthiasHenriot, 1969, which Tseng (1995 did not compare when proposing Taiwanoparasitus, and these genera need further work to determine their taxonomic status.…”

“…Herein, we describe a new species of Psilogamasus, move four species into the genus, and redefine the genus. This broader concept of the genus necessitates the synonymy of Taiwanoparasitus under Psilogamasus, as alluded to by Hrúzová & Fenďa (2018).…”