Towards resolving the double classification in Erythraeus (Actinotrichida: Erythraeidae): matching larvae with adults using 28S sequence data and experimental rearing

Abstract

The taxonomy of free-living adults and heteromorphic parasitic larvae of Parasitengona mites has in the past been treated independently resulting in a double classification. Correct linkage of names still remains unknown for many species. A holistic understanding of species is imperative for understanding their role in ecosystems. This is particularly true for groups like parasitengone mites with a radically altered lifestyle during development-parasitic to predatory. Here, we infer linkages of three nominal species of Erythraeus, using matching with 28S DNA sequence data from field-collected specimens and through laboratory rearing. The general mixed Yule coalescent method (GMYC) was used to explicitly test if field-collected specimens representing heteromorphic life instars were conspecific. The field-collected larvae were allocated to adults of Erythraeus cinereus and Erythraeus regalis, respectively. Laboratory rearing of the same two species confirmed the matching done by DNA. Rearing was also successful for Erythraeus phalangoides after eggs were treated to an imitated winter diapause. This integrative taxonomic approach of molecular, morphological, and rearing data resulted in the following synonyms: E. phalangoides (De Geer, 1778) [= Erythraeus adrastus (Southcott, 1961), syn. nov.], E. cinereus (Dugès, 1834) [= Erythraeus jowitae Haitlinger, 1987, syn. nov.], and E. regalis (C.L. Koch, 1837) [= Erythraeus kuyperi (Oudemans, 1910), syn. nov., = Erythraeus gertrudae Haitlinger, 1987, syn. nov.]. The molecular evidence confirmed the separate identity of three further members of the genus. We provide redescriptions of E. phalangoides, E. cinereus, and E. regalis after modern standards, and neotypes are designated.

Mites of the genus Erythraeus Latreille, 1806 (Acariformes: Actinedida: Erythraeidae) in the Greater Caucasus (within Azerbaijan)

“…Повторные исследования не проводились, поэтому современное существование клещей в этой точке остается под вопросом. (Stålstedt et al, 2016). Материал: Азербайджан, Абшеронский п-ов, г. Баку, искусственный лесной массив с преобладанием сосны эльдарской, под камнями, 2 половозрелые особи, 15.10.1984 (сб.…”

Checklist of terrestrial Parasitengona mites in Fennoscandia with new species- and distribution records (Acariformes: Prostigmata)

“…Rhyncholophus arenicola Andersén, 1863 and Bochartia adrastus Southcott, 1961 are junior synonyms (Gabryś 2016, Stålstedt et al 2016).…”

“…Norway (Thor 1900a, Haitlinger 2000, Mąkol and Gulvik 2002), Sweden (Sellnick 1958, Sömermaa 1973, Stålstedt et al 2016) and Finland (Karppinen 1958, Gabryś et al 2009).…”

“…Gärdenfors et al (2003) summarised the current state of knowledge of multicellular life in Sweden and reported twelve species of Trombidia. This is without doubt a vast underestimate as, for example, 142 species are known from Poland (Mąkol and Wohltmann 2012, Moniuszko and Mąkol 2014, Stålstedt et al 2016, Mąkol and Korniluk 2017), which is perhaps the best studied country in Europe. Therefore, we here present an updated checklist for Fennoscandia, based on new inventories.…”

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

“…Larvae are ecto-parasites of chironomids, but cannot yet be identified to the species-level, so questions such as host specificity and loss of parasitism remain open areas of investigation. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that larval and post-larval stages are difficult to link due to disparate morphologies, although future efforts employing molecular techniques may resolve this issue (e.g., Stålstedt et al 2016 ).…”