Two new erythraeid mites (Acari: Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) from China: one based on larvae, another one based on larvae and adult

Abstract

The erythraeid species can be assigned with larva or adult only, or both under current Erythraeidae taxonomy. The present study describes two new erythraeid species from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (Oriental region). Marantelophus neodubifurcatus sp. nov. is based on larvae that were off-host when collected, while Erythraeus (Zaracarus) mossesus sp. nov. is based on a female adult, which was preying on an ant when collected, and larvae which were her offspring. The genus Marantelophus is divided into two species groups based on the odontus with or without a subterminal tooth, and M. neodubifurcatus sp. nov. belongs to the group with the subterminal tooth. The larval members of the subgenus Erythraeus (Zaracarus) are divided into five species groups, and E. (Z.) mossesus sp. nov. belongs to the group with the characters such that AL without swelling near bases, and fn BFe = 2-2-2.