A Review of the Asexual Mite Genus Paralycus Womersley, 1944 (Acari: Oribatida: Pediculochelidae), with Description of Three New Species and A Key to Species of the World

Abstract

Mites of the genus Paralycus (Oribatida: Pediculochelidae) are minute, asexual, paedomorphic oribatids that have been largely overlooked by major biodiversity surveys. Here, we review this genus and describe three new species based on adult females: Paralycus persephone sp. n. and Paralycus daeira sp. n. from deep soil in Colorado, USA and Paralycus pricei sp. n. from South Africa. We provide the first complete ontogenetic series in the family using P. daeira sp. n. as a model, clarify the species boundaries in several species, and compile an annotated checklist and key to species of Paralycus of the World. Our work suggests that the pediculochelid biodiversity is underappreciated as these mites may be common in subterranean habitats/deep soil. Further discoveries of the Paralycus diversity in these habitats are anticipated.