Considerations on systematics of the Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), with definition of a new species group and description of a new species

Abstract

The authors debate some aspects of the classification of the Phytoseiidae, especially the subfamily Typhlodrominae. Within this taxon, the rhenanus group is the most numerous species group of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius), with 206 nominal species. Detailed observation of morphological characters of the species in this group showed a considerable variation, suggesting the presence of different natural lineages. The discovery of the new species here described, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) sandrae Ragusa & Tsolakis n. sp., allowed the definition of the new porathi species group. Definition of the new species group, a dichotomous key as well as the description of the new species are given.

Description of Typhloseiulus anatolicus sp. nov. and redescription of two new records of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Turkey

“…The morphological characteristics of this species including the shape of the calyx of the spermatheca, a clear ring in the middle of the calyx, the nature of dorsal and ventral appearance, knobbed seta Z5 and macroseta StIV fit well the definition of porathi species group by Tsolakis and Ragusa (2015). Therefore, we here included T.…”