Philippinozercon, a new genus of Heterozerconidae (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata), with description of all active instars

Gerdeman, Beverly S.; Garcia, Rufino C.; Herczak, Andrew; Klompen, Hans

doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4540.1.4

Cited by 756 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…( 2020a ) DIGAMESELLIDAE Dendroseius reductus* Mašán ( 2020 ) EVIPHIDIDAE Alliphis necrophilus Christie ( 1983 ) Alliphis halleri* Halliday ( 2008 ) Alliphis siculus* Halliday ( 2008 ) HETEROZERCONIDAE Philippinozercon makilingensis* Gerdeman et al. ( 2018 ) LAELAPIDAE Ololaelaps formidabilis Beaulieu et al. ( 2019 ) Gaeolaelaps jondishapouri* Nemati and Kavianpour ( 2013 ), Kazemi et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking for future biological control agents: the comparative function of the deutosternal groove in mesostigmatid mites

Bowman

2023

Exp Appl Acarol

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The physics of fluid laminar flow through an idealised deutosternum assembly is used for the first time to review predatory feeding designs over 72 different-sized example species from 16 mesostigmatid families in order to inform the finding of new biological control agents. Gnathosomal data are digitised from published sources. Relevant gnathosomal macro- and micro-features are compared and contrasted in detail which may subtly impact the control of channel- or ‘pipe’-based transport of prey liquids around various gnathosomal locations. Relative deutosternal groove width on the mesostigmatid subcapitulum is important but appears unrelated to the closing velocity ratio of the moveable digit. Big mites are adapted for handling large and watery prey. The repeated regular distance between deutosternal transverse ridges (‘Querleisten’) supports the idea of them enabling a regular fluctuating bulging or pulsing droplet-based fluid wave ‘sticking’ and ‘slipping’ along the groove. Phytoseiids are an outlier functional group with a low deutosternal pipe flow per body size designed for slot-like microchannel transport in low volume fluid threads arising from daintily nibbling nearby prey klinorhynchidly. Deutosternal groove denticles are orientated topographically in order to synergise flow and possible mixing of coxal gland-derived droplets and circumcapitular reservoir fluids across the venter of the gnathosomal base back via the hypostome to the prey being masticated by the chelicerae. As well as working with the tritosternum to mechanically clean the deutosternum, denticles may suppress fluid drag. Shallow grooves may support edge-crawling viscous flow. Lateral features may facilitate handling unusual amounts of fluid arising from opportunistic feeding on atypical prey. Various conjectures for confirmatory follow-up are highlighted. Suggestions as to how to triage non-uropodoid species as candidate plant pest control agents are included.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Looking for future biological control agents: the comparative function of the deutosternal groove in mesostigmatid mites

Bowman

2023

Exp Appl Acarol

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“…Philippinozercon makilingensis females found in millipede frass and litter, never from millipedes, have very long moveable digits (Gerdeman et al 2018)-what is that indicating regarding their diet? Dramatic changes in cheliceral form can occur from larva to adult in Narceoheterozercon ohioensis (Gerdeman and Klompen 2003), what is that suggesting trophically?…”

Section: Validating the Importance Of Taxonomic Positionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding design in free-living mesostigmatid chelicerae (Acari: Anactinotrichida)

Bowman

2021

Exp Appl Acarol

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A model based upon mechanics is used in a re-analysis of historical acarine morphological work augmented by an extra seven zoophagous mesostigmatid species. This review shows that predatory mesostigmatids do have cheliceral designs with clear rational purposes. Almost invariably within an overall body size class, the switch in predatory style from a worm-like prey feeding (‘crushing/mashing’ kill) functional group to a micro-arthropod feeding (‘active prey cutting/slicing/slashing' kill) functional group is matched by: an increased cheliceral reach, a bigger chelal gape, a larger morphologically estimated chelal crunch force, and a drop in the adductive lever arm velocity ratio of the chela. Small size matters. Several uropodines (Eviphis ostrinus, the omnivore Trachytes aegrota, Urodiaspis tecta and, Uropoda orbicularis) have more elongate chelicerae (greater reach) than their chelal gape would suggest, even allowing for allometry across mesostigmatids. They may be: plesiosaur-like high-speed strikers of prey, scavenging carrion feeders (like long-necked vultures), probing/burrowing crevice feeders of cryptic nematodes, or small morsel/fragmentary food feeders. Some uropodoids have chelicerae and chelae which probably work like a construction-site mechanical excavator-digger with its small bucket. Possible hoeing/bulldozing, spore-cracking and tiny sabre-tooth cat-like striking actions are discussed for others. Subtle changes lead small mesostigmatids to be predator–scavengers (mesocarnivores) or to be predator–fungivores (hypocarnivores). Some uropodines (e.g., the worm-like prey feeder Alliphis siculus and, Uropoda orbicularis) show chelae similar in design to astigmatids and cryptostigmatids indicating possible facultative saprophagy. Scale matters—obligate predatory designs (hypercarnivory) start for mesostigmatids with chelal gape > 150 μm and cheliceral reach > 350 μm (i.e., about 500–650 μm in body size). Commonality of trophic design in these larger species with solifugids is indicated. Veigaia species with low chelal velocity ratio and other morphological strengthening specialisms, appear specially adapted in a concerted way for predating active soft and fast moving springtails (Collembola). Veigaia cerva shows a markedly bigger chelal gape than its cheliceral reach would proportionately infer suggesting it is a crocodile-like sit-and-wait or ambush predator par excellence. A small chelal gape, low cheliceral reach, moderate velocity ratio variant of the worm-like feeding habit design is supported for phytoseiid pollenophagy. Evidence for a resource partitioning model in the evolution of gnathosomal development is found. A comparison to crustacean claws and vertebrate mandibles is made. Alliphis siculus and Rhodacarus strenzkei are surprisingly powerful mega-cephalics for their small size. Parasitids show a canid-like trophic design. The chelicera of the nematophagous Alliphis halleri shows felid-like features. Glyphtholaspis confusa has hyaena-like cheliceral dentition. The latter species has a markedly smaller chelal gape than its cheliceral reach would suggest proportionately, which together with a high chelal velocity ratio and a high estimated chelal crunch force matches a power specialism of feeding on immobile tough fly eggs/pupae by crushing (durophagy). A consideration of gnathosomal orientation is made. Predatory specialisms appear to often match genera especially in larger mesostigmatids, which may scale quite differently. Comparison to holothyrids and opilioacarids indicates that the cheliceral chelae of the former are cutting-style and those of the latter are crushing-style. A simple validated easy-to-use ‘2:1 on’ predictive algorithm of feeding habit type is included based on a strength-speed tradeoff in chelal velocity ratio for ecologists to test in the field.

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“…This seems excessive, given that the available characters for this genus correspond with those listed as diagnostic for Asioheterozercon. Asioheterozercon has therefore been synonymized with Allozercon (Gerdeman et al 2018). In addition, two genera have been added since Fain's revision, Narceoheterozercon Gerdeman & Klompen from North America (Gerdeman & Klompen 2003) (1 species), and Philippinozercon Gerdeman et al from the Philippines (Gerdeman et al 2018) (1 species).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genus-level revision of the Heterozerconoidea (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata)

Klompen¹,

Gerdeman²

2023

Zootaxa

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The genera of Heterozerconoidea are revised based on a species-level analysis of relationships in the group. The family Discozerconidae in its current state may be paraphyletic. Diagnoses for the genera are updated, and a catalog of all described species is provided. As part of this re-analysis two new genera, Amyzozercon and Ecuazercon, and four new species are described, and a key to the genera is provided. Possible evolutionary implications of the proposed set of relationships in terms of biogeography and the evolution of podospermy are discussed.

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Philippinozercon, a new genus of Heterozerconidae (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata), with description of all active instars

Cited by 756 publications

References 8 publications

Looking for future biological control agents: the comparative function of the deutosternal groove in mesostigmatid mites

Looking for future biological control agents: the comparative function of the deutosternal groove in mesostigmatid mites

Feeding design in free-living mesostigmatid chelicerae (Acari: Anactinotrichida)

Genus-level revision of the Heterozerconoidea (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata)

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