The Genus Mesolaelaps (Laelapidae: Mesolaelapinae, N. Subfam.) with Descriptions of Two New Species from New Guinea1

A new genus and species of Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Iran

“…Exceptionally, some Gaeolaelaps, at least one species associated with cockroaches, have a triangular, denticulate gnathotectum (Faraji & Halliday, 2009). More distant laelapid genera such as Mesolaelaps have somewhat triangular gnathotecta although more extended anteriorly (Tenorio & Radovsky, 1974).…”

“…In addition to the attributes mentioned in the introduction, the well-developed internal malae of Persicolaelaps are indicative of Laelapidae in general, and their thick, elongate filaments show a resemblance (or possible relation) to some laelapids species such as Cosmolaelaps cuneifer (Michael) (Evans & Till, 1966) Karg, 1982, (which, at least superficially, resemble some Laelaspisella species). The internal malae of Mesolaelaps accessoria Tenorio & Radovsky, 1974 also have thick projections, but they appear shorter and originate from the lateral margin of the main, median processes. Some Laelaspisella and the apparently related Pogonolaelaps species have elongate fringed internal malae, but composed of hair-like and thinner filaments, based on illustrations and personal examination of some species (Marais & Loots, 1969;Nemati & Gowiazdowicz, 2016;SK pers.…”

Two new species of Gaeolaelaps (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) from Iran, with a revised generic concept and notes on significant morphological characters in the genus

“…Given that most Gaeolaelaps species and species of many hypoaspidine and laelapine genera possess Px2-3, as well as Mesolaelaps and Myonyssus (e.g. Tenorio & Radovsky, 1974), the presence of Px2-3 is probably plesiomorphic in Laelapidae (Walter & Campbell, 2003), and therefore is not very meaningful; the absence of one or both Px setae, might, however, indicate close relationships in some cases, if combined with other shared characters. Tarsal spines on legs II and IV are the main feature defining the aculeifer species group (see group concepts and keys in Karg, 1979Karg, , 1982also key in Karg 1989a).…”

“…that we know of have most dorsal and some opisthogastric setae pilose or barbed: H. longichaetus Ma, 1996, H. pinnae Karg, 1987, as well as H. kassai Van Aswegen & Loots, 1970, which has feathered or bipectinate setae. Barbs on the posterior dorsomarginal and/or opisthogastric setae are also present in variously distant laelapids such as some Cosmolaelaps (Moriera et al, 2014), Coleolaelaps, Pseudoparasitus, many Laelaspis (Kazemi & Beaulieu, personal observations; see also Joharchi et al, 2012), Androlaelaps (personal observations; see also , Bisternalis (Baker et al, 1983); Nidilaelaps, Laelapsella (Shaw, 2012), Notolaelaps (Shaw, 2011), Juxtalaelaps (Domrow, 1978, Dowling et al, 2007, and more extensively on the idiosoma and legs of at least some Mesolaelaps (Tenorio & Radovsky, 1974), haemogamasines and acanthochelines (Radovksy & Gettinger, 1999). Accounting for the presence and the extent of barbs on idiosomal, gnathosomal and leg setae in species description may later help to shed light on the phylogenetic significance of these attributes in laelapids.…”

Mites (Acari) fromRattusspecies on Raoul Island

“…R. exulans, the Polynesian rat, was probably introduced by Polynesian seafarers some centuries ago; the Norway rat gained entry from a shipwreck in 1921 (Watt 1975). Tenorio & Radovsky (1974) list a mite collected from the common house mouse (Mus musculus) on Raoul in 1962. Mice have not previously been recorded from the Kermadecs, and are not known to be established there now, so if this is not a misidentification of a young Polynesian rat, the animal must have been a chance invader.…”