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The oribatid mite of the family Oppiidae, Graptoppia (Stenoppia) italica (Bernini, 1973) (syn.: Oppia heterotricha Bernini, 1969) is redescribed based on females collected from soil in Sistan-o Baluchestan (Southeastern Iran) and South Khorasan (Central-Eastern Iran) provinces. Detailed descriptions of the gnathosoma and legs are also provided for the first time. The original description does not reflect the characters of the pubescence of the setae (cilia), characters on the lateral side of the ano-adanal region, as well as the true length of anal and adanal setae. Through the new finding of Graptoppia italica in Iran, the number of Oribatids in the family Opiidae raised to 81 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bee parasitic mites (Tropilaelaps mercedesae and Varroa destructor) detect temperature, humidity, and odor but the underlying sensory mechanisms are poorly understood. To uncover how T. mercedesae responds to environmental stimuli inside a hive, we first identified the sensilla-rich sensory organ on the foreleg tarsus. The organ appeared to correspond to Haller's organ in ticks and contained four types of sensilla, which may respond to different stimuli based on their morphology. We searched for differentially expressed genes between the forelegs and hindlegs to identify mRNAs potentially associated with the sensory organ. The forelegs were enriched with mRNAs encoding sensory proteins such as ionotropic receptors (IRs) and gustatory receptors, as well as proteins involved in ciliary transport. We also found that T. mercedesae IR25a and IR93a were capable of rescuing temperature and humidity preference defects in Drosophila melanogaster IR25a and IR93a mutants. These results demonstrate that the structures and physiological functions of ancient IRs have been conserved during arthropod evolution. Our study provides insight into the sensory mechanisms of honey bee parasitic mites, as well as potential targets for methods to control the most serious honey bee pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on features of the lectotype and newly collected specimens from Italy (Boboli Gardens, Florence), a morphological concept of Pachyseius humeralis Berlese, 1910 is revised and re-evaluated. New diagnostic character states important for recognition of the species are provided. A misidentified species, formerly widely published in Europe under the name P. humeralis, is established as a new species, Pachyseius subhumeralis sp. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucoppia nicora Djaparidze, 1986 was found in garlic fields in the Kastamonu region of Turkey. This finding is a new record for Turkey and also the first finding after its description from Nikortsminda cave and a vegetable garden in Tbilisi, Georgia. Redescription of the species is accompanied by a discussion of its taxonomic status. Based on differences having generic character in the structure of the prodorsum (length of lamellae; width of translamellae; distance between ro, le, and in setae), L. nicora is regarded as belonging to the subgenus Oribatula (Zygoribatula). Oribatula (Zygoribatula) nicora (Djaparidze, 1986) comb. nov. is proposed. A new diagnosis for the subgenus Zygoribatula is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zercon ostovani sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on female specimens collected from Eram Botanical Garden in Fars Province, southwestern Iran. The similarities and differences between related species within the same genus are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyandry, i.e. females mating with multiple males, is more common than previously anticipated and potentially provides both direct and indirect fitness benefits to females. The level of polyandry (defined by the lifetime number of male mates of a female) is an important determinant of the occurrence and intensity of sexual selection acting on male phenotypes. While the forces of sexual selection acting on phenotypic male traits such as body size are relatively well understood, sexual selection acting on phenotypic plasticity of these traits is unexplored. We tackled this issue by scrutinizing the link between polyandry and phenotypic plasticity of male body size in two sympatric plant-inhabiting predatory mite species, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus. These two species are similar in life history, ecological niche requirements, mating behavior, polygyny and female body size plasticity but strikingly differ in the level of both polyandry and phenotypic plasticity of male body size (both lower in P. persimilis). We hypothesized that deviations from standard body size, i.e. the size achieved under favorable conditions, incur higher costs for males in the less polyandrous P. persimilis. To test our hypotheses, we conducted two experiments on (i) the effects of male body size on spermatophore transfer in singly mating females and (ii) the effects of mate sequence (switching the order of standard-sized and small males) on mating behavior and paternity success in doubly mating females. In P. persimilis but not N. californicus, small males transferred fewer but larger spermatophores to the females; in both species, females re-mated more likely with standard-sized following small than small following standard-sized males; in P. persimilis, first standard-sized males sired a higher proportion of offspring produced after re-mating by the female than first small males, whereas in N. californicus the paternity success of small and standard-sized males was independent of the mating sequence. Based on our results and pertinent previous studies, which showed that females of P. persimilis, but not N. californicus, prefer mating with standard-sized over small males and allow them fertilizing more eggs, the lack of interspecific difference in female body size plasticity, and the absence of any clue pointing at a role of natural selection, we suggest that the interspecific difference in male body size plasticity is sexually selected. Our study provides an indication of sexual selection constraining plasticity of male phenotypes, suggesting that the level of polyandry may be an important co-determinant of the level of phenotypic plasticity of male body size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the water balance, body fl uid osmolality and survival of the oribatid mite, Pergalumna nervosa, when exposed to drought in fi eld and laboratory experiments. In a replicated fi eld experiment we artifi cially lowered the soil water content by putting roofs over selected plots, which reduced soil water potential to levels well below the permanent wilting percentage for plants (i.e. below -1.5 MPa). Even though a slight decrease in the abundance of P. nervosa (only found in the 0-5 cm soil layer) was recorded during the most severe drought stress (ca. -3.5 MPa), the majority of adult mites clearly survived these conditions for 3 weeks in the fi eld without migrating to deeper soil layers. Exposing fi eld collected adults in laboratory experiments simulating even more severe drought conditions revealed that P. nervosa can survive several weeks of gradually increasing drought stress (down to -7 MPa) with moderate water loss. The osmolality of body fl uids increased as dehydration progressed, but apparently as a result of simple up-concentration of solutes and not the de novo synthesis of protective osmolytes. We compare and discuss these results in the light of what is known about other arthropods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to compare the effect of pure oxygen to that of ambient air on gamma irradiation of Brevipalpus yothersi (Baker) (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae). Flasks containing the mites were irradiated in a Gammacell-220 irradiator with Cobalt-60 emitting gamma radiation at a rate of 381 Gy/h. Seventy mites per flask replicated 4 times were irradiated in either pure oxygen or air with 0 (control), 200, 230, 270, or 300 Gy as the intended doses. All eggs, deutonymphs and adults were counted each day and the parameters of egg production, egg hatch, development and mortality were recorded. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and means were separated with Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test at 5% probability. Generally, irradiation of females with progressively larger doses—whether in oxygen or in air—resulted in progressively greater negative biological effects, and these effects were greater when females were irradiated in oxygen than in air. Non-irradiated gravid females exposed to pure oxygen deposited 79.3 ± 0.3 eggs per female compared to 73.0 ± 0.3 per female in ambient air. The numbers of eggs oviposited by females irradiated with the largest dose (300 Gy) were 29.1 ± 0.2 in air and 18.1 ± 0.3 in oxygen. In the ambient air + 270 Gy treatment egg hatch was 3.8 ± 0.1%, but in the oxygen + 270 Gy treatment it was 0%. When females were irradiated in air with 300 Gy, egg hatch was totally prevented. The number of F1 deutonymphs per P generation female irradiated with 270 Gy in ambient air was 4.0 ± 0.1, but the corresponding number that descended from females irradiated in pure oxygen was significantly reduced to zero. Percentage survival of females at 22 d post treatment was 13.0 ± 0.1 d when females were irradiated in oxygen with 270 Gy compared to 16 ± 0.2 d when irradiated in air with 300 Gy. Therefore, 300 Gy is recommended as an appropriate candidate for phytosanitary irradiation of B. yothersi in air, and 270 Gy is recommended as an appropriate candidate for phytosanitary irradiation of B. yothersi in oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new Uropodina mite species are described from Singapore. Hutufeideria singaporensis sp. nov. differs from the other Hutufeideria Hirschmann & Hiramatsu, 1977 species by the shape of the pygidial and genital shields and by the shape of sternal and dorsal setae. Phymatodiscus insolitus sp. nov. has a very specific character within the genus Phymatodiscus Berlese, 1917: the dorsal eye-like depressions are very small and hidden. The position and shape of ventral setae in the third species [Rotundabaloghia (Circohaloghia) singaporica sp. nov.] are unique within the subgenus Circohaloghia Kontschan, 2010b. New keys are given to all species of the genera Hutufeideria and Phymatodiscus, and a new key to the South-East Asian members of the subgenus Rotundabaloghia (Circohaloghia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organismal functions are size-dependent whenever body surfaces supply body volumes. Larger organisms can develop strongly folded internal surfaces for enhanced diffusion, but in many cases areas cannot be folded so that their enlargement is constrained by anatomy, presenting a problem for larger animals. Here, we study the allometry of adhesive pad area in 225 climbing animal species, covering more than seven orders of magnitude in weight. Across all taxa, adhesive pad area showed extreme positive allometry and scaled with weight, implying a 200-fold increase of relative pad area from mites to geckos. However, allometric scaling coefficients for pad area systematically decreased with taxonomic level and were close to isometry when evolutionary history was accounted for, indicating that the substantial anatomical changes required to achieve this increase in relative pad area are limited by phylogenetic constraints. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, we found that the departure from isometry is almost exclusively caused by large differences in size-corrected pad area between arthropods and vertebrates. To mitigate the expected decrease of weight-specific adhesion within closely related taxa where pad area scaled close to isometry, data for several taxa suggest that the pads' adhesive strength increased for larger animals. The combination of adjustments in relative pad area for distantly related taxa and changes in adhesive strength for closely related groups helps explain how climbing with adhesive pads has evolved in animals varying over seven orders of magnitude in body weight. Our results illustrate the size limits of adhesion-based climbing, with profound implications for large-scale bio-inspired adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An annotated checklist of identified oribatid mites of the superfamily Galumnoidea collected from Cuba, including ten species from four genera and two families, is provided. Galumna flabellifera Hammer, 1958, Pergalumna bifissurata Hammer, 1972, P. bryani (Jacot, 1934), P. decorata Balogh & Mahunka, 1977 and Galumnopsis secunda Sellnick, 1923 are recorded for the first time in the Cuban fauna. A new species of Pergalumna, P. cubaensis sp. n., is described; it is morphologically similar to P. decorata Balogh & Mahunka, 1977, but differs from the latter by the larger body size, heavily granulated prodorsum and well-developed interlamellar setae. The adult of Allogalumna cubana Balogh & Mahunka, 1979 is redescribed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a new species of zerconid mite, Zercon istanbulensis sp. nov., is described from İstanbul Province, Turkey. Description of the species is based on adults of both sexes and deutonymphs. Illustrations of the female, male, and deutonymph stage are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reedbeds can be characterized as forming a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They have distinctive animals adapted to living in aqueous conditions. Because of the lack of data on the mite fauna in marsh habitats of Turkey, this faunistic study was conducted in the Ekşisu Marshes, which resulted in collecting and determining 58 species and 36 genera belonging to 29 families. Of these, Stigmaeus sphagneti (Hull), Neothrombium neglectum (Bruyant), Podothrombium macrocarpum Berlese, Johnstoniana eximia (Berlese), Calyptostomata velutinus (Müller), Heminothrus humicola (Forsslund), Astegistes pilosus (Koch), Achipteria coleoptrata (Linnaeus), and Lauritzenia elegans (Kunst) are new records for the Turkish fauna. The diagnostic features and distributions throughout the world of the species that were determined as newly recorded for Turkey are given. This is also the first report of the families Calyptostomatidae and Neothrombidiidae from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new oribatid mite species of the family Oppiidae, Multioppia (Multioppia) biciliata sp. n. is described from Arak, Markazi province, central-western Iran. The new species is characterized by the rounded rostrum; strongly elbowed rostral setae; long sensilli with oblong head, dilated unilaterally, ciliated bilaterally with 15-16 long cilia on outer and 8 short cilia on inner edge; long, thick and bilaterally ciliate noto- gastral setae; smooth genital and ciliate epimeral, aggenital, anal and adanal setae. An identification key to Iranian species of Multioppia is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Amblyomma cajennense F. is one of the best known and studied ticks in the New World because of its very wide distribution, its economical importance as pest of domestic ungulates, and its association with a variety of animal and human pathogens. Recent observations, however, have challenged the taxonomic status of this tick and indicated that intraspecific cryptic speciation might be occurring. In the present study, we investigate the evolutionary and demographic history of this tick and examine its genetic structure based on the analyses of three mitochondrial (12SrDNA, d-loop, and COII) and one nuclear (ITS2) genes. Because A. cajennense is characterized by a typical trans-Amazonian distribution, lineage divergence dating is also performed to establish whether genetic diversity can be linked to dated vicariant events which shaped the topology of the Neotropics. Results Total evidence analyses of the concatenated mtDNA and nuclear + mtDNA datasets resulted in well-resolved and fully congruent reconstructions of the relationships within A. cajennense. The phylogenetic analyses consistently found A. cajennense to be monophyletic and to be separated into six genetic units defined by mutually exclusive haplotype compositions and habitat associations. Also, genetic divergence values showed that these lineages are as distinct from each other as recognized separate species of the same genus. The six clades are deeply split and node dating indicates that they started diverging in the middle-late Miocene. Conclusions Behavioral differences and the results of laboratory cross-breeding experiments had already indicated that A. cajennense might be a complex of distinct taxonomic units. The combined and congruent mitochondrial and nuclear genetic evidence from this study reveals that A. cajennense is an assembly of six distinct species which have evolved separately from each other since at least 13.2 million years ago (Mya) in the earliest and 3.3 Mya in the latest lineages. The temporal and spatial diversification modes of the six lineages overlap the phylogeographical history of other organisms with similar extant trans-Amazonian distributions and are consistent with the present prevailing hypothesis that Neotropical diversity often finds its origins in the Miocene, after the Andean uplift changed the topology and consequently the climate and ecology of the Neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species, Angulobaloghia tamilica and Angulobaloghia indica spp. nov. belonging to the family Rotundabaloghiidae are recorded from India. The new species differ from the previously described congeners in the shape of the females' genital shield and shape and position of sternal and ventral setae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on two species of the trombidiform mite family Labidostommatidae from the Bükk Mountains, Hungary. One, Labidostomma (Cornutella) cornuta (G. Canestrini & Fanzago, 1877) is a new species for the fauna of Hungary, the other, L. (Nicoletiella) denticulata (Schrank, 1776) has recently been recorded by Ujvári & Kontschán (2010). A brief description of the family and the species are given, with data on morphology and known occurrences in Europe. The species are illustrated. A key to genera and subgenera of European labidostommatids is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locomotory muscles typically operate over a narrow range of contraction frequencies, characterized by the predominant fiber types and functional roles. The highest documented frequencies in the synchronous sound-producing muscles of insects (550 Hz) and toadfish (200 Hz) far exceed the contraction frequencies observed in weight-bearing locomotory muscles, which have maximum documented frequencies below 15-30 Hz. Laws of scaling, however, predict that smaller arthropods may employ stride frequencies exceeding this range. In this study we measured running speed and stride frequency in two undescribed species of teneriffiid mites from the coastal sage scrub of southern California. Relative speeds of both species [129-133 body lengths (BL)s-1] are among the fastest documented for any animal. Measured stride frequencies for both species far exceed those documented for any weight-bearing locomotory muscle, with measured values for one species ranging from 93Hz at 25°C to 111 Hz at 45°C. Stride frequencies either closely approximate or, for one species, exceed predicted values based on an interspecific scaling of frequency and animal mass. Consequently, while the ultra-high frequencies of these muscles must depend on appropriately scaled kinetics of the calcium transient and contraction-relaxation cycle, these do not appear to limit the operating frequencies during running. The predicted low muscle forces operating at these very high frequencies evidently suffice for locomotion, probably because of the larger relative muscle force generated by smaller animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androlaelaps maurii, a new species of laelapine mite, is described on the basis of female specimens collected from the pelage of the akodontine rodent, Deltamys kempi, from La Plata River basin in Argentina. Androlaelaps maurii can be differentiated from closely related species by its smaller size, the differing distribution of setae in the dorsal shield, and an unarmed opithogaster. This mite appears to be host specific to D. kempi and occurs on this rodent throughout its distribution in Argentina and Uruguay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult females (n = 518) of Varroa destructor from Apis mellifera prepupae were examined by scanning electron microscopy without prior fluid fixation, dehydration and critical-point drying. Fifty-five (10.6%) mites had one (8.1%) or two (2.5%) diagonal dimples positioned symmetrically on the idiosoma's dorsum. Where one such regular dorsal dimple existed per mite body, it occurred on the left or right side, equally. Mites with at least one regular dorsal dimple were 3.4% longer, but neither idiosomal width nor elliptical area differed significantly from mites lacking dimples. Dimple length was normally distributed in the population, and averaged 462 ? 9.2??m (s.e.; n = 68 dimples). Internally, each regular dorsal dimple aligns with a series of obliquely-situated, dorso-ventral muscles in the opisthosoma. It is concluded that regular dorsal dimples are faults originating during mite ontogeny and should be considered separately from damage to Varroa destructor inflicted by honeybees or predatory arthropods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the holding and pulling forces generated by claws of the microarthropod Archegozetes longisetosus (Chelicerata, Acari, Oribatida) on three substrates with different roughness (Ra0.05 μm, 1 μm, 30 μm). Holding forces were measured perpendicular to the substrate using a strain gage force transducer; pulling forces were measured parallel to the substrate using an analytical scale. We found a significant positive correlation of surface roughness and the forces generated. Mites produced holding forces on horizontal rough surfaces (Ra=30 μm) of up to 1180 times their weight; on vertical rough surfaces (Ra30 μm) they can pull with 530 times their weight, effectively involving only two pairs of legs. The relative forces are five times higher than theoretically expected for organisms of this size (<1 mm, 100 peg) and higher than any relative forces reported for insect claws. Muscles involved in claw action produced stresses up to 1170 kN m-2, a value that is only excelled by decapod crustacean claw closer muscles. Ours is the first study of performance by chelicerate apoteles and claws and also the first to measure forces generated by any microarthropod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the morphological characteristics, measurements, habitats and distribution of Torrenticola nana Di Sabatino & Gerecke, 2003 and Torrenticola jasminae Bader, 1988, which are new records for the Turkish fauna, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scrub typhus is a mite borne zoonosis common in the tropics with no good preventive strategy. Children are also affected leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. We conducted a case control study and a vector survey to determine the risk factors for acquisition of scrub typhus.Methods: A case control study with a 1:2 case control ratio was conducted over a 2 year period at a tertiary care centre and its surrounding districts in South India. Cases were children < 15 years with confirmed scrub typhus. Controls were age and locality matched community controls without fever. Demographic, environmental and behavioural risk factors were obtained in cases and controls by an interview and an environmental survey. A vector survey was also undertaken in the immediate vicinity of the cases.Results: Case Control study: 101 cases and 167 controls were analysed. On multivariate analysis, significant association was observed with environmental factors such as the presence of a water body within 100 m of the house (OR 3.56(1.36,9.75); p 0.011), cooking outside the house (OR 5.61 (1.51,23.01); p 0.011), owning pets (OR 3.33(1.16,9.09); p 0.031), and the presence of bushes within 5 m of the house (OR 2.78 (1.11,7.69); p 0.033). Of the behavioural factors, the child going to school by a vehicle (OR 3.12 (2.29,8.37); p 0.006) was associated with an increased risk. Drying clothes on a clothesline showed a trend towards protection from acquiring scrub typhus (OR 0.31 (0.08, 1.08); p 0.077). Vector survey:26 rodents were trapped in as many houses. Trombiculid mites were isolated in 24 houses with 9(34.6%) being able to transmit scrub typhus. 254 trombiculid mites belonging to four species and two genera were collected. Leptotrombidium deliense, (33.5%). Schoengastiella ligula, (11.0%) of the total mite specimens collected. S. ligula always co-existed with L. deliense. The estimated Chigger index for Leptotrombidium deliense and Schoengastiella ligula was 3.27and 1.08 per animal respectively.Conclusions: Our study highlights risk factors for scrub typhus, some of which may be modifiable. A clean peri-domestic environment free of vegetation, drying clothes on a clothesline and cooking indoors may decrease the risk of scrub typhus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response participates in many chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In the current study, we sought to examine the contribution of ER stress transducers in the pathogenesis of three principal facets of allergic asthma: inflammation, airway fibrosis, and airways hyperresponsiveness.Methods: House Dust Mite (HDM) was used as an allergen for in vitro and in vivo challenge of primary human and murine airway epithelial cells. ER stress transducers were modulated using specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in vivo. Inflammation, airway remodeling, and hyperresponsiveness were measured by total bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cell counts, determination of collagen, and methacholine responsiveness in mice, respectively.Results: Challenge of human bronchiolar and nasal epithelial cells with HDM extract induced the ER stress transducer, activating transcription factor 6 α (ATF6α) as well as protein disulfide isomerase, ERp57, in association with activation of caspase-3. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of ATF6α and ERp57 during HDM administration in mice resulted in a decrease in components of HDM-induced ER stress, disulfide mediated oligomerization of Bak, and activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated knockdown of ATF6α and ERp57 led to decreased inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and airway fibrosis.Conclusion: Collectively, our work indicates that HDM induces ER stress in airway epithelial cells and that ATF6α and ERp57 play a significant role in the development of cardinal features of allergic airways disease. Inhibition of ER stress responses may provide a potential therapeutic avenue in chronic asthma and sub-epithelial fibrosis associated with loss of lung function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the study which revealed that the leg muscles of mites can contract quickly while carrying the weight of their body to produce high speed stride frequency which is comparable to the prediction based on the mites' size in relation to the frequency of other animals.

A letter to the editor about the possible role of human follicle mites in skin's defense against bacteria is presented.