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Oribatid mites are an ancient group that already roamed terrestrial ecosystems in the early and middle Devonian. The superfamily of Ameronothroidea, a supposedly monophyletic lineage, represents the only group of oribatid mites that has successfully invaded the marine coastal environment. By using mitogenome data and nucleic ribosomal RNA genes (18S, 5.8S, 28S), we show that Ameronothroidea are a paraphyletic assemblage and that the land-to-sea transition happened three times independently. Common ancestors of the tropical Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae were the first to colonize the coasts and molecular calibration of our phylogeny dates this event to a period in the Triassic and Jurassic era (225-146 mya), whereas present-day distribution indicates that this event might have happened early in this period during the Triassic, when the supercontinent Pangaea still existed. The cold temperate northern hemispheric Ameronothridae colonized the marine littoral later in the late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous and had an ancient distribution on Laurasian coasts. The third and final land-to-sea transition happened in the same geological period, but approx. 30 my later when ancestors of Podacaridae invaded coastal marine environments of the Gondwanan landmasses., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The opisthonotal glands of Astigmata contain monoterpenes, aromatics, aliphatics, and other volatile compounds; some of these compounds act as pheromones and have antifungal effects. This study analyzed volatile compounds secreted by mites on three traditional mite-ripened cheeses from producers (Milbenkäse from Germany, Mimolette and Artisou from France). The mites obtained from various traditional ripened French cheeses (Mimolette, Laguiole, Salers, and Cantal vieux) from stores were also investigated. The gas chromatography (GC) profiles of all their hexane extracts, except the Cantal vieux one, showed almost no differences and were identical to that of Tyrolichus casei Oudemans except for trace components. Based on the GC results, the mites of Cantal vieux were identified as Acarus siro L. For the Artisou and Cantal vieux, not studied before, the influence of the mite secretions on their characteristics was investigated by analyzing the headspace volatiles from the cheeses. According to the results, neral secreted from T. casei is the main compound responsible for the lemon-like flavor of the mite-ripened cheeses, which is, hence, due to a component of the mite secretions rather than the fermentation of the cheese itself. Moreover, the compounds secreted by the mites are not directly added to the cheese through ripening as they were not detected in the odors of the Artisou and Cantal vieux after the mites were removed. However, the consumers of the Artisou usually eat also the cheese rind, and thus, can enjoy its lemon-like flavor fully., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

To determine whether the mites used in the ripening process of traditional cheeses are genetically unique to cheese factories, we investigated mites from three types of traditional cheeses, that use mites in the ripening process: 'Würchwitzer Milbenkäse' from Germany and 'Mimolette' and 'Artisou' from France. In addition, traditional ripened cheeses were purchased from cheese specialty stores in France (Mimolette) and Japan ('Laguiole' from France) as well as stores in temporary markets in France ('Salers' and 'Cantal vieux') and the mites obtained from those cheeses were analyzed in this study. Partial sequences of the 28S rRNA gene (28S) were determined and used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree. Tyrolichus casei, the dominant cheese mite species from the ripening cabinets of three traditional cheese producers and two cheese specialty stores in France and Japan, had identical partial 28S sequences. All specimens from Cantal vieux from a store in the temporary market in France had an identical sequence with Acarus siro and Acarus immobilis in the determined region of the 28S sequences. Mite individuals from Salers from a store in the temporary markets in France shared the same haplotype as Acotyledon paradoxa. For the T. casei individuals from five different localities (19 individuals in total), the nuclear loci were obtained using MIG-seq. More than several thousand genomic regions are amplified simultaneously by multiplex PCR, and targeting regions surrounded by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) in the genome were sequenced using the MiSeq system (Illumina). SNPs extracted from this genome-wide analysis showed that no genetic structure existed in the populations from any region. Among the five samples from the three regions, which were more than 500 km apart and from completely different environments, the mites had no geographic bias, but all mite individuals were genetically nearly identical. Thus, we found no evidence to support the existence of 'cheese factory-specific' T. casei mites, at least in terms of genetic analysis., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The objective of this paper is to redescribe two feather mites, Compressalges nipponiae Dubinin, 1950 (Caudiferidae) and Freyanopterolichus nipponiae Dubinin, 1953 (Kramerellidae), based on samples collected from the last two individuals of the Crested Ibis Nipponia nippon (Temminck, 1835) from the native Japanese populations, which had been extirpated in 2003. Our study provides detailed description of the leg and idiosomal chaetotaxy, and many morphological structures, which were missed or misinterpreted in the original publications.

Four new water mite species of the genus Hygrobates, subgenus Lurchibates (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) are described. Hygrobates (Lurchibates) macrochela sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in male and female; Hygrobates (Lurchibates) malosimilis sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in male, both new water mite species were collected from newts of the species Pachytriton inexpectatus Nishikawa, Jiang, Matsui Mo, 2011; Hygrobates (Lurchibates) incognitus sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in female collected from newts of the species Paramesotriton guangxiensis (Huang, Tang and Tang, 1983); Hygrobates (Lurchibates) fragmentarius sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano is described in a single severely fragmented specimen (sex could not be determined) collected from a newt of the species Paramesotriton yunwuensis Wu, Jiang, and Hanken, 2010. Principal differences between the subgenus Lurchibates and the nominal subgenus Hygrobates s. str. are illustrated and discussed as well as the sexual dimorphism of Lurchibates. Morphometric analyses confirmed the morphological differences of ten out of the eleven so far described species (H. (L.) fragmentarius could not be included in the analysis); two morphological groups became evident mainly based upon the shape of the anterior coxae. These analyses as well provide an idea of possible phylogenetic relationships among the species. A key to all currently known species of the subgenus Lurchibates is given. So far the subgenus is restricted to SE-Asia, a map showing the distribution of all species is presented.

Riccardoella tokyoensis is a snail parasite recently recorded in Japan. To understand the basic ecology of this mite, we surveyed the life history of a population, including seasonal dynamics, host range, and geographical distribution in East Japan. Seasonal dynamics of the mite were studied in Rinshi-no-mori Park, Tokyo, Japan, from June 2016 to May 2018; thereafter, the morphology of each stage was described. In this park, the host population was infected with the mite in all seasons; however, the prevalence and infection intensities were highest during the warm seasons. Larvae and nymphs were found in the warm seasons. Proto- and tritonymphs were uncommon. To study the host range and geographical distribution, we sampled 1135 terrestrial mollusks from 16 families at 21 locations in Kanto and east Tokai areas from June 2016 to May 2020. Mites were detected at 13 locations, and only clausiliid snails were infected with the mite. Through a laboratory experiment, our observations confirmed that the mite was transmitted to the host lung via the pneumostome. None of the artificially infected snails died, although we maintained the snails for 2 months. No inflammation was found in naturally infected host tissue, suggesting that their virulence against the host snails was low. Riccardoella tokyoensis was not found in the litter layer in the field surveys, and no mite was observed on the external surface of the hosts, suggesting that the major habitat of this mite was the host lung.

Hygrobates salamandrarum Goldschmidt, Gerecke and Alberti, 2002 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) is the first-known water mite parasitizing adult newts. After its description, three further species of newt-parasitizing mites were described and the subgenus Lurchibates Goldschmidt and Fu, 2011 was proposed for the group, now containing four newt-parasitizing mites. Until now, each water mite species parasitizes a different newt species (Table 1), suggesting possible mite-newt co-speciation. In order to test this hypothesis, we need an accurate taxonomy of both of the hosts and parasites. However, the taxonomy of those Asian newt genera known to be parasitized by Lurchibates mites has been substantially revised after the initial description of the H. salamandrarum. To account for these taxonomic changes, we here revise the host-parasite species list and amend the host species name as shown in Table 1.

Males and females of three new water mite species of the genus Hygrobates Koch, 1837, subgenus Lurchibates Goldschmidt Fu, 2011 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) are described. The diagnosis of the subgenus is extended based upon the new material. The new species were all just found on one newt species each: Hygrobates (Lurchibates) intermedius sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano was collected from newts of the species Paramesotriton qixilingensis Yuan, Zhao, Jiang, Hou, He, Murphy Che, 2014 from Jiangxi Province, China; H. (L.) robustipalpis sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano on Pachytriton inexpectatus Nishikawa, Jiang, Matsui Mo, 2011 from Guizhou Province, China and H. (L.) pilosus sp. nov. Goldschmidt, Nishikawa Shimano on Paramesotriton yunwuensis Wu, Jiang Hanken, 2010 found in a pet shop.

We found two species of galumnid mites from Babeldaob Island of the Palau Republic, which is an island located in the western Pacific Ocean. In the present work, we describe Trichogalumna ekaterinae sp. nov., which is clearly different from other known species of Trichogalumna in the specific structure of sensillus, reduced number of notogastral porose areas, and smaller body size. A supplementary description of another species, Galumna flabellifera, which is recorded for the first time in Palau, is given. Furthermore, we discuss aspects of the distribution, diversity and habitat ecology of species belonging to these genera in the Oriental region.

A species of oribatid mites, Pergalumna amamiensis was collected from Amami-Ohshima Island, Ishigaki Island, and Okinawa Island, Southwestern Japan. The specimens were studied in detail, and supplementary descriptions are provided; these include features of the rostrum, the subcapitulum and the surface pattern of pteromorphs. The main morphological traits for this species are summarized as follows; body length 519-570 μm, body width 363-410 μm, rostral tip pointed, sensillus with a long stalk covered by minute barbs, porose areas Aa bulbous, porose areas A1, A2, and A3 circular, surface of pteromorphs ornamented by fine granular structure and dense wrinkles, fine granular structure on prodorsum, subcapitulum, genital plates and anal plates, median pore on the notogaster represented as single pore.

A new species of oribatid mite, Zachvatkinibates erimo sp. nov., is described from a sandy beach in Hokkaido, North Japan. The new species exhibits a clear sexual dimorphism, showing enlarged areae porosae on the notogaster of the male. A key is provided to sexually dimorphic species of Zachvatkinibates.

A new mite species, Riccardoella (Proriccardoella) tokyoensis n. sp., is described from the lungs of the terrestrial gastropod Tauphaedusa tau (Boettger, 1877) (Clausliidae) collected in a forest city park of Tokyo, Japan. The new species is distinguished from other Riccardoella species by the following morphological characters: tibia II bears 2 setae (vs. 3 setae in other species); femur I bears 5 setae (vs. 4 or 6 setae in other species); seta of trochanter I is absent (vs. 1 seta in other species). Our phylogenetic tree based on amino acid sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) confirmed that another member of the family Ereynetidae, "Ereynetidae sp.", is the closest relative with 85% sequence identity.

The red mite Balaustium murorum (Hermann) inhabits the Western Palaearctic realm and is well adapted to man-made structures. In Japan, B. murorum had been reported more frequently after the 1980s. A molecular phylogeny based on the nuclear 18S rRNA and mitochondrial COI genes, and including B. murorum individuals from Japan and Austria and representatives of related species from Japan showed four Balaustium species-level lineages in Japan (B. murorum, Balaustium sp. 1, Balaustium sp. 2, Balaustium sp. 3). The B. murorum lineage shared identical 18S sequence and COI haplotype with the Austrian population. Balaustium sp. 1 was detected from the Tokyo and Misaki area (Honshu Island) and was the sister group to B. murorum; the other two lineages inhabited coastal environments of Erimo, Hokkaido Island (Balaustium sp. 2) and Ainan, Shikoku Island (Balaustium sp. 3). The high genetic distances among these four lineages indicate that each lineage is a distinct species, with three of the lineages representing undescribed species. Our results are compatible with the conclusion that B. murorum was introduced to Japan from Europe, although our study did not resolve the polarity or timing of migration events.

The strawberry poison frog Dendrobates pumilio (Anura: Dendrobatidae) and related poison frogs contain a variety of dendrobatid alkaloids that are considered to be sequestered through the consumption of alkaloid-containing arthropods microsympatrically distributed in the habitat. In addition to ants, beetles, and millipedes, we found that adults of two species of oribatid mites belonging to the cohort Brachypylina, trophically a lower level of animal than ants and beetles, contain dendrobatid alkaloids. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of hexane extracts of adult Scheloribates azumaensis (Oribatida: Acari) revealed the presence of not only pumiliotoxin 251D (8-hydroxy-8-methyl-6-(2'-methylhexylidene)-1-azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane), but also precoccinelline 193C and another coccinelline-type alkaloid. From the corresponding extracts of an unidentified Scheloribates sp., pumiliotoxin 237A (8-hydroxy-8-methyl-6-(2'-methylpentylidene)-1-azabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane) was detected as a minor component, and identified by synthesis. The presence of related alkaloids, namely deoxypumiliotoxin 193H, a 6,8-diethyl-5-propenylindolizidine, and tentatively, a 1-ethyl-4-pentenynylquinolizidine, were indicated by the GC/MS fragmentation patterns, along with at least another six unidentified alkaloid components. Thus, one possible origin of pumiliotoxins, coccinellid alkaloids, and certain izidines found in poison frogs may be mites of the genus Scheloribates and perhaps related genera in the suborder Oribatida.

The composition of oil gland exudates from two oribatid mites, Trhypochthoniellus sp. and Trhypochthonius japonicus, was studied with reference to the related species Trhypochthoniellus crassus. Trhypochthoniellus sp. contained a mixture of seven compounds; (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, geranial, 3-hydroxybenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde (gamma-acaridial), neryl formate, neral, (Z)-8-heptadecene and geranyl formate in decreasing order of abundance. The profile of the components from T. japonicus consisted of two types depending on the locality of sampling with unknown reason; one possessing a mixture of eight compounds [(Z,E)-farnesal, gamma-acaridial, (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, (E,E)-farnesal, (Z)-8-heptadecene and geranial in decreasing order] together with two unknown compounds, and the other composed of the same set of compounds together with 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde as the most abundant component. Relative abundance among common components was consistent between the two types of T. japonicus. Profiles of components differed among three species including T. crasus. The phylogenetic relationship between Oribatida and Astigmata was discussed based on secretory compounds commonly distributed between these two suborders.

The presence of an alarm pheromone was demonstrated in the deutonymphal stage of the oribatid mite, Nothruspalustris (C. L. Koch). The active principle was identified as 3,7-dimethyl-(E)-2,6-octadienal, geranial, and was shown to be active at doses of 10-100 ng. This is the first such pheromone identified in oribatid mites.

A new feather mite Pelargolichus orientalissp. nov. is described from the Oriental White Stork, Ciconia boyciana Swinhoe, 1873, one of the world's most endangered bird species. This mite species was collected from feathers of the Oriental White Storks bred in the Tama Zoological Park in Japan. The native population of the Oriental White Stork and feather mites associated with this bird had been extinct in Japan since 1986. Wild individuals of this bird species were transported from the Eurasian Continent to Japanese breeding facilities, and in the 2000s, a small wild population was restored. The new mite species is presently distributed in natural fields in Japan along with its introduced host population. This study presents the first record of the feather mite genus Pelargolichus in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red velvet mite, Balaustium murorum (Hermann), is a pollenophagous free-living mite with a flashy red body. This mite occurs in early spring and lives on sunny surfaces of human-made structures, such as concrete. Hence, it is inevitably exposed to a harsh environment due to solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and radiant heat, which cause oxidative stress via the production of reactive oxygen species. The spider mite Panonychus citri that resides on upper leaf surfaces accumulates synthesized keto-carotenoids to protect against oxidative stress. Therefore, we evaluated carotenoid composition in the red pigment of B. murorum. To identify major carotenoids, we performed a high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of intact and de-esterified pigments of B. murorum females. The flashy red pigments of B. murorum consisted of the highly abundant keto-carotenoids astaxanthin and 3-hydroxyechinenone (60 and 38% of major carotenoids, respectively), and a small amount of β-carotene (2%). Although P. citri is an astaxanthin-rich species, the astaxanthin concentration (per protein) in B. murorum is 127-fold that in P. citri. Due to their high antioxidant activities, those keto-carotenoids probably contribute to the survival of B. murorum in the harsh environment caused by solar UV-B radiation and radiant heat in inorganic habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Laysan Albatross Phoebastria immutabilis (Rothschild, 1893) is a seabird species included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as Near Threatened (NT). We sampled two feather mite species, Diomedacarus gigas (Dubinin, 1949) and Echinacarus petaliferus (Trouessart, 1898), from the three albatross, and provided their redescriptions. This is the first record of D. gigas from the past half-century in Japan and the first report of E. petaliferus in this country. The haplotype network of partial sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit for D. gigas showed that six of the seven haplotypes were unique to the mites sampled from each host individual. This mite species may have a very little opportunity for horizontal transmission between host individuals since albatrosses live alone over sea areas, except the breeding period on land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent discovery of the oribatid mite Ameronothrus twitter via a social media platform resulted in a considerable media response and raised the awareness of the public for these tiny organisms. As a direct consequence, another new marine associated ameronothroid species was now discovered via the same social media service. Moreover, the record of this new species, Ameronothrus retweet sp. n., represents the first report of an ameronothroid taxon from the Sea of Japan coast, indicating that this coastline was successfully colonized by these organisms and that further species could be present there. Ameronothrus retweet sp. n. shows an extraordinary sexual dimorphism with females having relatively shorter legs and a strongly folded notogastral integument. Based on morphological characteristics, it is suggested that the new species is closest related to Ameronothrus lineatus and Ameronothrus nigrofemoratus. A molecular genetic investigation of selected ameronothroid taxa, using the 18S rRNA gene, shows that all Ameronothrus species are closely related and represent a distinct monophyletic genus. In a larger phylogenetic context, the Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae are given as sister taxa with a monophyletic origin, whereas certain members of Ameronothridae are placed in paraphyletic positions, supporting theories of an independent origin of the marine associated lifestyle in ameronothroid mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riccardoella (Proriccardoella) reaumuriFain & van Goethem, 1986 has been reported in terrestrial mollusks in France and the Japanese Archipelago. The purpose of this study was to describe two new subspecies of this mite species from Japan based on their morphological characters. Mites were sampled from terrestrial mollusks at 13 locations in Japan from Oct. 16, 2016 to Nov. 13, 2020. The sampled mites and specimens deposited in museum were also used for morphological observations. As a result of principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis based on morphology of dorsal setae on idiosoma and solenidia on palptarsus and tarsus I and II, mite specimens from France and Japan were divided into three groups: Group 1 (mites sampled in France), Group 2 (Okinawajima Is.) and Group 3 (the area from Kyushu Is. to Hokkaido Is.). The solenidia shapes also differed between the groups. We propose that the mites of each of the three groups should be defined as subspecies based on these morphological differences. Our phylogenetic tree of the two subspecies based on amino acid sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) confirmed that these Japanese mites are members of the genus, family Ereynetidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper provides information on juvenile stages of seven intertidal oribatid mite species from the East Asian region. Larva and nymphs of the fortuyniid species Fortuynia churaumi, F. shibai, F. rotunda and Alismobates reticulatus are described and details about juvenile morphology of the selenoribatid species, Arotrobates granulatus, Indopacifica taiyo and I. tyida are given. Juveniles of the genus Arotrobates are reported for the first time and strong ventral femoral carinae are supposed to be diagnostic characters. Basically, the conservative morphology of immature stages could be confirmed in every studied taxon and its importance for phylogenetic considerations is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We found four species of oribatid mites belonging to family Oppiidae from Babeldaob Island of Palau Republic, which is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. Two new species, Anomaloppia babeldaobensissp. nov. and Oxyoppia palauensissp. nov. are described from litter and soil in a secondary forest of Palau, and supplementary descriptions of two hitherto known species, Arcoppia corniculifera (Mahunka 1978) and Arcoppia hammeraeRodríguez & Subías, 1984 are provided, which are reported for the first time from the Oceania region. Following the descriptions and comparisons, aspects of the taxonomy, distribution and habitat ecology of studied species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We found four species of oribatid mites belonging to the genus Protoribates from Babeldaob Island of Palau Republic, which is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. A new species, Protoribates lutosisetosussp. nov. is described from litter and soil of the primary and secondary forests in Palau, and supplementary descriptions of three hitherto known species, Protoribates acutus, Protoribates paracapucinus, and Protoribates seminudus are provided. Following the descriptions and comparisons, aspects of the taxonomy, distribution, and habitat ecology of all studied species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical forest canopies are home to an extremely high diversity of arthropods, but their diversity, abundance, and community structures remain incomplete. Three species of oribatid mites from the crown leaves petioles of Light Red Meranti (Shorea quadrinervis Sloot), a tree species that is endemic to Borneo Island, are reported in the present study. A new species of Birobates (Oripodidae) is proposed, with a diagnostic key to adults of all known species of the genus worldwide. Dometorina plantivaga (Berlese, 1895) (Scheloribatidae) and Paralamellobates misella (Berlese, 1910) (Punctoribatidae) are reported for the first time from Borneo, and supplementary descriptions of those species are provided. Aspects of the distribution and habitat ecology of each species reported are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Claws may be the most common biological attachment devices in animals but relatively few studies have examined the ecological and evolutionary significance of their morphology. We performed the first geometric morphometric investigation of arthropod claws using 15 intertidal oribatid mite species from two different families living in three different habitat types to determine if claw shape is correlated with ecology. Our results show that species living on rocky shores show remarkably high and strongly curved claws while species from mangrove habitats show significantly lower and less curved claws. Euryoecious species are able to dwell in a wide range of habitats and show an intermediate claw type. These results indicate a strong relationship between claw shape and microhabitat and the best predictors of microhabitat use seem to be claw height and curvature. Claw length varied to some degree among the species but without any noticeable ecological pattern. A comparison with terrestrial and freshwater aquatic oribatid mite species, on the other hand, confirms that their claws are only half as long as that of intertidal mites and it is suggested that tidal flooding and wave action strongly selects for long claws. In this microarthropod group which occupies a vast array of microhabitats, claw morphology may play an important role in niche separation and hence demonstrate the importance of ecomorphological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ameronothridae are recorded for the first time from Japanese coasts with the new species Ameronothrus yoichi sp. n. from Hokkaido. The report of this species represents the most southern occurrence of an Ameronothrus species in the Asian Pacific region. Ameronothrus yoichi sp. n. can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the conspicuously pusticulate body surface and the loss of dorsal companion setae d on all genua in the adult stage. Based on adult and juvenile morphology, a close relation to Ameronothrus maculatus and A. schneideri is suggested. Ameronothrus yoichi sp. n. is classified as a lichenivorous inhabitant of sediment-free rocky coastal substrates. Due to a lack of genetic sequence data of nearly all ameronothrid species a molecular genetic comparison is yet unfeasible, but a Bayesian inference tree based on the 18S rRNA gene shows a paraphyletic clustering of the ameronothrid A. yoichi sp. n. and Paraquanothrus grahami. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We found two species of oribatid mites from Babeldaob Island of Palau Republic, which is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. Eurhynchoribates brevisensillatus sp. nov. is proposed from mosses growing in the forest, and a diagnostic key to adults of all known species of Eurhynchoribates is provided. Another species, Basilobelba foliata Hammer, 1982 is reported for the first time from Palau, which was known previously from island of Bali, Indonesia. Following the descriptions and comparisons, we discuss aspects of the diversity, distribution and habitat ecology of species belonging to each genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates for the first time the presence of marine‐associated mites in the Andaman Sea and Strait of Malacca and reveals a relatively high diversity of these taxa with six species from two different families: Selenoribatidae and Fortuyniidae. Indopacifica, a new genus of Selenoribatidae, is described from Thailand and Malaysia, with two new species, Indopacifica pantai n. sp. and Indopacifica parva n. sp. The genus is characterized by the unique combination of following characters: lacking lamellar ridges, incomplete dorsosejugal suture, fourteen pairs of notogastral setae, and presence of epimeral foveae. A phylogenetic reconstruction based on 18S ribosomal RNA sequences clearly confirms the distinctness of the new genus Indopacifica and places it close to the genus Rhizophobates. The lack of molecular genetic data of possible relatives impedes a clear assessment, and hence, we emphasize the need for further combined approaches using morphological and molecular genetic sequence data. All species show wide distribution areas within this geographic region suggesting that these taxa are good dispersers despite their minute size and wingless body. Molecular genetic data demonstrate recent gene flow between far distant populations of I. pantai n. sp. from the coasts of Thailand and two islands of Malaysia and hence confirm this assumption. The seasonally changing surface currents within this geographic area may favor hydrochorous dispersal and hence genetic exchange. Nevertheless, morphometric data show a slight trend to morphological divergence among the studied populations, whereas this variation is suggested to be a result of genetic drift but also of habitat differences in one population of Alismobates pseudoreticulatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the supplementary description of adults ofEremaeozetes octomaculatualong with illustrations is provided, which is recorded for the first time from Indonesia.Eremaeozetes octomaculatusis an Oriental and Oceanian species, currently known from the Western Samoa Island of Polynesia, Luzon and Mindanao Islands of the Philippines, Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan, and recently we found it in the Java Island of Indonesia. This species appears to be primarily an inhabitant of tropical forests, and it prefers mosses and fungi growing on stones, tree trunks, as well as forest floors and decomposed plant debris. Data of analysis on 28S D3 gene sequence of this species is provided. Comparison of theE. octomaculatussequence with other oribatid mites 28S D3 sequences identifies thatScapheremaeusis the closest relative toE. octomaculatuswith regard to the species included in this analysis, but the relationship was supported by week bootstrap value. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The absolute configuration of the iridoid monoterpene chrysomelidial from the oribatid mite, Austrotritia dentate Aoki, was elucidated by the GC-MS and GC comparisons with four synthetic stereoisomers of this well-known natural product. This identification was made possible by asymmetric synthesis of the known alcohol, (5 S,8 S)-chrysomelidiol. The GC retention time of diol derived from the natural oribatid dial agreed with that of the synthetic (5 S,8 S)-chrysomelidiol, confirming that the absolute configurations at C5 and C8 positions of the natural chrysomelidial are both S. Chrysomelidial was detected as a single or a major component in nine oribatid mites examined; thus, this compound is considered to be commonly distributed in Oribotririidae where it serves a defensive role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]