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Demodecidae are the most specialized parasitic mites of mammals; they typically inhabit the skin, but they have been found in other tissues and organs. They can cause demodecosis (a disease which is hazardous and difficult to cure) in humans, domestic animals and livestock. They are parasites with high host and topical specificity. They have been found for most orders of mammals, and they are common in the populations of numerous host species. Therefore, they not only constitute an important subject of veterinary and medical study, but also comprise an excellent model for faunistic and parasitological analyses concerning different aspects of functioning and evolution of the host–parasite relationship. The current level or knowledge of demodecid mites is irregular and fragmentary, and numerous questions require elaboration and ordering, from the taxonomic diversity to geographic distribution and relations with hosts. Such data may be of use i.a. for the development of more efficient and reliable diagnostic methods, as well as understanding the etiology and pathogenesis mechanisms of demodecosis, currently a contentious issue. The present paper lists all formally-described valid species of demodecid mites, together with other functioning specific names, verified and with comments on their status. This is significant for correct species identification and demodecosis diagnostics. The list has been drawn up on the basis of data acquired in the period 1842−2020. It contains 122 valid species of parasite, including their hosts and geographic distribution, data on parasitism, as well as only the second record of Demodex sciurinus in Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris in over 100 years since its initial discovery.

Oligonychus Berlese (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae) is an agriculturally important and the largest genus of spider mites, comprised of 211 species (including new species), two subgenera, four species groups, and 11 species subgroups. The present study comprehensively addressed the morphotaxonomic-based identification of world species of the subgenus Reckiella Tuttle and Baker. Five diagnostic keys were developed for identifying Oligonychus ( Reckiella ) species belonging to five species subgroups: iseilemae , pritchardi , biharensis , gossypii , and exsiccator . Taxonomic notes are provided on intraspecific variations and some closely related Oligonychus ( Reckiella ) species representing six species complexes, viz. the afrasiaticus complex, the litchii complex, the pratensis complex, the plegas complex, the sacchari complex, and the tylus complex. One new spider mite species, Oligonychus bahaensis sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Grasses (Poaceae) under the subgenus Reckiella .

Brevipalpus yothersi (Baker, 1949) (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) is newly reported on southern highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L. X V. darrowi Camp (Ericaceae), in Florida, USA. The specimens were collected from a commercial southern highbush blueberry planting of Abundance, Emerald, and Meadowlark blueberry varieties from Sep to Nov 2016. The species is described based on morphological (light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy) methods. Information on its economic importance, host plants, and geographical distribution also is provided.

Cunaxidae are predaceous mites found in a variety of habitats. This work provides comprehensive keys to world subfamilies, genera, and species. Diagnoses and historical reviews are provided for subfamilies and genera. Cunaxa boneti, C. denmarki, C. exoterica, C. floridanus, C. lehmanae, C. lukoschusi, C. metzi, C. myabunderensis, C newyorkensis, C. rackae, C. reevesi, and C. reticulatus are moved to Rubroscirus and C. otiosus, C. valentis, and C. rasile are returned to Rubroscirus. Cunaxoides neopectinatus is moved to Pulaeus. Neocunaxoides pradhani and N. gilbertoi are transferred to Scutopalus. Pulaeus minutus and P. subterraneus are moved to Lupaeus. Pseudobonzia bakari, P. malookensis, and P. shamshadi are transferred to Neobonzia. Dactyloscirus bifidus is transferred to Armascirus. Scirula papillata is reported from the Western Hemisphere for the first time. Armascirus ozarkensis, A. primigenius, and Dactyloscirus dolichosetosus are reported from new localities.

A new species, Petrobia (Petrobia) pakistanensis sp. nov. is described and collected, based on females form wild grasses, from Pakistan. the species P. (Tetranychina) cardi Chaudhri, W.M., 1972 is re-described and illustrated, based on femles and male. Petrobia (Petrobia) pakistanensis sp. nov. (Prostigmata, Tetranychidae) is described and illustrated, based on female specimens collected from wild grasses (Poaceae) from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The male of P. (Tetranychina) cardi Chaudhri, reported for the first time, is described and illustrated. Additionally, the complementary description of females of this species is provided, based on a new collection.

Background: In Egypt, calcareous soils represent a large part of desert soils suffering from a shortage of nutrients and organic matter, affecting production and biological diversity in agroecosystems. Organic wastes, negatively affect the environment, recycling it as a promising technology in different farming systems, and its impact on crop productivity and soil fauna is largely unknown. In this study, the effects of integrating poultry manure (PM) alone or combined with vinasse (V) at rates of 4.2 g kg − 1 and 6.3 g kg − 1 in pots, on improving soil fauna diversity, soil fertility, soil consistency and yield of barley ( Hordeum aestivum L.) grown in a calcareous soil were investigated. Results: The results showed that the addition of PM alone or combined with V at different rates led to a significant increase in the microbial biomass carbon (MBC), organic matter (OM), NPK soil availability and yield of barley. The addition of 6.3 g PM and 4.2 g V kg − 1 soil have the best results in OM with 65.0% compared to control, and V contributes more than 16% of them. Prostigmata and Collembola were the dominant groups and accounted for 43.3% and 50.0% in the PM1 and 50.0% and 20.0% in the PM2 of the total individuals, respectively. Shannon and Evenness indices increased significantly with the soil amended by PM alone or combined with V. Soil fauna plays a key role in soil consistency because of a significant relationship between soil fauna and soil OM, MBC and soil fertility index. The addition of 6.3 g PM and 4.2 g V kg − 1 soil gave the best results in grain yield by 76.90% compared to the control. Conclusion: In conclusion, the interaction between PM and V can be used as a promising organic amendments to increase barley yield and improve efficiency of a recycled PM and V on soil fauna and soil fertility of calcareous soil.

Methods used for sample storage, specimen clearing, slide mounting, species illustration and morphometric description in alpha-taxonomic studies are essential for the Eriophyoidea. Eriophyoid mites are very tiny and delicate, for which truly permanent specimen slides currently cannot be prepared, resulting in eventual loss of material, including type specimens. Often, published descriptions and drawings have not achieved the required level of quality, and thus many relevant taxonomic details have been permanently lost or neglected. These shortcomings can make certain identifications impossible and cause significant confusion. Consequently, there is a considerable need for accurate and uniform descriptive and illustrative data for the Eriophyoidea. Based on their expertise on this topic, the authors provide guidelines and advices, assisted also by illustrations, of the main critical aspects in managing eriophyoid mites in order to supplement and improve techniques for handling and preparation of specimens, and for improving their taxonomic study. The effects of the short- and long-term preservation methods (i.e., fresh, dried and liquid preservative choices) on digesting the internal tissues of the mites are discussed. Clearing and mounting procedures are analyzed, and special tips are suggested for handling mites and designing tools needed during these steps. Methods for recovering specimens from unsuitable slides (i.e., undercleared and overcleared specimens) are proposed and described. Techniques and tricks to produce descriptive line drawings of good quality are highlighted, and the content to include in plates is stressed. Finally, detailed instructions for standardization of measurements are given.

The present study aimed to develop taxonomic keys to the world species of the genus Bryobia , categorized into three subgenera: Allobia Livschits & Mitrofanov, Bryobia s. str. Koch, and Lyobia Livschits & Mitrofanov. Published descriptions, redescriptions, and illustrations of a total of 149 world species were thoroughly analyzed. The taxonomic notes on the status of the species in the species groups of each subgenus are discussed in detail. The variability of morphological characters found among different populations of a species is discussed. As a result, 116 species of the genus Bryobia were classified in three diagnostic keys, with 22, 43, and 51 species assigned to the three subgenera Allobia , Bryobia , and Lyobia , respectively. The population of B. neoribis Tuttle & Baker from Utah, USA, should be re-identified through type examination due to differences from the original description of the species. Additionally, taxonomic notes are provided on the status of the remaining 33 species, and arguments are provided on suggested synonyms among them.

Abstract The taxonomic status of all (77) species in the five genera of the family Caligonellidae Grandjean (Acari: Prostigmata: Raphignathoidea) is evaluated based on distinct and persistent morphological attributes. The characteristics, which include comparative dorsal setal length, orientation and configuration of stylophore and peritremes, and comparative lengths of leg solenidia, are considered variable and inconsistent for species differentiation. As a result, seven species from three genera, i.e. Caligonella Berlese, Molothorgnathus Summers and Schlinger and Neognathus Willmann, are presented as suggested synonyms. The species Coptocheles farsiensis Ueckermann et al. is considered a species inquirenda. The status of the species Neognathus harteni is briefly discussed. An updated diagnostic key to the species and genera of the family Caligonellidae is also provided. Also, the genus Caligonella is reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia with the description of a new species, C. taifensis sp. nov., and four caligonellid species are added as new records to the mite fauna of Saudi Arabia, i.e. Molothrognathis colei Swift, M. phytocolus Meyer and Ueckermann, Coptocheles shaowuensis Fan and Neognathus insolitus Willmann. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C16906E3-9325-49D3-B322-F0FD09648014

The factors influencing the distribution and abundance of ectoparasites in vertebrates have been thoroughly examined in rodents, particularly concerning ticks and fleas. However, there is a paucity of knowledge regarding mites. The aim of this study was to determine if host or landscape traits are responsible for the abundance of dermanyssoid and trombiculoid mites. Rodent captures were carried out in the northwest region of Mexico between 2018 and 2022 in order to collect mites of the superfamilies Dermanyssoidea and Trombiculoidea. We generated generalized linear models to determine if rodent characteristics or the Index of Relative Anthropization (IRA) contribute to the relative abundance of Dermanyssoidea and Trombiculoidea. The best generalized linear model for Dermanyssoidea suggests that mite abundance is influenced by the IRA and the terrestrial rodent abundance. There is a relationship between the abundance of terrestrial rodents and dermanyssoid mites. Data show that as anthropization increases, Dermanyssoidea abundance decreases. The model shows rodent abundance, and the IRA are key factors in Trombiculoidea abundance. Our findings indicate that trombiculoid mites increase alongside rodents but decline as the IRA increases. This is the first study to use an index to investigate the impact of relative anthropization on Dermanyssoidea and Trombiculoidea in Mexico.