Key to the world species of Ernogamasus Athias-Henriot, 1971 (Parasitiformes: Parasitidae).

A key to all globally known 33 species of Ernogamasus is presented.

Trachygamasus karuni sp. nov., a new mite species from Iran (Parasitiformes: Parasitidae).

A new mite species, Trachygamasus karuni sp. nov. is described from buffalo, sheep and horse manure at several locations north of Ahvaz city, Khuzestan, Iran.

A new species of mite in the genus Ernogamasus Athias-Henriot, 1971 (Parasitiformes: Parasitidae).

A new mite species Ernogamasus papilio sp. nov., originating from south-eastern Poland and north-eastern Slovakia, is described, as well as a supplementary description for E.

Five new species of mites in the genus Leptogamasus Trägårdh, 1936, and a new subgenus Medioperigamasus (Parasitiformes: Parasitidae).

Five new species of mites belonging to the genus Leptogamasus are described, in a new subgenus Leptogamasus (Medioperigamasus)-L. (M.) lamelligynus sp.

Key to the world species of Holoparasitus Oudemans, 1936 (Acari: Parasitiformes: Parasitidae).

Keys to the world species of the mite genus Holoparasitus (Parasitidae family) are provided separately for males and females. The genus includes 55 species, 42 of which are allocated to eight species groups. The Holoparasitus inornatus species group is newly defined.

Gonads in Histiostoma mites (Acariformes: Astigmata): structure and development.

The development of male and female gonads in arrhenotokous and thelytokous species of Histiostoma was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All instars were examined: larvae, protonymphs, facultative heteromorphic deutonymphs (=hypopi), tritonymphs, and adults. In testis primordium, spermatogonia surrounding a testicular central cell (TCC) with a gradually enlarging, branched nucleus are present already at the larval stage.

Gonads and gametogenesis in astigmatic mites (Acariformes: Astigmata).

Astigmatans are a large group of mites living in nearly every environment and exhibiting very diverse reproductive strategies. In spite of an uniform anatomical organization of their reproductive systems, gametogenesis in each sex is highly variable, leading to gamete formation showing many peculiar features and emphasizing the distinct position of Astigmata. This review summarizes the contemporary knowledge on the structure of ovaries and testes in astigmatic mites, the peculiarities of oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as provides new data on several species not studied previously.

Localization and density of phoretic deutonymphs of the mite Uropoda orbicularis (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) on Aphodius beetles (Aphodiidae) affect pedicel length.

The phoretic stage of Uropodina mites is a deutonymph with developed morphological adaptations for dispersal by insects. Phoretic deutonymphs are able to produce a pedicel, a stalk-like temporary attachment structure that connects the mite with the carrier. The aim of our study was to determine whether localization and density of phoretic deutonymphs on the carrier affect pedicel length.

Morphological diversity of pedicels in phoretic deutonymphs of Uropodina mites (Acari: Mesostigmata).

The pedicel is a structure that connects the phoretic deutonymph of Uropodina mites with its carrier and enables dispersal. The shapes, lengths and diameters of pedicels formed by Uropoda orbicularis, Trichouropoda ovalis, Uroobovella pulchella and Uroobovella nova were studied by scanning and light microscopy. Pedicels of U.

Anatomy and fine structure of pedicellar glands in phoretic deutonymphs of uropodid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata).

Phoretic deutonymphs of uropodid mites are attached to their carrier via an anal pedicel which is formed by a secretion from the pedicellar gland. Since the ultrastructure of the pedicel and pedicellar gland has never been investigated, we studied these structures in three species, Uropoda orbicularis (Müller), Uroobovella marginata (Koch), and Trichouropoda ovalis (Koch) by light (LM) and electron microscopy (TEM, SEM). In addition, the pedicel in Uroobovella nova (Oudemans) was documented in SEM.

Mite species inhabiting commercial bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) nests in Polish greenhouses.

Nests of social insects are usually inhabited by various mite species that feed on pollen, other micro-arthropods or are parasitic. Well-known negative effects of worldwide economic importance are caused by mites parasitizing honeybee colonies. Lately, attention has focused on the endoparasitic mite Locustacarus buchneri that has been found in commercial bumblebees.

Mitochondria-rich cells in the astigmatic mites, Diplaegidia columbae (Buchholz) (Analgidae) and Falculifer rostratus (Buchholz) (Falculiferidae) (Acari: Astigmata).

Mitochondria are well-characterized intracellular organelles usually concentrated in locations of high energy consumption. Light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic observations of the internal anatomy of the feather mites Diplaegidia columbae and Falculifer rostratus were conducted. In the anterior half of the bodies of the mites, we found several dozen of distinctive mitochondria-rich (MR) cells filled with abundant, large mitochondria.

Molecular phylogeny of acariform mites (Acari, Arachnida): strong conflict between phylogenetic signal and long-branch attraction artifacts.

Acariformes (one of the two main lineages of Acari) represent an exceptionally diverse group of Arachnida. We performed first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Acariformes using sequence data from the nuclear small subunit rRNA gene (18S rDNA) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI, amino acids). Our analyses confirm the monophyly of Acariformes and recognize two orders within Acariformes: Sarcoptiformes, consisting of Endeostigmata and Oribatida+Astigmata, and Trombidiformes.

Spermatogenesis and sperm structure in Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Acari: Astigmata).

Testes, spermatogenesis and spermatozoa are described in the mite Carpoglyphus lactis (L.), the first representative of the Hemisarcoptoidea superfamily studied ultrastructurally. Paired testes are located posteriorly in the idiosoma, with germaria situated dorsolaterally.

Sperm structure and phylogeny of Astigmata.

The Astigmata, a large and variable group, is still a subject of taxonomic dispute. Particularly, their origin from ancestors of the lower oribatid mites (e.g.

Fine structure and probable function of ring organs in the mite Histiostoma feroniarum (Acari: Actinotrichida: Acaridida: Histiostomatidae).

Histiostoma feroniarum, like other histiostomatid mites, possesses peculiar ring organs that are visible under the light microscope as ventrally located, characteristic rings of sclerotized cuticle. The ring organ is composed of three elements: a disc of modified cuticle, ring organ cells located underneath the disc, and an "empty" chamber frequently visible between the cuticular disc and the cells. The cuticle of the disc is not perforated and differs from the surrounding unmodified cuticle as revealed by special staining developed for light microscopy and by electron microscopy.

Fine structure of the genital system in the females of Pergamasus mites (Acari: Gamasida: Pergamasidae).

The female reproductive system in Pergamasus mites consists of an unpaired vagina, vaginal duct, uterus, and ovary. Additionally, there are paired vaginal glands, as well as unpaired ventral and paired lateromedial glandular complexes. The vagina and vaginal duct are cuticle-lined.