Endeostigmata

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Taxonomy

Oehserchestidae Kethley, 1977 (=Hybalicidae Theron, 1974Theron, 1974:
Theron PD. 1974. Hybalicidae, a new family of endeostigmatic mites (Acari: Trombidiformes). Acarologia 16: 397–412.)

Diagnosis

Prodorsum with 1 pair of filiform trichobothria (bo) and 4 pairs of setae (exp absent); naso well developed and bearing setae ro; median eye absent, lateral eyes present or absent. Subcapitulum with 5–6 pairs of setae; rutella well developed, dentate; chelicerae chelate-dentate, each with 2 setae. Opisthosomal segment C with 3 pairs of setae (c2 seemingly absent); segment sometimes PA absent; setae dendritic, globose, or pilose; 3 pairs of genital papillae; 7–9 pairs of genital setae; ovipositor, eugenital setae present. Pretarsus I without lateral claws, empodium small, claw-like; pretarsi II-IV with unequal claws and claw-like empodium; coxae I-IV contiguous; coxae IV apparently modified for jumping. Gut boluses with fungal hyphae and spores. Males unknown.

Remarks

These mites resemble truncate, globular Terpnacarus and the dorsal setae resemble those on some Nanorchestes. The single pair of sensilla, paired claws on legs II–IV, and lack of a strongly sclerotised labrum serve to separate Oehserchestes from Nanorchestes; Terpnacarus have paired claws and an empodium on tarsus I and prodorsal seta in. The gut contents have boluses composed primarily of fungal material. Coxae IV are modified for jumping.

References

• Kethley 1977bKethley 1977b:
  Kethley JB. 1977b. The status of Hybalicus Berlese, 1913 and Oehserchestes Jacot, 1939 (Acari: Acariformes: Endeostigmata). Fieldiana Zoology 72 (4): 59–64.
• Kethley 1982dKethley 1982d:
  Kethley JB. 1982d. Endeostigmata. pp. 118–120. In: Parker SP, ed. Synopsis and classification of living organisms, Vol. 2. McGraw-Hill, New York.
• Kethley 1990aKethley 1990a:
  Kethley JB. 1990a. Acarina: Prostigmata (Actinedida). pp. 667–756. In: Dindal DL, ed. Soil biology guide. John Wiley & Sons, Brisbane.
• Theron 1974Theron 1974:
  Theron PD. 1974. Hybalicidae, a new family of endeostigmatic mites (Acari: Trombidiformes). Acarologia 16: 397–412.