Mesostigmata

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Taxonomy

updated 2025

Diagnostic characters

• Dorsal shield divided
• Seta z5 simple or stout and distally pilose
• Intercoxal shield with granular transverse band between setae st1–2
• Fixed cheliceral digit usually with membranous excrescence

Key to some Poecilochirus deutonymphs (after Hyatt 1980)

1. Dark band transverse between setae st1–2 not extending posteriorly.............................. 2
   -  Dark band extending along postero-lateral margins of intercoxal shield.............................. 3

2. Most podonotal shield setae (except r3, z5) relatively short, not reaching next seta in series.............................. P. davydovae Hyatt
   - Most podonotal shield setae long.............................. P. subterraneus (Mueller)

3. Membranous process on fixed digit elongate, bifurcate.............................. P. carabi G. & R. Canestrini
   - Membranous process on fixed digit rudimentary.............................. P. austroasiaticus Vitzthum

Ecology and distribution

These mites are phoretic on carrion beetles (Silphidae) and feed on nematodes and mites on the carcasses that the beetles utilize as food. Poecilochirus carabi G. & R. Canestrini is rarely found on carabid or dung beetles.

References

• Hyatt 1980Hyatt 1980:
  Hyatt KH. 1980. Mites of the subfamily Parasitinae (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae) in the British Isles. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology 38: 237–378.
• Schwarz and Müller 1992Schwarz and Müller 1992:
  Schwarz HH, Müller JK. 1992. The dispersal behaviour of the phoretic mite Poecilochirus carabi (Mesostigmata, Parasitidae): Adaptation to the breeding biology of its carrier Necrophorus vespilloides (Coleoptera, Silphidae). Oecologia 89: 487–493.
• Springett 1968Springett 1968:
  Springett BP. 1968. Aspects of the relationship between burying beetles, Necrophorus spp. and the mite, Poecilochirus necrophori Vitz. Journal of Animal Ecology 37: 417–424.