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Bisternalis

Harmfulness rating

HARMFUL | NOT HARMFUL | UNCERTAIN

biology not known

Name

Bisternalis Hunter, 1963Hunter, 1963:
Hunter, P. E. 1963. Two genera of mites associated with stingless bees (Acarina: Laelaptidae). Acarologia. 5:5-12.

Taxonomy

Superorder Parasitiformes » Order Mesostigmata » Suborder Monogynaspida » Hyporder Dermanyssiae » Family Laelapidae » Genus Bisternalis

Type species

Bisternalis rettenmeyeri Hunter, 1963Hunter, 1963:
Hunter, P. E. 1963. Two genera of mites associated with stingless bees (Acarina: Laelaptidae). Acarologia. 5:5-12.

Diagnosis

Female: Epigynal shieldepigynal shield:
A shield protecting the female genital opening. Well-developed in Mesostigmata. Also known as epigynial shield.
narrows posteriorly (can be pointed or bilobed at tip) (Figs. 2, 5). Anal shieldanal shield:
In Mesostigmata, a ventral shield bearing the anal opening and circumanal setae (adanal or postanal setae), but without any ventral setae or pores (lyrifissures) on it. If ventral setae are present on shield than referred to as a ventrianal shield.
with anterior-lateral horn-like projections (Figs. 2, 5). Anterior part of sternal shieldsternal shield:
A shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae.
is completely (e.g., Bisternalis rettenmeyeri) or partially (e.g., Bisternalis mexicanus) separated from the remaining sternal shieldsternal shield:
A shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae.
(Figs. 3, 4), hence the name of this genus. However, in one species, Bisternalis camargoi, the anterior part of sternal shieldsternal shield:
A shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae.
is not separated.

Species identification

The most recent dichotomous key to species is available in Baker et al., 1984Baker et al., 1984:
Baker, E. W., C. H. W. Flechtmann amp; M. Delfinado-Baker. 1984. Acari domum meliponinarum brasiliensium habitantes. VI. New species of Bisternalis Hunter (Laelapidae: Acari). International Journal of Acarology.10: 181-189..

Similar genera

Similar to the genera Holostaspis (oophagous in ant nests) and Myrmozercon (intimate associates of ants) by their large epigynal shieldepigynal shield:
A shield protecting the female genital opening. Well-developed in Mesostigmata. Also known as epigynial shield.
that narrows posteriorly (in many species) and anal shieldanal shield:
In Mesostigmata, a ventral shield bearing the anal opening and circumanal setae (adanal or postanal setae), but without any ventral setae or pores (lyrifissures) on it. If ventral setae are present on shield than referred to as a ventrianal shield.
concave anteriorly (in many species).

Bisternalis differs from Holostaspis and Myrmozercon by the anterior part of its sternal shieldsternal shield:
A shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae.
that is completely (e.g., Bisternalis rettenmeyeri) or partially (e.g., Bisternalis mexicanus) separated from the remaining sternal shieldsternal shield:
A shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae.
(Figs. 3, 4). However, in one species, Bisternalis camargoi, the sternal shieldsternal shield:
A shield in the anterior intercoxal region of parasitiform mites that bears one or more pairs of sternal setae.
is typical (undivided), but its epigynal shieldepigynal shield:
A shield protecting the female genital opening. Well-developed in Mesostigmata. Also known as epigynial shield.
is pointed posteriorly (never pointed in Holostaspis).

Bisternalis differs from Myrmozercon by the presence of well-developed claws (reduced or absent in Myrmozercon) and the presence of denticles (small, tooth-like processes) on cheliceral digits (not developed in Myrmozercon).

Distribution

Neotropical region.

Bee hosts

stingless bees (Lestrimelitta, Trigona, Melipona, and Partamona)

Host association level

permanentpermanent:
associated exclusively with bees or their close relative, wasps; cannot live without these hosts

Host associations, feeding, and dispersal

  • Adults and immatures live in nests of meliponine (stingless) bees.
  • Dispersal on adult bees is not documented, but possible.
Fig. 1. Bisternalis mexicanus female, dorsal view.

Fig. 1. Bisternalis mexicanus female, dorsal view.
Fig. 2. Bisternalis mexicanus female, ventral view.

Fig. 2. Bisternalis mexicanus female, ventral view.
Fig. 3. Bisternalis mexicanus female ventral idiosoma.

Fig. 3. Bisternalis mexicanus female ventral idiosoma.
Fig. 4. Bisternalis mexicanus female sternal shield.

Fig. 4. Bisternalis mexicanus female sternal shield.
Fig. 5. Bisternalis mexicanus female ventral hystrerosoma showing epigynal and anal shields.

Fig. 5. Bisternalis mexicanus female ventral hystrerosoma showing epigynal and anal shields.
Fig. 6. Bisternalis mexicanus female peritreme.

Fig. 6. Bisternalis mexicanus female peritreme.
Fig. 7. Bisternalis mexicanus female anteroventral gnathosoma showing corniculi.

Fig. 7. Bisternalis mexicanus female anteroventral gnathosoma showing corniculi.
Fig. 8. Bisternalis mexicanus female deutosternal groove.

Fig. 8. Bisternalis mexicanus female deutosternal groove.
Fig. 9. Bisternalis mexicanus female fixed digit, dorsal view.

Fig. 9. Bisternalis mexicanus female fixed digit, dorsal view.
Fig. 10. Bisternalis mexicanus female anal region showing pilose setae.

Fig. 10. Bisternalis mexicanus female anal region showing pilose setae.