| abstract | Bdellid mites, are known to prey on small arthropods and their eggs. These mites are found in various habitats, e.g., soil and plants. In the present study the following ten species were collected and recognized from Iran. Among them one species Bdellodes kazeruni n.sp. was described and other species were considered to be new records from Iran.
A key was also presented for their identification.
l- Cyta latirostris (Hermann)
2- Spinibdella cronini (Baker & Balock)
3- Biscirus silvaticus (Kramer)*
4- Bdella sp.
5- Neomolgus capillatus (Kramer)*
6- Neomolgus clypeatus (Thor)*
7- Bdellodes lapidaria (Kramer)
8- Bdellodes kazeruni n.sp.*
9- Bdellodes virgulata (Can. & Fan.)
l0- Bdellodes longirostris (Hermann)*
Two species Bdellodes lapidaria and Neomolgus capillatus have known as efficient predators of Sminthurus viridis L. (Collembola), an important pest of pastures and alfalfa. Bdellodes kazeruni n.sp is similar to Bdellodes lapidaria but differs in striations between anterior and posterior sensilla and having nine setae on palpal tibiotarsus and four palpal basifemur in females.
Female (holotype): Color in life orange, length including gnathosoma 1721µ, breadth 987µ,
palp 469µ, palpal basifemur 212µ, telofemur 52µ, genu 55µ and tibiotarsus l67µ, des l87µ, ves 145. Chelicerae long, length 372µ, breadth at widest point 85µ, and at narrowst point 20µ, movable chela with one small sub-apical teeth, fixed chela with a terminal spine, proximal seta 123µ, distal seta 1l8µ. Hypostome 313µ, ventral setae from 72-85µ in length, dorsal setae 85µ. Lateral propodosomal setae absent, anterior sensilla 138µ, posterior sensilla very short 15µ in length, median propodosomal setae 188µ, internal humeral setae 73µ, first interspace about 105µ. Legs: Length (excluding coxa), I-IV; 882µ, 833µ, 931µ and 1176µ.
Chaetotaxy: Coxa I-IV; 4, 4-3, 5, 3 tactile setae, trochantera I-IV; 1 tactile seta each,
basifemur I-IV; 13, 12, 6, 4 tactile setae, telofemora I-IV; 9, 9-8, 6, 6-7 tactile setae, genu I; 6 tactile setae, 5 attenuate sensory setae, genu II; 6-7 tactile setae, 3 attenuate sensory setae, genu III; 6 tactile, 2-3 attenuate sensory setae, genu IV; 6 tactile setae, 3 attenuate sensory setae, tibia I; 12 tactile setae, 8-10 attenuate sensory setae and one trichobothria, tibia II; 11-13 tactile setae, 4-6 attenuate sensory setae and one trichobothria, tibia III; 11-12 tactile setae, 2 attenuate sensory setae and trichobothria absent, tibia IV; 11-12 tactile setae, 1-2 attenuate sensory setae and one trichobothria, tarsus I; 9 dorsal, 15 lateral, 22 ventral tactile setae, tarsus II; 8 dorsal, 15 lateral, 23 ventral tactile setae. tarsus III; 6 dorsal, 17 lateral, 28 ventral tactile setae and one trichobothria, tarsus IV; 5 dorsal, 16 lateral, 24 ventral tactile setae and one trichobothria near base. Female ovipositor gland 85µ in length. Holotype female, allotype male and 2 paratypes (females) deposited at the Entomology laboratory collection, Science and Research Branch, lslamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. |