| abstract | Laelaps juxtaposita, n. sp. is described from Rattus bartelsii bartelsii in Java. A new subgenus of Laelaps, Mastigolaelaps, is erected to include the new species and the related L. rex, L. flagellifer and L. anomala. A key to the 4 known species of Mastigolaelaps is presented, as well as a summary of the host and geographical distributions and a discussion of morphological features for the included species. Mastigolaelaps is compared and contrasted with the other 2 subgenera of Laelaps. The status and role of supraspecific groupings in nomenclature of Larlaps and related genera are discussed. |