Five Empitrombium species have been described from the Nearctic, Neotropical and Palaearctic Realms. The recent discovery of Empitrombium in Poland and France is the first record of the genus for the European part of the Palaearctic. The observations of Empitrombium paludosum sp. nov. at one locality in south-western Poland carried out for three consecutive years, vote for the presence of an established population and, at the same time, translate into widening the distribution of Empitrombium in the northern hemisphere, crossing the limit of 50 degrees north latitude. A second direct correlation of larvae and postlarval forms through laboratory rearing has been proceeded for genus members. Detailed insight into the morphology of active life instars revealed that the traits of active postlarval forms of Empitrombium overlap with the traits known for some genera of Microtrombidiidae, while the larvae bear an unusual combination of morphological characters, hitherto considered typical for higher and for lower microtrombidiids. The DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I), here provided for the first time for the genus members, further confirmed a separate generic status of Empitrombium.

Laboratory rearing of two mite species, Erythraeus (Zaracarus) budapestensis Fain & Ripka, 1998 collected in Turkey and E. (Z.) rupestris (Linnaeus, 1758) sampled in Germany, allowed establishing the correspondence of their larval and postlarval instars. Erythraeus (Z.) iranicus Saboori & Akrami, 2001 syn. nov. is considered a new subjective junior synonym of E. (Z.) budapestensis. Erythraeus (Z.) eleonorae Haitlinger, 1987 syn. nov. and E. (Z.) didonae Haitlinger, 2000 syn. nov. are synonymized with E. (Z.) rupestris. Data on the life history, parasitic associations and habitats are provided, and the status of currently recognized subgenera of Erythraeus is discussed.

The larval stage of Neolimnochares johnstoni Smith and Cook, 2005 is first described in detail, and the larva of a similar undescribed species, Neolimnochares sp. B, see Table 1, is recorded from Peru. Larvae attributed to Limnochares (Cyclothrix) australica Lundblad, 1941a by Martin and Smit (2002) are considered to belong to Neolimnochares Lundblad, 1941c. Neolimnocharinae subfam. n. is proposed and discussed. For larvae assigned to this subfamily, parasitic on veliid water bugs (Rhagovelia Mayr, 1865) and with extraordinary morphological modifications, new taxa are proposed: Veliacola gen. n., (V. mirificus sp. n., Madagascar); Archaeveliacola gen. n. (A. papuanus sp. n., Indonesia, A. smiti sp. n., Australia); Armaveliacola gen. n. (A. rhagoveliae sp. n., Madagascar, A. major sp. n., Madagascar, A. minor sp. n., Cameroon, Kenya); Isoveliacola gen. n. (I. costaricensis sp. n., Costa Rica, I. borneoensis sp. n., Indonesia). Additional records are: Veliacola sp. (Dominican Republic), Archaeveliacola sp. (Bolivia), and Isoveliacola sp. (Belize). Neolimnochares (Paracyclothrix) Lundblad, 1967 is synonymised with Limnochares (Cyclothrix) Wolcott, 1905, resulting in Limnochares (Cyclothrix) hyaliniseta (Lundblad, 1969) comb. n., and L. (C.) longimaxillaris (Lundblad, 1969) comb. n. (both Myanmar).

Vertebrates have 2 methods of acquiring vitamin D: through the diet and/or secondary to exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Although some species (e.g., dogs) can only acquire vitamin D through their diet, many others also utilize UVB radiation to generate vitamin D. Prior to their extirpation, guinea pigs were naturally exposed to varying levels of sunlight (UVB) in their native habitat; however, in captivity we do not routinely recommend UVB radiation for these animals. Recently, it has been shown that captive guinea pigs can synthesize 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD3) after exposure to UVB lightbulbs. However, it is not known how natural sunlight impacts 25-OHD3 concentrations in this species. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 25-OHD3 concentrations in female guinea pigs exposed to natural sunlight would increase as a result of UVB exposure. Eight adult female guinea pigs were used for this study. The animals were held indoors during winter months and then placed outside in the spring when temperatures were appropriate. Blood samples were collected before the animals were placed outdoors (baseline) and 30 days after being exposed to natural sunlight. There was a significant difference in 25-OHD3 concentrations over time (P = 0.006) and values collected after the guinea pigs were housed outdoors were 1.8 times higher than baseline. This study confirmed that female guinea pigs can increase 25-OHD3 concentrations after exposure to natural sunlight. This suggests that these animals have conserved this pathway despite domestication, and supplementation should be considered to optimize captive guinea pig habitats.

This comprehensive review of host-parasite associations between larval Trombidioidea and its arthropod hosts includes 676 pair-wise (species-species) associations and is based mainly on published records, supplemented with new findings. For 27% of all nominal species assigned to the superfamily (excl. Trombiculidae and Walchiidae), and for 66% of species known from larvae at least one host record has been hitherto provided. Hosts remain unknown for Allotanaupodidae and Yurebillidae. Both generalist and specialist parasites have been recognized within Trombidioidea. However, for the vast majority of species, the fragmentary data on host-parasite associations do not allow differentiation between common and exceptional hosts, apart from general preferences towards the host group. Hitherto recorded arthropod hosts, exploited by trombidioid larvae, are listed. Ecological data relating to measures of host-parasite interactions are summarized. Names of mites and their hosts are verified and updated and the recent affiliation to higher taxa is followed.

This study reports a symbiotic association between an unknown species of Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae) and the adults of a new species of parasitengone mite that lives on their web in Brazilian caves. This mite is described as Callidosoma cassiculophylla sp. nov. (Parasitengona: Erythraeidae). The symbiotic association is clearly beneficial for the mite, which lives with the spider, and feeds on prey captured by their webs, without any aggressive behavior or expulsion of the mites by the spiders.

Parasitengona mites include the aquatic water mites (Hydrachnidia) and the terrestrial parasitengones (Trombidia). They are characterised by having a parasitic larval stage and a complex life cycle ...

Calyptostoma katyae sp. nov., the first named fossil species of Calyptostomatidae, is described based on a larva from the Eocene (ca. 44-50 Ma) Baltic amber. The syninclusion, a member of Limoniidae found with the newly described species, confirms the host-parasite associations known for the extant members of the family.

The taxonomy of free-living adults and heteromorphic parasitic larvae of Parasitengona mites has in the past been treated independently resulting in a double classification. Correct linkage of names still remains unknown for many species. A holistic understanding of species is imperative for understanding their role in ecosystems. This is particularly true for groups like parasitengone mites with a radically altered lifestyle during development—parasitic to predatory. Here, we infer linkages of three nominal species of Erythraeus, using matching with 28S DNA sequence data from field-collected specimens and through laboratory rearing. The general mixed Yule coalescent method (GMYC) was used to explicitly test if field-collected specimens representing heteromorphic life instars were conspecific. The field-collected larvae were allocated to adults of Erythraeus cinereus and Erythraeus regalis, respectively. Laboratory rearing of the same two species confirmed the matching done by DNA. Rearing was also successful for Erythraeus phalangoides after eggs were treated to an imitated winter diapause. This integrative taxonomic approach of molecular, morphological, and rearing data resulted in the following synonyms: E. phalangoides (De Geer, 1778) [= Erythraeus adrastus (Southcott, 1961), syn. nov.], E. cinereus (Dugès, 1834) [= Erythraeus jowitae Haitlinger, 1987, syn. nov.], and E. regalis (C.L. Koch, 1837) [= Erythraeus kuyperi (Oudemans, 1910), syn. nov., = Erythraeus gertrudae Haitlinger, 1987, syn. nov.]. The molecular evidence confirmed the separate identity of three further members of the genus. We provide redescriptions of E. phalangoides, E. cinereus, and E. regalis after modern standards, and neotypes are designated.

Three species of fossil smaridid mites (Parasitengona, Smarididae) are described based on postlarval forms. Fessonia wunderlichi sp. nov., Fessonia grabenhorsti sp. nov. and Fessonia groehni sp. nov. were discovered in Eocene (ca. 44-50 Ma) Baltic amber and the former two also in the probably younger Oligocene (ca. 23-25 Ma) Bitterfeld amber. Although Smarididae has been reported from Baltic (and other) Cenozoic amber localities, these are the first species from this group to be formally described. Fessonia wunderlichi sp. nov. and Fessonia grabenhorsti sp. nov. are also the first named mites from Bitterfeld amber, and at the same time the first examples of mite species common to both the Baltic and Bitterfeld deposits. Fessonia groehni sp. nov. is known from a single specimen originating from the Baltic deposit. Although the thickened hindlimbs seen in Fessonia wunderlichi sp. nov. resemble the modern smaridid genus Kraussiana Southcott, 1961, the structure of the crista metopica implies another extant genus - Fessonia von Heyden, 1826 - which we redefine here to accommodate the morphology of the amber species. An outline of previous findings of terrestrial Parasitengona in amber is also provided.

Achaemenothrombium dariusi Saboori, Wohltmann & Hakimitabar sp. nov. (Acari, Prostigmata: Trombidioidea) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on Euxoa fallax (Eversmann) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Sirch and Cheshmeh Bondar, Kerman province, Iran. It is the third species of this genus, which is recorded only from Iran. The status of this small family is discussed and a key to species of Achaemenothrombium (larvae) is presented.

Corrections and additions are provided to the checklist of nominal taxa of terrestrial Parasitengona mites published by Makol and Wohltmann (2012).

We provide a check-klist of nominal taxa of terrestrial Parasitengona mites (excl. Trombiculidae and Walchiidae) distributed worldwide and assigned to three super-families, i.e. Calyptostomatoidea, Erythraeoidea and Trombidioidea. The list contains 1784 species, of which 786 are known exclusively from larvae, 860 - from active postlarval forms and 138 - from both. The data on the type localities and the hitherto known distribution of the species are included in the survey.

Abstract. Abrolophus norvegicus (Thor, 1900) is redescribed. An extended diagnosis of Abrolophus Berlese, 1891 (= Hauptmannia Oudemans, 1910) is provided for all active life instars. Description of larva of A. norvegicus is based on specimens obtained by experimental rearing from field-collected females. Variability of morphological characters is evaluated for offspring of a single female, within a particular population and between different populations originating from Europe. The specific status of A. norvegicus is discussed. A female of A. norvegicus, collected in northern Germany is selected as neotype. Hauptmannia silesiacus Haitlinger, 1986, syn. now., Abrolophus neobrevicollis Zhang et Goldarazena, 1996, syn. nov., Hauptmannia striata Saboori, Šundic et Pešic, 2011, syn. nov., Hauptmannia dagmarae Haitlinger, 2012, syn. nov. are considered synonyms of Ritteria norvegica Thor, 1900. Data on habitat specificity and phenology of A. norvegicus as well as on its development are given.

Abrolophus norvegicus (Thor, 1900) is redescribed. An extended diagnosis of Abrolophus Berlese, 1891 (=Hauptmannia Oudemans, 1910) is provided for all active life instars. Description of larva of A. norvegicus is based on specimens obtained by experimental rearing from field-collected females. Variability of morphological characters is evaluated for offspring of a single female, within a particular population and between different populations originating from Europe. The specific status of A. norvegicus is discussed. A female of A. norvegicus, collected in northern Germany is selected as neotype. Hauptmannia silesiacus Haitlinger, 1986, syn. nov., Abrolophus neobrevicollis Zhang et Goldarazena, 1996, syn. nov., Hauptmannia striata Saboori, Sundic et Pesic, 2011, syn. nov., Hauptmannia dagmarae Haitlinger, 2012, syn. nov. are considered synonyms of Ritteria norvegica Thor, 1900. Data on habitat specificity and phenology of A. norvegicus as well as on its development are given.

The kingdom Animalia is here estimated to have a total of 1,659,420 described species (including 133,692 fossil species) in 40 phyla. Among these, the most successful phylum Arthropoda alone represents 1,302,809 species, or about 78.5% of the total. The second largest phylum, Mollusca (118,061 species), is <10% of Arthropoda in diversity, but it is still much more diverse than other successful invertebrate phyla Platyhelminthes (29,488 species), Nematoda (25,043 species), Echinodermata (20,550 species), Annelida (17,426 species), Cnidaria (16,363 species), Bryozoa (11,474 species) and Porifera (10,876 species). The phylum Craniata, including the vertebrates, represents 85,432 species (including 19,974 fossil species): among these, 35,644 species of fishes, 7,171 species of amphibians, 15,507 species of reptiles, 11,087 species of birds, and 16,014 species of mammals.

ABSTRACT Three families and genera of parasitic mites are reported from one specimen of Schistocerca piceifrons collected in Yucatan, Mexico: Eutrombidium (Microtrombidiidae: Eutrombidiinae), Podapolipoides (Podapolipidae), and Proctotydeus (Iolinidae). A redescription of Eutrombidium locustarum (Walsh) from S. piceifrons including all active instars correlated through laboratory rearing is offered to clear misconceptions in the systematics of North American Eutrombidium. Podapolipoides yucatanensis n. sp. is described, illustrated, and compared with related species of Podapolipoides. Revised keys to American Podapolipoides and Eutrombidium are presented.

For the kingdom Animalia, 1,552,319 species have been described in 40 phyla in a new evolutionary classification. Among these, the phylum Arthropoda alone represents 1,242,040 species, or about 80% of the total. The most successful group, the Insecta (1,020,007 species), accounts for about 66% of all animals. The most successful insect order, Coleoptera (387,100 species), represents about 38% of all species in 39 insect orders. Another major group in Arthropoda is the class Arachnida (112,201 species), which is dominated by the mites and ticks (Acari 54,617 species) and spiders (43,579 species). Other highly diverse arthropod groups include Crustacea (66,914 species), Trilobitomorpha (19,606 species) and Myriapoda (11,885 species). The phylum Mollusca (117,358 species) is more diverse than other successful invertebrate phyla Platyhelminthes (29,285 species), Nematoda (24,783 species), Echinodermata (20,509 species), Annelida (17,210 species) and Bryozoa (10,941 species). The phylum Craniata, including the vertebrates, represents 64,832 species (for Recent taxa, except for amphibians): among these 7,694 described species of amphibians, 31,958 species of “fish” and 5,750 species of mammals.