Catalogue of snout mites (Acariformes: Bdellidae) of the world

Zootaxa. 2016 Aug 17;4152(1):1-83. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4152.1.1.

Abstract

Bdellidae (Trombidiformes: Prostigmata) are moderate to large sized predatory mites that inhabit soil, leaves, leaf litter, and intertidal rocks. They are readily recognized by an elongated, snout-like gnathosoma and by elbowed pedipalps bearing two (one in Monotrichobdella Baker & Balock) long terminal setae. Despite being among the first mites ever described, with species described by Carl Linnaeus, the knowledge about bdellids has never been compiled into a taxonomic catalogue. Here we present a catalogue listing 278 valid species; for each species we include distribution information, taxonomic literature, and type depository institutions. The genus Rigibdella Tseng, 1978 is considered a junior synonym of Cyta von Heyden, 1826, and Bdellodes Oudemans, 1937 is considered a junior synonym of Odontoscirus Tohr, 1913. Illustrated keys to subfamilies and genera are presented, as well as keys to species of each genus.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animal Structures / anatomy & histology
  • Animal Structures / growth & development
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Catalogs as Topic
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mites / anatomy & histology*
  • Mites / classification*
  • Mites / growth & development
  • Organ Size
  • Plant Leaves / parasitology
  • Soil / parasitology
  • Terminology as Topic

Substances

  • Soil