Megisthanus
Thorell, 1882
Species Guides
1Megisthanus is a of predatory mites in the Megisthanidae, established by Thorell in 1882. The genus contains at least four described : Megisthanus floridanus, M. jacobsoni, M. orientalis, and M. postsetosus. Members are classified within the order Mesostigmata, a group of mites that includes many predatory forms.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Megisthanus: /mɛd͡ʒɪsˈθænəs/
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Distribution
of Megisthanus have been documented from multiple regions: M. floridanus from Florida (USA), M. jacobsoni with an unclear type locality, M. orientalis from the Oriental region (described by Oudemans in 1905), and M. postsetosus described by Karg in 1996.
Diet
Predatory. The Megisthanidae and order Mesostigmata are predominantly predatory, though specific prey records for Megisthanus are not documented in available sources.
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Taxonomic note
The Megisthanidae is a small group within Mesostigmata. The name has been established since 1882, but detailed biological studies remain limited. The 58 iNaturalist observations suggest the genus is occasionally encountered but likely underreported due to small size and specialized requirements.