Ololaelaps
Berlese
Ololaelaps is a of soil-dwelling laelapid mites comprising 26 valid . Members are characterized by a well-sclerotized idiosoma and a hologastric shield in females. The genus occupies diverse including wet meadows, forests, and semiaquatic environments, with some species showing tarsal morphological adaptations correlated with habitat type.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ololaelaps: /ˌoʊloʊˈleɪlæps/
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Identification
Females possess a hologastric (genitiventrianal) shield and well-sclerotized idiosoma. -level identification relies on shield characteristics and the degree of fusion between metapodal and parapodal plates. O. altaiensis is distinguished by short peritremes ending near the middle of II and elongate paradactyli extending well beyond pretarsal claws.
Habitat
Soil and litter of wet meadows, forests, and near water bodies including river banks, pond margins, and seacoasts. Found in rodent and nests, occasionally on mammals and in bird nests. O. altaiensis inhabits moss on lake shores. O. formidabilis occurs in soil of rubber plantations near lowland rainforest.
Distribution
. Recorded from Indonesia (Sumatra, Java), USA, Canada, Europe (Italy, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania), Asia (China, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Iran, Uzbekistan), Africa (Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Angola), South America (Argentina, Ecuador/Galápagos Islands), Australia, New Zealand, and Egypt.
Diet
of , collembolans, and other mites; also scavenge on dead .
Behavior
Laboratory rearing indicates predatory and scavenging . Some semiaquatic exhibit elongate paradactyli extending beyond pretarsal claws, a morphological feature correlated with type.
Ecological Role
Soil-dwelling and scavenger in decomposition .
Similar Taxa
- GaeolaelapsShares similar tarsal - correlations in semiaquatic ; both exhibit elongate paradactyli adapted to moist environments.
More Details
Taxonomic Status
The requires taxonomic revision as boundaries of most remain unclear. Lectotypes were designated for O. caucasicus, O. sellnicki, and O. ussuriensis due to absence of original .