Podocinidae

Podocinidae can be distinguished from other Mesostigmata families by the combination of characters used in the family diagnosis: notably, the presence of a ventral podonotal setal pattern and specific cheliceral morphology. The three genera are separated by key characters including leg chaetotaxy and idiosomal setation patterns. Podocinum, the largest genus, contains 31 species and is distinguished from Podocinella and Africoseius by specific features detailed in published genus keys.

Soil and leaf litter. Specimens have been collected from the fur of wild rodents (Niviventer fulvescens), though this association is noted as possibly accidental. One species, Andregamasus conchylicola, has been recorded from shells of hermit crabs in association with nematodes.

Recorded from multiple continents including North America (United States, Canada), Asia (China including Tibet, Guizhou, Taiwan, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan; Japan; Philippines), and Europe. The family was first recorded in Canada from southeastern Ontario.

Predatory. Specific prey items are not documented in available sources.

• Niviventer fulvescens - epizoicFirst report from wild rodent host; noted as possibly accidental association
• hermit crabs - commensalAndregamasus conchylicola recorded from shells in association with nematodes
• hamster (Cricetinae) - nest habitatFrom nest habitat per referenced literature

Predatory behavior has been documented.

Free-living soil and litter inhabitants; specific ecosystem functions are not documented.

• PhytoseiidaeBoth families belong to superfamily Phytoseioidea and share general mesostigmatid morphology; Podocinidae distinguished by podonotal setal patterns and cheliceral structure
• Other Gamasina familiesPodocinidae separated by the combination of ventral podonotal setation and specific idiosomal features used in family-level keys

• mites
• Mesostigmata
• predatory
• soil fauna
• leaf litter
• free-living
• poorly known biology
• Phytoseioidea

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Catalogue of the mite family Podocinidae Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata)
• Two New Podocinum from the United States with Distribution Notes on Three Described Species (Acarina: Podocinidae)
• A new species of Podocinum Berlese (Acari: Podocinidae) and a key to species of the genus from China
• FIRST RECORD OF THE MITE FAMILY PODOCINIDAE (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA) IN CANADA, WITH NOTES ON OTHER RECORDS IN NORTH AMERICA
• Über die mit Nematoden und Einsiedlerkrebsen vergesellschaftete Raubmilbengattung Andregamasus Costa der Podocinidae Berlese (Cohors Gamasina Leach: Acarina, Parasitiformes)
• A revised checklist and key to the genus Podocinum Berlese (Acari: Podocinidae) with description of a new species from Tibet, Southwest China