Parasitinae
Genus Guides
1- Poecilochirus(Carrion Beetle Mites)
Parasitinae is a of predatory mites within Parasitidae, comprising 23 . These relatively large mesostigmatan mites inhabit soil and decaying organic matter, where they function as of microarthropods and . The subfamily has been documented from multiple continents, with recent taxonomic work describing new genera and from China.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Parasitinae: //ˌpærəˈsɪtaɪniː//
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Identification
Diagnostic features for the include: idiosoma with more than 40 pairs of setae; fewer than 7 smooth podonotal setae; seta z5 pilose or distally pilose and longer than j5/j6; palpfemur seta al pectinate; palpgenu setae al1 and al2 entire; trispinate gnathotectum; female peritrematal shields posteriorly free; male palptrochanter with pointed .
Habitat
Soil and decaying organic material including manure, debris, compost, decaying leaves, moss, weed piles, and rotten wood.
Distribution
Widely distributed globally. The Cerogamasus has been described from China (Tibet, Anhui, Guizhou provinces), with C. coreanus also known from Korea.
Diet
Predatory; feeds upon other microarthropods and , including their .
Life Cycle
Deutonymph and stages have been described. The deutonymph is weakly sclerotized with podonotal and opisthonotal shields bearing 20 and 14 pairs of setae respectively. Other life stages remain unknown.
Ecological Role
Predatory mites in soil and decaying organic matter .
Similar Taxa
- PergamasinaeThe other within Parasitidae; distinguished by morphological differences in shield structure and setation patterns.
More Details
Taxonomic composition
The comprises 23 , including the recently described Cerogamasus from China with four new (C. tibetensis, C. anhuiensis, C. guizhouensis, C. multidentatus) and one transferred species (C. coreanus).