On identification of species in the feather mite genus Laminalloptes Dubinin, 1955 (Acari: Alloptidae)

Abstract

Based on partial sequences of two mitochondrial genes, the ribosomal 12S rRNA (12S) and ribosomal 16S rRNA (16S), we found that males and females of the two closely related feather mite species, Laminalloptes minor (Trouessart, 1885) and L. simplex (Trouessart, 1885), have been erroneously associated in the revision of the genus Laminalloptes (Atyeo and Peterson 1967). Careful examination of the morphological features in voucher specimens used in the molecular study and additional museum specimens revealed characters confirming this finding and allowed us to unmistakably associate males and females for each of these two species. A new identification key to Laminalloptes species is proposed.