Ochaechulla spinturniciformis, a new genus and species of mite in the family Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Slovakia

Abstract

We describe a new genus in the mite family Laelapidae from Slovakia, Ochaechulla gen. nov., to accommodate a new species, Ochaechulla spinturniciformis sp. nov., based on females collected from under loose tree bark that probably served as a bat roost. The new genus is characterized by a specific idiosomal setation with the loss of some setae on the dorsal shield and opisthogastric region, hypotrichy of the legs, an unusual arrangement of the ventral shields and legs on the idiosoma, and strongly shortened peritremes. Its thick dorsal setae, modified body shape, and strong reddish-brown sclerotization most closely resemble the ectoparasites of small mammals in the genus Laelaps C. L. Koch, although its unique combination of features clearly distinguishes it from them and any other dermanyssoids. The radial arrangement of the legs around the margin of the idiosoma is similar to the genus Spinturnix von Heyden.