Fossil labidostomatid mites (Prostigmata: Labidostommatidae) from Baltic amber

Abstract

Unequivocal fossil records of the mite family Labidostommatidae (Acari: Prostigmata: Trombidiformes) are described from Eocene Baltic amber. These two modern-looking specimens can be assigned to the extant genus Labidostomma Kramer, 1879 and are formally described here as Labidostomma paleoluteum sp. nov. Interestingly, the fossil specimens are associated in the amber piece with collembolans-a group on which modern labidostomatids readily prey - and other arthropods inhabiting upper soil layers.