Diplogyniidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with Panesthia cockroaches (Blattodea: Blaberidae)

Abstract

Five new Australian species of Paradiplogynium and one new species of Lobogyniella are described from Panesthia, a genus of subsocial wood cockroaches. Paradiplogynium panesthia Womersley, originally collected from Panesthia cribrata in New South Wales, is redescribed. The new mite species are Paradiplogynium caitlinae sp. nov., Paradiplogynium damieni sp. nov. and Paradiplogynium elizabethae sp. nov.from Panesthia tyroni tryoni; Paradiplogynium isaaci sp. nov.from Panesthia cribrata; Paradiplogynium kaii sp. nov.from Panesthia sloanei; and Lobogyniella harrynahmani sp. nov.from Panesthia ancaudellioides. Paradiplogynium and Lobogyniella are re-diagnosed and a key to Paradiplogynium is provided. Each Panesthia species has a large and a small species of diplogyniid mite associated with it. In two instances, geographically distant host populations had different species of mite. Mites are restricted to a single host, except the widespread species Paradiplogynium nahmani, which is now known from Titanolabis colossea (Dermaptera), Pan. ancaudellioides, Pan. cribrata and Pan. sloanei. Copyright © 2012. Magnolia Press.