| Ameroseiidae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Mesostigmata |
| Superfamily: | Ascoidea |
| Family: | Ameroseiidae Evans, 1961 |
The family Ameroseiidae is one of the three families of mites under the superfamily Ascoidea. There are about 12 genera and more than 130 described species in Ameroseiidae. [1] [2] [3] [4] The family has a worldwide distribution. [1]
Ameroseiidae can be recognised by: a well-sclerotised and often strongly ornamented dorsal shield; usually 27-30 pairs of setae on the dorsal shield and setae J5 always absent; the sternal shield often reduced to 2 pairs of setae with st3 on shield or on platelets; the corniculi often toothed; the chelicerae sometimes with a membranous lobe; and the tectum usually simple, smoothly (rarely toothed) triangular or weakly to strongly mucronate. [5]
Leg chaetotaxy - the arrangements of setae on the legs - varies among species and genera, making this feature useful for classification. [3]
Ameroseiids occur in many habitats including forest litter, garden mulch, dead wood and associated fungi, flowers, animal nests, tree hollows, humid soils and various anthropogenic structures (e.g. houses, offices, farms, granaries). Unlike most mesostigmatans, they typically feed on non-animal foods such as fungi. Some species feed on pollen and nectar, and these are the ones associated with flowers and flower-feeding animals. [3] [5] [6]
One study looking at the ameroseiids of Slovakia (27 species total) found that eight species were edaphic (associated with soils, usually wet soils), another eight species were saproxylic (in dead wood and associated fungi), two species were saprophilous (in dunghills, excrements and compost heaps), eight species were aerial (spread around by air currents, allowing them to colonise ephemeral and scattered habitats), and one species was insecticolous (associated with insects, in this case European honey bee). [3]
Some species of Ameroseiidae are phoretic on insects or other animals, riding these to disperse to new habitats. Others are non-phoretic and disperse using air currents, as noted above. [3]
These 12 genera belong to the family Ameroseiidae:
Hypoaspis is a genus of mites in the family Laelapidae.
Mesostigmata is an order of mites belonging to the Parasitiformes. They are by far the largest group of Parasitiformes, with over 8,000 species in 130 families. Mesostigmata includes parasitic as well as free-living and predatory forms. They can be recognized by the single pair of spiracles positioned laterally on the body.
The Laelapidae are a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. The family is also referred to in the literature as Laelaptidae, which may be the correct spelling.
Macrochelidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Pachylaelapidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. There are about 16 genera and more than 200 described species in Pachylaelapidae.
Elaphrolaelaps is a genus of mites in the family Pachylaelapidae. There are about eight described species in Elaphrolaelaps.
Pachylaelaps is a genus of mites in the family Pachylaelapidae. There are more than 50 described species in Pachylaelaps.
Ameroseius is a genus of mites in the family Ameroseiidae. There are more than 60 described species in Ameroseius.
Brontispalaelaps is a genus of mites in the family Ameroseiidae. There are at least two described species in Brontispalaelaps.
Hattena is a genus of mites in the family Ameroseiidae. There are about 10 described species in Hattena.
Neocypholaelaps is a genus of mites in the family Ameroseiidae. There are more than 20 described species in Neocypholaelaps.
Sertitympanum is a genus of mites in the family Ameroseiidae. There are about eight described species in Sertitympanum.
Ascidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Antennoseius is a genus of mites in the family Ascidae. As of 2021, it comprised 59 species mostly in subgenera Antennoseius and Vitzthumia, as well as six species not assigned to a subgenus.
Sinoseius lobatus is a species of mite in the family Ameroseiidae. It was first described in 1995 by Bai, Gu, and Fang.
Blattisociidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Asperolaelaps is a genus of mites in the family Ameroseiidae. There are at least two described species in Asperolaelaps.
Kleemannia is a genus of mites in the family Ameroseiidae. There are more than 20 described species in Kleemannia.
Melicharidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Uropodina is an infraorder of mites in the order Mesostigmata.