| Ascidae Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Mesostigmata |
| Superfamily: | Ascoidea |
| Family: | Ascidae Oudemans, 1905 |
Ascidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. [1]
Ascidae are mites characterised by: seta st4 usually on unsclerotised cuticle, peritrematic shield broadly connected to exopodal shield beside coxa IV, fixed cheliceral digit with setiform pilus dentilis and movable cheliceral digit usually with two teeth, sternal shield with three pairs of lyrifissures and the third pair usually on the shield's posterior margin, genital shield truncate to convex posteriorly (tapering in some Antennoseius), with an anal shield bearing only circumanal setae (rare) or a ventrianal shield bearing additionally up to seven pairs of setae, and spermathecal apparatus laelapid-type. [2]
This family is morphologically similar to Blattisociidae and Melicharidae, and these families were formerly included within Ascidae. [2]
The life cycle of Ascidae consists of the stages egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult. Each stage has a duration measurable in days. The total lifespan is similarly short, being on average 27 days in Arctoseius semiscissus and 19 days in Proctolaelaps deleoni. [3]
Ascidae include epedaphic species that hunt on the soil surface in the litter layer. These prey on other small arthropods, particularly springtails (Collembola). [4] Nematophagy (consumption of nematodes) is also prevalent in soil-dwelling Ascidae. [5]
Other habitats from which Ascidae have been collected include under bark of dead trees, on small mammals, and in nests of birds and mammals.
Though mostly terrestrial, some ascids live on wet plants and detritus and on the water surface of marginal freshwater habitats. These walk about on the surface film and feed on the floating egg masses of nematocerous flies such as mosquitoes. [6]
Ascidae can disperse to new environments via phoresis: riding on larger arthropods. Species of Arctoseius are phoretic on adults of mushroom sciarid fly, Lycoriella auripila (whose eggs and larvae they consume), [3] while aquatic ascids are phoretic on adult crane flies. [6]
Ascidae occur in many countries and regions. The highest numbers of species, endemic species and genera occur in the Palearctic. On the other hand, the most speciose genus, Asca , has the most species in the Neotropical and Oriental regions. Ascidae is believed to have originated from the Palearctic. [7]
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.
Ologamasidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. There are more than 40 genera and 470 described species in Ologamasidae.
Gamasellus is a genus of mites in the family Ologamasidae. There are more than 60 described species in Gamasellus.
Allogamasellus is a genus of mites in the family Ologamasidae. There are at least two described species in Allogamasellus.
Rhodacarellus is a genus of mites in the family Rhodacaridae. There are at least 20 described species in Rhodacarellus.
Rhodacarus is a genus of mites in the family Rhodacaridae. There are more than 20 described species in Rhodacarus.
Digamasellidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
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. The family has a worldwide distribution.
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.
Arctoseius is a genus of mites in the family Ascidae.
Blattisocius is a genus of mites in the family Blattisociidae.
Lasioseius is a genus of mites in the family Ascidae.
Proctolaelaps is a genus of mites in the family Ascidae.
Myrmozercon is a genus of mites in the family Laelapidae.
Zerconidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Asca funambulusae is a species of mite in the family Ascidae. It was first described from West Bengal from a squirrel nest.
Blattisociidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Melicharidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Uropodina is an infraorder of mites in the order Mesostigmata.