| Melicharidae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Mesostigmata |
| Superfamily: | Ascoidea |
| Family: | Melicharidae |
Melicharidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. [1]
Melicharidae are mites characterized by: podonotal and opisthonotal shields usually fused; the third pair of sternal lyrifissures (iv3) situated off sternal shield (rarely absent) and usually on metasternal plates; peritrematic shield free posteriorly from, or narrowly fused with, exopodal shield beside coxa IV (except Orthadenella); fixed cheliceral digit usually with a hyaline lobe instead of a setiform pilus dentilis, and movable cheliceral digit usually with a pointed process (mucro) on mid-ventral face; genital shield usually gently rounded posteriorly; anal shield usually oval or elliptical, bearing only circumanal setae; and female spermathecal apparatus laelapid-type. [1]
Melicharidae are free-living mites found in various habitats including soil, leaf litter, plants (e.g. bromeliads, pineapple flowers and false bird-of-paradise [2] ), rotten wood, stored products, seaweeds, animals, and the nests and excrement of animals. [3] [4] A large proportion of the family evolved to live on plants and these feed mostly on nectar and/or pollen. [5] Other reported food items include nematodes, insect eggs and larvae, other mites and fungi. [5]
Melicharids associated with animals may be phoretic on them. For example, species of genera Proctolaelaps, Rhinoseius and Tropicoseius are phoretic on hummingbirds. [2]
Some species of Proctolaelaps are associated with bumblebees, though nothing else about their biology (e.g. how they feed) is known. [6]
Melicharidae has more species in the Neotropical region (South America) than in anywhere else. This region also harbours the most endemic species of any region. [7]
As of 2016, 11 genera were recognised in this family. [4]
Parasitiformes are a superorder of Arachnids, constituting one of the two major groups of mites, alongside Acariformes. Parasitiformes has, at times, been classified at the rank of order or suborder.
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.
Dermanyssoidea is a superfamily of mites, including most of the mites which parasitise vertebrates.
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.
Gamasiphis is a genus of mites in the family Ologamasidae. There are more than 60 described species in Gamasiphis.
Hydrogamasus is a genus of mites in the family Ologamasidae. There are at least four described species in Hydrogamasus.
Ologamasus is a genus of mites in the family Ologamasidae. There are about 19 described species in Ologamasus.
Acugamasus is a genus of mites in the family Ologamasidae. There are about 19 described species in Acugamasus.
Digamasellidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.
Digamasellus is a genus of mites in the family Digamasellidae. There are at least three described species in Digamasellus.
Macrochelidae 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.
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.
Blattisocius is a genus of mites in the family Blattisociidae.
Rhinonyssidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata. There are about 16 genera and at least 460 described species in Rhinonyssidae.
Blattisocius tarsalis is a species of mites in the family Blattisociidae. It was described by Berlese in 1918.
Blattisociidae is a family of mites in the order Mesostigmata.