International Journal q_f Acarology f.'::\ Taylor & Francis VoL 38, No.7. October 2012, 576-582 ~ Toylof~Fr.oncACroup

A new and ~f Macrochelidae (Acari: ) associated with the Texas Ieafcutting , Atta texana (Buckley) in Louisiana, USA Gerald W. Krantz3 and John C. Moserh

a Department ofZoology, Oregon State University, Con•al/is, OR, USA (email: [email protected]); bSouthern Research Station, USDA Forest Sen,ice, Pineville, LA, USA (email: jolmmoser@fS:fed.us) (Received 24 Apri/2012; accepted 14 June 2012)

Adults and nymphs of a new genus and species of the family Macrochelidae are described from detritus cavities of the leaf­ cutting ant, Alta te.-cana. This new species is notable in having peritremes with no posterior loop, a series ofsma11 subterminal teeth on the fixed chelicera) digit rather than the single large tooth typical of other macrochelids and well-developed parana! cribral extensions in both the protonymph and the deutonymph, but not in adults. Keywords: Mcsostigmata; Macrochelidae; Atta; myrmecophile; chelicera) and peritrematic morphology; cribrum

Introduction Krantz is an unusually well-armoured nest associate of The fauna associated with the social Eciton burchelli (Krantz 1962, 1998a). However, most of is vast and includes obligate and facultative represen­ the known myrmecophilous Macrochelidae are unremark­ tatives of all major acarine orders except for the ticks able in terms of their morphology. It was for this reason (Ixodida). A number of mite species have been described that we took particular notice of one of three undescribed from vespid wasps (Vespidae) and the primitively social macrochclid species collected from fungus garden detri­ sweat bees (Halictidae) or their nests, but most of the known tus in a laboratory colony of the Texas leafcutting ant, species are associated with members of the eusocial apoid Alta texana (Buckley), in Louisiana, USA. Among other families Anthophoridae, Bombidae, Apidae (Meliponinae notable characters, the idiosoma of the new species has and Apinae) and Formicidae (O'Connor 1982; Hunter and strong overall sclerotization, the chelicera) fixed digit has Rosario 1988; Eickwort 1990; Krantz and Walter 2009). a series of small distal teeth rather than the large subtermi­ Formicids and their nests are home to many of these . nal tooth typical of most macrochelids (Krantz I 998b ), the Myrmecophilous mites often display morphological internal cheliccral arthrodial brush is inordinately long and andfor behavioural adaptations that may have evolved to well developed and the peritreme is not looped proximally. better protect them in a hostile nest habitat. These adap­ Although this suite of characters may suggest a new generic tations include a variety of structural modifications and status, only the strong idiosomatic sclerotization can imme­ devices such as holdfast mechanisms to prevent displace­ diately be identified as a possible adaptation to a potentially ment from their worker ant hosts and physical and/or hazardous ant nest habitat. behavioural mimicry of the ant to allow them access to brood chambers and to assure safe transport by worker during periods of migration (Cross 1965; Elzinga Materials and methods and Rettenmeyer 1975; Elzinga 1978, 1981, 1982a, 1982b, Collections of the new species were made from detritus cav­ 1989, 1993, 1998; Hunter and Rosario 1988; Eickwort ities located below the ground surface in nests of A. texana 1990; Krantz 2009). It is likely that morphological or in Natchitoches, Rapides and Winn Parishes, Louisiana, behavioural mimicry in these situations is also reinforced USA, over a period of nearly 50 years ( 1960-2009) by by chemical mimicry. The development of total body JCM and his cooperators at the USDA Southern Research armour could be considered as an adaptation to nest habi­ Station (Forest Service), Pineville, LA, USA. Specimens tats in some nidicolous lineages, although many soil- and were cleared in lactophenol and mounted in Berlese's litter-inhabiting mites also display this character. solution either as whole mounts or as dissections and Some ant-associated members of the gamasine family later sent to GWK at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Macrochelidae exhibit singular morphological modifica­ OR, USA, for identification. A Zeiss GFL phase contrast tions for myrmecophily. For example, Macrocheles retten­ microscope equipped with drawing tube (Carl Zeiss AG, meyeri Krantz has greatly elongated legs IV that serve as Jena) was used for examination, preparation of illustra­ surrogate tarsal claws III for its ecitonine ant host (Krantz tions and descriptions. Measurements cited in the text are in 1962; Rettenmeyer 1962), and Aethosoma burchellestes micrometres.

ISSN 0164-7954 prim.IJSSN 1945-3892 online !I;': 2012 Taylor & Francis; printed 20 September 2012 http://dx.doi.org/l 0.1 oso:o 1647954.2012.704396 http://www.tandfonlinc.com International Journal ofAcarology 577

Systematics those on sternal shield, broadly rounded anteromarginally and truncated posteriorly, with a pair of posterolateral, dis­ Odontoche/es gen. nov. tally ciliate setae that are little more than half the length of the sternals, postepigynal platelets absent; metasternal Diagnosis shields nearly contiguous with posterolateral sternal angles, With general characteristics of the family as defined by each with a pore and a short, smooth seta (st4); ventrianal shield reticulate, considerably broader than long, broadest Mas{m (2003), but displaying the following unusual set of character states: female, male and deutonymph with­ anteriorly and narrowing and rounded posteriorly, reticula­ tions often appearing smaller than on epigynal shield and out posterior peritrematic loop; fixed digit of female and more angular, with three pairs of ventrianal setae nymphal chelicerae with a series of stmill teeth subtermi­ (Jv 1, nally rather than the single large subterminal tooth typical Zv2, Jv3) that are somewhat longer than epigynals but shorter than sternals, weakly ciliate distally, parana} setae for the family; internal chelicera] arthrodial brush thick­ short and smooth, postanal seta subequal to paranals but ened proximally and tapering distally, strongly produced ciliate distally, cribrum obscure, represented by a narrow and considerably longer than adjacent chelicera] digits, band of spicules lying behind postanal seta and between external arthrodial brush greatly reduced in male and paired cribral gland openings; shield in mature specimens nymphal stages; proximal tine of palptarsal apotele greatly with a narrow lateral band of tanned, striated integument reduced; lateral elements of gnathotectum insensibly fused similar to that bordering dorsal shield; with a pair of elon­ to median forked element; nymphal stages with strongly gate metapodal platelets lying anterad from integumental developed cribrum that includes paranal cribral extensions. setae Jv4 and adjacent to the striated band of ventrianal shield integument, narrower posteriorly than anteriorly; Type species endopodal and exopodal elements contiguous and closely Odontocheles attaphilus sp. nov., by original designation. b~rdering coxae 11-lV. Tritosternum typical for family, wtth strongly plumose paired laciniae and a base that is Odontoclle/es attaphilus Krantz and Moser, sp. nov. longer than broad. Sacculus foemineus obscure in available (Figures 1-I 5) whole-mount specimens.

Female (Figures 1-7) of moderate size (overall length aver­ Venter of gnathosoma (Figure 5) with broad capit­ ages 649, width averages 512 (n = 15)). Dorsal shield ular groove and five rows of deutosternal denticles (Figure I) broadest at level just behind coxae Iv, rounded ( -10 denticlesjrow) in the portion of groove bordered posteriorly, strongly reticulate throughout, with a distinctive posteriorly by palpcoxal setae and anteriorly by hypos­ tomatics 2, remaining rows (one proximal, two distal) pattern of elongate reticulations between setae js and J 2, shield in mature specimens bordered lateraJly and posteri­ without distinctive denticles; palptrochanteral setae (v., orly by a broad, heavily tanned band of striated integument; v2) may have separate, approximate or contiguous (as shield proper with 28 pairs of setae, all but three pairs of ilJustrated) insertions, proximal tine of palptarsal apotele which are long enough to reach or surpass the insertions (Figure 4) weakly developed, often obscure; hornlike cor­ niculi flanked by conspicuous salivary styli; movable digit of the setae behind them,jt and J 5 pectinate, other dorsal setae ciliate and often appearing narrowly rounded distally of chelicera (Figure 2) with two proximal teeth forming a (Figure 6), setaej1 and Js short, Zt weakly ciliate and sube­ weakly defined bidentate tooth, with a more distal single qual in length to j., insertions of setae js wen posterior to tooth; fixed digit with a large median tooth flanked distally by a row of six small teeth and a smaUer subterminal tooth those of adjacent setae z5; with 22 pairs of dorsal pores and crobylophores, individual crobylophores occasionally pilus dentilis inserted above distal row, dorsal seta narroW: unpaired (e.g. crobylophore pJ2 absent on the right side in uneven terminally; arthrodial brushes strongly plumose, illustrated specimen); with eight (occasionally seven) pairs stalk of internal brush considerably longer than chelicera] of distally pectinate marginal (1; R) setae inserted in the digits, greatly thickened basally and tapering distally, exter­ marginal sclerotized band, all of which are shorter than nal brush smaller but strongly developed; lateral elements the adjacent S setae on the shield proper. Peritremes each of gnathotectum (Figure 3) either acuminate or divided dis­ arising in a peritrematic shield that is fused anteriorly to tally, insensibly fused to a forked median element extending dorsal shield at level of coxae III-IV and is free of exopodal wen beyond lateral elements. elements, without posterior loop. Legs typical for family, legs I narrow, antenniform, without Ventral shielding (Figure 7) extensive, with little interven­ ambulacra; legs II considerably broader than other legs and ing integument; sternal shield large and strongly reticulate, subequal in length to legs I and IV; legs III about two-thirds extending posterolaterally to the posterior angles of coxae length of other legs; leg setae distally ciliate or smooth, III, free of endopodal elements between coxae III and lV, genu IV with six setae. with three pairs oflong setae (slt-3) that reach the insertions Male (Figures 8-11) smaller than female (overall length of the setae behind them, s/1 weakly ciliate distally. St2_3 averages 442, width averages 318 (n = 4 )). Dorsal shield smooth, with associated slit sense organs behind st1and st3 ; (Figure 9) narrower than that of female and not covering epigynal shield with reticulations similar to but larger than dorsum laterally and posteriorly, broadest at level of 578 G. W. Krantz and J.C. Moser 1

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Figures 1-8. Odontocheles attaphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., female · l. dorsum; 2. chelicera, adaxial aspect; 3. gnathotectum; 4. paJptibia and tarsus; S. gnathosoma, venter; 6. dorsal seta; 7. venter. 8. Odontocheles attaphi/us gen. nov., sp. nov .. male- leg II (coxa omitted). Scale bars: (1, 7, 8) 100 lJ,m; (5) SO 11m; (2-4) 25 11m. '

International Journal ofAcarology 579

11

Figures 9-I5. Odontocheles attaphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., male- 9. dorsum; I0. venter; 11. chelicera, adaxial aspect. 12-14. Odontoche/es allaphilus gen. nov., sp. nov .. deutonymph - 12. dorsal seta; 13. dorsum; 14. venter. 15. Odontocheles attaphilus gen. nov., sp. nov .. protonymph- 15. dorsum. Scale bars: (9, 10, 14) 100 11m; (13, IS) 50 11m; (II) 25J1m. 580 G. W. Krantz and J.C. Moser

coxae II, reticulate throughout but without distinct median rows of cribral spicules extending anterolaterally nearly to elongate reticulate pattern as in female, striated marginal parana) setal insertions, with two pairs of pore or gland integumental band absent; with 30 pairs of setae rather than openings that may represent ivp and gv3 of Gerdeman 28 as in female (with two additional pairs of marginal setae and Klompen (2003). Movable digit of chelicera with two (rs, R, ?)), j1 short and pectinate, z, appearing smooth or unidentate teeth, fixed digit with a median tooth and a more nearly so, other dorsal setae distally ciliate and generally distal region of three or four small teeth (rather than six with a rounded tip (as in Figure 6), insertions of js and as in female), internal arthrodial brush strong, subequal in z5 more or less on same level; anterior lyrifissures (pz1) length to adjacent inovable digit; external brush consisting obscure in all observed specimens. of a short base and three or four radiating spines.

Venter (Figure 10) with a reticulated holoventral shield, Protonymph (Figure 15) measures 378 in length and 222 in sternal and metasternal setae smooth, long enough to width (n = 1). Dorsal shield divided medially, podono­ reach insertions of setae behind them, epigynal setae tal shield without clear ornamentation, with 11 distally (st5) weakly ornamented; with six pairs of smooth ven­ expanded and mostly weakly ciliate setae inserted on the tral setae, of which setae Zv, are the shortest, parana] left side of shield (it-6. z2,4-5. S4-s) and 14 on the right setae smooth, subequal to Zv1, postanal seta ciliate distally, side (with an accessory seta between Z4 and s4 (r3 ?), and cribrum weakly developed. Peritremes, tritosternum and one between zs and ss (r4?); seta s6 also inserted on the most gnathosomatic structures similar to those of female; right side of shield), distal expansion of idiosomatic setae fixed digit of chelicerae (Figure II) with a simple retrorse genera1ly less pronounced than in deutonymph (Figure 13); tooth sub terminally, without row of small subterminal teeth pygidial shield with eight setal pairs, J 5 short and ciliate, found in female and nymphal stages, pilus dentilis promi­ other pygidial setae longer, expanded distally and occasion­ nent, dorsal seta acuminate; movable chelicera} digit with ally weakly ciliate, with two distinctive arched depressions a single small retrorse tooth subterminally, with a long, between insertions of Z3-Z4 , shield otherwise unorna­ recurved spermatodactyl arising medially on the interior mentcd. Peritrcmcs small, crescentic, confined to region face of the digit, internal arthrodial brush prominent, sim­ between coxae III and IV. Chelicerae similar to those of ilar in form to that of female and clearly longer than che­ deutonymph, with three small teeth subterminally on the Iiceral digits, external brush weakly developed, consisting movable digit; palptarsal apotele appears two-tined (proxi­ of a short base and a brush of three or four radiating spines; mal element not visible in the available specimen). Venter insertions ofpalptrochanteral setae separate in all observed similar to that of protonymph, sternal shield evanescent or specimens. Legs similar in most respects to those of female, absent, anal shield similar to that of deutonymph in shape, femur of leg II (Figure 8) armed with a terminally rounded cribral and porefgland development and surrounding setal ventral spur ( v1). pattern (Figure 14 ), except that insertions of setae Jv3 and Deutonymph (Figures 12-14) similar in length ( 444) and Jv4 are we11 removed from the shield border. width (317) to female (n = 2). Dorsal shield Larva not seen in collected samples. (Figure 13) lightly reticulate and weakly tanned through­ The genus Odontocheles may be .differentiated from out, incised laterally, with a shallow, crescentic depression other genera of the family Macrochelidae on the basis of between insertions of setae Z4, with 29 pairs of setae its singular cheliceral, peritrematic and setal morpholo­ (28, if r (?) is inserted adjacent to shield rather than on 5 gies (see above). The strong ventral sclerotization, the it (Figure 13, right side)), most of which are strongly fused form of the gnathotectum and the ornamentation clavate distally, often with a few fine cilia on setal shaft of the dorsal shield of adult 0. attaphilus most closely (Figure 12), setae z smooth and J ciliate, both subequal 1 5 resemble species of the genus Glyptholaspis (Filipponi in length to )t; lyrifissures pz distinct. Stigmata near level 1 and Pegazzano 1960). However, the dorsal shield of of dorsal shield incisions, opening anteriorly to sinuous G~vptholaspis adults has a denticulate rather than a smooth peritremes that terminate near the insertions of z I. margin as in 0. attaphilus, and it lacks the strongly Venter (Figure 14) with smooth, spinose sternal setae (slt-J) tanned marginal band of integument common to mature and associated pores inserted in a weakly defined unor­ females of the new species. The absence of a posterior namented sternal shield, epigynal setae and pores (sts, peritrematic loop in 0. attaphilus is unique to the fam­ iv4), along with opisthogastric setae, inserted behind shield ily except for certain species of the Old World genus in weakly striated integument; opisthogastric setae Jv4-5 Neopodocinum Oudemans (Masan 2003 ). However, the lat­ longer than other opisthogastrics, distally expanded, Jv4 ter species have an anal rather than a ventrianal shield, weakly ciliate, shorter than Jv5, inserted adjacent to or on a unipartite gnathotectum and seven setae on genu IV. the margin of anal shield; anal shield well defined, peltate It should be noted here that the tanned integument band and weakly reticulate, with centrally located anal open­ bordering the dorsal and ventrianal shields of mature 0. ing flanked by short, smooth parana] setae and a slightly attaphilus females (absent in teneral specimens) also occurs expanded postanal seta; cribrum well developed and cov­ in certain other macrochelid assemblages (Krantz 1967, ering region behind postanal seta, with additional narrow 1998a) and appears to be age related. International Journal ofAcarology 581

Type materia] dorsal setae varies between stages and sexes (28 pairs in the Holotype female and five paratype females with the fol­ female, 30 in the male and 28 or 29 in the deutonymph). lowing data: ex fresh detritus from fungus garden cavity Incongruities also have been observed in cribral devel­ 2.5 metres below the nest cavity of A. texana, Kisatchie opment and in arthrodial brush morphology, as described National Forest, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, 4 August below. 2004 (S. Dash et al., colls.); two females ex detritus The crib rum of adult 0. allaphi/us is marginal and often 2.6 metres deep in A. texana nest, Winn Parish, Louisiana, obscure, but it is strongly developed in both the protonymph 4 June 2009 (L. Bui and J. Moser, coils.); I 0 females ex and the deutonymph and has anterolateral extensions of detritus cavity, 2 metres deep in A. texana nest, 18 January cribral spicules that nearly reach the parana] setal inser­ 1960 (J. Moser, coli.); one female attached to leg of A. tions (Figure 14). Extensions of this type are typical in texana major worker at nest surface, Bentley, Louisiana, adults of some early derivative free-living macrochelid 1 July 1966 (J. Moser, coli.). Allotype male ex fresh detritus lineages (Masan 2003; Emberson 2010), and have been from fungus garden cavity 2.5 metres below the nest cav­ presumed to provide a broader platform for dispersion of ity of A. texana, Kisatchie National Forest, Natchitoches cribral gland-generated sex pheromones among free-living Parish, Louisiana, 4 August 2004; two males ex detritus species that, unlike many phoretic forms, do not aggregate 2.6 metres deep in A. texana nest, 4 June 2009 (L. Bui and on insular substrates (Krantz and Redmond 1988). The dis­ J. Moser, coils.); one male ex detritus cavity 2 metres deep covery of parana} extensions in 0. attaphilus nymphs and in A. te.-rana nest, 18 January 1960. One deutonymph ex their absence in adults clearly points to a need for further fungus garden detritus in a laboratory colony of A. texana, research on cribral function. Regarding arthrodial brush I December 2004, taken from 2.5 metres below the nest morphology, while the chelicera of 0. attaphi/us females surface, Kisatchie National Forest, Natchitoches Parish, has strongly developed internal and external arthrodial Louisiana, 4 August 2004 (S. Dash et al., coils.); one brushes, the external brush in males and nymphs com­ deutonymph ex detritus 2.6 metres deep in A. texana nest, prises an abbreviated base and three or four radiating spines 4 June 2009 (L. Bui and J. Moser, coils.). One protonymph (Figure II). A similar but less dramatic difference in brush ex nest detritus 2 metres deep in A. texana nest, 18 January development is seen in males and females of Glyptho/aspis 1960 (J. Moser, coli.). Additional material in the collec­ americana (Berlese), a species in which the male external tion of USDA Forest Service, Research Project SRS 4552, arthrodial brush (setate excrescences of Krantz and Wernz Pineville, LA. 1979) may play a role in sperm transfer. The series of tiny teeth on the fixed chelicera) digit of 0. attaphilus is a unique character of the family. Their Type repositories appearance suggests a scraping function, which in tum raises the possibility that the mite feeds on fungal spores Holotype female and allotype male in National Museum in the detritus cavities. In fact, a number of spores and of Natural History, Washington, DC. Paratypes in Oregon mycelial strands have been recovered from the body cav­ State Collection, Corvallis; Southern Research ities of several female mites taken from detritus cavities Station, USDA Forest Service, Pineville, LA; Acarology (JCM, personal observation) However, the well-developed Laboratory, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; capitular groove of 0. attaphilus (Figure 5) tends to sup­ Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, ON, Canada; port a liquid diet rather than a solid diet. The presence of Australian National Collection, Canberra, ACT, a weakly defined bidentate tooth on the female movable Australia; and Natural History Museum, London, UK. chelicera] digit suggests that phoresy could play a role in mite colonization of new nests in that a bidentatc tooth is often correlated with a phoretic lifestyle in macrochelid Discussion mites (Krantz 1998b). Support for this assumption, how­ Morphological considerations ever, is limited to two observations, namely a single The genus Odontocheles is erected to accommodate a new female of 0. attaphilus recovered from a winged A. texana species of ant-associated Macrochelidac that displays a sin­ queen at a light in 2011 (slide 11125) and another found gular set of morphological characters. Among its more attached to the leg of a worker on a nest surface in 1966 unusual attributes are the lack of a posterior peritrematic (slide 52866). loop (also seen in some species of the genus Neopodocinum Oudemans) and the presence of a subterminal row of small teeth on the fixed chelicera) digit (Figure 2). The gnatho­ Habitat considerations tectum (Figure 3) has fused lateral and medial elements, a Odontocheles attaphilus is one of 17 mite species and trait common to a number of unspecialized soil- and litter­ 8 non-acarine inquilines found in nests of A. texana in inhabiting macrochelids (Masan 2003; Emberson 2010). Louisiana (JCM, personal observation). Recorded nest An interesting dichotomy is seen in dorsal shield setal habitats for these species include galleries, fungus gar­ morphology, with those of adults being terminally obtuse dens and detritus cavities (Moser 2006). Fungus gardens in or rounded (Figure 6) and those of nymphal stages being A. texana nests flourish for only a month, after which they clavate (Figure 12). In addition, the observed number of senesce and are removed to detritus cavities by ant workers. 582 G.W. KrantzandJ.C. Moser

Some arthropod species are routinely found in fungus gar­ Elzinga RJ, Rettenmeyer CW. 1975. Seven new species of dens or galleries, but 0. altaphilus has been collected only Circocylliba (Acarina: Uropodina) found on army ants. from detritus cavities, a niche that is difficult to pinpoint Acarologia 16(4):595-611. Emberson RM. 2010. A reappraisal of some basal lineages ofthe in nest excavations where a bulJdozer or a backhoe is often family Macrochelidae, with the description of a new genus the principal excavating tool, and where nests may exceed a (Acarina: Mesostigmata). Zootaxa 2501:37-53. depth of 12 feet (Moser 2006). Only three of the nests exca­ Filipponi A, Pegazzano F. 1960. Acari del genere Glyptho/aspis vated in Louisiana since 1960 have contained 0. attaphilus, nom. nov. pro Macrocheles (Macrocheles) Bert., 1918 and all of the specimens have occurred in detritus cavities. (Mesostigmata, Macrochelidae). Redia 45: 133-171. Gerdeman B, Klompen H. 2003. A new North American het­ Odontocheles attaphilus has been successfully maintained erozerconid, Narceoheterozercon olzioensis, n. sp., with first in laboratory colonies at the USDA Research Station in descriptions of immatures of Heterozerconidae. International Pineville for short periods of time on nest detritus taken Journal of Acarology 29(4):351-370. from the field, and limited reproduction has been observed. Hunter PE, Rosario RMT. 1988. Associations of Mesostigmata with other . Annual Review of Entomology 33:393-417. Krantz GW. 1962. Descriptions of three myrmecophilous Acknowedgements Macrochelidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata) from Panama, British Guiana and the British West Indies. Journal of the We thank Linda M. Hooper-Bui and her students at Louisiana Kansas Entomological Society 35(4):349-357. State University, Baton Rouge, for arranging to use the heavy Krantz GW. 1967. A review of the genus Holocelaeno equipment and for assisting in A. texana nest excavation. We also Berlesc, 1910 (Acarina: Macrochelidae). Acarologia 9(fasc. thank Steve Shively, USDA Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana, suppl.):l-89. for collecting alate ant queens and Shawn Dash. University of Krantz GW. 1998a. Observations on five rarely collected genera of Texas at El Paso, for providing reared A. texana laboratory Macrochelidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with . colonies and detritus samples. Acarologia 39(2):95-1 09. Kmntz GW. 1998b. Reflections on the biology, morphology and ecology of the Macrochelidae. Experimental & Applied References Acarology 22:125-137. Krantz GW. 2009. Habits and habitats. In: Krantz GW, Walter DE. Cross EA. 1965. The generic relationships of the family editors. A manual of acarology. 3rd ed. Lubbock (TX): Texas Pyemotidae (Acarina: Trombidiformes). University of Kansas Tech University Press. p. 64-82. Science Bulletin 45(2):29-275. Krantz GW, Redmond BL. 1988. On the structure and function Eickwort GC. 1990. Associations of mites with social insects. of the cribrum. with special reference to Macrocheles per­ Annual Review of Entomology 35:469-488. glaber (Gamasida: Macrochelidae). In: Channabasavanna GP, Elzinga RJ. 1978. Holdfast mechanisms in certain uropodinc Viraktamath CA, editors. Progress in acarology. Vol. I. New mites (Acarina: Uropodina). Annals of the Entomological Delhi (India): Oxford and IBH Publ. Co.. p. 179-185. Society of America 71 (6):896-900. Krantz, GW, Walter DE, editors. 2009. A manual of acarology. Elzinga RJ. 1981. The generic status and six new species of 3rd ed. Lubbock (TX): Texas Tech University Press. Trichocyl/iba (Acari: Uropodina). Acarologia 23( I ):3~-18. 807 p.+viii. Elzinga RJ. 1982a. The genus Coxequesoma (Acari: Uropodina) Krantz GW, Wernz JG. 1979. Sperm transfer in Glyptholaspis and descriptions of four new species. Acarologia americana. In: Rodriguez JG, editor. Recent advances 23(3 ):215-224. in acarology. Vol. II. New York (NY): Academic Press. Elzinga RJ. 1982b. The genus Antennequesoma (Acari: p.441-446. Uropodina) and descriptions of four new species. Acarologia Masan P. 2003. Macrochelid mites of Slovakia (Acari, 23(4):319-325. Mesostigmata, Macrochelidae). Bratislava (Slovakia): Elzinga RJ. 1989. Habeogula cauda (Acari: Uropodina), a new Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences. 149 p. genus and species of mite from the Labidus praeda­ Moser JC. 2006. Complete excavation and mapping of a Texas tor (F. Smith). Acarologia 30(4):341-344. leafcutting ant nest. Annals of the Entomological Society of Elzinga RJ. 1993. Larvamimidae, a new family of mites (Acari: America 99(5):891··897. Dermanyssoidea) associated with army ants. Acarologia O'Connor BM. 1982. Evolutionary ecology of astigmatid mites. 34(2):95-103. Annual Review of Entomology 27:385-409. Elzinga RJ. 1998. A new genus and five new species of mites Rcttenmeyer CW. 1962. Notes on host specificity and behavior (Acari: Ascidae) associated with army ants (Hymenoptera: ofmyrmecophilous macrochelid mites. Journal ofthe Kansas Formicidae). Sociobiology 31(3):351-361. Entomological Society 33(4):358-360. This article was downloaded by: [T&F Internal Users], [Miri Taffel] On : 27 September 2012, At: 08:10 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London WlT 3JH, UK

International Journal of Acarology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www. tandfonline .com / loi I taca20 A new genus and species of Macrochelidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with the Texas leafcutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley) in Louisiana, USA

Gerald W. Krantz a & John C. Moser b a Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR , USA b Southern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Pineville, LA, USA

Version of record first published: 20 Sep 2012.

To cite this article: Gerald W. Krantz & John C. Moser (2012): A new genus and species of Macrochelidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with the Texas leafcutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley) in Louisiana, USA, International Journal of Acarology, 38:7, 576-582

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