Ancestral state reconstruction reveals multiple independent evolution of diagnostic morphological characters in the "Higher Oribatida" (Acari), conflicting with current classification schemes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of molecular genetic data in phylogenetic systematics has revolutionized this field of research in that several taxonomic groupings defined by traditional taxonomic approaches have been rejected by molecular data. The taxonomic classification of the oribatid mite group Circumdehiscentiae ("Higher Oribatida") is largely based on morphological characters and several different classification schemes, all based upon the validity of diagnostic morphological characters, have been proposed by various authors. The aims of this study were to test the appropriateness of the current taxonomic classification schemes for the Circumdehiscentiae and to trace the evolution of the main diagnostic traits (the four nymphal traits scalps, centrodorsal setae, sclerits and wrinkled cuticle plus octotaxic system and pteromorphs both in adults) on the basis of a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis by means of parsimony, likelihood and Bayesian approaches.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The molecular phylogeny based on three nuclear markers (28S rDNA, <it>ef-1α</it>, <it>hsp82</it>) revealed considerable discrepancies to the traditional classification of the five "circumdehiscent" subdivisions, suggesting paraphyly of the three families Scutoverticidae, Ameronothridae, Cymbaeremaeidae and also of the genus <it>Achipteria</it>. Ancestral state reconstructions of six common diagnostic characters and statistical evaluation of alternative phylogenetic hypotheses also partially rejected the current morphology-based classification and suggested multiple convergent evolution (both gain and loss) of some traits, after a period of rapid cladogenesis, rendering several subgroups paraphyletic.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Phylogenetic studies revealed non-monophyly of three families and one genus as a result of a lack of adequate synapomorphic morphological characters, calling for further detailed investigations in a framework of integrative taxonomy. Character histories of six morphological traits indicate that their evolution followed a rather complex pattern of multiple independent gains (and losses). Thus, the observed pattern largely conflicts with current morphological classifications of the Circumdehiscentiae, suggesting that the current taxonomic classification schemes are not appropriate, apart from a recently proposed subdivision into 24 superfamilies.</p

Die Verteilung von Verfügungsrechten in italienischen Franchisenetzwerken

In dieser Arbeit wird versucht, sich dem Problem der Allokation von Entscheidungsrechte und Besitzansprüche in italienischen Franchise-Netzwerken aus property-rights-theoretischer Sicht zu nähern. Nach der Theorie der Verfügungsrechte soll die Verteilung residualer Entscheidungsrechte von der Verteilung der immateriellen Vermögensvorteile innerhalb des Netzwerkes abhängig gemacht werden. Je wichtiger die immateriellen Wissensressourcen der Akteure (hier Franchisegeber und Franchisenehmer) für das Erwirtschaften von residualem Einkommen sind, desto mehr Entscheidungsautonomie sollte ihnen zugesprochen werden. Durch diese property-rights-induzierte Sichtweise wird demnach auch die Dezentralisierung des Netzwerks bestimmt. In vorliegender Arbeit wird insbesondere anhand der Grundaussagen der Property-Rights und Principal-Agent-Theorie argumentiert, dass die Verteilung von Entscheidungskompetenzen vor allem von den nicht transferierbaren Wissensvorteilen der Vertragspartner abhängt. Dies wird im italienischen Sektor mit Zuhilfenahme eines Fragebogens empirisch getestet. Weiters wird überprüft, welche Anreizmechanismen in den italienischen Franchise-Organisationen installiert werden müssen, damit keiner der Parteien ein Nachteil widerfährt und das ökonomische Voranschreiten des Systems gesichert ist. Außerdem wird die duale Struktur von italienischen Franchise-Netzwerken anhand der Befragungsergebnisse durchleuchtet und mit Hilfe der verschiedenen neoinstitutionalistischen Theorien erklärt. Die Ergebnisse der empirischen Studie bestätigen die Hypothesen der Property Rights und erörtern den Systemzentralisierungsgrad in italienischen Franchise-Organisationen. Außerdem wird bestätigt, dass mit der Zuhilfenahme von Eigentumssurrogaten ein Ausgleichsverhältnis zwischen den Franchisenehmern und den Franchisegebern geschaffen wird, um franchisespezifische Probleme und Opportunismus der beiden Vertragspartner einzuschränken.This work offers a property rights explanation for the allocation of decision and ownership rights in Italian franchise networks. According to the property rights approach, the distribution of residual decision rights depends on the division of intangible knowledge assets within a system. Therefore, as the participants’ (i.e. franchisor and franchisee) immaterial knowledge resources increase in importance, their level of decision autonomy should strengthen accordingly. This perspective also determines the degree of decentralization of a network. In addition, the following work outlines the basic statements of the Property Rights and Principal-Agent theories, which argue that distribution of decision competence should be dependent on the non-transferable knowledge advantages of the contracting partners. The hypotheses are empirically tested in the Italian franchise sector with the help of an electronic enquiry. The results of the empirical study confirm both the hypotheses of the Property Rights and the degree of network (de)centralization in Italian franchise organizations. In addition, the dual structure of Italian franchise organizations is analyzed and explained using the various neo-institutionalistic theories of relevant literature. Incentive mechanisms (i.e. ownership surrogates) are also examined, as a way in which to ensure that none of the parties feel disadvantaged and that the economic progress of the system is secure. Furthermore it is confirmed that the adoption of ownership surrogates and franchise fees creates an equilibrium between the franchisor and the franchisee, allowing for the reduction of franchise-specific problems and of the creation of opportunism of the two parties

Fortuynia smiti Ermilov, Tolstikov, Mary & Schatz 2013

&lt;i&gt;Fortuynia smiti&lt;/i&gt; Ermilov, Tolstikov, Mary &amp; Schatz, 2013 &lt;p&gt;Supplementary morphological information and first description of juvenile stages.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Although the original description of &lt;i&gt;F. smiti&lt;/i&gt; (Ermilov &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2013) provided excellent morphological information, details about the important van der Hammen&rsquo;s organ and about some aspects of the legs are missing and were presented here.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Description of certain adult features.&lt;/b&gt; Adult (Figs 14 A&ndash;B). Females (N=1), length: 589 &micro;m, width: 465 &micro;m; males (N=4), length: 552&ndash;577 &micro;m (mean 564 &micro;m), width: 409&ndash;434 &micro;m (mean 424 &micro;m).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Lateral aspect (Fig. 14 C). The van der Hammen&rsquo;s organ consists of sejugal channel branching off anterior dorsal circumgastric scissure, passing the bothridium posteriorly and running ventrad to the area between acetabulum II where it branches into a short anterior canal reaching acetabulum II and a short posterior canal running to acetabulum III; another canal connects the sejugal channel with acetabulum IV, it is larger and shows internal transversal cuticular ribs in transmitted light; a prodorsal canal branches of the sejugal channel at the posterior border of the bothridium, passes the bothridium and runs rostrad where it ends short before the insertion of the lamellar seta.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs (Fig. 15). Tarsal lyrifissures present on all legs. Large porose areas with irregular borders on paraxial ventral side of all femora. Smaller circular porose areas on trochanter III and IV. Chaetome and solenidia see table 4.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Common features of juvenile stages.&lt;/b&gt; Apheredermous. Colour dark brown. Integument plicate and soft, except for centrodorsal plate. Prodorsum triangular, rostrum rounded, cerotegument overall finely granular, lighter longitudinal median area. Rostral setae (&lt;i&gt;ro&lt;/i&gt;) robust and lamellar setae (&lt;i&gt;le&lt;/i&gt;) also robust, slightly shorter. Interlamellar (&lt;i&gt;in&lt;/i&gt;) and exobothridial setae (&lt;i&gt;ex&lt;/i&gt;) minute. Bothridia small cups, laterally opened. Sensilla very short, smooth, clavate. On posterior border of prodorsum, adjacent to anterior border of hysterosoma, groups of small pores. Gnathosoma no differences from adult stage. Centrodorsal plate finely granular, except for lighter median area resembling an inverted Y. Large folds with granular surface, framing centrodorsal plate. Circular porose areas associated with bases of notogastral setae. Within certain lateral folds series of pores aligned longitudinally, leading into tracheal tubes. Orifice of opisthonotal gland &lt;i&gt;gla&lt;/i&gt; situated in posterior third of lateral folds. Ventral aspect showing specific pattern of ventral folds, typical for juveniles of this genus. Cerotegument finely granular, slightly larger granules present in furrows and acetabular regions. Pores leading into tracheal tubes located along ventrosejugal furrow and furrows framing genital and anal orifice. Legs monodactylous with large hook-like claws. Large porose areas on the same leg segments and position as in adults, whereas porose areas on trochanter III and IV hardly discernible.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Larva&lt;/b&gt; (Fig. 16). (N=3): length 280&ndash;299 &micro;m (mean 288 &micro;m).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Gastronotic region. Notogastral setae long, 11 pairs: &lt;i&gt;c1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;da&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;la&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;h1-2&lt;/i&gt;. Transversal ridge on centrodorsal plate passing posterior line of setae &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 2-1-2. Clapar&egrave;de&rsquo;s organ globular medially covered by epimeral cuticle; no protective setae discernible. Aggenital, genital, adanal and anal setae not developed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs. Chaetome and solenidia see table 4.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Protonymph.&lt;/b&gt; (N=2): length 353&ndash;366 &micro;m (mean 360 &micro;m).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Gastronotic region. Notogastral setae long, 15 pairs: &lt;i&gt;c1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;da&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;la&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;h1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;p1-3&lt;/i&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 3-1-2-1. One pair of short genital setae. Adanal and anal setae not developed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs (Fig. 17). Chaetome and solenidia see table 4.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Deutonymph.&lt;/b&gt; (N=1): length 440 &micro;m.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Gastronotic region. Notogastral setae 15 pairs, same positions and shapes as in protonymph.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 3-1-2-2, seta &lt;i&gt;4b&lt;/i&gt; added in this stage. Genital setae short, 2 pairs; aggenital setae 1 pair, adanal setae 3 pairs, &lt;i&gt;ad1-3&lt;/i&gt;, flanking anal orifice; anal setae vestigial, 2 pairs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs. Chaetome and solenidia see table 4.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Tritonymph.&lt;/b&gt; (N=1): length 533 &micro;m.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Gastronotic region. Fifteen pairs of notogastral setae, no difference to deutonymph. Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 3-1-3-2, seta &lt;i&gt;3c&lt;/i&gt; close to trochanter III. Genital setae 4 pairs, aggenital setae 1 pair, adanal setae 3 pairs, anal setae 2 pairs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs. Chaetome and solenidia see table 4.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Pfingstl, Tobias, 2015, The intertidal Fortuyniidae (Acari: Oribatida): new species, morphological diversity, ecology and biogeography, pp. 351-382 in Zootaxa 3957 (4)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 373-374, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3957.4.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/239589"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/239589&lt;/a&gt

Fortuynia longiseta Pfingstl, 2015, sp. nov.

&lt;i&gt;Fortuynia longiseta&lt;/i&gt; sp. nov. &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Type material&lt;/b&gt;. Holotype: male, Maldives, Mal&eacute; atoll, Island of Villingili; 8 Feb. 1983; calcareous algae growing on sandstone; coll. W. Fiala, leg. R. Schuster. Paratypes: 2 females, same locality as holotype. Deposition of holo- and paratypes: Naturhistorisches Museum Wien/NHM Vienna, Austria; holotype: collection Nr. NHMW 27.592; paratypes: NHMW 27.593.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Etymology.&lt;/b&gt; Specific name refers to the very long notogastral setae shown by this species.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Diagnosis.&lt;/b&gt; Mean length 458 &micro;m, mean width 254 &micro;m. Habitus typical for the genus &lt;i&gt;Fortuynia&lt;/i&gt;. Notogaster slender and oval in shape. Sensilla short, clavate, bent inwards. Prodorsal canal &lt;i&gt;ci&lt;/i&gt; absent. Notogastral setae very long, 15 pairs. Epimeral setation 3-1-3-2. Aggenital setae present (1 pair).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;TABLE 2.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Fortuynia longiseta&lt;/i&gt; sp. nov. Leg setation from larva to adult. First development of setae and their homologies indicated&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;by letters. () = pairs of setae, - = no change with regard to preceding stage.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Instars Trochanter Femur Genu Tibia Tarsus Chaetome Solenidia&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; I larva - &lt;i&gt;d&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;bv&acute;&acute;&lt;/i&gt; (&lt;i&gt;l&lt;/i&gt;), &sigma; (&lt;i&gt;l&lt;/i&gt;), &lt;i&gt;v&acute;&lt;/i&gt;, &phi; (&lt;i&gt;pl&lt;/i&gt;), (&lt;i&gt;pv&lt;/i&gt;), &lt;i&gt;s&lt;/i&gt;, (&lt;i&gt;a&lt;/i&gt;), (&lt;i&gt;u&lt;/i&gt;), (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;), (&lt;i&gt;tc&lt;/i&gt;), (&lt;i&gt;ft&lt;/i&gt;), &epsi; &omega; 0-2-2-3- 16 1-1-1 &lt;b&gt;Description of adult.&lt;/b&gt; Females (N=4), length: 459&ndash;465 &micro;m (mean 462 &micro;m), width: 249&ndash;265 &micro;m (mean 258 &micro;m); males (N=3), length: 446&ndash;459 &micro;m (mean 453 &micro;m), width: 240&ndash;255 &micro;m (mean 250 &micro;m).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Integument. Colour dark brown, nearly black. Cuticle strongly sclerotized, appears shiny under dissecting microscope.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Prodorsum. Cerotegument finely granular. Cuticle dark brown laterally, median interlamellar area lighter. Rostrum triangular in dorsal view, slightly projecting anteroventrally in lateral view. Rostrum demarcated from remainder of prodorsum by transverse ridge. Rostral (&lt;i&gt;ro&lt;/i&gt;) and lamellar setae (&lt;i&gt;le&lt;/i&gt;) simple, equally long (approx. 45 &micro;m). Interlamellar setae (&lt;i&gt;in&lt;/i&gt;) very short, thin, exobothridial setae (&lt;i&gt;ex&lt;/i&gt;) minute, fine. Bothridia small cups, orifice circular, narrow. Sensilla short, smooth, clavate with rounded head bent inwards.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Gnathosoma. Pedipalps pentamerous 0-2-1-3-9 (including solenidion). Solenidion &lt;i&gt;&omega;&lt;/i&gt; on tarsus erect, not associated with eupathidium &lt;i&gt;acm&lt;/i&gt;. Large porose area on paraxial ventral side of femur. Chelicerae chelate, mobile digit with 3, fixed digit with 2 teeth, all teeth interlocking. Lateral porose area from middle of chelicerae to joint of digits. Seta &lt;i&gt;cha&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;chb&lt;/i&gt; dorsally slightly pectinate, both of approximately same length. Genae well sclerotized, finely granular. Distal part of each rutellum developed as thin triangular slightly curved inward membrane with longitudinal incision. Setae &lt;i&gt;a&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;m&lt;/i&gt; long, smooth. Mentum regular, finely granular, seta &lt;i&gt;h&lt;/i&gt; simple, long.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Gastronotic region (Fig. 7 A). Notogaster slender, oval in dorsal view. Cerotegument overall finely granular. Lenticulus more or less circular with irregular borders. Notogastral setae thin, very long (length 90&ndash;120 &micro;m), 15 pairs: &lt;i&gt;c1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;da&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;la&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;h1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;p1-3&lt;/i&gt;. Inconspicuous circular porose areas associated with bases of notogastral setae; 2 pairs of single pores arranged in 2 median rows, first pair posterior and laterad of setae &lt;i&gt;da&lt;/i&gt;, second posterior and laterad of setae &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;, all hardly discernible. Posterior of seta &lt;i&gt;dp&lt;/i&gt; located 2 groups of 5 pores. Notogastral lyrifissures 5 pairs: &lt;i&gt;ia&lt;/i&gt; close to anterior border of notogaster, next to seta &lt;i&gt;c3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;im&lt;/i&gt; posterior of seta &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;ih&lt;/i&gt; next to seta &lt;i&gt;h3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;ip&lt;/i&gt; laterad and anterior of seta &lt;i&gt;p3&lt;/i&gt;, ips next to seta &lt;i&gt;p2&lt;/i&gt;. Orifice of opisthonotal gland &lt;i&gt;gla&lt;/i&gt; laterally close to seta &lt;i&gt;lp&lt;/i&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Lateral aspect (Fig. 7 C). Cerotegument finely granular, larger granules on pedotectum I and in acetabular regions. Pedotectum I round, small. Cuticular canals of van der Hammen&rsquo;s organ typical for the genus, whereas canal &lt;i&gt;ce&lt;/i&gt; very short, only reaching anterior border of bothridium.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Ventral region of idiosoma (Fig. 7 B). Cerotegument finely granular in sternal region; larger, densely packed granules next to acetabula. Epimeral setation 3-1-3-2, all setae simple, short. Genital setae 5 pairs, aggenital setae 1 pair. Anal valves slightly triangular, 2 pairs of long anal setae (&lt;i&gt;an1-2&lt;/i&gt;). Preanal organ triangular. Adanal setae (&lt;i&gt;an1-3&lt;/i&gt;) 3 pairs, simple, long; in few cases asymmetrical variation with 2 setae unilaterally. Seta &lt;i&gt;ad3&lt;/i&gt; on level with anterior border of anal orifice, &lt;i&gt;ad2&lt;/i&gt; laterad, &lt;i&gt;ad1&lt;/i&gt; posterior of anal valves. Lyrifissure &lt;i&gt;iad&lt;/i&gt; orientated longitudinally, flanking anal orifice.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Legs (Fig. 8). Monodactylous. Long hook-like claws with slight dorsal serration. Cerotegument finely granular. Cuticle heterogeneous, trochanters dark, proximal third of femur I and II light remainder dark, femora III and IV dark, all genua dark, all tibiae light, proximal part of all tarsi slightly darker than distal part. No ventral carinae on femora. Large porose areas on paraxial side of femora I and II, paraxial porose areas on femora III, IV divided into dorsal and ventral part. Elliptic porose areas on dorsal paraxial aspect of trochanter III and IV. All tarsi with proximal lyrifissure. Dorsal seta &lt;i&gt;d&lt;/i&gt; on all femora slightly thickened, dorsally serrate. Ventral setae of tibiae and tarsi long, ventrally serrate. Chaetome and solenidia see table 2.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Common features of juvenile stages.&lt;/b&gt; Apheredermous. Colour dark brown. Integument plicate and soft, except for centrodorsal plate. Prodorsum triangular, rostrum rounded, cerotegument overall finely granular. Rostral setae (&lt;i&gt;ro&lt;/i&gt;) and lamellar setae (&lt;i&gt;le&lt;/i&gt;) thin, equal in length. Minute interlamellar setae (&lt;i&gt;in&lt;/i&gt;) and exobothridial setae (&lt;i&gt;ex&lt;/i&gt;). Bothridia small cups, laterally opened. Sensilla short, smooth, clavate. On posterior border of prodorsum, adjacent to anterior border of hysterosoma, groups of small pores. Gnathosoma shows no differences from adult stage. Hysterosoma slightly convex in lateral view, oval in dorsal view. Centrodorsal plate finely granular, except for smooth median less sclerotized area resembling inverted Y. Large folds with granular surface, framing centrodorsal plate. Within certain lateral folds, series of pores aligned longitudinally, leading into tracheal tubes. Orifice of opisthonotal gland &lt;i&gt;gla&lt;/i&gt; situated in posterior third of lateral folds. Ventral aspect showing specific pattern of ventral folds, typical for juveniles of this genus. Pores leading into tracheal tubes aligned along ventrosejugal furrow and furrows framing genital and anal orifice. Cerotegument finely granular, slightly larger granules present in furrows and acetabular regions. Legs monodactylous with large hook-like claws. Large porose areas on the same leg segments and position as in adults.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Larva&lt;/b&gt; (Fig. 9 A, B). (N=2): length 191&ndash;222 &micro;m (mean 207 &micro;m).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Gastronotic region. Notogastral setae slightly serrate, very long, 11 pairs: &lt;i&gt;c1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;da&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;la&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;h1-2&lt;/i&gt;. Circular porose areas associated with bases of notogastral setae. Transversal ridge on centrodorsal plate passing posterior line of setae &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 2-1-2. Clapar&egrave;de&rsquo;s organ globular, nearly completely covered by epimeral cuticle; no protective seta discernible. Aggenital, genital, adanal and anal setae not developed.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs. Chaetome and solenidia see table 2.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Protonymph&lt;/b&gt; (Fig. 9 C, D). (N=1): length 286 &micro;m.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Gastronotic region. Notogastral setae slightly serrate, very long, 15 pairs: &lt;i&gt;c1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;da&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;dp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;la&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lp&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;h1-3&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;p1-3&lt;/i&gt;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 3-1-2-1. Seta &lt;i&gt;1c&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;4a&lt;/i&gt; added in this stage. Genital setae short, 1 pair. Adanal and anal setae not developed. Cupule &lt;i&gt;ip&lt;/i&gt; anterior of anal opening.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs. Chaetome and solenidia see table 2.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Deutonymph&lt;/b&gt; (Fig. 10 A, B). (N=2): length 335&ndash;353 &micro;m (mean 344 &micro;m).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Gastronotic region. Notogastral setae 15 pairs, same positions and shapes as in protonymph.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 3-1-2-2, seta &lt;i&gt;4b&lt;/i&gt; added in this stage. Genital setae short, 2 pairs; aggenital setae 1 pair, adanal setae 3 pairs, &lt;i&gt;ad1-3&lt;/i&gt;, flanking anal orifice anal setae vestigial, 2 pairs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs. Chaetome and solenidia see table 2.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Tritonymph&lt;/b&gt; (Fig. 10 C, D). (N=1): length 434 &micro;m.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Gastronotic region. Notogastral setae 15 pairs, no difference from deutonymph.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; Ventral region of idiosoma. Epimeral setation 3-1-3-2, seta &lt;i&gt;3c&lt;/i&gt; close to trochanter III. Genital setae 4 pairs, aggenital setae 1 pair, adanal setae 3 pairs, anal setae fully developed, 2 pairs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Legs. Chaetome and solenidia see table 2.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Pfingstl, Tobias, 2015, The intertidal Fortuyniidae (Acari: Oribatida): new species, morphological diversity, ecology and biogeography, pp. 351-382 in Zootaxa 3957 (4)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 357-366, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3957.4.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/239589"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/239589&lt;/a&gt

Alismobates

Key to adults of species of &lt;i&gt;Alismobates&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Fortuynia&lt;/i&gt; (subspecies not included) &lt;p&gt;1 van der Hammen&rsquo;s organ with ventral canal on epimeron I running ventrad of pedotectum I; 4 pairs of genital setae........ 2&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- van der Hammen&rsquo;s organ without ventral canal on epimeron I running ventrad of pedotectum I; 5 pairs of genital setae..... 5&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 2 Epimeral setation 3-1-2-1; longitudinal granular areas laterally on notogaster; faint reticulate pattern on median area of noto- gaster................................................................. &lt;i&gt;Alismobates pseudoreticulatus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- Epimeral setation 3-1-2-2; notogastral surface structure different................................................. 3&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 3 Reticulate surface pattern on notogaster............................................... &lt;i&gt;A. reticulatus&lt;/i&gt; Luxton, 1992&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- Granular/punctuate surface pattern of notogaster............................................................. 4&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 4 Inhomogeneous notogastral granulation, lenticulus laterally framed by larger granulated areas.............................................................................................. &lt;i&gt;A. inexpectatus&lt;/i&gt; Pfingstl &amp; Schuster 2012&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Homogeneous notogastral granulation................................................. &lt;i&gt;A. rotundus&lt;/i&gt; Luxton, 1992&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 5 Prodorsal channel (&lt;i&gt;ce&lt;/i&gt;) of van der Hammen&rsquo;s organ present.....................................................6&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Prodorsal channel (&lt;i&gt;ce&lt;/i&gt;) of van der Hammen&rsquo;s organ absent..................................................... 11&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 6 Fifteen pairs of notogastral setae; all notogastral setae very long............................ &lt;i&gt;Fortuynia longiseta&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- Fourteen pairs of notogastral setae........................................................................ 7&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 7 Vestige of notogastral seta &lt;i&gt;c3&lt;/i&gt; present.......................................................................8&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Vestige of notogastral seta &lt;i&gt;c3&lt;/i&gt; absent....................................................................... 14&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 8 Notogastral setae &lt;i&gt;p1-3&lt;/i&gt; longer than seta &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;; setae &lt;i&gt;la&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt; shaped leaf-like distally in males and simple in females.................................................................................... &lt;i&gt;F. atlantica&lt;/i&gt; Krisper &amp; Schuster, 2008&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Notogastral setae &lt;i&gt;p1-3&lt;/i&gt; shorter than seta &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt;, no obvious sexual dimorphism......................................... 9&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 9 No remarkable difference in length of notogastral setae, all long.............................. &lt;i&gt;F. m a c u la t a&lt;/i&gt; Luxton, 1986&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- Anterior notogastral setae more than twice as long as posterior notogastral setae................................... 10&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 10 Notogastral setae &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt; short; sensilla normal length for the genus....................... &lt;i&gt;F. marina&lt;/i&gt; Hammen, 1960&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Notogastral setae &lt;i&gt;dm&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;lm&lt;/i&gt; long; sensilla very short................... &lt;i&gt;F. smiti&lt;/i&gt; Ermilov, Tolstikov, Mary &amp; Schatz 2013&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;11 Epimeral setation 3-1-3-2.............................................................................. 12&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- Epimeral setation 3-1-3-3..............................................................................13&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 12 One pair of aggenital setae......................................................... &lt;i&gt;F. elamellata&lt;/i&gt; Luxton, 1967&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Aggenital setae absent.................................................. &lt;i&gt;F. inhambanensis&lt;/i&gt; Marshall &amp; Pugh 2002&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 13 Sensilla densely barbed.................... &lt;i&gt;F. arabica&lt;/i&gt; Bayartogtokh, Chatterjee &amp; Chan 2009 in Bayartogtokh &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2009&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Sensilla smooth........................ &lt;i&gt;F. taiwanica&lt;/i&gt; Bayartogtokh, Chatterjee &amp; Chan 2009 in Bayartogtokh &lt;i&gt;et al.&lt;/i&gt; 2009&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 14 Aggenital setae absent................................................................ &lt;i&gt;F. maledivensis&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- One pair of aggenital setae present....................................................................... 15&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 15 Prodorsal channel (&lt;i&gt;ce&lt;/i&gt;) short, not reaching anterior half of prodorsum.......................... &lt;i&gt;F. sinensis&lt;/i&gt; Luxton, 1992&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Prodorsal channel (&lt;i&gt;ce&lt;/i&gt;) long, reaching anterior half of prodorsum............................................... 16&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 16 Notogastral setae &lt;i&gt;h1-3&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;p1-3&lt;/i&gt; very short.......................................... &lt;i&gt;F. rotunda&lt;/i&gt; Marshall &amp; Pugh, 2002&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Notogastral setae &lt;i&gt;h1-3&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;p1-3&lt;/i&gt; long..................................................... &lt;i&gt;F. yunkeri&lt;/i&gt; Hammen, 1963&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Pfingstl, Tobias, 2015, The intertidal Fortuyniidae (Acari: Oribatida): new species, morphological diversity, ecology and biogeography, pp. 351-382 in Zootaxa 3957 (4)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 380-381, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3957.4.1, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/239589"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/239589&lt;/a&gt

Carinozetes Pfingstl & Schuster 2012, nov. gen.

Carinozetesnov. gen. Type species — Carinozetes trifoveatus n. sp. Diagnosis — Medium sized (305 – 386 µm body length) dark brown sclerotized intertidal mites. Cerotegument finely granulated. Interlamellar setae spiniform, short or of normal (approx. 10 µm) length. Lamellar ridges absent. Rostrum clearly demarcated from remainder of prodorsum. Sensillus clavate, spinose, short or of normal length (approx. 10 µm). Tutorium absent. Pedotectum I small and thick, pedotectum II absent. Dorsosejugal suture complete. Notogaster with 15 pairs of setae. A pair of strongly projecting longitudinal carinae on anterior epimeral region. A median epimeral granulate cavity on level of apodeme II. Epimeral setation 1- 0-1-1. Genital setae three pairs. Aggenital setae absent. Ovipositor with six k setae. Two or three pairs of adanal setae and two pairs of anal setae. Legs monodactylous. Claws with one proximoventral tooth. Strongly ventrally projecting femoral carinae on legs I and II. Porose areas on legs absent. Femora I and II obviously broadened.Published as part of Pfingstl, T. & Schuster, R., 2012, Carinozetes Nov. Gen. (Acari: Oribatida) From Bermuda And Remarks On The Present Status Of The Family Selenoribatidae, pp. 377-409 in Acarologia 52 (4) on page 380, DOI: 10.1051/acarologia/20122067, http://zenodo.org/record/540367