Tree diversity and above-ground biomass in the South America Cerrado biome and their conservation implications

Less than half of the original two million square kilometers of the Cerrado vegetation remains standing, and there are still many uncertainties as to how to conserve and prioritize remaining areas effectively. A key limitation is the continuing lack of geographically-extensive evaluation of ecosystem-level properties across the biome. Here we sought to address this gap by comparing the woody vegetation of the typical cerrado of the Cerrado–Amazonia Transition with that of the core area of the Cerrado in terms of both tree diversity and vegetation biomass. We used 21 one-hectare plots in the transition and 18 in the core to compare key structural parameters (tree height, basal area, and above-ground biomass), and diversity metrics between the regions. We also evaluated the effects of temperature and precipitation on biomass, as well as explored the species diversity versus biomass relationship. We found, for the first time, both that the typical cerrado at the transition holds substantially more biomass than at the core, and that higher temperature and greater precipitation can explain this difference. By contrast, plot-level alpha diversity was almost identical in the two regions. Finally, contrary to some theoretical expectations, we found no positive relationship between species diversity and biomass for the Cerrado woody vegetation. This has implications for the development of effective conservation measures, given that areas with high biomass and importance for the compensation of greenhouse gas emissions are often not those with the greatest diversity

Four new cunaxoidine genera (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) and the description of two new Neotropical species

In this paper the genus Cunaxoides Baker & Hoffmann, 1948, as delimited by Den Heyer (1979a, 1981b), is revised and divided into five genera, viz. Cunaxoides Baker & Hoffmann, Bunaxella gen. nov., Dunaxeus gen. nov., Funaxopsis gen. nov. and Qunaxella gen. nov.. Two new Neotropical species, Dunaxoides duosetosus and Qunaxella triasetosa are described and figured. Additional southern African material is reported. A key to the genera and species of the new genera of the subfamily Cunaxoidinae is provided

NEW PHYTOSEIIDAE (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA) FROM COSTA RICA, WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON OTHER SPECIES

This paper reports on a study of phytoseiids collected from the La Selva Biological Field Station, the ALAS (Arthropods of La Selva) Project, made available to us by the Canadian National Collection via Dr. E. E. Lindquist. This material includes two new species, Proprioseiopsis versus n. sp. and Transeius costarricensis n. sp., three new records for Central America, and additional information for nine species previously reported from La Selva.National Science Foundation (NSF)[BSR-9025024]National Science Foundation (NSF)[DEB-9401069]National Science Foundation (NSF)[DEB-9706976

Eustigmaeus oliveirai Paktinat-Saeij & Bagheri, sp. nov.

Eustigmaeus oliveirai Paktinat-Saeij & Bagheri sp. nov. (Figs. 11–18, 20) Female (n = 4): Length of idiosoma 257 (252–275); length of gnathosoma with palp 112 (110–117); width of idiosoma 211 (207–224). Length of legs I–IV (from base of coxa to tip of tarsal claw): 173 (168–175); 161 (150– 162); 160 (150–154); 176 (172–180). Dorsum of idiosoma (Figs. 11, 20). Almost completely covered by two shields. Shields ornamented with polygonal depressions of variable sizes and fine punctation; without callosities between idiosomal shield and humeral shield. Prodorsal shield bearing four pairs of setae (vi, ve, sci and sce) and one pair of eyes between setae ve and sci. Humeral shield broad, subtriangular, ornamented with depressions and bearing c 2. Hysterosomal shield with six pairs of setae (c 1, d 1, d 2, e 1, e 2 and f 1). Dorsal body setae situated on protuberances, subequal, smooth, arcuate, feather-like and with midrib, vi and sci with short spikes (Fig. 12, 20). Lengths of dorsal setae: vi 53 (52– 54); ve 70 (67–68); sci 51 (48–53); sce 53 (52–55); c 1 55 (52–58); c 2 52 (54–56); d 1 68 (62–65); d 2 62 (57–59); e 1 60 (60–62); e 2 54 (55–56); f 1 52 (56–59); h 1 30 (35–37); h 2 28 (29–30). Distances between dorsal setae: vi– vi 12 (8–12); ve–ve 74 (65–75); vi–ve 29 (24–27); ve–sci 25 (22–23); sci–sci 115 (103–112); sce–sce 154 (145–156); sci–sce 35 (38–40); c 1 –c 1 62 (58–62); c 1 –d 1 38 (39–40); c 1 –c 2 70 (56–87); c 1 –d 2 60 (58–62); c 2 –c 2 177 (173– 197); d 1 –d 1 58 (56–58); d 1 –d 2 58 (60–61); d 1 – e 1 67 (62–64); d 1 – e 2 58 (52–55); d 2 –d 2 178 (167–170); d 2 – e 2 62 (58–61); e 1 – e 1 81 (70–74); e 1 – e 2 35 (33–34); e 2 –e 2 136 (122–130); e 1 –f 1 32 (29–32); f 1 –f 1 60 (56–58); h 1 –h 1 30 (26–29); h 2 –h 2 65 (55–63); h 1 –h 2 18 (17 – 18). Venter of idiosoma (Fig. 13). Endopodal shields fused medially, reticulate and punctate, except for central region of posterior endopodal shield, punctate only; bearing three pairs of setae (1 a, 3 a and 4 a); anogenital area reticulate and punctate, but anal valves smooth; with one pair of aggenital (ag 1) and three pairs of pseudanal (ps 1– 3) setae. Suranal shield situated ventrally, with depressions and punctate, bearing h 1 and h 2. Measurements of setae: 1a 16 (15–16); 3a 16 (15–17); 4a 15 (12–14); ag 15 (12–14); ps 1 12 (13–14); ps 2 12 (11–12); ps 3 11 (11– 13). Gnathosoma. Subcapitulum (Fig. 14) with dimples and fine punctations, bearing subcapitular setae m 14 (15– 16) and n 12 (10–11), and adoral setae or 1 11 (11) and or 2 12 (11–12). Distance m–m 20 (20), n–n 21 (21). Palpus 77 (67–74) long (Fig. 14), palptrochanter without setae; palpfemur with three setae; palpgenu with two setae; palptibia with two tactile setae + one well-developed claw + one spine-like accessory claw; palptarsus with four tactile setae + one solenidion (ω), one subapical eupathidium and one distal trifid eupathidium. Legs (Figs. 15–18). Setation: coxae (excluding 1 a, 3 a and 4 a) 2 - 2 - 2 - 2, trochanters 1 - 1-2 - 1, femora 6 - 5 - 3 - 2, genua 3 (+ 1 κ)- 3 - 1 - 1, tibiae 5 (+ 1 φ+ 1 φρ)- 5 (+ 1 φ)- 5 (+ 1 φ)- 5 (+ 1 φ), tarsi 13 (+ 1 ω)- 9 (+ 1 ω)- 7 (+ 1 ω)- 7. Length of solenidia: ωI 23 (21–23); ωII 15 (16–17); ωIII 8 (7–8); φI 7 (7); φρI 11 (12–13); φII 8 (9–10); φIII 7 (7). φIV 7 (6– 7). Immature stages and male: Unknown. Remarks: This new species belongs to the “ segnis ” group, therefore it resembles Eustigmaeus arcuata Chaudhri, 1965, E. chilensis Chaudhri, 1965, E. ensifer Tseng, 1982, E. floridensis Maake, Ueckermann & Childers, 2015, E. foliaceus Tseng, 1982, E. microsegnis Chaudhri, 1965 and E. segnis (Koch, 1836) in having one pair of aggenital setae, flattened dorsal body setae, five setae on femur II and three setae on genu II; it can be distinguished from those species by the following combination of characters: tarsus II with 9 (+ 1 ω) setae [8 (+ 1 ω) setae in E. arcuata, E. chilensis and E. segnis]; endopodal shields reticulate (smooth in E. chilensis, E. floridensis and E. foliaceus); most of the dorsal body setae smooth (barbed in E. arcuata, E. ensifer, E. floridensis, E. microsegnis and E. segnis); dimples of dorsal shields without vacuoles (with vacuoles in E. microsegnis and E. segnis); anogenital area reticulate (smooth in E. ensifer, E. floridensis and E. foliaceus); lacking callosity (present in E. foliaceus). Furthermore, the new species differs from E. chilensis by having vi and sci with barbs. Etymology. The species is named in honor of A.R. Oliveira (Brazilian acarologist, Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade de Santa Cruz, Ilheus, Bahia State, Brazil), for his contribution to Acarology in Brazil. Type material. Holotype female and three paratype females from soil and humus under unidentified tree, collected on January 17, 2000 at Pariquera-Açu, state of São Paulo State, Brazil, by A.R. Oliveira. The holotype female and two paratype females are deposited at the mite reference collection of Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, ESALQ-USP, São Paulo State, Brazil. One paratype female deposited at the Acarological Collection, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran.Published as part of Paktinat-Saeij, Saeid, Bagheri, Mohammad, De Castro, Tatiane M. M. G. & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Two new species of Eustigmaeus Berlese (Acari: Trombidiformes: Stigmaeidae) from Brazil, with a key to the American species, pp. 571-580 in Zootaxa 4066 (5) on pages 574-577, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4066.5.5, http://zenodo.org/record/26397

Eustigmaeus piracicabensis Paktinat-Saeij & Bagheri, sp. nov.

Eustigmaeus piracicabensis Paktinat-Saeij & Bagheri sp. nov. (Figs. 1–10, 19, 21–22) Female (n = 3): Length of idiosoma 292 (321–330); gnathosoma 102 (103–110); width of idiosoma 231 (253–268). Length of legs I–IV: 237 (241–245); 195 (196–197); 187 (183–192); 225 (225–238). Dorsum of idiosoma (Figs. 1, 19). Covered by two shields, leaving exposed margin of unsclerotized cuticle around edges; shields ornamented with polygonal depressions, without vacuoles but with fine punctations (Figs. 2, 19); without callosities between idiosomal shield and humeral shield. Prodorsal shield triangular and bearing four pairs of setae (vi, ve, sci and sce) and one pair of eyes between setae ve and sci. Humeral shields subtriangular, ornamented with depressions and bearing c 2; hysterosomal shield with six pairs of setae (c 1, d 1, d 2, e 1, e 2 and f 1); dorsal body setae (Figs. 3, 22) inserted on protuberances, subequal, smooth and clavate with hyaline sheaths, except h 1 and h 2 setiform and distinctly shorter. Lengths of dorsal setae: vi 63 (53–58); ve 70 (70–73); sci 60 (53– 58); sce 62 (58–63); c 1 62 (54–58); c 2 33 (30–34); d 1 67 (65–66); d 2 69 (60–64); e 1 72 (68–70); e 2 62 (53–62); f 1 54 (47–52); h 1 22 (20–22); h 2 15 (11–14). Distances between dorsal setae: vi– vi 18 (17–18); ve–ve 65 (65–67); vi– ve 50 (53–55); ve–sci 30 (26–28); sci–sci 110 (106–109); sce–sce 145 (142–150); sci–sce 26 (22–25); c 1 –c 1 78 (72–75); c 1 –d 1 50 (51–55); c 1 –c 2 76 (85–96); c 1 –d 2 33 (30–36); c 2 –c 2 218 (244–247); d 1 –d 1 74 (72–77); d 1 –d 2 48 (52–53); d 1 – e 1 58 (63–65); d 1 – e 2 34 (32–33); d 2 –d 2 140 (136–141); d 2 – e 2 60 (62–63); e 1 – e 1 68 (65–70); e 1 – e 2 40 (40–47); e 2 –e 2 115 (114–118); e 1 –f 1 43 (45–50); f 1 –f 1 67 (58–60); h 1 –h 1 33 (40–42); h 2 –h 2 42 (47–50); h 1 –h 2 8 (8). Venter of idiosoma (Fig. 4). Endopodal plates separated medially, reticulate and punctate, bearing three pairs of setae (1 a, 3 a and 4 a). Anogenital area reticulate, but anal valves smooth; with three pairs of aggenital (ag 1–3) and three pairs of pseudanal (ps 1–3) setae. Suranal shield situated ventrally, pressed against anogenital shield, with depressions and punctate, bearing h 1 and h 2, adjacent to posterior horseshoe-shaped shield ornamented by tiny depressions (Fig. 5). Measurements of setae: 1a 20 (17–18); 3a 22 (19–20); 4a 23 (20–21); ag 1 11 (11–12); ag 2 17 (14–17); ag 3 12 (13–14); ps 1 12 (11–12); ps 2 11 (9–10); ps 3 9 (7–9). Gnathosoma. Subcapitulum (Fig. 6) reticulate with fine punctations, bearing subcapitular setae m 16 (15–16) and n 17 (15–16) and adoral setae or 1 10 (11) and or 2 12 (11–12). Distance m–m 20 (18–19) and n–n 28 (28–30). Palpus 62 (64–68) long (Fig. 6), five segmented; palptrochanter without setae; palpfemur with three setae; palpgenu with two setae; palptibia with two tactile setae + one well-developed claw + one spine-like accessory claw; palptarsus with four tactile setae + one solenidion (ω), one subapical eupathidium and one distal trifid eupathidium. Legs (Figs. 7–10). Setation: coxae (excluding 1 a, 3 a and 4 a) 2 - 2 - 2 - 2, trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 1, femora 6 - 5 - 3 - 2, genua 3 (+ 1 κ)- 3 (+ 1 κ)- 1 - 1, tibiae 5 (+ 1 φ+ 1 φρ)- 5 (+ 1 φ)- 5 (+ 1 φ)- 5 (+ 1 φ),tarsi 13 (+ 1 ω)- 9 (+ 1 ω)- 7 (+ 1 ω)- 7. Length of solenidia: ωI 19 (18–19); ωII 22 (20–23); ωIII 8 (8–9); φI 9 (11–12); φρI 24 (19–22); φII 18 (18–20); φIII 17 (16– 19). φIV 23 (21–22). Immature stages and male: Unknown. Remarks. The new species is distinguished from all other Eustigmaeus species by having the extra horseshoeshaped shield adjacent to the suranal shield. It resembles Eustigmaeus collarti (Cooreman, 1955) and E. distinctus (Wood, 1966) in having dorsal ornamentations, endopodal shields separated, and the same femora and genua chaetotaxy; however, it can be distinguished by 1) lacking the solenidion on tarsus IV (7 + 1 ω in other species), 2) one seta on trochanter III (two in other species), 3) three pairs of aggenital setae (two pairs in other species), 4) endopodal shield reticulate (smooth in other species). Furthermore, the new species differs in the shape of dorsal setae from E. collarti. Also, E. piracicabensis sp. nov. resembles E. reticulatellus (Habbeb, 1961) in having three pairs of aggenital setae, separate and reticulate endopodal shields, and the chaetotaxy of the femora, genua and tarsi; but it differs from the latter by having one seta on trochanter III instead of two, anogenital area reticulate instead of smooth, and setae h 1 and h 2 simple instead of clavate with hyaline tips. Etymology. The epithet piracicabensis refers to “from Piracicaba”, the type locality of the new species. Type material. Holotype female and two paratype females from soil and humus under rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis Müell. Arg.), collected on March 28, 1999 at Piracicaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil by J.L. Mineiro. All types deposited at the mite reference collection of Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil.Published as part of Paktinat-Saeij, Saeid, Bagheri, Mohammad, De Castro, Tatiane M. M. G. & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Two new species of Eustigmaeus Berlese (Acari: Trombidiformes: Stigmaeidae) from Brazil, with a key to the American species, pp. 571-580 in Zootaxa 4066 (5) on pages 572-574, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4066.5.5, http://zenodo.org/record/26397

Eustigmaeus Berlese 1910

Key to females of <i>Eustigmaeus</i> Berlese, 1910 of America <p>1 Dorsal idiosomal setae acicular, clavate or flattened; smooth or sparsely barbed.................................... 2</p> <p>- Dorsal idiosomal setae short, densely barbed or bushy....................................................... 30</p> <p>2 With one pair of aggenital setae; dorsal body setae arcuate or flattened........................................... 3</p> <p>- With two or three pairs of aggenital setae; dorsal idiosomal setae acicular or clavate............................... 10</p> <p> 3 Femur II with four setae; genua III with two setae........................................... <i>E. smithi</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p>- Femur II with five setae; genua III with one seta............................................................. 4</p> <p> 4 Coxisternal shield separated..................................................... <i>E. modiola</i> (Summers & Price)</p> <p>- Coxisternal shield fused................................................................................ 5</p> <p>5 Dimples on dorsal shields with vacuoles................................................................... 6</p> <p>- At least most of the dimples on dorsal shields without vacuoles................................................. 7</p> <p> 6 Tarsus II with 8(+1ω) setae; dorsal setae slender, sharply pointed, with barbs......................... <i>E. segnis</i> (Koch)</p> <p> - Tarsus II with 9(+1ω) setae; dorsal setae with broad membranous vanes...................... <i>E. microsegnis</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p>7 Dorsal idiosomal setae with barbs........................................................................ 8</p> <p>- Dorsal idiosomal setae almost smooth..................................................................... 9</p> <p> 8 Tarsus II with 8(+1ω) setae; distance <i>e1–e1</i> subequal to <i>f1–f1.................................</i> <i>E. arcuata</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p> - Tarsus II with 9(+1ω) setae; distance <i>e1–e1</i> double <i>f1–f1.................. E. floridensis</i> Maake, Ueckermann & Childers</p> <p> 9 Tarsus II with 8(+1ω) setae; coxisternal shield smooth...................................... <i>E. chilensis</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p> - Tarsus II with 9(+1ω) setae; coxisternal shield reticulated...................................... <i>E. oliveirai</i> <b>sp. nov.</b></p> <p>10 With two pairs of aggenital setae........................................................................ 11</p> <p>- With three pairs of aggenital setae....................................................................... 16</p> <p> 11 Setae <i>4a</i> absent..................................................................... <i>E. parviseta</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p> - Setae <i>4a</i> present..................................................................................... 12</p> <p>12 Humeral callosities absent............................................................................. 13</p> <p>- Humeral callosities present............................................................................ 14</p> <p> 13 Dorsal shields ornamented with minute dimples; <i>sci</i> short (10 Μm).......................... <i>E. bryonemus</i> Flechtmann</p> <p> - Dorsal shields ornamented with polygonal dimples; <i>sci</i> normal (30–36 Μm)......................... <i>E. arctica</i> (Wood)</p> <p> 14 Tarsus IV with 6(+1ω) setae; trochanter III with one seta.......................... <i>E. kauaiensis</i> Swift, Gerson & Goff</p> <p>- Tarsus IV with 7(+1ω) setae; trochanter III with two setae.................................................... 15</p> <p> 15 Aggenital area reticulated; dorsal setae clavate or acicular, with spinules and hyaline sheaths; length of setae <i>ve</i> distinctly greater than distance <i>ve–sci.................................................... E. schusteri</i> (Summers & Price)</p> <p> - Aggenital area smooth; dorsal setae clavate or with acutely pointed apex, minute barbed and hyaline sheaths; length of setae <i>ve</i> not greater than distance <i>ve–sci............................................................</i> <i>E. rotunda</i> (Wood)</p> <p>16 Eyes absent......................................................................................... 17</p> <p>- Eyes present........................................................................................ 19</p> <p> 17 Femur IV with three setae........................................................... <i>E. parasitica</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p>- Femur IV with two setae.............................................................................. 18</p> <p> 18 Dorsal idiosomal setae long, barbulate with blunt tips; coxisternal shields reticulate................ <i>E. gorgasi</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p> - Dorsal idiosomal setae relatively short, plumose; coxisternal shields smooth..................... <i>E. gamma</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p>19 Tarsus IV with 7 setae................................................................................ 20</p> <p>- Tarsus IV with 7(+1ω) setae............................................................................ 24</p> <p> 20 Setae <i>4a</i> absent...................................................................... <i>E. capella</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p> - Setae <i>4a</i> present..................................................................................... 21</p> <p> 21 With two humeral callosities............................................................ <i>E. lacuna</i> (Summers)</p> <p>- Without humeral callosity............................................................................. 22</p> <p> 22 Trochanter III with one seta; setae <i>h1</i> and <i>h2</i> simple, without hyaline sheaths; with extra shield on idiosoma.............................................................................................. <i>E. piracicabensis</i> <b>sp. nov.</b></p> <p> - Trochanter III with two setae; setae <i>h1</i> and <i>h2</i> clavate, with hyaline sheaths; not extra shield on idiosoma.............. 23</p> <p> 23 Dorsal shields strongly reticulate..................................................... <i>E. reticulatellus</i> (Habeeb)</p> <p> - Dorsal shields uniformly dimpled, dimples circular to oval shape.................... <i>E. clavata</i> (Canestrini & Fanzago)</p> <p> 24 Humeral callosities absent............................................................... <i>E. ovata</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p>- Humeral callosities present............................................................................ 25</p> <p>25 Dorsal idiosomal setae without hyaline sheaths; aggenital plate smooth or weakly reticulated........................ 26</p> <p>- Dorsal idiosomal setae with hyaline sheaths; aggenital plate distinctly reticulated................................. 28</p> <p> 26 Ornamentation of dorsal shields faint, dimples shallow, no evident reticulum; approximate ratio of lengths <i>ve</i>: <i>vi</i> = 1.5, <i>ve</i>: <i>c2</i> = 4.0; <i>c2</i> very short 19 Μm.................................................................. <i>E. ottavii</i> (Berlese)</p> <p> - Ornamentation of dorsal shields reticulate or polygonal; approximate ratio of lengths <i>ve</i>: <i>vi</i> = 1.0, <i>ve</i>: <i>c2</i> = 1.3–1.6; <i>c2</i> short 26– 31Μm.............................................................................................. 27</p> <p> 27 Dorsal shields uniformly ornamented with pits surrounded with polygonal walls; dorsal setae clavate and apically barbed; dis- tance <i>d1–d1</i> about 1.5 times as long as distance <i>e1–e1.........................................</i> <i>E. frigida</i> (Habeeb)</p> <p> - Dorsal shield with pores in marginal area, minute punctations and faint reticulations in central area; dorsal setae tapered with pointed tips, not barbed; distance <i>d1–d1</i> about the same as distance <i>e1–e1.........................</i> <i>E. najeeba</i> (Habeeb)</p> <p> 28 With two pairs of subequal humeral callosities; dorsal shields distinctly reticulated................ <i>E. acidophila</i> (Wood)</p> <p>- Anterior callosity distinctly larger than posterior callosity; dorsal shields faintly reticulate........................... 29</p> <p> 29 Dorsal shields ornamented with small, roughly oval, shallow dimples; dimples vacuolated mostly around the perimeters, with 0–3 central vacuoles; dorsal setae are thickest subapically and clavate, minutely barbed and with hyaline sheaths, <i>h1</i> and <i>h2</i> barbed, <i>ve</i>: <i>c2</i> = 1.5; spine <i>k</i> on genu I approximately 1/3 as long as dorsal setae on genu I; humeral callosities punctuated finely................................................................................. <i>E. gersoni</i> (Wood)</p> <p> - Dorsal shields minutely punctate, with dimples and vacuoles the bases of the dimples are unvacuolated; dorsal setae clavate to rod-like and with hyaline sheaths; <i>ve</i>: <i>c2</i> = 2; spine <i>k</i> on genu I approximately 1/2 as long as dorsal setae on genu I, humeral callosities with pores.................................................................. <i>E. rhodamela</i> (Koch)</p> <p> 30 Femur II with four setae.............................................................. <i>E. anauniensis</i> (Ewing)</p> <p>- Femur II with five setae............................................................................... 31</p> <p> 31 Eyes absent.................................................................... <i>E. lirella</i> (Summers & Price)</p> <p>- Eyes present........................................................................................ 32</p> <p> 32 Coxisternal shields smooth; setae <i>e1</i> about 17 Μm................................... <i>E. craticola</i> (Summers & Price)</p> <p> - Coxisternal shields reticulated; setae <i>e1</i> at least 32 Μm....................................................... 33</p> <p> 33 Dorsal idiosomal setae as long as or longer than the distances between their successive bases; longest spinules less than twice as long as diameter of setal axis......................................................... <i>E. collegiensis</i> (Wood)</p> <p>- Dorsal idiosomal setae shorter than the distances between their successive bases; longest spinules more than twice as long as diameter of setal axis................................................................................. 34</p> <p> 34 Dimples on dorsal shields of uniform shape (polygonal) and size; <i>c1–c1</i> approximately 68 Μm........ <i>E. myrtae</i> (Chaudhri)</p> <p> - Dimples on dorsal shields varying in shape and size; <i>c1–c1</i> approximately 54 Μm.................. <i>E. plumifer</i> (Halbert)</p>Published as part of <i>Paktinat-Saeij, Saeid, Bagheri, Mohammad, De Castro, Tatiane M. M. G. & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Two new species of Eustigmaeus Berlese (Acari: Trombidiformes: Stigmaeidae) from Brazil, with a key to the American species, pp. 571-580 in Zootaxa 4066 (5)</i> on pages 578-579, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4066.5.5, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/263977">http://zenodo.org/record/263977</a&gt

Search for natural enemies of Raoiella indica Hirst in La Reunion Island (Indian Ocean)

Since it first appeared in the New World in 2004, the palm red mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, has spread to many countries, from Florida (USA) to the northern part of Brazil. In this region, this mite has been recorded on several different hosts, but it has been most harmful to coconut. For different reasons, the chemical control of this pest is not feasible, and biological control has been considered an important measure to be pursued. The objective of this paper is to provide details about an effort to determine potential natural enemies of R. indica from La Reunion, for their possible introduction in northern Brazil. The only natural enemy consistently found in association with R. indica was identified as the phytoseiid Amblyseius largoensis Muma. A colony of this species was established with specimens collected from different parts of the island. This colony was introduced to Brazil, where subsequent assessments should indicate whether or not it should be released in the field

Can the red palm mite threaten the Amazon vegetation?

The red palm mite Raoiella indica Hirst (Tenuipalpidae) was first reported in the New World in 2004, dispersing quickly and widely while adopting new plant species as hosts. Since then, it has caused severe damage in this region, especially to coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). It was first found in Brazil in 2009, in the northern Amazonian state of Roraima. In the present study, native and introduced plants were sampled between March 2010 and February 2011 in sites of the 15 Roraima municipalities, to estimate its distribution and the associated mite fauna. In addition, monthly samples were taken from a coconut plantation in Mucajai throughout the same period, for an initial appraisal of the levels R. indica could reach. It was found in 10 municipalities, on 19 plant species of four families. Six species are reported for the first time as hosts. Among the associated predators, 89.1% were Phytoseiidae, most commonly Amblyseius largoensis (Muma), Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma and Euseius concordis (Chant). The highest densities of R. indica, 1.5 and 0.35 mites/cm2 of leaflet (approx total of 331 and 77 mites/leaflet), were reached respectively in March 2010 and February 2011. The highest density of phytoseiids on coconut (0.009 mites/cm2 or about 2 mites/leaflet) was reached in November 2010. The average densities of R. indica recorded for Roraima were comparable to those reported for countries in which the mite is reportedly economically damaging. The dispersal of R. indica through the Amazon forest may result in damage to cultivated and native palms, and plants of other families, if the projected increase in both the frequency and the severity of drought events occurs. Parts of the Amazon have undergone periods of low rainfall, a condition that appears to favour the biology of this mite. Its eventual arrival to northeastern Brazil may result in heavy economic and ecological losses.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq