Bertrand, M.

Pfliegler, Valter Péter

Opuscula Zoologica

University of Debrecen Electronic Archive

 
Opusc. Zool. Budapest, 2011, 42(2): 177–183 
 
 
 
1Walter Pfliegler, Department of Genetics and Applied Microbiology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., H-4010 
Debrecen, Hungary. E-mail: walterpfliegler@gmail.com 
2Dr. Michel Bertrand, UMR5175 CEFE, Université Montpellier 3, Route de Mende, 34199 Montpellier cedex5, France. 
 
A new species of Labidostomma Kramer, 1879 for the fauna of 
Hungary (Acari: Trombidiformes: Labidostommatidae)  
with an overview of the family 
 
 
W. PFLIEGLER1 and M. BERTRAND2 
 
 
Abstract. We report on two species of the trombidiform mite family Labidostommatidae from the Bükk Mountains, 
Hungary. One, Labidostomma (Cornutella) cornuta (G. Canestrini & Fanzago, 1877) is a new species for the fauna of Hungary, 
the other, L. (Nicoletiella) denticulata (Schrank, 1776) has recently been recorded by Ujvári & Kontschán (2010). A brief 
description of the family and the species are given, with data on morphology and known occurrences in Europe. The species are 
illustrated. A key to genera and subgenera of European labidostommatids is presented. 
Keywords. Acari, Trombidiformes, new record, Hungary. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
he family Labidostommatidae (syn. Labido-
stomatidae Oudemans, 1906; Labidostommi-
dae Oudemans, 1906; Nicoletiellidae G. Canes-
trini, 1891) is the only one assigned to the super-
cohort Labidostommatides and superfamily Labi-
dostommatoidea (Walter et. al., 2009). The family 
includes heavily sclerotinised, mostly yellow or 
orange, medium-sized or large raptorial mites that 
are mostly found in forest leaf litter, moss and in 
caves (Grandjean, 1942; Storkán, 1938). Three 
genera are known from Europe, Labidostomma 
(often written as Labidostoma, but in the original 
description two ’m’s were written; see Dunlop & 
Bertrand, 2011) being the most widespread. The 
other genera Akrostomma Robaux, 1977 and 
Eunicolina Berlese, 1911 are mostly found in 
Southern Europe.  
 
The family is easily recognised by the general 
appearance and some specific characters as fol-
lows: integument is scluptured, chelicerae are 
chelate-dentate, first leg-pair is used for sensing. 
The whole dorsum is covered by a large shield. 
Two pairs of prodorsal trichobothria are present. 
The genital and anal openings are cojoined in 
females, whereas these are apart from, yet close to 
each other in males. Relatively few information is 
available on their biology. Larvae are inactive, 
non-feeding. Three active nymph-stages are pre-
sent. Fertilisation occurs via spermatophores. All 
known species are predators of microarthropods 
(Walter et. al., 2009).  
 
The occurrence of the family (represented by 
L. (Nicoletiella) denticulatum) in Hungary was 
first reported in 2010 from Veszprém county, 
West Hungary (Ujvári and Kontschán, 2010). The 
members of the family are reportedly sensitive to 
harmful processes in the soil caused by human ac-
tivities and are considered to be good indicator 
organisms (Błoszyk and Czarnota, 1998). 
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
 
Small samples of forest leaf litter were collect-
ed in the Bükk mountains, Hungary during 
autumn, 2010 and kept wet for weeks. These were 
later manually searched for microarthropods. Af-
ter killing in alcohol, specimens were left in lactic 
acid for 24 hours at room temperature then tem-
porary mounted in glycerol on a microscope slide. 
The so prepared specimens were examined and 
photographed with transmitted light. One cheli-
cera of each specimen was removed for further 
examination. The specimens are in alcohol-filled 
T 
 
Pfliegler & Bertrand: A new species of Labidostomma for the fauna of Hungary 
 
 
 178
vials and deposited in the collection of the first 
author. 
 
RESULTS 
 
Labidostomma (Cornutella) cornutum (G. Ca-
nestrini & Fanzago, 1878) 
(Figures 1a–c and 3a) 
 
Material examined. Hungary, Borsod-Abaúj-
Zemplén county, Ómassa (cold mountain-side, 
beech forest), leaf-litter, 500 m a.s.l., 48.107924o 
N, 20.532074o E. Leg. WP. 15.10.2010, (1 male). 
Diagnosis. The species is recognizable by its 
large size (dorsal shield of adults 950–1200µm 
long), and yellow colour.  
Dorsal shield anteriorly ended by well visible 
cornuae, the ornamentation is consisted of im-
perfect alveoles. Dorsal trichobothria with few 
branches, lateral gland-like organ rather large and 
longer than wide. Median eye in subterminal po-
sition.  
Chelicerae with proximal seta inserted on a 
long cuticular peduncle. 
Digitus fixus divided distally to proximal and 
antiaxial teeth, while inferior tooth is modified 
into a recurrent blade.  
Legs. The length of the first pair is remarkable 
with genu as long as tibia. On the tarsus I the two 
dorsal solenidia are visible and the famulus is of 
characteristic shape with acute branches (Grand-
jean, 1941).  
Remark. The species name often misspelled as 
L. cornuta. 
Distribution. Central Europe, Southern Europe 
(Vistorin, 1978). 
 
Labidostomma (Nicoletiella) denticulatum 
(Schrank, 1776) 
(Figures 2a–c and 3b) 
 
Material examined. Hungary, Borsod-Abaúj-
Zemplén county, Ómassa (cold mountain-side, 
beech forest), leaf-litter, 500 m a.s.l., 48.107924o 
N, 20.532074o E. Leg. WP. 15.10.2010, (1 male 
and 1 female). 
Remarks. Yellow-coloured species inhabiting 
forest litter. Dorsal shield 850–1200µm (adults) 
anteriorly with prominent cornuae. The mobile di-
gitus of the chelicera is armed with a large pro-
ximal tooth and several indentations. The species 
name often misspelled as L. denticulata. 
Distribution. Central Europe, Balkan, Italy 
(Vistorin, 1978). 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
The genus and the family are recorded from 
the second time in the country. The family is also 
reported as new to the fauna of the Bükk National 
Park. The list of Hungarian labidostommatids 
now includes Labidostomma (Cornutella) cornutum 
and Labidostomma (Nicoletiella) denticulatum.  
L. denticulatum and another species, L. luteum 
Kramer, 1879 were found to be frequently synpat-
ric by Vistorin (1980) (parthogenetic population 
for the latter). These two species can be confused 
but the mobile digitus of the chelicerae is armed 
with a large proximal tooth and several indenta-
tions in denticulatum, whereas this digitus is only 
armed with fewer little indentations in luteum).  
In the original description of another species 
found in the Carpathian Basin, but not yet report-
ed from Hungary, Labidostomma (Nicoletiella) 
romanicum Feider & Vasiliu (1968) noted that 
both digits of chelicerae are armed with pro-
nounced denticles (8 on the mobile digit, and a 
file of more than 12 on the fixed digit). It can 
easily be distinguished from the two species re-
ported here by the terminal teeth of fixed digits, 
which are stout and robust in romanicum, whereas 
these are smooth in the other two species herewith 
reported. 
L. (C.) cornutum is widely distributed but 
considered to be typically Mediterranean (Grand-
jean, 1942), it has been collected in Algeria, 
France, and all around the Mediterranean basin 
(Vistorin, 1978; Bertrand, 1989), Romania (Feider 
& Vasiliu, 1970) with a Northern limit in South 
Poland. 
 
Pfliegler & Bertrand: A new species of Labidostomma for the fauna of Hungary 
 
 
 179
 
 
 
Figure 1. Labidostomma (Cornutella) cornutum male: a = dorsal view, b = ventral view (chelicerae removed), 
c = lateral view of the chelicera. Scale bar: a-b: 200µm. c: 100 µm 
 
 
Pfliegler & Bertrand: A new species of Labidostomma for the fauna of Hungary 
 
 
 180
 
 
 
 
Figure 2. Labidostomma (Nicoletiella) denticulatum male: a = dorsal view, b = ventral view (chelicerae removed),  
c = lateral view of the chelicera. Scale bars: 100 µm  
 
 
 
Pfliegler & Bertrand: A new species of Labidostomma for the fauna of Hungary 
 
 
 181
 
 
Figure 3a. Photograph of an alive Labidostomma 
(Cornutella) cornutum specimen (male) 
 
 
 
Figure 3b. Photograph of an alive Labidostomma 
(Nicoletiella) denticulatum (male) 
 
Key to the European labidostommatid genera 
 
1 a. Cuticle dense and heavily sclerotized, reticulation with 
very thick walls, chelicerae strong and stout, with several 
denticulations (serrate) on the fixed digit, eye reduced or 
lacking. Body shape fusiform. Holarctic .................................  
.................................................... Akrostomma Robaux, 1977 
 
1 b. Reticulation of the cuticle with fine walls, eye usually 
present. ................................................................................. 2 
 
2 a. Multiple gland-like organs present on the body, each 
being uniporous; body heavily sclerotized, the articles of legs 
with polygons, a hollow with villose ornamentation present 
posterior to coxae IV; chelicerae often with subterminal tooth  
 
prolonged in a recurrent blade, collected from litter and upper 
layers of soils. Holarctic. ...............Eunicolina Berlese, 1911 
 
2 b. Not as above, if multiple gland like organs present, they 
are not so developed, and are limited in mediolateral position 
on the dorsal shield close to the lateral lenses, and/or in 
posterolateral position. Distributed worldwide (Genus Labi-
dostomma Kramer, 1879). ....................................................3  
 
3 a. Famulus: fruit rounded, surrounded by 5–6 branches, or 
fruit of varied shape. .............................................................4 
 
3b. Famulus regressive, often hidden by dorsal setae, spine-
like. Apical eye in subterminal position, body fusiform and 
elongated, antero-lateral dorsal projections (cornuae) lacking. 
......................Labidostomma (Labidostomma) Kramer, 1879 
 
(In Europe, the representatives of this subgenus share a 
dorsolateral line of pores on the dorsal shield that is 
surrounded by differentiated cuticle, drawing a relief sur-
rounding the dorsal shield, interrupted forward and laterally 
in the ocular zone [integrum species group].) 
 
4 a. One gland-like organ on each side of dorsal shield, rather 
large and generally multiporous; famulus with spine-like 
branches. Frontal eye not in terminal position, sometimes 
lacking (L. glymma). Legs: tibia and genua may be or-
namented with alveoli similar to those of the dorsum or 
reticulate. Anterolateral projections (cornuae) more or less 
developed. Body elongated in shape, chelicerae with proxi-
mal seta inserted at the top of a long tube, inferior tooth of 
fixed digit prolonged in a recurrent blade. .............................. 
.............. Labidostomma (Cornutella) Feider & Vasiliu, 1969 
 
4 b. Shape of the fruit of famulus regular, rounded; one pair 
of multiporous gland-like organs present. Sometimes addi-
tional pustules present, then uniporous (additional pustules 
behind the lateral ones or even in lateroposterior position). If 
frontal eye exists, it is in terminal position above the 
chelicerae, genua of legs I shorter than tibia, chelicerae with 
proximal seta inserted on a short tubercle. .............................. 
...................Labidostomma (Nicoletiella) R. Canestrini, 1882 
 
NOTES 
 
Genus Akrostomma Robaux, 1977; three spe-
cies are described in this euedaphic genus: the 
American A. grandjeani Robaux, 1977, and the 
European A. coralloides Bertrand & Coineau, 
1978 and A. coineaui Bertrand, 1983. The species 
L. zangheri Lombardini, 1943 which has never 
been collected after the original description may 
also belong here. 
 
 
Pfliegler & Bertrand: A new species of Labidostomma for the fauna of Hungary 
 
 
 182
Genus Eunicolina Berlese, 1911 consists of 
three European species: E. tuberculata, E. travei 
and E. nova. E. nova was assigned to the genus 
Grandjeanellina by Feider and Vasiliu (1969) that 
cannot be considered sufficiently characterized to 
be validated. 
Genus Labidostomma Kramer, 1879; type spe-
cies L. luteum. Cosmopolitan; the genus is the 
most heterogeneous in the family because many 
new species of labidostommatids were placed 
herein.  
It is commonly accepted that the most com-
mon species in Europe, L. luteum is the type spe-
cies of the genus Labidostomma, though the first 
species described was L. denticulatum (syn. Aca-
rus denticulatus Schrank, 1776). The species L. 
cornutum, L. denticulatum and L. luteum were in 
the past described in the distinct genera Ni-
coletiella R. Canestrini, 1882 (replacing Nicoletia 
G. Canestrini & Fanzago, 1877, a junior homo-
nym of an insect genus) and Cornutella Feider & 
Vasiliu, 1969, which are now considered to be 
subgenera. The more recent acarologists progres-
sively gave up these genera, and the family name 
Nicoletiellidae (Walter et. al,. 2009). However the 
division of Labidostomma into three subgenera is 
informative and supported by morphology as well 
(Feider & Vasiliu, 1969; Bertrand, 1990). It must 
be noted that there is still confusion about the type 
species of each subgenera. 
 
Acknowledgements – We thank  Dr. Jenő Kontschán for 
his remarks on the earlier draft of the article. We also thank 
the editor, Dr. Csaba Csuzdi for his valuable help concerning 
nomenclature, editing and for allowing the work to be pub-
lished. 
 
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A new species of Labidostomma Kramer, 1879 for the fauna of Hungary (Acari: Trombidiformes: Labidostommatidae) with an overview of the family.

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A new species of Labidostomma Kramer, 1879 for the fauna of Hungary (Acari: Trombidiformes: Labidostommatidae) with an overview of the family.

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