Cunaxidae

Skvarla, Michael J., Fisher, J. Ray & Dowling, Ashley P. G., 2013, On some mites (Acari: Prostigmata) from the Interior Highlands: descriptions of the male, immature stages, and female reproductive system of Pseudocheylus americanus (Ewing, 1909) and some new state records for Arkansas, Zootaxa 3641 (4), pp. 401-419 : 415-419

Cunaxidae

Bonzia yunkeri Smiley, 1992

Bonzia yunkeri Smiley 1992: 50 , fig. 19.

Diagnosis. Bonzia yunkeri can be distinguished from the three other described Bonzia by possessing a smooth (instead of setose) trichobothrium on tibiae IV and smooth (instead of spiculate) dorsal setae.

Remarks. This species was previously known only from the holotype, which was collected under a log in “ Passalaus beetle habitat” in Virginia, USA (the authors assume Passalaus in this case refers to Odontotaenius disjunctus , the only passalid beetle that occurs in Virginia). These specimens extend the species’ range considerably.

Material examined. 2 females (APGD 10-0424-007), ex. deciduous leaf litter, USA, Arkansas, Washington Co., Devil’s Den State Park (35° 46.817 N, 94° 14.750 W), 24 April 2010, coll. M. J. Skvarla ● 1 female (APGD 10- 0518-004), ex. deciduous leaf litter, USA, Arkansas, Newton Co., Buffalo National River, Boen Gulf (35° 52.073 N, 93° 24.099 W), 18 May 2010, coll. J. R. Fisher & M. J. Skvarla.

Parabonzia bdelliformis (Atyeo, 1958)

Bonzia bdelliformis Atyeo 1958: 173 , fig. 1–3; Den Heyer 1975: 665; Sepsagosarian 1984: 140.

Cunabdella bdelliformis (Atyeo) , Den Heyer 1975: 665; Kuznetzov and Livshitz 1979: 1233; Sepsagosarian 1984: 140. Parabonzia bdelliformis (Atyeo) Smiley 1975: 228 , fig. 3; Den Heyer 1977b: 601; Kuznetzov and Livshitz 1979: 1233; Sepsagosarian 1984: 140; Smiley 1992: 68, fig. 30; Lin & Zhang 1998: 29.

Diagnosis. Parabonzia bdelliformis may be distinguished from other Parabonzia by possessing the following characteristics: 6 or 7 genital setae, 4 setae (c1 – e1, c2) on the hysterosomal shield, and basifemora I–II with 5–8 setae.

Remarks. This species is widespread, having been reported from South Africa, Russia, and Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas in the United States. These are the first records of the species from Arkansas. Most specimens examined were collected from material in tree holes and, when present in such environments, were extremely abundant (i.e., hundreds of specimens collected per tree hole).

Material examined. 7 females (APGD 10-0919-001), ex wet organic material in hole at base of tree, USA, Arkansas, Newton Co, Buffalo National River, Steel Creek (36° 02.016 N, 93° 20.137 W), 19 Sept. 2010, coll. M. J. Skvarla ● 7 females (APGD 10-1008-004), ex tree hole at base of tree, same locality (36° 02.259 N, 93° 20.880 W), 8 Oct. 2010, coll. M. J. Skvarla ● 2 females (APGD 11-1004-004), ex oak and hickory litter on talus slope, USA, Arkansas, Washington Co., Devil’s Den State Park (35° 46.817 N, 94° 14.750 W), 4 Oct. 2011, coll. M. J. Skvarla ● 1 female (APGD 11-1004-002) ex wet tree hole detritus & dry material in rotten log, same locality (35° 46.875 N, 94° 14.743 W), 4 Oct. 2011, coll. M. J. Skvarla

Pseudobonzia reticulata (Heryford, 1965)

Cunaxa reticulata Heryford 1965: 310 , fig. 1–3; Corpuz-Raros & Garcia 1996: 15; Den Heyer & Castro 2008: 42. Pseudobonzia reticulata (Heryford) Smiley 1975: 242 , fig. 15; Den Heyer 1977c: 193; 1980: 121; Sepsagosarian 1984: 143; Smiley 1992: 112, fig. 54; Corpuz-Raros & Garcia 1996: 16; Fuangarworn & Lekprayoon 2004: 45; Den Heyer & Castro 2008: 42.

Diagnosis. Pseudobonzia reticulata can be distinguished from other Pseudobonzia by the following characteristics: palp basi- and telofemoral setae simple (not spine-like), setae f2 present, and the proximal leg podomeres (excluding coxae) lack reticulations.

Remarks. After examining two paratypes and the newly collected specimens, a discrepancy between the original description and the specimens was found. Heryford (1965) did not report setae f2 being present, either in the description or illustration. However, we found it to be present in all six specimens and suggest it is always present.

This species was apparently known only from the type series, which was collected from “humus litter from an abandoned ground silo” in Johnson Co., Kansas. These specimens expand the range of this species by approximately 725 km across the Ozark Highlands.

Material examined. 1 female (APGD 10-0726-005), ex litter among grass along ridge top, USA, Arkansas, Washington Co., Ozark National Forest, Weddington (36° 06.312 N, 93° 23.390 W), 26 July 2010, coll. M. J. Skvarla ● 1 female (APGD 10-0915-001), ex grass mixed deciduous litter in grass, same locality, (36° 06.322 N, 93° 23.390 W), 15 September 2010, coll. M. J. Skvarla ● 2 females (APGD 11-1007-007), ex moist pine litter & humus under log and at base of tree, same locality (36° 07.534 N, 94° 23.916 W), 7 October 2011, coll. M. J. Skvarla.

Dasythyreidae

Dasythyreus hirsutus Atyeo, 1961

Dasythyreus hirsutus Atyeo 1961: 11 , figs. 1–4; Walter & Gerson 1998: 189.

Diagnosis. Dasythyreus hirsutus can be differentiated from Xanthodasythyreus toohey , the only other described dasythyreid, by locality ( D. hirsutus is known only from North America while X. toohey is known only from Australia), having pretarsi that are longer than the tarsi, and lack of anastomosing peritremes.

Remarks. Three of the specimens examined were all collected in malaise traps and one was extracted from bark using Berlese funnels. This is not surprising as Dasythyreus hirsutus appears to inhabit the bark of trees. Walter and Gerson (1998) suggested Dasythyreus forage on tree bark, citing that Atyeo (1961) collected D. hirsutus under the bark of a tree and Dr. Evert Lindquist collected an undescribed species from eyed-click beetles ( Alaus myops (F.)), which are predatory under the bark of pine trees.

These new records expand the range of Dasythyreus hirsutus by approximately 150 km south and 150 km northeast of the original collection site. This suggests that the species is found throughout the Interior Highlands.

Material examined. 1 adult (APGD 10-0608-001), ex malaise trap in grass in open glade, USA, Missouri, Taney Co., Mark Twain National Forest, Hercules Glades (36° 41.183 N, 98° 58.25 W), 8 June 2010, coll. J. R. Fisher and M. J. Skvarla ● 3 adults (APGD 10-0609-006), ex malaise trap in grass in opening of oak/hickory forest, same locality (36° 41.01 N, 94° 53.36 W), 9 June 2010, coll. J. R. Fisher and M. J. Skvarla ● 1 adult (APGD 12- 0706-004), ex bark & wood of standing dead oak, USA, Arkansas, Polk Co., Ouachita National Forest, Black Fork Mountain Wilderness, Black Fork Trail (34°41.277’ N, 94°18.856’ W).

Acknowledgements

We thank Ace Lynn-Miller for collecting the Pseudocheylus americanus specimens and Debra Creel and Dr. Barry OConnor for searching through slide collections in attempts to locate the P. americanus type material.

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