Sessiluncus colchicus Bregetova, 1977

Murvanidze, Maka, Mumladze, Levan & Todria, Nino, 2019, A contribution to the knowledge of oribatid and mesostigmatic mites (Acari) with new records in Georgia, Persian Journal of Acarology 8 (4), pp. 309-325 : 317-318

Sessiluncus colchicus Bregetova, 1977

Diagnostic characters (female) – Measurements: 585–590 × 245–250 μm; tectum with central projection, two lateral teeth and dentate sides; idiosoma with net-like sculpture, dorsal setae 50 μm; four pairs of sternal setae 25 μm; one pair of genital setae 25 μm; ventrianal plate 295 × 195 μm; five pairs of ventrianal setae 40 μm; trochanter IV with thorn-like projections. The species differs from other representatives of this genus by projections on the trochanter IV.

Material – Javakheti Highland (N 41.291997, E 43.532688, 2036m a.s.l.), soil from artificial pine forest, one female, coll. Mumladze, L., 16.09.2018; Javakheti Highland (N 41.36775901, E 43.78562484, 2106m a.s.l.), subalpine hay meadow, one female, coll. Mumladze, L., 16.09.2018.

Distribution in Caucasus – New for Georgia. Known from Russia – Akhun Mountain, Krasnodar territory, litter at decaying hornbeam ( Carpinus sp.) ( Bregetova 1977).

Global distribution – Caucasus ( Bregetova 1977).

Habitat – Decaying wood, litter, soil ( Bregetova 1977)

Remarks

In the original description, Black Sea coast of Georgia is indicated as an assumed distribution area along with type locality with no further details ( Bregetova 1977). Accordingly , we consider our finding as to the first geo-referenced occurrence of this species in Georgia .