A new species of Laelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Iran

Soil-dwelling mites and among them Gamasina (Acari, Mesostigmata) are widely distributed in soils, rich in species and have great ecological significance in the respective ecosystems. A survey was conducted to study Laelapidae (Mesostigmata) mites in Ahwaz (Khuzestan province), Iran during 2010-2012. Samples were taken from soil and litters and then mites extracted using Berlese funnel, cleared in lactic acid and mounted in Hoyer's medium. Among some species of this family, Gaeolaelaps jondishapouri n. sp., collected from soil is described and illustrated. G. jondishapouri n. sp. is characterized by dorsal shield with 39 pairs of setae (including Px2-3), r6 and R1-6 being off dorsal shield on soft lateral cuticle; posterior part of dorsal shield with abrupt contraction between S4 and S5 setae; st1 on weakly sclerotized pre-sternal area out of sternal shield, iv1-2 slit-like. A key to the adult females of the species of Gaeolaelaps with abrupt constriction in dorsal shield (Karg’s angusta species group) is provided.