Yaşar, İpek ¹ ; Döker, Ismail ² ; Kök, Şahin ³ and Kasap, İsmail ⁴

¹✉ Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Agricultural Faculty, Department of Plant Protection, Çanakkale, Türkiye.
²✉ Cukurova University, Agricultural Faculty, Department of Plant Protection, Acarology Lab, Adana, Türkiye.
³Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Agricultural Faculty, Department of Plant Protection, Çanakkale, Türkiye & Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Department of Plant and Animal Production, Lapseki Vocational School, Çanakkale, Türkiye.
⁴Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Agricultural Faculty, Department of Plant Protection, Çanakkale, Türkiye.

2025 - Volume: 65 Issue: 1 pages: 139-148

Original research

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction

Species of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) are crucial for their potential as predators of phytophagous mites and various small soft-bodied insects, including thrips and whiteflies (McMurtry et al. 2013). In Türkiye, recent faunistic studies focusing on native phytoseiid species have reported about 140 species belonging to 24 genera (Kasap and Çobanoğlu 2009; Döker et al. 2015, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024; Akyazı et al. 2016; Çobanoglu et al. 2018; Baş et al. 2022).

Kaz Dağları, also known as Mount Ida, is a region rich in biodiversity located in western Türkiye. Renowned for its mythological significance since ancient times, this mountain is one of the highest points in Western Anatolia (Uysal et al. 2011). Kaz Dağları is home to a remarkable variety of endemic plant species and diverse ecosystems, making it an important area for both floral and faunal diversity (Uysal 2010). However, there have been no studies on phytoseiid mites in Kaz Dağları. Therefore, a preliminary sampling was conducted to identify the species present on two endemic plants in the region.

Material and methods

Phytoseiid mites were collected from Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani (Pinaceae) and Sideritis trojana (Lamiaceae), both located within the boundaries of Kaz Dağları (Mt. Ida) in the Çanakkale and Balıkesir provinces. All collected plant materials were labeled, wrapped in paper, placed in polyethylene bags, and transferred to the Acarology and Systematics Laboratory at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ) Faculty of Agriculture in an ice box. The plant samples were examined under a stereo microscope (Olympus SZ51), and the phytoseiid mites present on them were collected using a No. 00 brush and transferred into 70% alcohol. The collected mites were cleared in 60% lactic acid at 50 °C for two days on a hotplate before being mounted on microscope slides. The permanent slides were prepared using Hoyer's medium. The slides were examined with an Olympus® CX-41 microscope, and illustrations were prepared using a Camera Lucida. Final adjustments were made using Adobe Photoshop (version CS6). The taxonomic classification follows that of Chant and McMurtry (2007). Nomenclature for dorsal setae is based on Lindquist and Evans (1965), as adapted by Rowell et al. (1978); ventral setae nomenclature follows Chant and Yoshida-Shaul (1991). Idiosomal dorsal and ventral setal patterns are based on Chant and Yoshida-Shaul (1989, 1992), while the symbols for leg macrosetae are adapted from Athias-Henriot (1957). Nomenclature for idiosomal solenostomes follows Athias-Henriot (1971, 1975), and ventral pores follow Athias-Henriot (1971). The leg chaetotaxy follows Evans (1963). The length of the dorsal shield was measured along the midline from the anterior to the posterior margins. The length of the chelicera digits was measured from the basal margin to the apical margin. The length of the calyx of the spermatheca was measured from the atrium to the apical end of the calyx. The length of the legs was measured from the base of the coxa to the apex of the tarsus (excluding the ambulacrum).

Results

Neoseiulus vasoides (Karg)

Amblyseius (Neoseiulus) vasoides Karg, 1989: 117.

(Figures 1, 2)

Complementary description

Female (n=1)

Dorsal idiosoma — (Figure 1a). Dorsal setal pattern 10A: 9B (r3 and R1 off shield). Dorsal shield sclerotized, reticulated, with a slight waist at level of seta R1, with six pairs of solenostomes (gd1, gd2, gd5, gd6, gd8, and gd9), and 16 pairs of visible poroids (sensillae) (id1, id2, id4, id5, id6, idm1, idm2, idm3, idm4, idm5, idm6, idx, is1, idl1, idl3, and idl4). Muscle-marks (sigilla) visible mostly on podosoma, length of dorsal shield 310, width at level of s4 150, width at level of S2 158. All dorsal setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5 slightly serrated, and J5 with one barb. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: j1 16, j3 18, j4 11, j5 12, j6 12, J2 13, J5 9, z2 16, z4 17, z5 10, Z1 17, Z4 38, Z5 55, s4 20, S2 28, S4 28, S5 26, r3 16, and R1 17. Peritremes extends to level of setae j1. Poroid id3 visible on peritrematal shield.

Ventral idiosoma — (Figure 1b). Ventral setal pattern 14: JV-3: ZV. Sternal shield smooth with three pairs of setae (ST1-ST3) and two pair of poroids (iv1, iv2); length (distance between ST1-ST3) 62, width distance between setae ST2 60; setae ST4 and poroids iv3 on metasternal platelets. Posterior margin of sternal shield straight. Genital shield smooth, with one pair of setae ST5; width at level of ST5 60; one pair of para-genital poroids iv5 on soft cuticle. Ventrianal shield pentagonal, mostly reticulated; with three pairs of pre-anal setae (JV1, JV2, and ZV2), one pair of para-anal setae PA, unpaired post-anal seta PST, without preanal solenostomes, (remnants of gv3 solenostomes slightly visible but they are not real openings). Length of ventrianal shield (distance between anterior to posterior margins along midline) 105, width at level of ZV2 91. Four pairs of caudoventral setae (ZV1, ZV3, JV4, and JV5) and five pairs of poroids (four pairs of ivo, and ivp) on soft cuticle surrounding ventrianal shield. Setae JV5 smooth, 55 in length.

Chelicera — (Figure 1c). Fixed digit 26 long, with five teeth and pilus dentilis; movable digit 27 long, with one tooth.

Spermatheca — (Figure 1d). Calyx of spermatheca bendable vase-shaped; swollen basally, then narrowing and flaring distally, 24 long, atrium nodular incorporated within the base of calyx; major duct long; minor duct not visible.

Legs — (Figures 2a–d). Length of legs: I 310, II 243, III 225, and IV 290. Chaetotaxy of legs as follows: Leg I: coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0, trochanter 1 0/1 0/2 1, femur 2 3/1 2/2 2, genu 2 2/1 2/1 2, tibia 2 2/1 2/1 2. Leg II: coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0, trochanter 1 0/1 0/2 1, femur 2 3/1 2/1 1, genu 2 2/1 2/0 1, tibia 1 1/1 2/1 1. Leg III: coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0, trochanter 1 1/1 0/2 0, femur 1 2/1 1/0 1, genu 1 2/1 2/0 1, tibia 1 1/1 2/1 1. Leg IV: coxa 0 0/1 0/0 0, trochanter 1 1/1 0/2 0, femur 1 2/1 1/0 1, genu 1 2/1 2/0 1, tibia 1 1/1 2/0 1. Leg IV with two macrosetae, SgeIV (ad1) 26, and StIV (pd3) 43 in length. Other legs without macrosetae.

Material examined

One female specimen from Sideritis trojana Bornm (Lamiaceae) in association with unknown eriophyid mites, in Kaz Dağları, 39°42′00″ N, 26°49′48″ E, 1726 meters above sea level, in Edremit County, Balıkesir Province, August 2, 2024, İ. Yaşar, Ş. Kök and İ. Kasap collectors.

Remarks

Neoseiulus vasoides was first described by Karg (1989) based on a holotype female collected from humus in the Kemnitz Valley, near Karl-Marx-Stadt (now Chemnitz), Germany. Until now, the species was known only from its original description, with no further records from other countries. Therefore, this study presents the first discovery of N. vasoides outside Germany and reports its presence in Türkiye for the first time.

Karg's original description, which relied on basic drawings and a few setal measurements, is quite limited and lacks several important diagnostic characters currently used to differentiate phytoseiid species. Specifically, it does not include the lengths of some dorsal setae, the number of dorsal solenostomes, or leg chaetotaxy. However, the available morphological characteristics and measurements of the current specimen are almost identical with those of the holotype.

Based on the morphology of its spermatheca, which is characterized by a bendable, vase-shaped calyx that is swollen at the base, then narrows, and finally flares distally, this species shows similarities to several other species within the genus. Specifically, it shows affinity to N. agrafioticus Papadoulis, Emmanouel & Kapaxidi, 2009, N. karandinosi Papadoulis, Emmanouel & Kapaxidi, 2009, N. plantagenis (Kolodochka, 1981), N. pseudotauricus Papadoulis, Emmanouel & Kapaxidi, 2009, N. tauricus (Livshitz & Kuznetsov, 1972) and N. tervus Meshkov, 1994. These species have seven pairs of dorsal solenostomes, except for N. agrafioticus, which bears six pairs. Neoseiulus vasoides also has six pairs of dorsal solenostomes but with a different combination, gd4 is absent, and gd5 is present in N. vasoides, however, an opposite situation appears for N. agrafioticus, where gd4 is present and gd5 is absent.

Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) ernesti Ragusa & Swirski

Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) ernesti Ragusa & Swirski, 1978: 211.

(Figures 3, 4, 5)

Complementary description

Female (n=4)

Dorsal idiosoma — (Figure 3a). Dorsal setal pattern 12A: 7A (r3 and R1 off shield). Dorsal shield sclerotized, reticulated, with a slight waist at level of seta R1, with four pairs of solenostomes (gd2, gd6, gd8, and gd9), and 14 pairs of visible poroids (sensillae) (id1, id2, id4, id5, id6, idm2, idm3, idm4, idm5, idm6, idx, is1, idl3, and idl4). Poroid idl1 flanking shield and situated on soft cuticle. Muscle-marks (sigilla) visible mostly on podosoma, length of dorsal shield 341 (330–360), width at level of s4 171 (165–178), width at level of S2 182 (175–188). All dorsal setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5 slightly serrated, and J5 with one barb. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: j1 23 (20–25), j3 30, j4 17 (15–18), j5 18, j6 20 (18–22), J2 21 (20–23), J5 5, z2 19 (18–20), z3 23 (23–24), z4 23 (22–23), z5 16 (15–17), Z4 36 (33–40), Z5 56 (55–58), s4 25, s6 28 (28–29), S2 31 (30–33), S4 30, r3 24 (23–25), and R1 24 (23–25). Peritremes extends to level of setae j3. Solenostomes gd3 and poroid id3 visible on peritrematal shield.

Ventral idiosoma — (Figure 3b). Ventral setal pattern 15: JV: ZV. Sternal shield smooth with two pairs of setae (ST1, ST2) and two pair of poroids (iv1, iv2); length (distance between ST1-iv2) 54 (53–55), width distance between setae ST2 61 (59–63); setae ST3 on separate platelets, setae ST4 and poroids iv3 on metasternal platelets. Posterior margin of sternal shield with wavy lines. Genital shield smooth, with one pair of setae ST5; width at level of ST5 62 (59–65); one pair of para-genital poroids iv5 on soft cuticle. Ventrianal shield pentagonal, striated anteriorly; with four pairs of pre-anal setae (JV1, JV2, JV3, and ZV2), one pair of para-anal setae PA, unpaired post-anal seta PST, without preanal solenostomes. Length of ventrianal shield (distance between anterior to posterior margins along midline) 110 (103–113), width at level of ZV2 99 (93–103). Four pairs of caudoventral setae (ZV1, ZV3, JV4, and JV5) and six pairs of poroids (five pairs of ivo, and ivp) on soft cuticle surrounding ventrianal shield. Setae JV5 smooth, 49 (48–50) in length.

Chelicera — (Figure 3c). Fixed digit 26 (25–27) long, with four teeth and pilus dentilis; movable digit 26 (25–27) long, with one tooth.

Spermatheca — (Figure 3d). Calyx bell-shaped, 14 (12–15) long, atrium large nodular incorporated within calyx. Major duct broad and minor duct not visible.

Legs — (Figures 4a–e). Length of legs: I 295 (290–300), II 240 (225–250), III 233 (220–240), and IV 323 (315–330). Chaetotaxy of legs as follows: Leg I: coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0, trochanter 1 0/1 1/2 1, femur 2 3/1 2/2 2, genu 2 2/1 2/1 2, tibia 2 2/1 2/1 2. Leg II: coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0, trochanter 1 0/1 0/2 1, femur 2 3/1 2/1 1, genu 2 2/0 2/0 1, tibia 1 1/1 2/1 1. Leg III: coxa 0 0/1 0/1 0, trochanter 1 1/1 0/2 0, femur 1 2/1 1/0 1, genu 1 2/1 2/0 1, tibia 1 1/1 2/1 1. Leg IV: coxa 0 0/1 0/0 0, trochanter 1 1/1 0/2 0, femur 1 2/1 1/0 1, genu 1 2/1 2/0 1, tibia 1 1/1 2/0 1. Leg IV with three blunt macrosetae, SgeIV (ad1) 25, StiIV (ad) 29 (28–30), and StIV (pd3) 44 (40–48) in length. Other legs without macroseta.

Male (n=1)

(Figure 5)

Dorsal idiosoma — Dorsal setal pattern 12A:7A (setae r3 and R1 on shield). Dorsal shield sclerotized, reticulated with five pairs of solenostomes (gd2, gd3, gd6, gd8, and gd9), and 15 pairs of visible poroids (sensillae) (id1, id2, id4, id5, id6, idm2, idm3, idm4, idm5, idm6, idx, is1, idl1, idl3, and idl4). Muscle-marks (sigillae) visible mostly on podosoma, length of dorsal shield 268, width at level of s4 158, width at level of S2 148. Morphology of dorsal setae as in female. Measurements of dorsal setae as follows: j1 18, j3 24, j4 broken, j5 14, j6 15, J2 16, J5 5, z2 13, z3 19, z4 17, z5 15, Z4 30, Z5 46, s4 23, s6 26, S2 25, S4 21, r3 20 and R1 17. Peritreme extends to level of seta z2.

Ventral idiosoma — (Figure 5a). Ventral setal pattern 12: JV–4: ZV–1, 3. Sternogenital shield smooth, with five pairs of setae (ST1–ST5) and three pairs of poroids (iv1, iv2, iv3); distance between bases of setae ST1–ST5 105, distance between bases of setae ST3 57. Ventrianal shield triangular, transversally striated anteriorly; with four pairs of pre-anal setae (JV1, JV2, JV3, and ZV2), a pair of para-anal seta (PA) and post-anal seta (PST), without preanal solenostomes. Length of ventrianal shield 100, width at level of anterolateral corners 140. Seta JV5 and two pairs of poroids ivo and ivp on soft cuticle surrounding ventrianal shield. Setae JV5 smooth, 25 long.

Chelicera — (Figure 5b). Fixed digit 20 long, with three teeth and pilus dentilis; movable digit 20 long with one tooth. Spermatodactyl foot almost straight, toe slightly bulbous, 25 long from basal attachment to tip of toe (including foot and toe).

Legs — Length of legs: Length of legs (excluding pretarsus): I 260, II 215, III 210, and 285. Chaetotaxy as female. Leg IV with three blunt macrosetae, SgeIV (ad1) 20, StiIV (ad) 25, and StIV (pd3) 38 in length. Other legs without macrosetae.

Material examined

Four females and one male specimens from Abies nordmanniana (Stev.) subsp. equi-trojani (Pinaceae), in association with unknown eriophyid mites, in Kaz Dağları, 39°45′57″ N, 26°58′31″ E, 1.350 meters above sea level, in Bayramiç county, Çanakkale Province, 25 July 2024, İ. Yaşar, Ş. Kök and İ. Kasap collectors.

Remarks

Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) ernesti was first described by Ragusa and Swirski (1978) based on the holotype and four paratype specimens collected from Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) in Monte Amiata, Tuscany, Italy. This is the first report of T. (T.) ernesti in Türkiye. Morphological characteristics and measurements of the current specimens are almost identical with those of provided in its original description and a subsequent redescription (Chant and Yoshida-Shaul 1987).

Acknowledgements

This study is a part of the PhD thesis of the first author, and was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK-TOVAG, grant number 123O983). İsmail Döker was supported by the Scientific Projects Foundation Units of Çukurova University (project number: FAY-2022-14495).

References

1. Akyazı R., Ueckermann E.A., Soysal. M. 2016. The new distribution of Amblyseius herbicolus in Turkey (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) with a key of Amblyseius species found in Turkey. Acarologia, 56: 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1051/acarologia/20162241
2. Athias-Henriot C. 1957. Phytoseiidae et Aceosejidae (Acarina, Gamasina) d'Algérie. I. Genres Blattisocius Keegan, Iphiseius Berlese, Amblyseius Berlese, Phytoseius Ribaga, Phytoseiulus Evans. Bull. Soc. Hist. Natur. Afr. Nord, 48: 319-352.
3. Athias-Henriot C. 1971. La divergence néotaxique des Gamasides (Arachnides). Bull. Scientif. Bourgogne, 28: 93-106.
4. Athias-Henriot C. 1975. Nouvelles notes sur les Amblyseiini. II. Le relevé organotaxique de la face dorsale adulte (Gamasides, protoadéniques, Phytoseiidae). Acarologia, 17: 20-29.
5. Baş H., Döker İ., Ozman-Sullivan S. K. 2022. New records and complementary descriptions of three Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) species from Turkey. Int. J. Acarol., 48: 393-400. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2022.2082527
6. Chant D.A., McMurtry J.A. 2007. Illustrated keys and diagnoses for the genera and subgenera of the Phytoseiidae of the world (Acari: Mesostigmata). West Bloomfield, Indira Publishing House, 219 pp.
7. Chant D.A., Yoshida-Shaul E. 1987. A world review of the pyri species group in the genus Typhlodromus Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Can. J. Zool., 65: 1770-1804. https://doi.org/10.1139/z87-272
8. Chant D.A., Yoshida-Shaul E. 1989. Adult dorsal setal patterns in the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Gamasina). Int. J. Acarol., 15: 219-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647958908683852
9. Chant D.A., Yoshida-Shaul E. 1991. Adult ventral setal patterns in the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Gamasina). Int. J. Acarol., 17: 187-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647959108683906
10. Chant D.A., Yoshida-Shaul E. 1992. Adult idiosomal setal patterns in the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Gamasina). Int. J. Acarol., 18: 177-193. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647959208683949
11. Çobanoğlu S., Faraji F., Cılbırcıoğlu C. 2018. Re-descriptions of Amblyseius decolor (Westerboer) and Proprioseiopsis sororculus (Wainstein) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) based on the specimens collected in Turkey and France. Acarologia, 58: 825-836. https://doi.org/10.24349/acarologia/20184272
12. Döker I., Baş H., Ozman-Sullivan S. 2024. A supplementary description of Typhlodromina conspicua (Garman) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Türkiye, with comments on its taxonomic status. Int. J. Acarol., 50: 81-86. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2024.2304602
13. Döker İ., Joharchi O., Karut K., Kazak C. 2023. Description of Typhloseiulus anatolicus sp. nov. and redescription of two new records of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Turkey. Acarologia, 63: 553-568. https://doi.org/10.24349/r4a9-vy9o
14. Döker I., Kazak C., Karut K. 2015. A new species and two new records of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Turkey. Zootaxa, 3918: 439-445. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3918.3.8
15. Döker I., Kazak C., Karut K. 2019. The genus Graminaseius Chant & McMurtry (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Turkey with descriptions of two new species and re-description of Graminaseius graminis (Chant). Syst. Appl. Acarol., 24: 731-741. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.24.5.2
16. Döker İ., Kazak C., Karut K. 2020. The genus Amblyseius Berlese (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Turkey with discussion on the identity of Amblyseius meridionalis. Syst. Appl. Acarol., 25: 1395-1420. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.25.8.4
17. Evans G.O. 1963. Observations on the chaetotaxy of the legs in the free-living Gamasina (Acari: Mesostigmata). Bull. Br. Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool., 10: 275-303. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.20528
18. Karg W. 1989. Zur Kenntnis der Raubmilbengattung Amblyseius Berlese, 1904 (Acarina, Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae). Dtsch. Entomol. Z., 36: 113-119. https://doi.org/10.1002/mmnd.4810360116
19. Kasap İ., Cobanoglu S. 2009. Phytoseiid mites of Hakkari province, with Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) tamaricis Kolodochka, 1982 (Acari: Phytoseidae), a new record for the predatory mite fauna of Turkey. Turk. J. Zool., 33: 301-308. https://doi.org/10.3906/zoo-0805-9
20. Kolodochka, L. A. 1981. New phytoseiid mites from Crimea (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae). Communication II. Vestn. Zool., 5: 16-20 [In Russian].
21. Lindquist E.E., Evans G.O. 1965. Taxonomic concepts in the Ascidae, with a modified setal nomenclature for the idiosoma of the Gamasina (Acarina: Mesostigmata). Mem. Ent. Soc. Can., 47: 1-64. https://doi.org/10.4039/entm9747fv
22. Livshitz I.Z., Kuznetsov N.N. 1972. Phytoseiid mites from Crimea (Parasitiformes: Phytoseiidae). In: Pests and diseases of fruit and ornamental plants. Proceedings of The All-Union V. I. Lenin Academy of Agricultural Science, The State Nikita Botanical Gardens, Yalta, Ukraine, 61: 13-64 [in Russian].
23. McMurtry J.A., Moraes G.J. de., Sourassou N.F. 2013. Revision of the lifestyles of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and implications for biological control strategies. Syst. Appl. Acarol., 18: 297-320. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.18.4.1
24. Meshkov Yu.I. 1994. Two new species of mites of the genus Neoseiulus (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) from Russia, Zool. Zhurnal, 73: 108-112.
25. Papadoulis G.Th., Emmanouel N.G., Kapaxidi E.V. 2009. Phytoseiidae of Greece and Cyprus (Acari: Mesostigmata). West Bloomfield, Indira Publishing House, 200pp.
26. Ragusa S., Swirski E. 1978. Description of three new species of Typhlodromus Scheuten from Italy with redescription of Typhlodromus baccettii Lombardini (Acari: Phytoseiidae). International Journal of Acarology, USA, 4: 211-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647957808683118
27. Rowell H.L., Chant D.A., Hansell R.I.C. 1978. The determination of setal homologies and setal patterns on the dorsal shield in the family Phytoseiidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata). Can. Entomol., 110: 859-876. https://doi.org/10.4039/Ent110859-8
28. Uysal İ. 2010. An overview of plant diversity of Kazdagi (Mt. Ida) Forest National Park, Turkey. J. Environ. Biol., 31: 141-147.
29. Uysal İ., Karabacak E., Öner S., Kurt F. 2011. A syntaxonomical study of the pseudo-alpine vegetation of Kazdagi (Turkey) and two new endemic associations. Ekoloji, 20: 88-96. https://doi.org/10.5053/ekoloji.2011.8012

instructions