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Hybalicus
Hybalicus Berlese, 1913 (= Lordalycus Grandjean 1939)
DIAGNOSIS. Prodorsum with 2 pairs of filamentous trichobothria (anterior pair
in a communal depression) and 1 pair of setae, without naso or eyes.
Subcapitulum with 4 pairs of setae, rutella absent; chelicerae with 2 pairs of
setae, fixed digit truncate, with distal process, movable digit serrulate; palps
with 4-5 free segments. Body globular, usually with pustulate
ornamentation and bearing 9 pairs of dorsal setae, c3-4,
f3 absent; 5-8 pairs of genital setae; 2-3 pairs of genital papillae; 2-3
pairs of anal setae. Coxal bases I-IV continuous.; all pretarsi with paired
claws and rayed empodium.
Similar taxa. Sphaerolichus
Ecology & Distribution. These are distinctive mites with globular bodies and strongly ornamented cuticle and are common worldwide. Little is known about the biology of any species, although species of Hybalicus often have poorly consolidated fungal materials in their guts (Theron 1979, Walter 1988) and an inactive prelarva with well developed dorsal setae.
References
Grandjean F. 1939. Quelques genres d’acariens appartenant au groupe des Endeostigmata. Ann. Sci. nat. Zool. 11(ser. 2):1-122.
Kethley JB. 1982. Endeostigmata. pp. 118-120, In: Parker SP (ed.) Synopsis and classification of living organisms. McGraw-Hill, NY.
Livshits IZ, Mitrofanov VI. 1978. Lordalychidae, p. 100, In: Gilyarov, M.S. [Ed.] [Identification key of soil inhabiting mites. Trombidiformes.] Nauka, Moscow 1978: 1-270.
OConnor BM. 1984. 1. Speciation and evolution in Acari 1.2 Phylogenetic relationships among higher taxa in the Acariformes, with particular reference to the Astigmata. pp. 19-27, In: Griffiths, D.A. & Bowman, C.E. [Eds]. Acarology 6. Volume 1. Ellis Horwood Limited, Chichester.
Theron PD & Ryke PAJ. 1975. Five new species of the family Lordalychidae (Acari: Endeostigmata) from South Africa. Acarologia 17: 631-651.
Walter DE. 1988. Predation and mycophagy by endeostigmatid mites (Acariformes: Prostigmata). Experimental & Applied Acarology 4: 159-166.