# New Records of Tarsonemid Mites (Acari: Trombidiformes) for Cuba

Pedro Enrique de la Torre Santana

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## To cite this version:

Pedro Enrique de la Torre Santana. New Records of Tarsonemid Mites (Acari: Trombidiformes) for Cuba. Acarologia, 2025, 65 (4), pp.1082-1091. 10.24349/xu18-1k5i. hal-05387097

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Acarologia

Open Science
in Acarology

# New Records of Tarsonemid Mites
(Acari: Trombidiformes) for Cuba

Pedro Enrique de la Torre Santana IDª

## Original research

### ABSTRACT

The Tarsonemidae family includes mites with a wide variety of diets, such as fungi, algae, plants, predation, and parasitism. In Cuba, 11 species are known, but the family is poorly studied. The aim of the present study is to report new species records in the country. A total of 633 Tarsonemidae slides from the collection of the Central Plant Quarantine Laboratory of Cuba were reviewed. Eight new species not previously reported were identified: *Daidalotarsonemus annonae* Sousa, Lofego, and Gondim Jr., with the male of this species, previously unknown, being described, and providing a key for identifying males of the genus; *Fungitarsonemus lodici* (De Leon), *Steneotarsonemus comosus* Ochoa, *Tarsonemus bilobatus* Suski, *T. fusarii* Cooreman, *T. smithi* Ewing, *T. waitei* Banks, and *Xenotarsonemus cadeae* Cromroy, which detailed measurements of their structures are provided. The study expands knowledge on the diversity of Tarsonemidae in Cuba.

**Keywords** Tarsonemoidea; Tarsoneminae; Cuba

http://zoobank.org/F3A395B8-E18D-47A7-B46D-C2AD6E9CDB21

## Introduction

The Tarsonemidae is a large family of mites present in many different habitats worldwide. Their feeding habits are greatly diverse: many are fungivores, algivores and herbivores, and others are predators of other mites, parasites of insects and possibly symbionts of insects. Some phytophagous tarsonemids are important pests on agricultural crops. Tarsonemid mites are thus of great interest to those who study their ecology and evolution, as well as to those applied workers who study ways to control them on economic plants (Lin & Zhang, 2002).

To date, 11 species of Tarsonemidae are known in Cuba: *Acarapis woodi* (Rennie), *Ceratotarsonemus scitus* De Leon, *Fungitarsonemus peregrinosus* Attiah, *Polyphagotarsonemus latus* (Banks), *Steneotarsonemus bancrofti* (Michael), *S. furcatus* De Leon, *S. konoi* Smiley and Emmanuel, *S. lobosus* Torre, *S. spinki* Smiley, *Tarsonemus mycelyophagus* (Hussey) and *Ununguitarsonemus beameri* (Beer) (Torre, 2016; Torre & Cuervo, 2019). However, this family is poorly studied in Cuba in many topics, including its taxonomy. The objective of this communication is to report new records of tarsonemids species for the Cuban fauna.

## Materials and methods

A total of 633 slide mounts belonging to the Tarsonemidae family from the collection of the Central Laboratory for Plant Quarantine (CPQL) of Cuba were examined. A ZEISS model Axioskop 40 phase contrast microscope and a Zeiss P8x drawing eyepiece were used to observe the slides.

The terminology follows that of Lindquist (1986), except for the *dgs* and *vgs* setae of the gnathosomes (Suski 1967; Magowski *et al.*, 1998). For all structures, measurements are given

Received 01 April 2025
Accepted 29 October 2025
Published 05 November 2025

Corresponding author
Pedro Enrique de la Torre Santana ID:
pedrodelatorre70@gmail.com

Academic editor
Baumann, Julia

https://doi.org/10.24349/xu18-1k5i

ISSN 0044-586X (print)
ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic)

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

de la Torre Santana P. E.

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

OPEN ACCESS

<footnote>ªLaboratorio Central de Cuarentena Vegetal. Ayuntamiento #231, entre San Pedro y Lombillo, Plaza de la Revolución, La Habana, Cuba.</footnote>
in micrometers (µm). The length and proportion of the legs include the segments from the femurs to the apex of the tarsus. Leg chaetotaxy is expressed by formulas of the number of setae (and solenidia in parentheses, when present) on each leg. The number of setae on each segment is separated from each other by a “-”. Data on specimens were taken from the collection record including the catalogue number (CPQL N°).

**Results and discussion**

Eight new species not previously reported in the country were identified and are listed below.

**Daidalotarsonemus annonae Sousa, Lofego & Gondim Jr., 2014**

*Daidalotarsonemus annonae* Sousa, Lofego & Gondim Jr., 2014, 430
(Fig.1-3, 4 A-B)

**Material examined** — 1 female and 1 male, leaves of *Citrus* sp., El rodeo, Santa Clara, 16 Nov.2007, collector Pedro de la Torre, CPQL N°2671-2673.

**Previous distribution** — Brazil, USA (Florida), (Rezende *et al*., 2024).

**Remarks** — This species has been found on other hosts such as *Trichilia casaretti* C.DC. (Euphorbiaceae), *Calliandra americana* (Fabaceae), *Clerodendron japonica* (Lamiaceae),

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Daidalotarsonemus annonae* male dorsum</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** *Daidalotarsonemus annonae* male venter</figcaption></figure>

*Hibiscus rosa-sinensis* L. (Malvaceae), *Quercus virginiana* Mill. (Fagaceae), *Chrysobalanus icaco* L. (Chrysobalanaceae) and *Viburnum obovatum* (Caprifoliaceae), (Rezende *et al.*, 2024). These authors mention that larva and male of this species are unknown; therefore the male is described below. The absence of φ1 is confirmed in the female, but the male has the complete cluster (φ1, φ2 and k).

**Description of male (One specimen)**

**Gnathosoma** — semicircular in ventral view; length 19, maximum width 21. Setae dgs (13) and vgs (6) smooth; Palps moderately long (7). Pharynx fusiform, 14 long and 6 wide.

**Idiosoma dorsum** — length 122, maximum width 75. Prodorsal shield trapezoidal. Length of dorsal setae: v1 (25), v2 (19), sc1 (49), sc2 (20), c1 (29) c2 (20), d (33), f (31), h (4). All setae are serrate except smooth c2 and h; setae c1, d and f blunt-tipped. Distances between dorsal setae: v1–v1 (11), sc1–sc1 (25), sc2–sc2 (37), v1–sc2 (25), c1–c1 (68), c2–c2 (70), c1–c2 (39), d–d, (38), f–f (16) h–h (5). Setae sc2 lateral and slightly posterior to sc1; setae c1 closer to d than to c2.

**Idiosoma venter** — setae 1a (5) posterior to apodemes 1; setae 2a (10) located slightly
posterior to apodemes 2; setae 3a (10) located near anterior end of apodemes 3 and setae 3b (12) located on the posteromedial margins of apodemes 4. Apodeme 1 is fused with the anterior end of the prosternal apodeme; apodeme 2 fused to prosternal apodeme; coxal field II punctate. Prosternal apodeme visible between coxisternal plates I and II but not joined to sejugal apodeme. Sejugal apodeme conspicuous. Lines of fusion between coxae III and IV with ventral area of idiosoma mostly conspicuous; connection between apodemes 3, 4 and postesternals apodeme diffuse.

**Legs** — Lengths: leg I 50, leg II 51, leg III 50, leg IV 56. Number of setae on femur, genu, tibia and tarsus, respectively: leg I: 3-4-6(2)+7(1), leg II: 3-3-4-4(1), leg III: 0-2-4-3.

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3** *Daidalotarsonemus annonae* male legs. From top to bottom: leg I dorsal aspect, leg II (dorsal aspect), leg III (dorsal aspect), leg IV (dorsal aspect).</figcaption></figure>
Solenidion ω of tarsus I (4), robust, wider medially. Sensory cluster of tibia I composed of φ1 (2), φ2 (2) and famulus k (4), both inserted at approximately the same level. Solenidion ω of tarsus II (5) inserted proximally and robust, wider medially. Trochanter IV wider than long, seta v' (12), smooth. Femurogenu IV 39 long and 15 wide at level of v'F; setae v'F (6), smooth. Setae v'G (22) and l''G (10), smooth. Tibia IV 17 long; solenidion φ (3); seta v' Ti 75, serrate. Tarsus IV short, with three smooth setae of the following lengths: tc'' 4, pv'' 5 and u' 5. Claw well developed.

**Key for *Daidalotarsonemus* males (based on Rezende et al., 2024)**

1. Tarsal solenidion II larger than 5 µm..................................................2

Tarsal solenidion II smaller than or equal to 5 µm ........................................4

2. Tibiotarsal sensory cluster I complete (φ1, φ2, k) ....................................3

Tibiotarsal sensory cluster I incomplete ....................................................vandevriei

3. Setae sc1 similar in size to sc2 ................................................................. euonymus

Seta sc1 longer than sc2 ....................................................................ternifoliae

4. Tibia of leg IV longer than v'G ..................................................................deleoni

Tibia of leg IV shorter than or equal to v'G....................................................5

5. Dorsal seta f shorter than the others of the hysterosoma (c1, c2 and d) ............6

Dorsal seta f longer than or equal to the others of the hysterosoma ....................7

6. Setae v1 similar to sc2; v'Ti twice the length of tibia IV; v'G four times the length of v'F in leg IV ..................................................................................azofeifai

Setae v1 longer than sc2; v'Ti similar to length of tibia IV; v'G 2 times the length of v'F in leg IV ..................................................................................oliveirai

7. Apodemes 2 fused with prosternal .................................................................8

Apodemes 2 do not fused with prosternal ............................................................9

8. Setae v2 smaller than sc2; v'Ti twice longer than tibia IV .................................serissae

Setae v2 similar to sc2; v'Ti four times longer than tibia IV .................................annonae

9. Tibia I with two tactile setae, k and φ 1 ....................................................leonardi

Tibia I with four tactile setae, k and φ 1 ....................................................tessellatus

**Fungitarsonemus Iodici (De Leon, 1956)**

*Hemitarsonemus Iodici* De Leon, 1956, 110

(Fig. 4 C-D)

**Material examined** — Three females, leaves of *Trichilia hirta* L., Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 10 Feb.2001, col. Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 2325, 2326; Three females, leaves of *Conocarpus erecta* L., Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 9 Mar.2010, col. Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 2330, 2331; six females and one male, *Gymnanthes lucida* Sw, Cojímar, Havana, 24 Mar.2009, col. Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 2332, 2333, 2334; five females, leaves of *Trichilia hirta* L., Cojímar, Havana, 20 Feb. 2020, col. Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 2346, 2347, 2349.

**Previous distribution** — China, Costa Rica, USA (Florida) (Lin & Zhang, 2002)

**Remarks** — Diagnostic characters are in agreement with those in the literature. It has been collected on the following hosts: *Psychotria undata* Jacq., *Pithecolobium guadalupense*
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4** *Daidalotarsonemus annonae* Sousa, Lofego & Gondim Jr., A–female dorsal surface, B–male dorsal surface. C–D, *Fungitarsonemus lodici* (De Leon), C–female ventral surface, D–male dorsal surface. E–F, *Steneotarsonemus comosus* Ochoa, E–female dorsal surface, F–male leg IV. G– *Tarsonemus bilobatus* Suski, female ventral surface. Bar= 50 µm.</figcaption></figure>

(Pers.) Chapm, *Dipholis salicifolia* (L.) and *Citharexslum fruticosum* (L.) (De Leon, 1956); *Macadamia ternifolia* Muel (Ochoa *et al*., 1991b); and on various hosts in China (Lin *et al*., 1995). Other species of the genus awaiting identification were found in the collection. They were observed errant on leaves carrying debris on their bodies.

**Steneotarsonemus comosus Ochoa, 1991**

*Steneotarsonemus comosus* Ochoa *et al*., 1991,52.

(Fig. 4 E-F)

**Material examined** — 26 females, five males, *Ananas comosus* (L.) Merr. var. MD2, Ceballos Agroindustrial Company, Ciego de Ávila, 4 May. 2017, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1921-1930; two females, one male, *Ananas comosus* (L.) Merr. var. MD2, Ciego de Ávila, 28 Jun. 2017, collector: Luis Raúl Machado, CPQL No. 2019,2020.

**Previous distribution** — Costa Rica, (Ochoa, 1991b); Rep. Dominican, (Perez-Gelabert, 2020)

**Remarks** — The labels on the collections' slides erroneously identified the specimens as S. ananas (Tyron). However, their identity was verified by It was previously identified as by the differences in the setae c1, c2, 3a, 3b and leg IV of the male according to Aguilar-Piedra *et al*., (2021). It is recognized in the field by locating the mite at the base of the tender leaves of the crown. It occurs from the formation of the flower to the already developed fruit. It has
been associated with the symptom known as multiple crown which, in interrelation with high temperatures, can reach 10% of affected plants for the first cutting and in some cases up to 50% for the second. This symptom can be confused with a varietal or physiological problem (Ochoa *et al.*, 1991a).

It was found associated with fungal attack in the crop, so it can become an important pest in Cuba. This species is likely to cause fungal entry pathways just like *S. ananas* (Ochoa *et al.*, 1991a).

## Tarsonemus bilobatus Suski, 1965

*Tarsonemus bilobatus* Suski, 1965, 539

*Tarsonemus hungaricus* Schaarschmidt, 1967, 59: 389

*Lupotarsonemus bilobatus*: Suski & Schaarschmidt, 1971, 119

*Tarsonemus fuzhouensis* Lin & Zhang, 1982, 137

(Fig. 4 G)

**Material examined** — 1 female, 1 male, *Oryza sativa* L., Villa Clara, 1 Dec. 1997, collector Zuleika Martinez, CPQL No. 1456-1457; 5 females, 4 males, 2 larvae, *Oryza sativa* L., Rio Cauto, Granma, 24 Mar. 2008, collector Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1461-1464; 1 female, *Pennisetum purpureum* Schuman, San Jose de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 26 Oct. 2004, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1458; 1 female, 3 larvae, *Panicum maximun* Jacq., La Lisa, Havana, collector: 21 Jan. 2005, Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1459-1460; 9 females, 1 male, 1 larva, *Phylla nodiflora* (L) Greene, Reparto Eléctrico, Havana, 17 Jul. 2006, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1704-1714; 8 females, leaf litter, Reparto Eléctrico, Havana, 17 Jul. 2006, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1715-1721; 10 females, *Sorghum vulgare* Pers., Güines, Mayabeque, 09 Nov. 2006, collector Mayra Ramos, CPQL No. 1722; one female, *Xanthium chinense* Mill. (Asteraceae), Reparto Eléctrico, Havana, 28 Sep. 2003, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1761; two females, *Eleucine indica* (L.) Gaertn., Reparto Eléctrico, Havana, 08 Nov. 2005, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1762-1763; seven females, four males, *Coleotrichium; Lasiodiplodia theobromae*, Laboratory culture (CPQL), 29 Oct. 2009, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1824-1828; six females, three males, *Chrysoporthe cubensis* (Bruner) Gryzenhout & M.J. Wingf, Laboratory culture (CPQL), 29 Oct. 2009, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1829-1833, 1835; one female, *Bambusa vulgaris* Schrad., 17 Nov. 2016, Presa Ejército Rebelde, Havana, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1942; three females, *Ananas comosus* G. Maza var. MD2, Ciego de Ávila, 28 Jun. 2017, collector: Luis Raúl Machado, CPQL No. 1847-1848. one female, *Ananas comosus* G. Maza var. MD2, Ciego de Ávila, 28 Jun. 2017, collector: Justino Martínez, CPQL No. 2027.

**Previous distribution** — Belarus, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Ukraine (Gheblealivand *et al.*, 2018).

**Remarks** — The observed female specimens have the setae *tc"* of leg IV greater than the combination of the length of leg IV and not as expressed by Kaliszewski, (1993).

## Tarsonemus fusarii Cooreman, 1941

*Tarsonemus fusarii* Cooreman, 1941, 1

(Fig. 5 A-B)

**Material examined** — four males, four females, fungal culture in the laboratory of the Tropical Fruit Growing Institute, Havana, 4 Jan. 2011, collector: Israel Cabrera, CPQL No. 1843-1849; 11 females, four males, dust in the CPQL laboratory, 4 Jul. 2016, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 2190-2193; six females, sugar, CAI Melanio Hernández, Taguasco, Santi Spíritus, 12 Dec. 2016, collector: Tomás J. Gómez, CPQL No. 1943-1946; four females, organic matter, Puerto de Cienfuegos, 26 May. 2017, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 2026.

**Previous distribution** — Germany, Belgium, China, Costa Rica, USA, India, Japan, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and UK (Lin & Zhang, 2002), Iran (Gheblealivand *et al.*, 2018)
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5** *Tarsonemus fusarii* Coremans., A–female ventral surface, B–male ventral surface. C–D, *Tarsonemus smithi* Ewing, J–female ventral surface, K–male ventral surface. E–F, *Tarsonemus waitei* Banks, E–female dorsal surface, F–male dorsall surface. G–Xenotarsonemus cadeae* Cromroy, male ventral surface. Bar= 50 µm.</figcaption></figure>

**Remarks** — Diagnostic characters are consistent with literature. It is a common contaminant in the laboratory.

**Tarsonemus smithi Ewing, 1939**

*Tarsonemus smithi* Ewing, 1939, 18

*Tarsonemus femoralis* Ewing, 1939, 38

*Tarsonemus biungulatus* Ewing, 1939, 50

(Fig. 5 C-D)

**Material examined** — One male, *Waltheria indica* L., Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 1 Mar. 2002, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1554; two females, five males, *Heliotropium* sp., Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 26 Mar. 2002, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1370, 1371, 1555-1558; one female, two males, *Amaranthus spinosus* L. Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 26 Mar. 2002, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1373, 1553.

**Previous distribution** — China, Korea, USA, Italy, Japan, Poland, Portugal, Ukraine (Lin & Zhang, 2002).

**Remarks** — Diagnostic characters agree with those in the literature. Found associated with the inflorescences of plants
**Tarsonemus waitei** Banks, 1912

*Tarsonemus waitei* Banks, 1912, 98
*Tarsonemus selifer* Ewing, 1939, 19
*Tarsonemus pauperoseatus* Suski, 1967, 267

(Fig. 5 E-F)

**Material examined** — three females, *Waltheria indica* L., San Martín cave, Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 10 Feb. 2001, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1465-1466; four females, five males, Poaceae, Punta de Maisí, Guantánamo, 22 Jun. 2003, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1467, 1479-1483; one female, *Sesuvium portulacastrum* L., Playa, Havana, 14 Ago. 2003, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1468; one female, Poaceae, Rincon de Guanabo, Havana, 23 Jan. 2005, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1470; one female, *Cynodon dactylon* (L.) Pers., Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 27 Feb. 2006, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1471; one female, *Bidens pilosa*, L., Isla de la Juventud, 29 Jun. 2005, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1472; three females, *Waltheria indica* L., Boca de Jaruco, Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 13 Mar. 2001, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1473-1474; two females, one male, Poaceae, Punta de Maisí, Guantánamo, 1 May. 2002, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1475-1477; one female, one male, *Vitis vinifera* L., Sancti Spíritus, 1 Oct. 2002, collector: Marisel Santos, CPQL No. 1478; four females, *Waltheria indica* L., Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque, 9 Mar. 2010, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 1857-1858.

**Previous distribution** — Brazil, China, Congo, Korea, Costa Rica, USA, Egypt, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Ukraine, (Lin & Zhang, 2002), Iran, (Gheblealivand et al., 2018)

**Remarks** — Diagnostic characters agree with the literature. Found associated with the inflorescences of plants

**Xenotarsonemus cadeae Cromroy, 1958**

*Xenotarsonemus cadeae* Cromroy, 1958, 115

(Fig. 5 G)

**Material examined** — three females, six males, *Thelypteris* sp., Río Santa Cruz, Pinar del Río, 26 Jul. 2001, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL N°2680, 2682-2684, 2689,2690; one male, *Eichornia azurea* (Kunth) Solms, Presa Ejército Rebelde, Havana, 17 Nov. 2016, collector: Pedro de la Torre, CPQL No. 2691.

**Previous distribution** — Puerto Rico (Lin & Zhang, 2002)

**Remarks** — Diagnostic characters agree with the literature. Dimensions of the main body structures of both sexes are provided due to the limited data available in the literature on this species:

Females (2 specimens measured): Idiosoma length 147 (141-153); idiosoma width 98 (93-103); *v1* 21 (21); *sc2* 28 (26-30); *c1* 13 (13-14); *c2* 22 (22-23); *d* 13 (12-14); *e* 11 (11-12); *f* 13 (13); *h* 15 (15); *la* 8 (8); *2a* 10 (10); *3a* 11 (9-13); *3b* 9 (8-10); *ps* 6 (6); ω tarsus I 8 (8); ω tarsus II 5 (5-6); setae *tc"* tarsus IV 35 (35); *Φ1* Tibia I 3 (3); *Φ2* Tibia I 3 (3); *k* Tibia I 5 (5); leg IV: setae *v'ti* 28 (27-29); setae *v'F* 9 (9); setae *v'G*, 14 (14-15).

Males (7 specimens measured): length idiosoma 110 (100-116); idiosoma width 80 (76-86); *v1* 20 (19-21); *v2* 11 (10-12); *sc1* 28 (25-30); *sc2* 28 (26-32); *c1* 20 (15-22); *c2* 23 (21-26); *d* 34 (31-37); *e* 11 (11-12); *h* 1 (1-2); *la* 5 (4-6); *2a* 6 (5-7); *3a* 6 (14-20); *3b* 15 (14-16); ω tarsus I 8 (6-10); ω tarsus II 8 (8-10); *Φ1* Tibia I 3 (3-4); *Φ2* Tibia I 5 (4-6); *k* Tibia I 4 (4-5); leg IV: setae *v'ti* 31 (30-32); setae *v'F* 8 (7-8); setae *v'G* 23; (22-26); setae *l* 7 (6-8); *Φ* Tibia 11 (10-15).

In the CPQL Acarology collection there are more specimens of Tarsonemidae awaiting correct identification. Some species may be new to science, so much more effort is needed in collecting and taxonomic work. Mainly the genera *Fungitarsonemus* and *Tarsonemus* need to be studied due to their wide biodiversity in the country. In addition, it would allow a better
management strategy for possible pests such as in the case of *S. comosus* in pineapple. It is likely
that the distribution of the species mentioned in this work is even wider in Central America
and the Caribbean than known today. With this publication, the fauna of Tarsonemidae in Cuba
rises to 19 species. This is a starting point for further taxonomic studies of this interesting
family

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to José M. Rezende, Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), Brazil for providing photos of *Fungitarsonemus lodici*; To Dr. Alexander Khaustov of Tyumen State University, Tyumen, Russia; Dr. Antonio Carlos Lofego of the Institute of Biosciences, Humanities and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), Brazil and to Dr. Ronald Ochoa Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA, USA for the literature provided.

ORCID

Pedro Enrique de la Torre Santana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3728-0697

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