# New records and taxonomic notes on the genus Mediolata Canestrini (Acari: Stigmaeidae) from Greece

Theodoros I Stathakis, Eleftheria V Kapaxidi

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## To cite this version:

Theodoros I Stathakis, Eleftheria V Kapaxidi. New records and taxonomic notes on the genus Mediolata Canestrini (Acari: Stigmaeidae) from Greece. Acarologia, 2025, 65 (4), pp.1136-1157. 10.24349/jgnq-xm2y. hal-05387144

HAL Id: hal-05387144

https://hal.science/hal-05387144v1

Submitted on 28 Nov 2025

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Acarologia

Open Science
in Acarology

# New records and taxonomic notes on the genus *Mediolata* Canestrini (Acari: Stigmaeidae) from Greece

Theodoros I. Stathakis IDª, Eleftheria V. Kapaxidi IDᵇ

## Original research

### ABSTRACT

The genus *Mediolata* Canestrini (Raphignathoidea: Stigmaeidae), comprising predominantly predatory mites, is recorded from Greece for the first time. This study reports the presence of four species—*Mediolata pini* Canestrini, *M. polinae* Kuznetsov, *M. aegyptiaca* (Zaher & Soliman), and *M. granaria* González-Rodríguez—collected from a wide range of habitats and host plants across the country. Detailed redescriptions are provided for each species, along with distribution data and ecological notes. Taxonomic inconsistencies in prior literature, including misidentifications and synonymies, are discussed. Additionally, a revised key to all valid adult species of the genus *Mediolata* is presented

**Keywords** Raphignathoidea; predatory mites; Greek fauna; taxonomy

http://zoobank.org/FA4E9364-28CB-4CF8-8918-1575816FCCD2

## Introduction

Species of the genus *Mediolata* Canestrini (Trombidiformes: Stigmaeidae) have been reported from a wide range of habitats, including plants, leaf mold, moss, lichen, soil, and litter (Doğan and Ayyıldız 2004; Dönel and Doğan 2012). This genus is among the most frequently encountered stigmaeid mites in the foliage of orchard trees, along with *Agistemus* Summers and *Zetzellia* Oudemans (Hussey and Huffaker 1976). Members of *Mediolata* are predominantly predatory, feeding on spider mites and other small arthropods (Fan and Zhang 2005; Faraji and Ueckermann 2006).

The only known fossil representative of the family Stigmaeidae is *Mediolata eocenica*, described from Late Eocene Rovno amber by Kuznetsov et al. (2010). Beron (2020) listed 38 valid species within the genus. However, there has been long-standing taxonomic confusion regarding the placement of certain species, which have at times been assigned either to the genus *Mediolata* or to genera belonging to the family Eupalopsellidae. The most recently described species of the genus is *M. neocalifornica* (Khaustov 2022).

To date, 42 stigmaeid species have been recorded from Greece, belonging to the genera *Agistemus*, *Eustigmaeus* Berlese, *Postumius* Kuznetsov, *Stigmaeus* Koch, *Storchia* Oudemans, and *Zetzellia* (González-Rodríguez 1965; Papaioannou-Souliotis et al. 1994; Kapaxidi and Papadoulis 1999; Kapaxidi et al. 2013; Stathakis et al. 2014, 2016, 2019). The present study aims to contribute to the knowledge of the stigmaeid fauna of Greece by providing new records of the genus *Mediolata*.

Received 03 July 2025
Accepted 10 November 2025
Published 14 November 2025

Corresponding author
Theodoros I. Stathakis ID:
theostathakis1@gmail.com

Academic editor
Faraji, Farid

https://doi.org/10.24349/jgnq-xm2y

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

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Stathakis T. I. and Kapaxidi E. V.

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

<footnote>ª Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos str., 11855, Athens, Greece and Laboratory of Acarology and Agricultural Zoology, Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Str., Kifissia, Greece.</footnote>

<footnote>ᵇ Laboratory of Acarology and Agricultural Zoology, Scientific Directorate of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Str., Kifissia, Greece</footnote>
**Material and methods**

Plant samples were collected by the authors, during 2009–2023 from many localities of Greece. Mites were extracted using the Berlese-Tullgren funnels and stored in 70% ethanol. Permanent mounts were made using Hoyer’s medium. Additionally, unidentified specimens, previously collected by Dr. E.V. Kapaxidi and deposited in the Acari collection of Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, were examined.

Drawings were made in pencil using a drawing tube (camera lucida) attached to a Zeiss Axioskop 2 microscope and inked with Rotring rapidograph pens. For preparation of the digital illustrations CorelDRAW X8 was used. Photos were taken with an Euromex Camera model CMEX 5.0 adapted to the microscope. Measurements were made from slide-mounted specimens using stage calibrated ocular micrometers. The length of the idiosoma was measured from the anterior margin to the posterior margin, the width at its broadest part. Body length was measured from the anterior margin of idiosoma to its posterior one, and the width at its broadest part. Setae were measured from the center of the alveoli to their tips; distances between setae were measured as the distance from the center of one setal base to the other. Legs were measured from the base of coxae to the base of tarsal claws. The measurements are followed by the range in parentheses. All measurements are given in micrometres (µm).

For the descriptions, the palp, leg and idiosomal chaetotaxy follows Grandjean (1944, 1946) as adapted by Kethley (1990).

All specimens are deposited in LAZAU (The Acari collection of Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece).

**Taxonomy**

**Family Stigmaeidae Oudemans, 1931**

**Genus Mediolata Canestrini, 1889**

Type species: *Stigmaeus longirostris* Berlese, 1887

**Mediolata pini Canestrini**

(Figures 1–3)

*Mediolata pini* Canestrini, 1889: 525

*Eupalopsis pini* — Berlese, 1882: 54

*Eupalopsis pinicola* Oudemans, 1923: 149 (Synonymy by Summers, 1960: 121)

*Eupalopsis punctulata* Oudemans, 1923: 149 (Synonymy by Summers, 1960: 121)

*Eupalopsis reticulata* Berlese, 1910: 208 (Synonymy by Oudemans, 1923: 149)

**Redescription**

**Female** — Six specimens measured 300–355 long (excluding gnathosoma), 220–240 wide.

*Dorsum* (Figure 1A) – Oval. Dorsal shields entirely cover dorsum, ornamented with polygonal dimples. Each dimple with row of vacuoles around periphery of crater. Dorsal setae rod-like with few spines (Fig. 1C). Prodorsal shield with four pairs of setae, *vi* 28–34, *ve* 38–44, *sci* 36–38, *sce* 42–44, one pair of eyes 10–14 and one pair of postocular bodies (*pob*) 24–26 in diameter (Fig. 11A). Dorsal hysterosomal area C–F covered with two transversally divided shields (CD and EF). Shield CD with three pairs of setae, *c1* 32–36, *d1* 32–34 and *d2* 32–36; shield EF with three pairs of setae, *e1* 32–36, *e2* 36–40 and *f1* 46–50. Suranal shield (H) with two pairs of setae, *h1* 34–38 and *h2* 32–38. Distances between setae: *vi–vi* 20–26, *ve–ve* 63–75, *sci–sci* 110–125, *sce–sce* 170–195, *vi–ve* 30–40, *ve–sci* 30–38, *sci–sce* 42–50, *c1–c1* 63–71, *d1–d1* 61–67, *d2–d2* 110–160, *e1–e1* 46–53, *e2–e2* 125–130, *f1–f1* 61–65, *h1–h1* 24–50, *h2–h2* 61–77, *c1–d1* 55–59, *c1–d2* 63–69, *d1–d2* 42–51, *e1–e2* 40–46, *h1–h2* 28–28.
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Mediolata pini* Canestrini (female). A – Dorsal view; B – Ventral view; C – Idiosomal setae; D – Anogenital region; E – Palp; F – Subcapitulum.</figcaption></figure>
IV 190-205. Counts of setae and solenidia on legs I-IV: coxe 2 (1b, 1c)+el, 1 (2c), 2 (3b, 3c), 2 (4b, 4c); trochanters 1 (v'), 1 (v'), 1 (v'), 1 (v'); femora 4 (d, l', l", bv"), 4 (d, l', l", bv"), 2 (d, ev'), 1 (ev'); genua 2 (d, k), 1 (d), 1 (d), 1 (d); tibiae 5 (dζ, l', l", v', v")+1φp, 5 (d, l', l", v', v")+1φp, 5 (d, l', l", v', v")+1φp, 5 (d, l', l", v', v")+1φp, 4 (d, l", v', v")+1φp; tarsi 11 (p'ζ, p"ζ, tc'ζ, tc"ζ, ft', ft", u', u", a', a", vs)+1ω, 9 (p'ζ, tc'ζ, tc", u', u", a', a", pl', vs)+1ω, 7 (tc', tc", u', u", a', a", vs)+1ω, 7 (tc', tc", u', u", a', a", vs)+1ω. Length of famuli and solenidia: kI 5, φpI 17-19, φpII 15-19, φpIII 10-11, φpIV 11-12, ωI 12-14, ωII 12-15, ωIII 6-9, ωIV 2.

**Male** — One specimen measured, 300 long (excluding gnathosoma), 200 wide.

*Dorsum* (Figure 3A) – Oval. Dorsal ornamentation and setae as in female. Sutures on dorsal surface are indistinct due to mounting process. Prodorsal area with four pairs of setae, *vi* 20, *ve* 36, *sci* 28, *sce* 40, one pair of eyes 10 and one pair of postocular bodies (*pob*) 28 in diameter. Dorsal hysterosomal area with eight pairs of setae, *c1* 26, *d1* 24, *d2* 30, *e1* 20, *e2* 30, *f1* 40, *h1* 16 and *h2* 26. Distances between setae: *vi–vi* 30, *ve–ve* 67, *sci–sci* 110, *sce–sce* 165, *vi–ve* 32, *ve–sci* 34, *sci–sce* 38, *c1–c1* 60, *d1–d1* 48, *d2–d2* 125, *e1–e1* 28, *e2–e2* 105, *f1–f1* 55, *h1–h1* 22, *h2–h2* 55, *c1–d1* 48, *c1–d2* 53, *d1–d2* 40, *e1–e2* 40, *h1–h2* 18.

*Venter* (Figure 3B) – Ventral setae *1a* 31, *3a* 39 and *4a* 31 in length. Aggenital area, with two pairs of aggenital setae, *ag1* 19 and *ag2* 31; anal valves with three pairs of pseudanal setae, *ps1* 6, *ps2* 8 and *ps3* 12.

*Gnathosoma* – Movable cheliceral digits 36 in length. Palp 90 in length. Counts of setae and solenidia as in female. Subcapitulum bearing supracoxal setae (*ep*), two pairs of adoral setae (*or1*, *or2*) and one pair of subcapitular setae, *m* 31. Distance between subcapitular setae: *m–m* 16.

*Legs* (Figures 3C-F) – Length of legs: leg I 185, leg II 180, leg III 175, leg IV 185. Counts of setae and solenidia as in female, except for additional male solenidia on tarsi I-II: Length of famuli and solenidia: kI 3, φpI 16, φpII 16, φpIII 10, φpIV 11, ωI 15, ωII 15, ωIII 15, ωIV 15, ωI♂ 13, ωII♂ 15.

## Material examined

Five females and 1 male ex litter under *Juniperus* sp. (Cupressaceae), Voras Mountain, Co. Pella (N40°58′48.1″ E21°54′56.8″, 791m), 22 Jul. 1994. 1 female ex moss, Dasiko Chorio, Co. Xanthi (N41°19′10.3″ E24°42′11.5″, 1188m), 23 May 2015.

## Distribution

Holarctic: Austria, Azerbaijan, Canada, Crimea, Egypt, Italy, Latvia, Moldavia, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA (Beron 2020; Khaustov 2022) and Greece (this study).

## Remarks

*Mediolata pini* Canestrini is recorded for the first time from Greece. Morphological features and measurements of the Greek specimens are very close to those in the re-descriptions provided by Summers (1960), Dilkaraoğlu *et al.* (2016a) and Khaustov (2022). The species is linked to forest ecosystems and is predominantly encountered in coniferous litter (e.g., pine, fir, juniper, spruce), on tree trunks, and within mosses (Summers 1960; Gonzalez-Rodriguez 1965; Dilkaraoğlu *et al.* 2016a; Khaustov 2022).

## *Mediolata polinae Kuznetsov*

(Figures 4, 5)

*Mediolata polinae* Kuznetsov, 1978: 52

## Redescription

**Female** — Seven specimens measured 260–330 long (excluding gnathosoma), 130–170 wide.

*Dorsum* (Figure 4A) – Fusiform. Dorsal shields partially cover dorsum, smooth. Dorsal setae lanceolate, serrate (Fig. 4C). Prodorsal shield with three pairs of setae, *vi* 16–18, *ve*
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3** *Mediolata pini* Canestrini (male). A – Dorsal view; B – Anogenital region; C – Tarsus I; D – Tarsus II; E – Tarsus III; F – Tarsus IV.</figcaption></figure>

18–22, *sci* 20–24, one pair of eyes 10 and one pair of postocular bodies (*pob*), 14 in diameter.
Setae *sce* 28–32 on auxiliary platelets (Fig. 11B). Dorsal hysterosomal area C–F covered with
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4** *Mediolata polinae* Kuznetsov (female). A – Dorsal view; B – Ventral view; C – Idiosomal setae; D – Anogenital region; E – Palp; F – Subcapitulum.</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5** *Mediolata polinae* Kuznetsov (female). A – Leg I; B – Leg II; C – Leg III; D – Leg IV.</figcaption></figure>

**Mediolata aegyptiaca (Zaher & Soliman)**

(Figures 6–8)

*Eupalopsis aegyptiaca* Zaher & Soliman, 1966: 421

*Mediolata aegyptiaca* — Yousef and Shehata 1971: 367

*Eupalopsis pentascuta* Zaher & Gomaa, 1979: 549 (Synonymy by Faraji and Ueckermann 2006)

**Redescription**

**Female** — Ten specimens measured 280–315 long (excluding gnathosoma), 175–190 wide.

*Dorsum* (Figure 6A) – Oval; length of body (excluding gnathosoma) 280–315, width 175–
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6** *Mediolata aegyptiaca* (Zaher & Soliman) (female). A – Dorsal view; B – Ventral view; C – Idiosomal setae; D – Anogenital region; E – Palp; F – Subcapitulum.</figcaption></figure>
190. Dorsal shields entirely cover dorsum, ornamented with numerous and densely arranged vacuoles. Dorsal setae lanceolate, serrate (Fig. 6C). Prodorsal shield with four pairs of setae, *vi* 28–30, *ve* 40–46, *sci* 36–44, *sce* 40–46, one pair of eyes 10 and one pair of postocular bodies (*pob*), 20 in diameter (Fig. 11C). Dorsal hysterosomal area C–F covered with three incompletely divided shields (CD, E and F). Shield CD with three pairs of setae, *cl* 30–38, *dl* 32–38 and *d2* 34–36. Shield E with two pairs of setae, *el* 40–42 and *e2* 40–44. Shield F with setae *fl* 46–51. Suranal shield (H) with two pairs of setae, *hl* 36–42 and *h2* 32–36. Distances between setae: *vi–vi* 22–30, *ve–ve* 57–67, *sci–sci* 87–99, *sce–sce* 140–155, *vi–ve* 24–32, *ve–sci* 30–34, *sci–sce* 32–42, *cl–cl* 48–55, *dl–dl* 48–53, *d2–d2* 120–140, *el–el* 36–44, *e2–e2* 95–105, *fl–fl* 51–61, *hl–hl* 22–28, *h2–h2* 46–59, *cl–dl* 50–55, *cl–d2* 53–63, *dl–d2* 34–42, *el–e2* 36–40, *hl–h2* 18–20.

*Venter* (Figures 6B,D) – Ventral setae *la* 39–54, *3a* 39–50 and *4a* 23–31 in length. Aggenital area, with three pairs of aggenital setae, *agl* 19–23, *ag2* 19 and *ag3* 23–31; anogenital valves with one pair of genital setae, *gl* 13–15 and three pairs of pseudanal setae, *psl* 17–19, *ps2* 15–19 and *ps3* 12–15.

*Gnathosoma* – Movable cheliceral digits 40–44 in length. Counts of setae and solenidia from palptrochanter to palptarsus: 0, 2 (*d*, *v*'), 2 (*d*, *l''*), 3 (*d*, *l''*, *l''*) + 1 claw, 8 (fused *ul''ζ*, *ul''ζ* and *sulζ*, *acmζ*, *ba*, *bp*, *lp*, *va*) + 1ω (Fig. 6E). Subcapitulum bearing supracoxal setae (*ep*), two pairs of adoral setae (*orl*, *or2*) and one pair of subcapitular setae, *m* 27–31 (Fig. 6F). Distance between subcapitular setae: *m–m* 19–23.

*Legs* (Figures 7A–D) – Length of legs: leg I 185–205, leg II 160–190, leg III 160–170, leg IV 180–195. Counts of setae and solenidia on legs I–IV: coxae 2 (*lb*, *lc*)+*el*, 1 (*2c*), 2 (*3b*, *3c*), 2 (*4b*, *4c*); trochanters 1 (*v*'), 1 (*v*'), 1 (*v*'), 0; femora 5 (*d*, *l''*, *l''*, *v''*, *bv''*), 5 (*d*, *l''*, *l''*, *v''*, *bv''*), 2 (*d*, *ev*'), 1 (*ev*'); genua 4 (*d*, *l''*, *l''*, *k*), 3 (*d*, *l''*, *l''*), 1 (*d*), 1 (*d*); tibiae 5 (*dζ*, *l''*, *l''*, *v''*, *v''*)+1φρ, 5 (*d*, *l''*, *l''*, *v''*, *v''*)+1φρ, 5 (*d*, *l''*, *l''*, *v''*, *v''*)+1φρ; tarsi 11 (*pζ*, *p''ζ*, *tcζ*, *tc''ζ*, *ft'*, *ft''*, *u'*, *u''*, *a'*, *a''*, *vs*)+1ω, 9 (*pζ*, *tc'ζ*, *tc''*, *u'*, *u''*, *a'*, *a''*, *pl'*, *vs*)+1ω, 7 (*tc'*, *tc''*, *u'*, *u''*, *a'*, *a''*, *vs*)+1ω, 7 (*tc'*, *tc''*, *u'*, *u''*, *a'*, *a''*, *vs*)+1ω. Length of spines and solenidia: κΙ 4–5, φρΙ 13–15, φρΙΙ 11–14, φρΙΙΙ 9–12, φρΙV 9–10, ωΙ 8–10, ωΙΙ 8–12, ωΙΙΙ 5–8, ωΙV 4–5.

MALE. Three specimens measured 235–260 long (excluding gnathosoma), 160–180 wide.

*Dorsum* (Figure 8A) – Oval. Dorsal ornamentation and setae as in female. Prodorsal shield with four pairs of setae, *vi* 24–28, *ve* 42, *sci* 34–40, *sce* 40, one pair of eyes 12 and one pair of postocular bodies (*pob*) 18–20 in diameter. Dorsal hysterosomal area C–F covered with three transversally divided shields (CD, E and F). Shield CD with three pairs of setae, *cl* 30–34, *dl* 28–32 and *d2* 32–34. Shield E with two pairs of setae, *el* 16–22, *e2* 38–42. Shield F with one pair of setae *fl* 40–46. Suranal shield (H) with two pairs of setae, *hl* 20–24 and *h2* 32–34. Distances between setae: *vi–vi* 24–28, *ve–ve* 57–61, *sci–sci* 85–97, *sce–sce* 115–125, *vi–ve* 22–24, *ve–sci* 26–30, *sci–sce* 30–32, *cl–cl* 42–48, *dl–dl* 40–42, *d2–d2* 105–110, *el–el* 32–34, *e2–e2* 83–90, *fl–fl* 44–46, *hl–hl* 28–30, *h2–h2* 42–50, *cl–dl* 44–48, *cl–d2* 50–55, *dl–d2* 32–34, *el–e2* 28–30, *hl–h2* 10–12.

*Venter* (Figure 8B) – Ventral setae *la* 35–42, *3a* 30–40 and *4a* 23 in length. Aggenital area, with two pairs of aggenital setae, *agl* 17–19 and *ag2* 23–25; anal valves with three pairs of pseudanal setae, *psl* 5, *ps2* 8 and *ps3* 10.

*Gnathosoma* – Movable cheliceral digits 36 in length. Palp 90–95 in length. Counts of setae and solenidia as in female. Subcapitulum bearing supracoxal setae (*ep*), two pairs of adoral setae (*orl*, *or2*) and one pair of subcapitular setae, *m* 23–27. Distance between subcapitular setae: *m–m* 17.

*Legs* (Figures 8C–F) – Length of legs: leg I 180–200, leg II 160–170, leg III 165–170, leg IV 180. Counts of setae and solenidia as in female, except for additional male solenidia on tarsi I–II: Length of famuli and solenidia: κΙ 4, φρΙ 12–13, φρΙΙ 11–12, φρΙΙΙ 9–10, φρΙV 8–10, ωΙ 9–12, ωΙΙ 9–11, ωΙΙΙ 13–14, ωΙV 12–15, ωΙ♂ 8–10, ωΙΙ♂ 12.
<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 7** *Mediolata aegyptiaca* (Zaher & Soliman) (female). A – Leg I; B – Leg II; C – Leg III; D – Leg IV.</figcaption></figure>

**Material examined**

One female ex *Populus alba* L. (Salicaceae), Aliakmonas River, Co. Kozani (N40°19'06.7" E21°25'15.2", 553m), 2 Jul. 2011. 1 female ex *Pyrus amygdaliformis* Vill. (Rosaceae), Anthiro, Co. Karditsa (N39°20'50.3" E21°27'39.9", 710m), 23 Jul. 2011. 1 female ex *Quercus coccifera* L., Mantoudi, Co. Evia (N38°47'48.5" E23°28'12.2", 47m), 3 Dec. 2011. 2 females ex *Olea europea* L. (Oleaceae), Peza, Co. Heraklion, Crete Island (N35°13'13.3" E25°11'36.8", 286m), 28 Jun. 2012. 1 female ex *Q. coccifera*, Aghios Petros, Lefkada Island (N38°39'37.8"
<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 8** *Mediolata aegyptiaca* (Zaher & Soliman) (male). A – Dorsal view; B – Anogenital region; C – Tarsus I; D – Tarsus II; E – Tarsus III; F – Tarsus IV.</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_11.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 9** *Mediolata granaria* González-Rodríguez (female). A – Dorsal view; B – Ventral view; C – Idiosomal setae; D – Anogenital region; E – Palp; F – Subcapitulum.</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_12.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 10** *Mediolata granaria* González-Rodríguez (female). A – Leg I; B – Leg II; C – Leg III; D – Leg IV.</figcaption></figure>

*sulζ, acmζ, ba, bp, lp, va)+ 1ω* (Fig. 9E). Subcapitulum bearing supracoxal setae (*ep*), two pairs of adoral setae (*or1, or2*) and one pair of subcapitular setae, *m* 23–27 (Fig. 9F). Distance between subcapitular setae: *m–m* 19–23.

*Legs* (Figures 10A–D) – Length of legs: leg I 175–210, leg II 150–185, leg III 155–180, leg IV 175–190. Counts of setae and solenidia on legs I–IV: coaxae 2 (*1b, 1c)+el*, 1 (*2c*), 2 (*3b*,
3c), 2 (4b, 4c); trochanters 1 (v'), 1 (v'), 1 (v'), 0; femora 5 (d, l', l'', v', bv''), 5 (d, l', l'', v', bv''), 2 (d, ev'), 1 (ev'); genua 4 (d, l', l'', k), 3 (d, l', l''), 1 (d), 1 (d); tibiae 5 (dζ, l', l'', v', v'')+1φp, 5 (d, l', l'', v', v'')+1φp, 5 (d, l', l'', v', v'')+1φp, 5 (d, l', l'', v', v'')+1φp; tarsi 11 (p'ζ, p''ζ, tc'ζ, tc''ζ, ft', ft'', u', u'', a', a'', vs)+1ω, 9 (p'ζ, tc'ζ, tc'', u', u'', a', a'', pl', vs)+1ω, 7 (tc', tc'', u', u'', a', a'', vs)+1ω, 7 (tc', tc'', u', u'', a', a'', vs)+1ω. Length of spines and solenidia: κI 4, φpI 10–15, φpII 9–13, φpIII 9–10, φpIV 8–9, ωI 8–9, ωII 8–10, ωIII 5–8, ωIV 4–5.

Male — Not found.

**Material examined**

One female ex *Robinia pseudoacacia* L. (Fabaceae), Baltouma, Co. Ioannina (N39°41'44.4" E20°59'51.3", 482m), 3 Jul. 2011. 1 female ex lichen, Lechovo, Co. Florina (N40°35'11.7" E21°29'11.7", 907), 25 Feb. 2014. 1 female ex *Q. coccifera*, Sarantaporo, Co. Larissa (N40°03'50.4" E22°02'51.8", 803m), 25 Mar. 2014. 1 female ex *Helichrysum* sp. (Asteraceae), Finikounda, Co. Messinia (N36°48'37.5" E21°48'44.5", 22), 20 Apr. 2015.

**Distribution**

Holarctic: Poland, Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA (Beron 2020; Khaustov 2022) and Greece (this study)

**Remarks**

*Mediolata granaria* González-Rodríguez is reported from Greece for the first time. Originally described from grain sievings in Oregon, USA, the species has since been recorded on the bark of various forest trees, including pine, oak, and birch (González-Rodríguez 1965; Dönel and Doğan 2012; Khaustov 2022). In the present study, specimens were collected from lichen and plants characteristic of Mediterranean maquis vegetation. The morphological features and measurements of the Greek specimens closely match those of the original description, as well as subsequent redescriptions by Dönel and Doğan (2012) and Khaustov (2022), except for the prodorsal shield, which in other known specimens is concave posteriorly and slightly invaded by striae.

**Discussion**

The discovery of *M. pini*, *M. polinae*, *M. aegyptiaca*, and *M. granaria* increases the number of known stigmaeid mite species in Greece to 46.

The differences observed in the number of aggenital setae between the holotype of *M. polinae* and the Greek specimens are not unique. Similar variations in setal number have been reported in several stigmaeid species, including members of the genera *Eustigmaeus*, *Stigmaeus*, and *Storchia* (Dilkaraoğlu *et al.* 2016b; Bingül *et al.* 2017; Khaustov 2019; Doğan *et al.* 2022). For instance, *Eustigmaeus pinnatus* (Kuznetsov, 1977) was originally described from European Russia based on two females (Kuznetsov 1977a) and was characterized by the unusual presence of four pairs of pseudanal setae. Examination of the holotype by Khaustov (2019) revealed an abnormal, asymmetrical number of aggenital and pseudanal setae, leading to the designation of this species as a senior synonym of *E. ioanninensis* Kapaxidi & Papadoulis, 1999, which bears three pairs of aggenital and three pairs of pseudanal setae — a typical pattern for the genus.

In the case of *M. polinae*, it remains unclear whether the four pairs of aggenital setae exhibit a symmetrical pattern, as only one half of the ventral surface was illustrated and no additional details were provided in the original description. Further examination of the type material is therefore necessary to confirm this. These cases underscore the considerable morphological variability that may occur within the family Stigmaeidae and highlight the importance of recognizing and accounting for such anomalies in both taxonomic and ecological research.
<figure><img src="image_13.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 11** Prodorsal area (females). A – *Mediolata pini* Canestrini; B – *Mediolata polinae* Kuznetsov; C – *Mediolata aegyptiaca* (Zaher & Soliman); D – *Mediolata granaria* González-Rodríguez.</figcaption></figure>

The number of valid species currently assigned to the genus *Mediolata* differs from that listed by Beron (2020), as several taxonomic revisions have since been proposed. For instance, *M. mirus* Chaudhri, Akbar & Rasool has been transferred to *Exothorhis* Summers (Eupalopsellidae) (Faraji & Ueckermann 2006; Khan *et al.* 2024), while *M. olearius* (Zaher & Gomaa), originally described as *Eupalopsis olearius*, was incorrectly placed in *Mediolata* by Beron (2020) and should instead be considered a member of the family Eupalopsellidae.

In addition, *M. serrata* Podder *et al.* (2005) appears to be misassigned to *Mediolata* due to the dorsomedial position of the propodosomal setae *sci*. This species most likely belongs to the family Eupalopsellidae; however, the unusual arrangement of the hysterosomal setae and the lack of key diagnostic details, such as the presence or absence of hysterosomal shields, make it impossible to confidently assign it to a specific genus. Examination of the type material is
therefore essential to clarify its true taxonomic placement.

Finally, *M. pentascuta* (Zaher & Gomaa) is considered a junior synonym of *M. aegyptiaca* (Zaher & Soliman), as confirmed by Z.R. Soliman (Faraji & Ueckermann 2006). Considering all the above, the total number of valid species currently recognized within *Mediolata* is 35.

## Key to world species of the genus *Mediolata* Canestrini based on adults

Modified after Faraji and Ueckermann 2006 and Khaustov 2022

The fossil species *M. eocenica* Kuznetsov, Khaustov & Perkovsky and *M. ronaldi* Laniecka described from deutonymph are excluded from the key.

1. Femur I with 4 setae .................................................. 2
— Femur I with 5 setae.................................................. 13

2. Femur III with 3 setae.................................................. 3
— Femur III with 2 setae.................................................. 5

3. Tarsus II with 10+1ω .................................................. *M. neocalifornica* Khaustov
— Tarsus II with 9+1ω .................................................. 4

4. Setae *f1, h1, h2* on the same opisthosomal shield......... *M. californica* González-Rodríguez
— Setae *h1* and *h2* on separate suranal shield.................. *M. turcica* Dönel & Doğan

5. Genu I with 2+1k .................................................... 6
— Genu I with 1+1k .................................................... 9

6. Palpgenu with 2 setae .................................................. *M. acus* (Summers)
— Palpgenu with 1 seta.................................................. 7

7. Trochanter IV with 1 seta ............................................ *M. mariaefrancae* André
— Trochanter IV nude.................................................. 8

8. Tarsus I with 11+1ω .................................................. *M. polinae* Kuznetsov
— Tarsus I with 10+1ω .................................................. *M. chanti* González-Rodríguez

9. Trochanter IV nude; palp femur with 1 seta .................... *M. delicata* Fan & Zhang
— Trochanter IV with 1 seta; palp femur with 2 setae ............ 10

10. Two pairs of aggenital setae .................................... *M. petilus* Doğan & Ayyıldız
— Three pairs of aggenital setae.................................... 11

11. Hysterosomal area CF covered with a single shield............ *M. obtecta* Dönel & Doğan
— Hysterosomal area CF covered with more shields.................. 12

12. Hysterosomal area CF covered with two ornamented shields............ *M. pini* Canestrini
— Hysterosomal area CF covered with three smooth shields.................. *M. uspenskii* Kuznetsov & Sizova

13. Femur II with 5 setae .................................................. 14
— Femur II with 4 setae.................................................. 21

14. Palpfemur with 3 setae .................................................. *M. horrida* Momen
— Palpfemur with 2 setae.................................................. 15
15. Tibia IV with 4+1φρ.................................................. M. ozkani Dönel & Doğan
— Tibia IV with 5+1φρ.................................................. 16

16. Genu II with 1 seta.................................................. M. ornatula González-Rodríguez
— Genu II with more than 1 seta.................................. 17

17. Genu II with 2 setae.................................................. M. conserva Kuznetsov
— Genu II with more than 2 setae................................ 18

18. Genu I with 3 setae (k absent).................................. M. belfieldi Momen
— Genu I with 3+1k.................................................. 19

19. Dorsal shields ornamented with polygonal dimples with vacuoles.................... M. similans González-Rodríguez
— Dorsal shields ornamented with irregularly scattered vacuoles.................. 20

20. Dorsum completely covered with dorsal shields............ M. aegyptiaca (Zaher & Soliman)
— Dorsal shields somewhat reduced.......................... M. granaria González-Rodríguez

21. Femur III with 3 setae.................................................. 22
— Femur III with 2 setae.................................................. 28

22. Trochanter IV with 1 seta.................................................. 23
— Trochanter IV nude.................................................. 24

23. Dorsal setae stout; setae ve longer than ve-sci; setae c1 as long as or longer than c1-c1...
— Dorsal setae slender; setae ve shorter than ve-sci; setae c1 shorter than c1-c1............
— Dorsal setae stout; setae sci reaching base of d1............ M. mollis Wood

24. Palpgenu with 2 setae.................................................. M. robusta González-Rodríguez
— Palpgenu with 1 seta.................................................. 25

25. Dorsal shields ornamented with polygonal dimples with vacuoles.................... 26
— Dorsal shields ornamented with polygonal reticulum without vacuoles.................. 27

26. Setae c1 and d1 longer than c1-c1 and d1-d1 respectively............ M. woodi Fan & Zhang
— Setae c1 and d1 shorter than c1-c1 and d1-d1 respectively............ M. oleariae Wood

27. Dorsal setae slender; setae sci about half distance sci-d1.................. M. simplex Wood
— Dorsal setae stout; setae sci reaching base of d1.................. M. polylocularis Fan & Zhang

28. Trochanter IV with 1 seta.................................................. M. zonaria Fan & Zhang
— Trochanter IV nude.................................................. 29

29. Genu I with 1+1k.................................................. M. xerxes Fan & Zhang
— Genu I with 2+1k or 3+1k.................................................. 30

30. Genu I with 2+1k.................................................. 31
— Genu I with 3+1k.................................................. 32

31. Hysterosomal area CF covered with three shields; palpgenu with 2 setae.................. M. roigi Faraji & Ueckermann
— Hysterosomal area CF covered with a single shield; palpgenu with 1 seta .................... *M. whenua* Fan & Zhang

32. Genu II with 3 setae; palpgenu with 2 setae .................... *M. longirostris* (Berlese)
— Genu II with 1 seta; palpgenu with 1 seta.................... *M. brevisetis* Wood

ORCID

Theodoros I. Stathakis https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8023-1797

Eleftheria V. Kapaxidi https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3185-5695

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