Ascidae
Creators: name: De Moraes, Gilberto J.
name: Britto, Erika P. J.
name: Mineiro, Jefferson L. De C.
name: Halliday, Bruce
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Mesostigmata
Ascidae

description: Key to the World Genera of Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae based on adult females (except where otherwise indicated)
1. Third pair of sternal lyrifissures (iv3) off sternal shield (rarely on sternal shield in Lasioseius, absent in Krantzoseius and Mucroseius as well as in some Aceodromus and Proctolaelaps), usually inserted on metasternal plates together with sternal seta st4 when metasternal plates are present (Fig. 2); peritrematic shield broadly connected (Fig. 2) or not connected to exopodal shield beside coxa IV (Fig. 82); fixed cheliceral digit with setiform pilus dentilis (Fig. 5) or membranous lobe (Fig. 6); movable cheliceral digit variable, often tridentate............................................................ 2
- Third pair of sternal lyrifissures on posterolateral corners of sternal shield (on unsclerotised cuticle in Ectoantennoseius and some Anephiasca, absent in Anystipalpus and some Antennoseius) and st4 usually on unsclerotised cuticle (Fig. 26); peritrematic shield broadly connected to exopodal shield beside coxa IV; fixed cheliceral digit with setiform pilus dentilis; movable cheliceral digit usually bidentate............................................................ ASCIDAE 3
2. Fixed cheliceral digit with setiform pilus dentilis; movable cheliceral digit without pointed ventral process (mucro); peritrematic shield broadly fused posteriorly with exopodal shield, curving behind coxa IV; with phytoseiid-type sperm access system (except Zercoseius) (Fig. 9); genital shield usually truncate posteriorly; ventrianal shield usually bearing 2–7 pairs of setae in addition to the circumanal setae...................................................... BLATTISOCIIDAE 20
- Fixed cheliceral digit with a hyaline lobe instead of setiform pilus dentilis (except Orthadenella and some Proctolaelaps); movable cheliceral digit usually with a pointed process (mucro) on its mid-ventral face (Fig. 6); peritrematic shield free posteriorly from, or narrowly fused with, exopodal shield beside coxa IV (except Orthadenella); with laelapid-type sperm access system (Fig. 10); genital shield usually gently rounded posteriorly; anal shield usually oval or elliptical, bearing only circumanal setae (rarely expanded to contain the nearest pair of opisthogastric setae; some Mycolaelaps bearing up to three pairs of setae); ventral shield present or absent.................................................... MELICHARIDAE 34
3. Podonotal and opisthonotal shields of deutonymphs and adults completely separated................................ 4
- Podonotal and opisthonotal shields of deutonymphs and adults fused, occasionally with lateral incisions at level of fusion ... 11
4. Corniculi bifid distally; seta h1 thickened; seta z1 absent; with oval anal shield; male leg II conspicuously different from that of female, with at least one greatly thickened, spine-shaped seta on femur and tarsus................................................................................................... Anephiasca Athias-Henriot, 1969 (Figs 17–18)
- Corniculi generally entire distally (bifid in Protogamasellus ascleronodulus Shcherbak & Petrova and Protogamasellus bifurcalis Genis, Loots & Ryke); seta h1 of similar thickness as other hypostomal setae; seta z1 present or absent; with ventrianal shield or subtriangular or subrectangular anal shield; male leg II similar to that of female or different in carrying spine-shaped seta on femur......................................................................................... 5
5. With subrectangular anal shield; male leg II with ventral spine-shaped seta on femur.................................................................................................. Ectoantennoseius Walter, 1998 (Figs 19–20)
- With ventrianal shield or subtriangular anal shield; male leg II without spine-shaped seta on femur..................... 6
6. Leg I usually without pretarsus (except Antennoseius (Vitzthumia )); with subtriangular ventrianal shield bearing 1–2 pairs of setae in addition to the circumanal setae (three pairs in Antennoseius (Vitzthumia) ventrianalis Gwiazdowicz & Halliday), or with anal shield and genital shield strongly rounded posteriorly; male with ventrianal shield fused with peritrematic shield; deutonymph with anal shield; much of unsclerotised body cuticle often with microtubercles superimposed on striae....... 7
- Leg I with pretarsus; with ventrianal shield variously shaped (but not subtriangular) bearing 3–6 pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae, and with genital shield truncate posteriorly; male with ventrianal shield not fused with peritrematic shield; deutonymph with ventrianal shield; striate unsclerotised body cuticle without microtubercles.......................... 9
7. Palp elongate, about half as long as leg I; palp trochanter longer than femur; palp tibia 2–3 times as long as tarsus; lyrifissures iv1, iv3 and sometimes iv2 absent; tibia IV with nine setae (pl2 absent)........... Anystipalpus Berlese, 1911 (Figs 21–22)
- Palp of normal length, about one-third as long as leg I; palp trochanter slightly shorter than femur; palp tibia twice as long as tarsus; lyrifissures iv1–iv3 present; tibia IV with ten setae (pl2 present) Antennoseius Berlese, 1916 (Figs 23–24).......... 8
8. Legs I with pretarsus and a pair of small to well-developed claws................... Antennoseius (Vitzthumia) Thor, 1930
- Legs I without pretarsus and claws...................................... Antennoseius (Antennoseius) Berlese, 1916
9. Setae Z4 and S5 usually approximate and inserted together on a pair of prominent posterolateral tubercles; seta z1 absent; seta j2 distinctly posterolateral to j1; peritrematic shield of adult female and male broad, truncate posteriorly; genu I with 12 setae
(av2 absent)............................................................. Asca von Heyden, 1826 (Figs 25–26) - Setae Z4 and S5 well separated, not inserted on prominent tubercles; setae z1 present; seta j2 tending to be displaced anteriorly, often in approximately transverse level with j1 and z1; peritrematic shield of adult female and male narrow or of moderate width, tapering posteriorly; genu I with 13 setae (av2 present)................................................. 10
10. Podonotal shield with transverse line extending completely across surface at level of setae z6; opisthonotal shield with similar line at level of setae J1, which may be continuous or interrupted between setae J1; para-anal seta inserted closer to anterior than to posterior margin of anus; genu IV (Fig. 16) usually with eight setae (pl1 absent); tibia IV (Fig. 16) with nine setae (pl2 absent)............................................................. Protogamasellus Karg, 1962 (Figs 27–28)
- Dorsal shields without transverse lines extending completely across surface; para-anal seta inserted closer to posterior than to anterior margin of anus (about equally distant in G. bicolor americanus); genu IV with nine setae (pl1 present); tibia IV with ten setae (pl2 present)........................................... Gamasellodes Athias-Henriot, 1961 (Figs 29–30)
11. Leg chaetotaxy generally reduced, with following maximum number of setae: genu II (Fig. 14) nine or ten (av1 present or absent; pl2 absent), genu IV (Fig. 16) seven (al2, pd3 absent), tibia III (Fig. 15) seven (al2 absent), tibia IV (Fig. 16) seven (al2, pl2, pd3 absent); opisthonotal region of dorsal shield usually with four pairs of lateral setae (S1 usually present; S2 usually absent); deutosternum moderately wide, with transverse lines multidenticulate (except in Maxinia)................ 12
- Leg chaetotaxy without above reductions, minimum number of setae: genu II 11 (av1 present; pl2 present), genu IV nine (al2, pd3 present), tibia III eight (al2 present), tibia IV ten (al2, pl2, pd3 present); opisthonotal region of dorsal shield usually with five pairs of lateral setae (S2 present, S1 rarely absent); deutosernum narrow, with transverse lines bearing few (usually 2–6) denticles............................................................................................ 17
12. Tarsi II–IV (Figs 13–16) each with dorsoproximal setae ad2, pd2 elongate and curved; genu III (Fig. 15) usually with eight setae (pv1 usually present); with ventrianal shield bearing 1–6 pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae or with anal shield................................................................................................... 13
- Tarsi II–IV with dorsoproximal setae not elongate or curved; genu III with seven setae (pv1 absent); with anal shield (rarely with ventrianal shield)................................................................................. 15
13. Tarsus I with or without pretarsus; dorsal shield setae paddle-shaped or not; with ventrianal shield bearing 1–6 pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae............................................................................ 14
- Tarsus I with pretarsus; dorsal-shield setae never paddle-shaped; with anal shield................................................................................................... Iphidonopsis Gwiazdowicz, 2004 (Figs 31–32)
14. Pretarsus of leg I vestigial or absent; setae j1 and z1 smooth, short and blunt, or barbed and variable in length; all other dorsal shield setae simple (except J5, sometimes barbed), none paddle-shaped.... Xenoseius Lindquist & Evans, 1965 (Figs 33–34)
- Pretarsus of leg I similar to that of other legs; setae j1 and z1 smooth, pointed (j1 rarely paddle-shaped), variable in length; some dorsal shield setae (always Z5) paddle- shaped............................. Zerconopsis Hull, 1918 (Figs 35–36)
15. Vertex of dorsal shield strongly arched downward, partially or completely concealing seta j 1 in dorsal view; anterior end of peritreme sharply recurved posteroventrally; dorsal shield without mid-lateral incisions; tarsi II–IV (Figs 14–16) with one (al1) or two (al1, pl1) distolateral setae very slender and elongate; palp tarsus with a macroseta............................................................................................. Iphidozercon Berlese, 1903 (Figs 37–38)
- Vertex of dorsal shield not strongly arched downward and setae j1 visible in dorsal view; anterior end of peritreme not recurved; dorsal shield with or without mid-lateral incisions; tarsi II–IV with neither of distolateral setae slender and elongate; palp tarsus without macroseta........................................................................... 16
16. With or without lateral incisions at level of fusion of podonotal and opisthonotal shields; female with anal shield bearing only circumanal setae (except in Arctoseius magnanalis Evans, with a pair of opisthogastric setae in addition to circumanal); Zv1 present; with 1–2 pairs of metapodal plates; male dorsal shield of some species bearing some r but no R setae, and with endopodal shield completely or incompletely fused with sternogenital shield.............. Arctoseius Thor, 1930 (Figs 39–40)
- Without lateral incisions at level of fusion of podonotal and opisthonotal shields; female with broad ventrianal shield bearing six pairs of opisthogastric setae in addition to circumanal shield; Zv1 absent; metapodal plates absent; male dorsal shield bearing all r - R setae, and with endopodal shield completely fused with sternogenital shield............................................................................................ Maxinia Lindquist & Makarova, 2012 (Figs 41–42)
17. Seta z1 absent; epistome convex and smooth or slightly denticulate; genu I (Fig. 13) with 12 setae (av2 absent), tibia II (Fig. 14) with nine setae (ad2 absent)......................................................................... 18
- Seta z1 present; epistome with two or three anterior extensions; genu I with 12–13 setae (av2 present or absent); tibia II with ten setae (ad2 present)................................................................................. 19
18. Dorsal shield with mid-lateral incisions; all marginal (r -R) setae on unsclerotised cuticle; first pair of sternal setae (st1) on sternal shield; genital seta (st5) and genital lyrifissure (iv5) on unsclerotised cuticle; with anal shield....................................................................................... Athiashenriotis Özdikmen, 2008 (Figs 43–44)
- Dorsal shield without mid-lateral incisions; most r - R setae on edge of dorsal shield; first pair of sternal setae on jugular plates; genital seta and associated lyrifissure on genital shield; with ventrianal shield incorporating metapodal plates and bearing 4–5 pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae................................. Neojordensia Evans, 1957 (Figs 45–46)
19. Dorsal shield without setae z3, J2, S1; with 3–5 pairs of r - R setae on unsclerotised cuticle, some (r5, R3, R4) on dorsal shield, others (r6, R2, R5) absent; setation of legs I–IV (Figs 13–16), genu: 12, 11, 10, 10; tibia: 12, 10, 9, 10..................................................................................... Arctoseiodes Willmann, 1949 (Figs 47–48)
- Dorsal shield holotrichous; 9–12 pairs of r - R setae on unsclerotised cuticle; setation of legs I–IV, genu: 13 (rarely 12), 11, 8 (or 9), 9; tibia: 13 (rarely 12), 10, 8, 10.......................................... Leioseius Berlese, 1916 (Figs 49–50)
20. Legs II–IV with median lobe of pulvillus slender, acute or blunt (Fig. 12); para-anal seta inserted in level with or posterior to hind anal margin, and usually longer than post-anal seta; femora I and II (Figs 13–14) with respectively 11 and ten setae (each
without v3); seta h1 and inner seta of palp trochanter similar to each other and distinctly longer and stouter than setae h2 and h3 ................................................................................................... 21 - Legs II–IV with median lobe of pulvillus broadly rounded; para-anal seta usually inserted anterior to hind margin of anus (about level with posterior anal margin in Aceodromus and some Blattisocius), and usually shorter than post-anal seta; femora I and II usually with respectively 12 and 11 setae (v -3 usually present); setae h1–h3 and av of palp trochanter similar to each other............................................................................................... 23
21. Opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with only five pairs of setae; metasternal plates absent; with anal shield; median lobe of pulvilli of legs II–IV blunt; genu and tibia II (Fig. 14) with nine setae each...................................................................................................... Cheiroseiulus Evans & Baker, 1991 (Figs 51–52)
- Opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with 12–14 pairs of setae; metasternal plates present; with ventrianal shield bearing at least two pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae; median lobe of pulvilli of legs II–IV acute; genu II with ten and tibia II with nine or ten setae.................................................................................. 22
22. Opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with 2–4 pairs of J setae; seta st1 distinctly shorter than st3; tibia II (Fig. 14) with nine setae (pd1 absent); distance between fifth and sixth rows of deutosternal denticles nearly twice that between fourth and fifth rows.................................................................. Platyseius Berlese, 1916 (Figs 53–54)
- Opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with five pairs of J setae; setae st1 and st3 subequal in length; tibia II with ten setae (pd1 present); distance between fifth and sixth rows of deutosternal denticles similar to or only slightly greater than that between fourth and fifth rows.................................................... Cheiroseius Berlese, 1916 (Figs 55–56)
23. Leg II usually much thicker than other legs, with strong spine-shaped setae either on ventral faces of several segments or on dorsal faces of tarsus.................................................................................. 24
- Leg II not thickened, lacking strong spine-shaped setae on ventral faces of segments or on dorsal face of tarsus.......... 25
24. Dorsal shield without delineated strip along lateral margin; with expansive ventrianal shield; leg II with strong, opposable spine-shaped setae on ventral faces of femur, genu, tibia and tarsus, but without strong claw-shaped setae on dorsal face of tarsus; genu and tibia I (Fig. 13) each with at most 11 setae (pd3, av2 absent).......... Hoploseius Berlese, 1914 (Figs 57–58)
- Dorsal shield with delineated strip along lateral margin bearing some r and all S setae; with small ventrianal shield or with anal shield; leg II without strong opposable spine-shaped setae on ventral faces of femur and genu, but with two or more strong, claw-shaped setae dorsally on tarsus; genu and tibia I (Fig. 13) each with at least 12 setae (pd3 present, av2 present or absent)............................................................ Fungiseius Moraza & Lindquist, 2011 (Figs 59–60)
25. With a pair of broad, disc-shaped unsclerotised opisthogastric structures anterolaterad of the axe-shaped ventrianal shield; dorsal shield broad, extending ventrolaterally.......................... Discoseius Lindquist & Moraza, 2012 (Figs 61–62)
- Without disc-shaped opisthogastric structures; never with axe-shaped ventrianal shield; dorsal shield not extending ventrolaterally.............................................................................................. 26
26. Palp trochanter with a single ventral seta; peritreme and peritrematic shields absent; endopodal shield greatly reduced along sternal shield, leaving a wide band of unsclerotised cuticle between narrow sternal shield and coxae......................................................................................... Krantzoseius Seeman, 2012 (Figs 63–64)
- Palp trochanter with two ventral setae; peritreme and peritrematic shields distinct; endopodal shield normally developed along sternal shield, leaving almost no unsclerotised cuticle mesad of the coxae........................................ 27
27. Corniculi usually close to each other (not particularly close to each other in Adhaerenseius), convergent and slender (at least three times as long as basal width); anterior margin of epistome convex, smooth; fixed cheliceral digit with few or no teeth; peritrematic shield slender, barely wider than stigma at level of the latter; with humeral seta (r3) usually on unsclerotised cuticle; protonymph with two setae on palp trochanter.......................................................... 28
- Corniculi well separated, subparallel and stout (rarely over twice as long as basal width); anterior margin of epistome convex or with three anterior extensions, smooth or denticulate; fixed cheliceral digit usually multidentate; peritrematic shield clearly wider than diameter of stigma at its level; r3 on dorsal shield; protonymph usually with one seta on palp trochanter....... 29
28. Dorsal shield usually without mid-lateral incisions; opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with 15 pairs of setae; fixed cheliceral digit well developed or reduced; without metasternal plates; exopodal shield usually a continuous strip along coxae II–III; leg IV of male without enlarged, spine-shaped setae.............................. Blattisocius Keegan, 1944 (Figs 65–66)
- Dorsal shield with mid-lateral incisions; opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with 12 pairs of setae (lacking a pair in each of J, Z and S series); fixed cheliceral digit well developed; with metasternal plates; exopodal shield fragmented; leg IV of male with several enlarged, ventral spine-shaped setae......................... Adhaerenseius Loots & Theron, 1992 (Figs 67–68)
29. Dorsal shield with 18–23 pairs of setae (setae z3, z6, r2, J1, J2, J3, and Z1 or S1 absent); seta r3 more or less erect, attenuated, simple or weakly barbed, and similar to neighbouring setae; genua of legs II and III (Figs. 15–16) with respectively ten and eight setae (pv1 absent); ventrianal shield weakly sclerotised and unornamented, with 2–4 pairs of opisthogastric setae.... 30
- Dorsal shield with 23–38 pairs of setae (not lacking above combination of setae and never lacking setae J1, J2, Z1); seta r3 distinctly erect or not, usually bushy or setulose or weakly to strongly tricarinate, in contrast to neighbouring setae; genua of legs II and III usually with respectively 11 and 9–10 setae (pv1 present); ventrianal shield usually well sclerotised and ornamented, usually with 4–6 pairs of opisthogastric setae............................................................... 31
30. Legs I–IV greatly elongate; legs I and IV 2–3 times as long as dorsal shield; legs II–IV with tarsi greatly elongate, over three times as long as tibia; with 15 pairs of podonotal setae (j1, s1, s2, s5 present); movable cheliceral digit multidentate and with two grooves along paraxial surface; male with sternogenital shield incised between sternal and genital regions, not connected with endopodal fragments between coxae III–IV, without R setae and with small ventrianal shield, whose anterolateral margins are remote from fused peritrematic and exopodal shields behind coxae IV..................................................................................................... Opilioseius Lindquist & Moraza, 2010 (Figs 69–70)
- Legs I–IV moderately elongate; legs I and IV at most 1.5 times as long as dorsal shield; legs II–IV with tarsi about 2.5 times as
long as tibia; with 11 pairs of podonotal setae (j1, s1, s2, s5 absent); movable cheliceral digit quadridentate, without grooves along paraxial surface; male with sternogenital shield not incised laterally, fully integrated with endopodal strips alongside coxae III–IV, with one pair of R setae, and with well developed ventrianal shield, whose anterolateral margins abut fused peritrematic and exopodal shields behind coxae IV............................... Aceodromus Muma, 1961 (Figs 71–72) 31. Adults with 1–12 pairs of marginal and submarginal (R-UR) setae on unsclerotised cuticle; metapodal plates free on unsclerotised cuticle; ventrianal shield with at most six pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae; male usually with separate sternogenital, ventrianal, and fused peritrematic and exopodal shields............ Lasioseius Berlese, 1916 (Figs 73–74)......32
- Adults with only one pair of marginal setae (R1) on unsclerotised cuticle; metapodal plates incorporated into either ventrianal or peritrematic shields; ventrianal shield with seven pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae; male with holoventral shield................................................................................................... 33
32. Seta r3 about perpendicular to surface of dorsal shield, usually tricarinate; usually some other dorsal shield setae (at least j1, Z5) or most setae tricarinate; epistome variously shaped but without elongate median extension; movable cheliceral digit usually with at most four teeth; posterior margin of sternal shield straight or concave; with slender remnant of endopodal shield beside coxae III–IV; male with separate sternogenital, ventrianal, and fused peritrematic and exopodal shields.................................................................................... Lasioseius (Lasioseius) Berlese, 1916
- Setae r3 not perpendicular to surface of dorsal shield; nearly all dorsal shield setae simple, none tricarinate (Z4 and/or Z5 cylindrical); epistome with elongate, apically split median extension; movable cheliceral digit with five or more teeth; posterior margin of sternal shield convex; with expansive remnant of endopodal shield beside coxae III–IV; male with holoventral shield............................................................ Lasioseius (Endopodalius) Christian & Karg, 2006
33. Setae z1, s1, s2 absent; genital lyrifissures on posterolateral corners of genital shield; metapodal plates incorporated into anterolateral corners of ventrianal shield; seta Zv1 absent; seta Jv5 inserted on ventrianal shield; genu III (Fig. 15) with ten, tibia III (Fig. 15) with nine, and tibia IV (Fig. 16) with ten setae (pl2 present on each); male with seven pairs of setae on ventrianal shield................................................................. Zercoseius Berlese, 1916 (Figs 75–76)
- Setae z1, s1, s2 present; genital lyrifissures on unsclerotised cuticle laterad of genital shield; metapodal plates incorporated into posterior margins of peritrematic shield; seta Zv1 inserted on ventrianal shield; seta Jv5 inserted on unsclerotised cuticle; genu III (Fig. 15) with nine, tibia III (Fig. 15) with eight, and tibia IV (Fig. 16) with nine setae (none with pl2); male with four pairs of setae on ventrianal shield................................... Arrhenoseius Walter & Lindquist, 2001 (Figs 77–78)
34. Dorsal shield without at least setae z1, z3, J1, J4; genua II and III (Figs. 14–15) with respectively at most ten and eight setae (each without av1 and/or pv1); tibia II (Fig. 14) with at most nine setae (pl2 absent, and often others absent as well)...... 35
- Dorsal shield hypertrichous, holotrichous or nearly so (usually lacking at most setae z3; if (rarely) one or two other pairs lacking, they are setae other than z1, J1, J4); genua II and III with respectively 11 and nine setae (av1 and pv1 usually present); tibia II usually with ten setae (pl2 usually present)........................................................... 36
35. Idiosoma narrow, with dorsal shield more than twice as long as wide; opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with at least 18 pairs of setae (J1, J4 lacking, but five or six pairs of R setae on lateral edge); leg setation strongly neotenous, genua I–IV (Figs. 13– 16) with 12, 7, 6, 7 setae, tibiae I–IV (Figs. 13–16) with 11, 7, 6, 6 setae; metasternal plates absent; with ventrianal shield bearing 1–3 pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae......................... Mycolaelaps Lindquist, 1995 (Figs 79–80)
- Idiosoma not narrow, with dorsal shield about 1.7 times as long as wide; opisthonotal region of dorsal shield with only 11 pairs of setae (J1, J3, J4, S1 lacking, and only R2, R4 and R5 on lateral edge); leg setation only slightly neotenous, genua I–IV with 13, 10, 8, 9 setae, tibiae I–IV with 13, 9, 8, 10 setae; metasternal plates present; with anal shield............................................................................................. Orolaelaps De Leon, 1963 (Figs 81–82)
36. Podonotal and opisthonotal shields fused, without mid-lateral incisions; slightly to notably hypertrichous, with one to several pairs of supernumerary setae inserted near j6 and sometimes between setae z3–z5, s3–s5 and J1–J4 pairs; femur IV (Fig. 16) with dorsal seta ad1 rod-shaped or oar-shaped, in distinction to adjacent simple setae; dorsal shield of male with peripheral setae stout and apically clavate, capitate or attenuate.................. Spadiseius Lindquist & Moraza, 2008 (Figs 83–84)
- Podonotal and opisthonotal shields fused, with or without mid-lateral incisions, or (rarely) separated; holotrichous or nearly so, lacking supernumerary setae; femur IV with dorsal seta ad1 acuminate, not distinguished from adjacent setae; dorsal shield of male with peripheral setae attenuate...................................................................... 37
37. Podonotal and opisthonotal shields of adult female and male fused, with deep mid-lateral incision, or separated, and without seta z3; movable cheliceral digit with 0–1 tooth; rows of deutosternal denticles similar to each other, moderately wide, evenly denticulate, connected with others by deutosternal lateral delimiting lines; metasternal plates absent................... 38
- Dorsal shield of adults entire or with shallow mid-lateral incisions, and usually with setae z3; movable cheliceral digit usually with three teeth (rarely with 0–2 teeth); rows 5–7 of deutosternal denticles different in width and denticulation from anterior rows; sixth row often not connected with others by deutosternal lateral delimiting lines; metasternal plates usually present (except some Melichares and some Proctolaelaps).......................................................... 40
38. Movable cheliceral digit unidentate; first pair of sternal setae on unsclerotised cuticle in front of sternal shield; male with separate ventral and anal shields; leg II (Fig. 14) of male with tarsal seta pv1 unmodified........................................................................................... Xanthippe Naskrecki & Colwell, 1995 (Figs 85–86)
- Movable cheliceral digit edentate; first pair of sternal setae on sternal shield; male usually with consolidated ventrianal shield; male leg II with tarsal seta pv1 slightly to conspicuously thickened............................................. 39
39. Setae s6 present; tip of anterior margin of genital shield convex; genital seta on lateral edge of the shield; para-anal setae inserted between levels of anterior margin and mid-length of anal opening; tibiae III (Fig. 15) and IV (Fig. 16) respectively with nine and ten setae (pl2 present); section of endopodal shield along sternal shield normally developed, forming the extensions between coxae I–II and II –III; male with seta pv1 of tarsus II (Fig. 14) knob- or spine-shaped, 1–3 setae (always av2) of tarsus III (Fig. 15) knob-shaped and spermatodactyl directed anteriorly.... Tropicoseius Baker & Yunker, 1964 (Figs 87–88)
- Setae s6 absent; tip of anterior margin of genital shield convex or concave; genital seta on unsclerotised cuticle; para-anal setae inserted between levels of posterior margin and mid-length of anal opening; tibiae III and IV with respectively eight and nine setae (pl2 absent); section of endopodal shield along sternal shield reduced, lending a narrow appearance to sternal shield, usually without forming the extensions between coxae I–II and II –III; male with seta pv1 of tarsus II slightly thickened, without modified setae on tarsus III and with spermatodactyl directed posteroventrally..................................................................................................... Rhinoseius Baker & Yunker, 1964 (Figs 89–90)
40. Fixed cheliceral digit with setiform pilus dentilis; with ventrianal shield; peritrematic shield somewhat broadly fused with exopodal shield................................................. Orthadenella Athias-Henriot, 1973 (Figs 91–92)
- Fixed cheliceral digit with expanded para-axial membranous lobe instead of setiform pilus dentilis; ventral and anal shields separate or ventral shield absent; peritrematic shield free posteriorly or narrowly fused with exopodal shield............ 41
41. With ventral shield bearing four pairs of setae; posterior connection of peritrematic shield to exopodal shield beside coxa IV broad (subequal to diameter of stigma); corniculi slender, acute; rows of deutosternal denticles narrow, in deep trough; epistome convex, smooth; movable cheliceral digit unidentate...... Proctogastrolaelaps McGraw & Farrier, 1969 (Figs 93–94)
- Without ventral shield; posterior extremity of peritrematic shield free or with usually narrow connection to exopodal shield beside coxa IV (narrower than diameter of stigma); corniculi often stout, sometimes blunt, bifid or convergent apically; rows of deutosternal denticles usually moderately wide (except in Melichares), in shallow trough; epistome variable; movable cheliceral digit variable.................................................................................... 42
42. Fixed cheliceral digit with pointed or rounded distal projection (Fig. 7 a); leg IV with 1–2 erect macrosetae on telotarsus (pd2, sometimes ad2); third pair of sternal lyrifissures absent........................ Mucroseius Lindquist, 1962 (Figs 95–96)
- Fixed cheliceral digit without distal projection (except in Proctolaelaps nipponicus Ishikawa); leg IV usually without macrosetae (pd2 never a macroseta); third pair of sternal lyrifissures usually present...................................... 43
43. Idiosoma elongate; with 15 pairs of setae on opisthonotal region of dorsal shield; peritrematic shield not fused or fused anteriorly by a narrow bridge with dorsal shield.................................... Melichares Hering, 1835 (Figs 97–98)
- Idiosoma oval or ovoid; with 18–22 pairs of setae on opisthonotal region of dorsal shield; peritrematic shield distinctly fused anteriorly with dorsal shield........................................... Proctolaelaps Berlese, 1923 (Figs 99–100)
description: Published as part of De Moraes, Gilberto J., Britto, Erika P. J., Mineiro, Jefferson L. De C. & Halliday, Bruce, 2016, Catalogue of the mite families Ascidae Voigts & Oudemans, Blattisociidae Garman and Melicharidae Hirschmann (Acari: Mesostigmata), pp. 1-299 in Zootaxa 4112 (1) on pages 59-63, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4112.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/399477