Three new species of Laelapidae mites (Mesostigmata) parasitic of species of Akodon (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) on the basis of female, male and deutonymph specimens

Abstract

Three new species of Androlaelaps (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) are described on the basis of the female and male specimens, and deutonymph for two of them. Each of the new species parasitizes a different species of Akodon (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae). Diagnostic characteristics support that the three new species are included in the Androlaelaps rotundus species group, and may be differentiated between them because of the length of proximal seta in coxa I; distances j5-j5, j6-j6 and z5-z5 setae in males and females; and length of st3, and st1 setae in females. Out of the seven species included in A. rotundus species-group, only the males of three of them are known, while immature stages are unknown. The new information herein provided contributes to a better knowledge of the laelapid mites and is essential to further investigate the epidemiological role of these mites as vectors of pathogens.