MYCOBATES (ACARI: ORIBATIDA: MYCOBATIDAE) OF AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO

Abstract

AbstractMorphology, distribution, and habitat data are presented for the known species of the oribatid mite genus Mycobates of America, north of Mexico. A revised generic diagnosis is given, and 11 new species are proposed and described on the basis of adults: M. altus, M. azaleos, M. beringianus, M. brevilamellatus, M. dryas, M. exigualis, M. hammerae, M. hylaeus, M. occidentalis, M. perates, and M. yukonensis. Three species proposed by Marie Hammer are redescribed, M. conitus, M. incurvatus, and M. punctatus, and a lectotype is designated for M. punctatus. Mycobates consimilis Hammer is considered a junior subjective synonym of M. sarekensis Trägårdh. Distribution maps are presented for these species and a diagnostic key is given to adults of species of Mycobates recorded from America, north of Mexico. Mycobates is species rich in dry arctic, subarctic, and alpine microhabitats of the Nearctic, Palearctic, and Neotropical regions. At temperate latitudes species often are arboreal, associated with moss and lichens on tree trunks.