Ontogenetic instars of Hermannia longisetosa Subías & Shtanchaeva, 2013, with remarks on juveniles of Hermanniidae (Acari: Oribatida)

Abstract

Information on the morphological ontogeny of the majority species of the family Hermanniidae is still lacking. In this work, the ontogenetic instars of the Mediterranean species, Hermannia longisetosa Subías & Shtanchaeva, 2013 are studied, based on material from northwestern Spain. Comparative characteristics of juveniles of species belonging to different genera of Hermanniidae are given based on our own data and available literature sources, and the major characteristics of larvae and nymphs are presented. An updated family and generic diagnoses based on juveniles of Hermanniidae are proposed. At the moment, the juveniles of two genera, Hermannia and Phyllhermannia are known, which differ from one another in the pattern of cuticle plications of the gastronotum; number of solenidia on leg tarsi I and II; number of setae on palp femur; setal formula of leg IV in protonymph; and the arrangement of gastronotic setae of c- and d-series.