Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Imparipes Berlese (Acari: Heterostigmata: Scutacaridae) associated with ants in Iran

During a survey on heterostigmatic mites (Acari: Prostigmata) associated with insects, a new species, Imparipes (Imparipes) hajiqanbari sp. nov. (Heterostigmata: Scutacaridae) is described and illustrated based on female individuals associated with ants of Lasius sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) collected from Hyrcanian forests, Gorgan, Northern Iran. Moreover, I. (I.) obsoletus Rack, 1966 and I. (I.) histricinus Berlese, 1903 are recorded from Iran for the first time. We further provide an overview of Iranian Imparipes mites associated with hymenopterans as well as their host range.

Automated summary

In this study, a new species of mite, Imparipes hajiqanbari, is described and illustrated based on female individuals collected from ants in the forests of northern Iran. Additionally, the first records of I. obsoletus and I. histricinus in Iran are reported. An overview of Iranian Imparipes mites associated with hymenopterans and their host range is also provided.