New species of genus Dinogamasus Kramer (Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) associated with large carpenter bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Egypt, with new concepts of the genus

The Laelapid family of cosmopolitan mites includes both free-living predators and associated species to arthropods, mammals, or birds. A new species of laelapid mite, Dinogamasus pubescensae n. sp. Abo-Shnaf & Kamel associated with Xylocopa pubescens Spinola (Hymenoptera: Apidae), is described and illustrated. This is a third report of the genus Dinogamasus from Egypt. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: dorsal cheliceral seta present; hypertrichous idiosoma and opisthogaster; sternum without accessory setae, st2 longest, st4 present, endopodal and metapodal plates present, genital shield shorter than anal shield, anal shield rectangular. The genus diagnoses are discussed in terms of new notions. Modification of Lundqvist's key (1999) is made to facilitate identification of D. pubescensae n. sp. Abo-Shnaf & Kamel from other species.

Automated summary

This article describes a new species of laelapid mite and its association with Xylocopa pubescens. The new species is distinguished from other similar species by a combination of characteristics, and the diagnostic features of the genus are discussed.