A new species of Opilioacaridae (Parasitiformes: Opilioacarida) from Belize with some observations on life history and behavior

A new species of opilioacarid mite, Neocarus belizensis sp. nov., is described from mid-level elevations in Belize's Maya Mountains. Laboratory observations confirmed that females nearly always deposit only one egg at a time, and that eggs are coated before deposition. Females guard both eggs and larvae. The larvae are nonfeeding and molt quickly to protonymphs. Adults appear to facilitate feeding by protonymphs. Actual mating could not be observed, but pre-mating behavior is documented.