Taxonomy of the predatory mite family cunaxidae (Acari) in central Thailand

Abstract

The study of the predatory mite family Cunaxidae in central Thailand was conducted during October 2002 – September 2003. Four subfamilies, 9 genera and 33 species were found. The subfamily Bonziinae was represented by the genus Neoscirula with 2 species. Coleoscirinae was represented by 3 genera: Coleoscirus with 5; Pseudobonzia with 3 and Scutasirus with 1 species. Cunaxiinae was represented by 3 genera: Armascirus with 2; Cunaxa with 9 and Dactyloscirus with 2 species. Cunaxoidinae was represented by 2 genera: Neocunaxoides with 4 and Pulaeus with 5 species. Of the 33 recorded species, in 9 genera, 16 species were first record for Thailand and 15 unidentified species were found. Keys to subfamilies, genera and species were provided. All species were described and illustrated. Genus and species limits were based on female characters such as types of setae on ventral side of hypostome, numbers of palp segments and their chaetotaxy, shape of tarsi, numbers of dorsal setae, numbers and details of idiosomal shields, types and length of various dorsal setae, and chaetotaxy of legs. Most cunaxids species were found in soil and litter habitats.