Species groups, subgroups, and key to world species of the genus Schizotetranychus Trägårdh, 1915 (Acari, Prostigmata, Tetranychidae).

Abstract

After a comprehensive taxonomic assessment of descriptions/ illustrations of all known (118) species of the spider mite genus Schizotetranychus Trägårdh (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), five species groups are proposed based on the number of tactile setae on tibia II in female, i.e., vermiculatus with four setae (four spp.), schizopus with five setae (52 spp.), spireafolia with six setae (10 spp.), asparagi with seven setae (20 spp.), and bambusae with eight setae on tibia II (22 spp.). The species group schizopus is further divided into three species subgroups based on tactile setae on tibia I: schizopus with eight/ nine setae (21 spp.), andropogoni with seven setae (26 spp.), and taquarae with six tactile setae excluding the solenidion on tibia I (five spp.). Eight Schizotetranychus species were not assigned to any species group because of brief descriptions and/ or illustration and without information on the number of tactile setae on tibiae I and II. Moreover, two Schizotetranychus species, S.gausus Baker & Pritchard and S.luculentus Tseng that have six setae/ structures including a spinneret and a solenidion on the palp tarsus, are provisionally transferred to the genus Stigmaeopsis Banks. Finally, keys to species groups and subgroups of the world species of Schizotetranychus are provided.