Two new species of Lasioseius (Acari: Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae) with reduced sclerotization of the sternal shield

ABSTRACT Two new species of Blattisociidae mites, Lasioseius triplax sp. nov. and Lasioseius verruciger sp. nov., are described from females found in phoretic association with the mycophagous erotylid beetle Triplax russica (Linnaeus) and under the bark of dying conifers, respectively, both from southwestern Slovakia. The new species are unusual in having reduced sclerotization of the posterior part of the sternal shield. Only a few species of Lasioseius Berlese have this character state, the purpose and possible function of which are unknown. An identification key for species with reduced sclerotization of the sternal shield is presented. Lasioseius allii Chant is firstly reported from Slovakia, and some notes on the morphology of this and related species are given. for publication: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:61410D92-6C52-47AD-B395-8F14D88EAA52 for Lasioseius triplax: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:91EB66A2-DF6F-4134-8489- F7AAE4019FC1 for Lasioseius verruciger: http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:758ECDE2-C0B7-481C-8A40-427149722455