Phoretic Mexican macrochelids on high altitude ecosystems (Acari, Mesostigmata)

Abstract

In the general frame of studies on phoretic behavior and consequences on fauna and diversity, the authors have studied the Mexicans macrochelids (Acari, Macrochelidae) phoriont of dung beetles in high altitudes (1700- 3500 m). On the 1483 dung beetles collected, solely forty individuals, belonging to large beetle species, were found with mites attached. Among the nine species of the genus Macrocheles identified, six of them are new to science. Some of them belong to “dimidiatus” species group which is an American endemic, and more or less specialized as phoretic on the American Phaneid beetles. Here, the sampling was carried on above the upper limit of these beetles. Six new species, Macrocheles imeldae n. sp., M. violetae n. sp., M. simplissimus n. sp., M. simplisetosus n. sp., M. neomexicanus n. sp. and M. perciliatus n. sp. are described and illustrated. Complements are given to the description of M. filipponii Evans & Hyatt.