Taxonomic revision of the species of Daidalotarsonemus deposited in the Acari collection of the United States National Museum of Natural History (USNM)

Abstract

The genus Daidalotarsonemus De Leon has currently 25 described species. Approximately one third of the holotypes are deposited in the Acari collection of the United States National Museum of Natural History (USNM). Despite the importance of these species as plant mites, there are just a few studies for the genus. Thus, the aim of this study is the taxonomic review of the Daidalotarsonemus species deposited in the USNM Acari collection, located in Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (USDA - ARS) in Beltsville, MD, in responsibility of Dr. Ronald Ochoa. The holotypes and paratypes will be analyzed using phase contrast microscope. Morphological analysis will be made from features present in gnathosoma, idiosoma, legs and setae present throughout the body. Additionally, some species will be photographed by microscopy technique called "Low Temperature Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy" (FE - LTSEM). These images will be useful for interpretation of structures observed by common microscopy. (AU)