Mesostigmata 



61 



Spelaeorhynchidae Oudemans, 1902 



Figure 46 



Diagnosis: Spelaeorhynchids can be readily recognized by the pecul- 

 iar arrangement of the tectum and the attachment of the cheHcerae 

 and palps. The tectum surrounds a broad opening (camerostome) in 

 the idiosoma, into which the chelicerae may be withdrawn. The stig- 

 mata are small and are situated 

 lateral to the space between 

 coxae III and iv. The median 

 hypostome is stylet-shaped. 

 Chelicerae are large and termi- 

 nate in two large hooks. The 

 dorsal plate covers only the 

 podosoma and the posterior 

 dorsal surface of the body is not 

 sclerotized. Dorsally the tectum 

 has a broad connection with 

 the dorsal plate. 



Figure 46 Ventral view of Spelae- 

 orhynchus sp. 



Genus: 



Spelaeorhynchus Neumann, 1902 



Type. Spelaeorhynchus proecursor Neumann, 1902 



Discussion: Spelaeorhynchids are parasitic on Central and South 

 American bats. They are aberrant in that they do not conform to or 

 show very close affinities with any of the mites. That they properly 

 belong to the Mesostigmata is beyond question, although Banks and 

 Neumann held that they were closely related to the ticks. They are 

 placed in the Gamasides following the lead of Vitzthum 1941. These 

 mites are not known to be of any medical or economic importance. 



Rejerence: 



Neumann, G. 1902. Spelaeorhynchus praecursor n. g. n. sp., nouvel acarien 

 parasite. Arch, de Parasitol. 5:31-37. 



