326 



Acarology 



Discussion: Lavoipierre 1946 found the only known species, Pedi- 

 culochelus raulti Lavoipierre, associated with bees at Durban, Natal, 

 South Africa; a single specimen was collected on a rat in Florida dur- 

 ing an ectoparasitic survey of rats in that region, and specimens have 

 been found on Gallus gallus on the island of Samar in the Philippines. 

 The body is segmented and the general appearance is that of a primitive 

 type of acarid-like mite which is perhaps an intermediate form between 

 these and the oribatids. This would indicate a more or less general 

 acarid habitat. Because of their minute size the mites have probably 

 been overlooked up to the present time. 



Reference: 



Lavoipierre, M. 1946. A new acarine parasite of bees. Nature 158 (4004) : 

 130, 131. 



Saproglyphidae Oudemans, 1924 



Figure 255 



Figure 255 Saproglyphus negiectus 

 Berlese. Dorsal view of female. 

 (After Berlese 1890) 



Diagnosis: It is possible that 

 these mites do not have any pro- 

 podosomal shield. Their skin is 

 smooth. The propodosoma and 

 hysterosoma are separated by a 

 suture. A transverse row of four 

 setae is situated on the rear of the 

 propodosoma, the inner pair be- 

 ing considerably shorter than the 

 outer. A pair of vertical setae are 

 also present and the marginal 

 setae of the body are very long 

 and whiplike. All tarsi have a 

 claw and caruncle. The female 

 genital opening lies between coxae 

 III and IV while the male genital 

 opening is between coxae iv. In 

 the male there are no adanalcop- 

 ulatory suckers and no suckers on 

 tarsi IV. 



