Tydeidae is a family of acariform mites. As of 2016, it contained over 300 species in three subfamilies,[1] though more species have been discovered since then.[2]

Tydeidae
Temporal range: Devonian–present
"Yellow mite", Lorryia formosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Order:
Superfamily:
Family:
Tydeidae

Kramer, 1877
Subfamilies
Diversity
30 genera, >320 species

These mites live in a wide range of habitats and there are predatory, fungivorous and scavenging species.

Description edit

Tydeidae are soft-bodied mites with an idiosoma that is striated, reticulated or a combination of both. They have two bothridial setae. The chelicerae have fused bases, a movable digit that is relatively short and needle-like, and a fixed digit that is reduced. They may have two or three eyes, though some species are blind.[1]

Of the three subfamilies, Pretydeinae has no setae on the genu of legs II, III or IV, and the palptarsus has a triple eupathidium at the end. The other two subfamilies have one or two setae (Tydeinae) or three setae (Australotydeinae) on the genu of leg II, and the palptarsus ends in a double or triple eupathidium.[1]

Ecology edit

Tydeids are among the most commonly encountered mites in arboreal habitats, including leaves, stems, tree trunks, canopy soils, sporocarps and nests.[3] They are also found in caves, soil, humus, litter, grass, straw, hay and stored products.[1][4]

Most tydeids are scavengers or fungivores, while some can feed on plants, pollen or animal prey.[1]

Various tydeid species are themselves preyed on by phytoseiid mites.[5]

Species in several genera have been found in beehives. The nature of their relationship with bees is uncertain.[4]

Importance edit

Some species of Tydeus are medically important: T. interruptus may be a reservoir for scrapie-like agents, while T. molestus causes itching and skin irritation in humans and domestic animals.[4]

Tydeus californicus and Lorryia formosa can damage citrus plants.[4] On the other hand, some tydeid species can benefit agriculture by suppressing (through their feeding) powdery mildew and downy mildew.[1]

Taxonomy edit

Tydeidae includes three subfamilies with the following genera:[1]

It once also included subfamilies Edbakerellinae, Pronematinae, Triophtydeinae and Tydaeolinae. Edbakerellinae and Triophtydeinae have since been moved into family Triophtydeidae, while Pronematinae and Tydaeolinae have been moved into family Iolinidae.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Silva, Guilherme Liberato Da; Metzelthin, Maicon Henrique; Silva, Onilda Santos Da; Ferla, Noeli Juarez (2016-07-04). "Catalogue of the mite family Tydeidae (Acari: Prostigmata) with the world key to the species". Zootaxa. 4135 (1): 1–68. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4135.1.1. ISSN 1175-5334. PMID 27395702.
  2. ^ "Tydeidae - Wikispecies". species.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  3. ^ Walter, David Evans (2004), "Hidden in Plain Sight: Mites in the Canopy", Forest Canopies, Elsevier, pp. 224–241, doi:10.1016/b978-012457553-0/50016-2, ISBN 978-0-12-457553-0, retrieved 2022-12-08
  4. ^ a b c d "Family Tydeidae Kramer, 1877". insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  5. ^ Hessein, Nawal A.; Perring, Thomas M. (1986). "Feeding habits of the Tydeidae with evidence of Homeopronematus anconai (Acari: Tydeidae) predation on Aculops lycopersici (Acari: Eriophyidae)". International Journal of Acarology. 12 (4): 215–221. doi:10.1080/01647958608683467. ISSN 0164-7954.
  6. ^ André, Henri M. (2021-12-30). "The Tydeoidea (Ereynetidae, Iolinidae, Triophtydeidae and Tydeidae) - An online database in the Wikispecies platform". Acarologia. 61 (4): 1023–1035. doi:10.24349/6yc5-1lxw.

External links edit