Cheylostigmaeus pannonicus Willmann (Acariformes, Stigmaeidae): a new mite record for Turkey

Members of the genus Cheylostigmaeus Willmann are found in a variety of habitats including soil, grassy soil, litter, moss and lichen (Fan et al., 2016), and are presumed to be free-living predators (Summers & Ehara, 1965; Koç, 2005). Up to now, 35 species of Cheylostigmaeus are known in the world (Fan et al., 2016; Doğan & Doğan, 2022); eight of them, C. californicus Summers & Ehara, C. mirabilis Wood, C. occultatus Doğan & Doğan, C. salinus Evans, C. salmani Koç, C. tarae Khanjani, C. urhani Dönel & Doğan and C. variatus Doğan, Dilkaraoğlu & Fan, are reported from Turkey (Doğan, 2019; Doğan & Doğan, 2022). With this study, an additional member of the genus, viz. Cheylostigmaeus pannonicus Willmann is added to the acarofauna of Turkey. Within the scope of the study, six male specimens found in grassy soil from Erzincan province (39°43’22.03”N 39°37’22.03”E, 1149 m, 26 October 2017) were examined and identified as Cheylostigmaeus pannonicus. This species was previously known from Austria, China, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland, Ukraine and USA (Fan et al., 2016; Beron, 2020). This species can be recognized by having three pairs of aggenital setae in both sexes, broad rostral lamellae, each deeply incised to form two cusps (Fig. 1A), and aedeagus bearing bulb in male (Fig. 1B).