Gamasellus onitiaesp. nov. (Ologamasidae: Mesostigmata) has been identified and described after being been collected from a dung beetle, Onitis philemon (Scarabaeidae, Coleoptera), in India. The specimen was found to be attached via a claw to the head region of the beetle. The mite–beetle association appeared to be phoretic. The distal setae, ventral setae, sternal shield length, and peritreme of G. onitiae sp. nov. differ from those of the closely related Gamasellus falciger (G. Canestrini & R. Canestrini), Gamasellus deepdelensis (Ryke), Gamasellus racovitzai (Jumeau and Usher), and Gamasellus bellavistae Emberson.Abstract
Keywords: dung beetle; head region; claw; distal setae; peritreme
Contributor Notes
2Corresponding author: S. Vijay (email: entovijay@gmail.com).
3Rice Research Station, Ambasamudram–627 401, India.
4Department of Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore–641 003, India.
5Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sandhiyur–636 203.
6Regional Research Station, Vriddhachalam–606 001, India.
7Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (retired), Coimbatore–641 003, India.
Received: Feb 22, 2024
Accepted: Mar 09, 2024