Using morphological and molecular tools for the description of a new generalist-nematophagous species of Macrocheles (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae)

As part of a project aimed at harnessing soil food webs for the biological control of root-knot nematodes, specimens of a new species of the gamasine mite genus Macrocheles were found in vegetable fields in Israel. Specimens of this new species were used to initiate laboratory colonies using several species of free-living nematodes and a root-knot nematode as food sources. Females, males, deutonymphs and protonymphs were taken from the colony and morphologically analysed after mounting on slides. Some females and males were also subjected to scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, 18 female specimens underwent DNA extraction for genetic analysis. The newly discovered species is described and illustrated based on its morphological characteristics and on molecular data obtained from the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). Finally, an update to the key to distinguish species within the scutatus complex is included.