Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)

The Banks grass mite/New World date mite, <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), is a globally distributed and economically significant agricultural pest. The present study comprehensively addresses the morphotaxonomic identification of globally reporte...

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Main Authors: Hafiz Muhammad Saqib Mushtaq, Jawwad Hassan Mirza, Hafiz Muhammad Sajid Ali, Muhammad Kamran, Fahad Jaber Alatawi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Diversity
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/12/765
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author Hafiz Muhammad Saqib Mushtaq
Jawwad Hassan Mirza
Hafiz Muhammad Sajid Ali
Muhammad Kamran
Fahad Jaber Alatawi
author_facet Hafiz Muhammad Saqib Mushtaq
Jawwad Hassan Mirza
Hafiz Muhammad Sajid Ali
Muhammad Kamran
Fahad Jaber Alatawi
author_sort Hafiz Muhammad Saqib Mushtaq
collection DOAJ
description The Banks grass mite/New World date mite, <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), is a globally distributed and economically significant agricultural pest. The present study comprehensively addresses the morphotaxonomic identification of globally reported populations of <i>O. pratensis</i>, to resolve ambiguities within the <i>pratensis</i> complex. Detailed morphological characterizations of all mobile stages (larva, protonymph, deutonymph, male, and female) of the Californian population of <i>O. pratensis</i> were provided, with key diagnostic traits utilized in this taxonomic assessment. The taxonomic notes are provided for worldwide populations of <i>O. pratensis</i> reported from six biogeographic realms. The taxonomic identity of the claimed populations of <i>O. pratensis</i> from South Africa (Afrotropical realm), El Salvador (Neotropical realm), China, Pakistan (Oriental realm), and Saudi Arabia (Palearctic realm) were found to either be “doubtful” or exhibit notable differences compared to the Californian population. Notably, the purported Chinese population of <i>O. pratensis</i> was identified as a cryptic species, likely a novel taxon within the <i>gossypii</i> species subgroup. Furthermore, the study confirmed the absence of <i>O. pratensis</i> in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, ontogenetic changes across developmental stages are documented. The findings of this study may contribute to a clearer understanding of the true distribution and global occurrence of <i>O. pratensis</i>, providing robust diagnostic characteristics to support future research.
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spelling doaj-art-e2e3dd53fd66439784c34a5e1db2d5d22025-08-20T02:56:06ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182024-12-01161276510.3390/d16120765Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)Hafiz Muhammad Saqib Mushtaq0Jawwad Hassan Mirza1Hafiz Muhammad Sajid Ali2Muhammad Kamran3Fahad Jaber Alatawi4Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaThe Banks grass mite/New World date mite, <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), is a globally distributed and economically significant agricultural pest. The present study comprehensively addresses the morphotaxonomic identification of globally reported populations of <i>O. pratensis</i>, to resolve ambiguities within the <i>pratensis</i> complex. Detailed morphological characterizations of all mobile stages (larva, protonymph, deutonymph, male, and female) of the Californian population of <i>O. pratensis</i> were provided, with key diagnostic traits utilized in this taxonomic assessment. The taxonomic notes are provided for worldwide populations of <i>O. pratensis</i> reported from six biogeographic realms. The taxonomic identity of the claimed populations of <i>O. pratensis</i> from South Africa (Afrotropical realm), El Salvador (Neotropical realm), China, Pakistan (Oriental realm), and Saudi Arabia (Palearctic realm) were found to either be “doubtful” or exhibit notable differences compared to the Californian population. Notably, the purported Chinese population of <i>O. pratensis</i> was identified as a cryptic species, likely a novel taxon within the <i>gossypii</i> species subgroup. Furthermore, the study confirmed the absence of <i>O. pratensis</i> in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, ontogenetic changes across developmental stages are documented. The findings of this study may contribute to a clearer understanding of the true distribution and global occurrence of <i>O. pratensis</i>, providing robust diagnostic characteristics to support future research.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/12/765banks grass miteintraspecific variationsmorphologynew world date mitespecies complexspecies identification
spellingShingle Hafiz Muhammad Saqib Mushtaq
Jawwad Hassan Mirza
Hafiz Muhammad Sajid Ali
Muhammad Kamran
Fahad Jaber Alatawi
Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)
Diversity
banks grass mite
intraspecific variations
morphology
new world date mite
species complex
species identification
title Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)
title_full Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)
title_fullStr Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)
title_full_unstemmed Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)
title_short Morphotaxonomic Assessment of the <i>pratensis</i> Species Complex with Ontogenetic Development and Redescription of <i>Oligonychus pratensis</i> (Banks) (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae)
title_sort morphotaxonomic assessment of the i pratensis i species complex with ontogenetic development and redescription of i oligonychus pratensis i banks acari prostigmata tetranychidae
topic banks grass mite
intraspecific variations
morphology
new world date mite
species complex
species identification
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/12/765
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