title: Considerations on systematics of the Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), with definition of a new species group and description of a new species.
abstract: The authors debate some aspects of the classification of the Phytoseiidae, especially the subfamily Typhlodrominae. Within this taxon, the rhenanus group is the most numerous species group of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius), with 206 nominal species. Detailed observation of morphological characters of the species in this group showed a considerable variation, suggesting the presence of different natural lineages. The discovery of the new species here described, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) sandrae Ragusa & Tsolakis n. sp., allowed the definition of the new porathi species group. Definition of the new species group, a dichotomous key as well as the description of the new species are given.
authors.affiliation: University of Palermo, Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Acarology "Eliahu Swirski", Edifice 5A, Viale delle Scienze, 13 - 90128 Palermo, Italy.; Email: haralabos.tsolakis@unipa.it.
authors.forename: Haralabos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsolakis
authors.affiliation: University of Palermo, Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Acarology "Eliahu Swirski", Edifice 5A, Viale delle Scienze, 13 - 90128 Palermo, Italy.; Email: salvatore.ragusadichiara@unipa.it.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ragusa
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D009929:Organ Size