Systematic studies on zerconid mites (Acari, Zerconidae) in Gaziantep province

This study was carried out between February 2021 and May 2023 to determine zerconid mite (Acari: Zerconidae) diversity in Gaziantep province. Various plant debris, moss and soil samples were collected from 248 different localities and a total of 272 sampling were taken. The zerconid mites obtained from the collected samples were examined and a total of 12 species belonging to two genera were identified. 9 of these species belong to the genus Zercon (Z. agnostus, Z. amanosicus sp. nov., Z. antepensis sp. nov., Z. colligans, Z. hispanicus, Z. notabilis, Z. plumatopilus, Z. quercicola sp. nov. and Z. turcicus) and 3 of them belong to the genus Prozercon (P. anatolicus sp. nov., P. semiseparatus and P. umidicola). P. semiseparatus Ujvári, 2009 is new record for the Turkish fauna. In addition, Z. amanosicus sp. nov., Z. antepensis sp. nov., Z. quercicola sp. nov. and P. anatolicus sp. nov. were new species for science. Figures were drawn on the identified specimens, measurements were made, definitions were reviewed, and the distribution of the species was presented.