Identification of species of the families Macrochelidae and Pachylaelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from the Karasu Valley (between Kemah and Kemaliye).

This study focuses on the identification of mite species of the families Macrochelidae and Pachylaelapidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) collected in the Karasu Valley between the districts of Kemah and Kemaliye in Erzincan Province, Türkiye. The fieldwork was conducted in 2023 and 2024, collecting moss, litter and soil samples from different natural habitats of the region. A total of 15 species were identified, including 4 species of Macrochelidae and 11 species of Pachylaelapidae. Among these, Onchodellus anatolicus Özbek and Akyol sp. nov. and Pachyseius biscleritus Özbek and Akyol sp. nov. were described as new species. In addition, the male of Pachylaelaps (Pachylaelaps) armiger was described for the first time. Numerous male and female specimens of Pachylaelaps (Pachylaelaps) evansi were also studied in detail and the species was redescribed based on new findings. This study contributes to the mite fauna of Türkiye by adding new species and providing essential taxonomic data for future studies on Mesostigmata mites in the region.