New records of mites (Acari) and harvestmen (Opiliones) from Malta with a preliminary checklist of Maltese Arachnida
Keywords:
Mediterranean, endemic, soil fauna, faunistics, distribution, anthropogenic habitatAbstract
We present new faunistic records of mites and harvestmen from the Maltese Archipelago and reviewed available data on the faunistics of the class Arachnida of the Archipelago. Literature records of Arachnids are rather scarce and uncomprehensive and up to date, checklists dealing with them have not been published except for spiders and gall mites. Along with newly recorded families, genera and species, we compiled a preliminary checklist and review of Maltese Arachnida to facilitate faunistic research on these groups. In regard to mites, Geckobia sarahae Bertrand, Pfliegler & Sciberras, 2012 is established as a lapsus calami that refers to G. estherae Bertrand, Pfliegler & Sciberras, 2012.
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