# Second Palearctic Record of the Genus Stereoglyphus Berlese (Acari: Acaridae) with Morpho-Molecular Description of a New Species from Zagros Mountains, Iran

## TL;DR

This study discovers a new species of mite in Iranian caves and reclassifies a genus, providing the second record of Stereoglyphus in the Palearctic region.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a new Stereoglyphus species and proposes a taxonomic synonym, with the first molecular data for the genus.

## Key findings

- A new species, Stereoglyphus iranensis, is described from the Zagros Mountains, Iran.
- Troglocoptes is proposed as a junior synonym of Stereoglyphus.
- DNA barcoding data is provided for Stereoglyphus, marking the first molecular data for the genus.

## Abstract

Until now, the acarofauna of caves in the Zagros Mountains, Iran, has been poorly recognized, although cavernicolous astigmatid mites are cosmopolitan and are typically associated with dark and humid subterranean environments. This study presents part of the results of the first comprehensive survey conducted in this region. Comparative analysis of the sampled mites with literature data and type collections has led to the conclusion that the genus Troglocoptes Fain, 1966 should be assigned as a junior synonym of Stereoglyphus Berlese, 1923. We found two species of this genus, including one species new to science; this represents the second record of the genus Stereoglyphus in the Palearctic. The description of the new species is based on morphological examination of all life stages and is supplemented by DNA barcoding data. The identification key to the known species of the genus is provided.

In this study, the astigmatid mite genus Troglocoptes Fain, 1966 is proposed as a junior synonym of Stereoglyphus Berlese, 1923. As a part of the project concerning identification of cave-dwelling mites in the Zagros Mountains, all ontogenetic instars of Stereoglyphus iranensis sp. nov. (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) are described from Doroodzan Cave, Fars Province, Iran. This is the second record of the genus in caves in the Palearctic region and the fifth described species worldwide. The morphological description is supplemented with DNA barcode data based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, representing the first molecular data for this genus. Additionally, the first Asian record of Stereoglyphus longibursatus (Fain et Mahunka, 1990) is reported from Sahlak Cave, Fars Province, Iran. An identification key to the known species of the genus is provided. The troglobitic status of the new species is discussed, and the modifications of the anterior legs and tarsal setae, along with the partial reduction of idiosomal setation, are interpreted as adaptations to burrowing in bat guano.