Mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Parasitiformes) from the aphotic zone of Hacı Akif Cave (Türkiye), with the description of a new species of Macrocheles

This study reports mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) collected from fresh bat guano in the aphotic zone of a natural cave in T & uuml;rkiye. Three species were identified, each belonging to a different family: Eulaelaps stabularis (Haemogamasidae), Macrocheles foliatus & Ouml;zbek sp. nov. (Macrochelidae) and Vulgarogamasus oudemansi (Parasitidae). Macrocheles foliatus & Ouml;zbek sp. nov. is described here as a new species based on morphological features observed in adult females. Vulgarogamasus oudemansi is recorded from T & uuml;rkiye for the first time. Two females of Eulaelaps stabularis were found directly in bat guano, and the presence of developing larvae suggests larviparity or ovolarviparity in this species. These findings expand current knowledge of cave-associated mesostigmatid diversity and provide additional information on the ecological role of bat guano habitats in supporting diverse mite assemblages in cave ecosystem.https://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:745CF591-023A-48F3-A4E9-824BB6923106