A New Webbing Aberoptus Species from South Africa Provides Insight in Silk Production in Gall Mites (Eriophyoidea)

Arthropods include a high diversity of lineages adapted for silk production. Several species microscopic phytophagous mites the hyperdiverse superfamily Eriophyoidea spin web; however, origin their is unknown. We described new web-spinning mite, Aberoptus schotiae n. sp., collected from leaves Schotia brachypetala (Fabaceae) in South Africa and showed that it has complex life cycle, including two morphotypes adults nymphs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses 28S sequence comparison conspecificity heteromorphic females rejected synonymy Aceria proposed by previous authors. For first time, we provided SEM images web nests and, using set different techniques, silk-producing anal secretory apparatus (ASA) Aberoptus. It comprises pairs glands (hypertrophied females), three cuticular sacs rectal tube leading to opening. This unique case (analogy) secretion Chelicerata previously reported only Serianus (Pseudoscorpiones). Recent findings rudimentary ASA distant eriophyoid results this study transform current paradigm exoticism taxa into concept synapomorphic specialization hindgut excreting gland secretions Eriophyoidea.