Evidence of cryptic speciation in the Hygrobates calliger complex (Acariformes, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) with the description of two new species

Hygrobates specimens with a coarse lineated soft integument generally have been considered as representatives of H. calliger Piersig, 1896, regarded common and widely distributed species in the Palaearctic. In present study using an integrative taxonomic approach that combines morphological studies DNA barcoding we show calliger-like mites belong to six distinct lineages. Two species, ponticus sp. nov. (East Türkiye, Georgia) tyrrhenicus (Corsica) are described new science.