Cryptic false spider mites: a new genus, Austrolinus, and a review of the family Linotetranidae (Acari : Prostigmata : Tetranychoidea)

Abstract

The Linotetranidae (Acari : Tetranychoidea) is a poorly known group of cryptic false spider mites associated with grasses and sedges. We review the family at the world level, provide the first phylogenetic analysis of the family, and describe the first Australian representatives: Austrolinus, gen. nov. and two new species: A.  arenulus and A. kinnearae. Linotetranidae is redefined, and keys are provided for the families of the Tetranychoidea, and for all described genera and species of Linotetranidae.