Redescription of Bdella muscorum Ewing, 1909 (Bdellidae: Bdellinae) from China with Its First Description of Ontogeny †

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Many species of mites are described as adults; immature stages are far less understood than adults despite being key features for understanding mite classification and phylogeny. Bdella muscorum Ewing, 1909 is a type species of Bdellidae erected on adults; and its ontogeny has never been described before. Here; adult B. muscorum collected from China were redescribed and its ontogeny was described in detail for the first time which will help us to improve identification, understand mite classification and phylogeny, and to study variations of ontogeny. ABSTRACT: Bdella muscorum Ewing, 1909 was redescribed and illustrated in detail, and its ontogeny was described and illustrated for the first time, including pro dorsal apodeme and chaetotaxy. Chaetotaxy changes in Bdella are mainly focused on ventral hypostomal setae (vh), setae on palpal basifemur, aggenital setae (ag), genital setae (g), anal setae (ad) and leg setae. Furthermore, an original key to the Bdella species from China was also provided.