PATHOGENS AND PARASITES OF OPILIONES (ARTHROPODA, ARACHNIDA)

This is the first paper to review the literature records on all pathogens and parasites of Opiliones on a global level. These organisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoans, cestodes, trematodes, nematodes, arthropods) are listed in phylogenetic order along with available information on hosts, collection localities, life history, and taxonomic history. The opilion hosts are also listed (by their currently accepted names) along with the names of their known pathogens and parasites. Diagnostic characters and some taxonomic keys are provided for taxa which are relatively well know. Citations to other available keys are provided. Many new host and distribution records are provided. Two fungi [Engyodontium aranearum (Cavara), Torrubiella pulvinata Mains] are removed from the list of pathogens of opilions and it is suggested that the original hosts were misidentified spiders. Two new combinations are recorded in the Mermithidae: Agamomermis phalangii (Haldeman 1851), Agamomermis truncatula (Rudolphi 1819). Agamermis incerta Steiner in Stipperger 1928 is regarded as a nomen nudum. The type locality of the mite Leptus lomani (Oudemans 1903b) is restricted to Corral (39-degrees-53'S, 73-degrees-25'W), Valdivia, Chile.