The existence of a tritonymphal stage in the life cycle of Eustigmaeus jiangxiensis Hu, Chen & Huang (Acariformes: Stigmaeidae)

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Four active postembryonic developmental stages are often present in members of the family Stigmaeidae: the six-legged larva, the eight-legged protonymph, deutonymph, and the adult. This study provides a new description of the tritonymphal stage of Eustigmaeus jiangxiensis Hu, Chen & Huang in the Stigmaeidae. The distinguishing characteristics of the adults and the three nymphal stages are delineated. The occurrence of the tritonymphal stage in the stigmaeids is unusual. This study marks the second occasion, the first being in Stigmaeus elongatus Berlese. In addition, Ledermuelleriopsis giresuniensis Doğan & Ayyıldız is proposed as a junior synonym of Eustigmaeus jiangxiensis Hu, Chen & Huang.