In Macrocheles glaber (Müller), oviposition can involve either oviparity or egg production followed by immediate hatching of the larva, a process that may be called ovoviviparity. We observed three phases in the process of ovoviviparity: preoviposition behaviour, oviposition followed by holding the egg under the gnathosoma and hatching of the larva assisted by the female. Two factors appear to favour the occurrence of ovoviviparity in this species: poor feeding and poor substrate quality. We witnessed egg cannibalism four times in two of the four females that we observed. We discuss the consequences of variable oviposition strategy, parental care and egg cannibalism in M. glaber in the context of maximization of reproductive success.

Zercon utemisovi sp. n., (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) from Kazakhstan is described and illustrated based on adults of both sexes. The new species is most similar to Zercon karadaghiensis, which we compare to our new species, and we note that mites previously identified as Z. karadaghiensis may include more than one species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:410D246F-90BF-4FE6-81C7-4CAD64A9BAD3