Acari, Oribatida - Biotaxa

Zootaxa 3889 (1): 031–057 www.mapress.com /zootaxa / Copyright © 2014 Magnolia Press

Article

ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

ZOOTAXA

ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3889.1.2 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:087B237C-E45C-4FDC-BC1A-649FB5B6A87E

New and little known species of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Cameroon WOJCIECH NIEDBAŁA1,3 & JOSEF STARÝ2 1

Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of Biology, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland, E-mail: [email protected] 2 Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Institute of Soil Biology, Na Sádkách 7, CZ-37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic, E-mail: [email protected]; 3 Corresponding author

Abstract Altogether 24 species of ptyctimous mites were found in sifting litter samples from the Cameroon. Twelve new species of the ptyctimous mites, Indotritia montkoupensis sp. nov., Acrotritia furca sp. nov., Acrotritia quasidivida sp. nov., Hoplophthiracarus kumboensis sp. nov., Hoplophthiracarus reticulatus sp. nov., Hoplophthiracarus spinus sp. nov., Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) quaternarius sp. nov., Austrophthiracarus bicarinatus sp. nov., Protophthiracarus diatropos sp. nov., Protophthiracarus korupensis sp. nov., Protophthiracarus preptos sp. nov., Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) gibbus sp. nov., from the Cameroon are described and figured. Seven species are recorded for the first time for the Cameroon oribatid mite fauna. A comparison of morphological similarities with the most closely related species is presented. Taxonomical notes and additional information for two ptyctimous species: Acrotritia ardua (C.L.Koch, 1841), Arphthicarus sculptilis (Niedbała, 1988), were added. Keys for Afrotropical species of genera Hoplophthiracarus and Protophthiracarus are presented. Key words: Oribatid, ptyctimous mites, Phthiracaroidea, Euphthiracaroidea, new species, taxonomy, morphology, Cameroon

Introduction The present contribution dealing with the description of new species of ptyctimous mites from soils of Cameroon is based on determination of sifting litter material collected by Dr V. Grebennikov (Canada, Ottawa) from three forest localities in Cameroon, which were rich in ptyctimous species. Our knowledge on the fauna of ptyctimous mites from Cameroon is comparatively scarce. Niedbała (1998, 2001, 2002) had surveyed ptyctimous fauna of the Afrotropical Region and recorded 148 ptyctimous species in total. However, only three species from the superfamily Euphthiracaroidea (Acrotritia comtae (Mahunka, 1983), A. ardua (C.L.Koch, 1841), and Microtritia tropica Märkel, 1964) and five species of the superfamily Phthiracaroidea (Phthiracarus parabaloghi Niedbała, 1983 (Niedbała 1983b), Plonaphacarus machadoi (Balogh, 1958), Protophthiracarus dignus (Niedbała, 1983) (Niedbała 1983b), Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) stilifer (Hammer, 1961) and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) vitrinus (Berlese, 1913) have been recorded only from the two localities, Batouri and Kounden, studied to date in Cameroon.

Material and methods The soil samples were collected by using a leaf litter sifting method and were partly extracted using a Winkler apparatus. All of the extracted mite specimens were preserved in 85% ethanol, then cleared on slides with 80% lactic acid and mounted on temporary slides with glycerol. Observations, figures and measurements were made

Accepted by E. Sidorchuk: 30 Oct. 2014; published: 28 Nov. 2014

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using a standard light microscope equipped with a drawing attachment. The determined materials were preserved in vials with 80% ethanol. These types are partly deposited at the Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Poznań, Poland (DATE) and partly at the Institute of Soil Biology BC ASCR, České Budějovice in the Czech Republic (ISB), as well as at the Natural History Museum, Geneva, Switzerland (NHMG). All measurements are given in micrometres. The terminology is based on Niedbała (2000).

List of identified species family Mesoplophoridae Ewing, 1917 Mesoplophora (Mesoplophora) invisitata Niedbała, 1983 (Niedbała 1983a) Distribution: probably pantropical species (Niedbała 2001). Localities in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (24 sp.); South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (17 sp.); North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, foggy montane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (7 sp.); new record for Cameroon. family Oribotritiidae Grandjean, 1954 Indotritia (Afrotritia) compacta Mahunka, 1988 Distribution: Ethiopian species, recorded also from Democratic Republic Congo, and Tanzania (Niedbała 2001). Localities in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (4 sp.); South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (220 sp.); new record for Cameroon. Indotritia montkoupensis sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (24 sp.). family: Euphthiracaridae Jacot, 1930 Acrotritia ardua (C.L.Koch, 1841) Distribution: semicosmopolitan species recorded from Ethiopian species Region also from Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Democratic Republic Congo (Niedbała 1998). Localities in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (1 sp.); South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (8 sp.); previous record from Cameroon: Kounden (Niedbała, 1998). Acrotritia furca sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, foggy montane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (3 sp.). Acrotritia quasidivida sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (1 sp.). Acrotritia rustica (Niedbała, 1991) Distribution: Ethiopian species recorded previously also from Democratic Republic Congo.

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Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (12 sp.); new record for Cameroon. family: Phthiracaridae Perty, 1841 Arphthicarus sculptilis (Niedbała, 1988) Distribution: Ethiopian species recorded previously also from Comoro Islands, Madagascar and Reunion (Niedbała 2001). Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (2 sp.); new record for Cameroon. Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) gibbus sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (1 sp.). Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) tuberculosissimus (Mahunka, 1978) Distribution: Ethiopian species also recorded from Mauritius, Uganda, Angola, Tanzania and Kenya (Niedbała 2001). Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (1 sp.); new record for Cameroon. Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) vitrinus Berlese, 1913 Distribution: Pantropical species recorded so far from Ethiopian Region also from Chad, Angola, Cape Verde Islands, Comoro Islands, Rwanda, Uganda, Democratic Republic Congo, and Togo (Niedbała 2001). Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (1 sp.). This species was recorded from two localities from Cameroon: Kounden and Batouri (Niedbała 2001). Austrophthiracarus bicarinatus sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (9 sp.). Hoplophthiracarus kumboensis sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (7 sp.). Hoplophthiracarus reticulatus sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (81 sp.). Hoplophthiracarus spinus sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (22 sp.). Phthiracarus anonymus Grandjean, 1933 Distribution: Semicosmopolitan species recorded from Ethiopian region also from Uganda, Reunion, and Madagascar (Niedbała 2001). Locality in Cameroon: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (3 sp.); new record for Cameroon. Phthiracarus parabaloghi Niedbała, 1983 (Niedbała 1983b) Distribution: Ethiopian species recorded so far from Ethiopian Region also from Uganda and Togo (Niedbała

NEW AND LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES OF PTYCTIMOUS MITES

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2001). Localites in Cameroon: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (10 sp.); North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (15 sp.). This species was recorded previously from Cameroon from locality Kounden (Niedbała 2001). Protophthiracarus diatropos sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Localities in Cameroon: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (60 sp.); North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (90 sp.). Protophthiracarus dignus (Niedbała, 1983) (Niedbała 1983b) Distribution: Ethiopian species recorded so far also from Uganda (Niedbała 2001). Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (1 sp.). This species was also recorded from Cameroon from locality Batouri (Niedbała 2001). Protophthiracarus korupensis sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Localities in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil, sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (23 sp.); South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (3 sp.). Protophthiracarus preptos sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (2 sp.). Protophthiracarus venustus (Niedbała, 1983) (Niedbała 1983b) Distribution: Ethiopian species recorded so far from Uganda (Niedbała 2001). Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km North–West of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (6 sp.); new record for Cameroon. Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) quaternarius sp. nov. Distribution: Cameroon, perhaps endemic. Locality in Cameroon: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, (1 sp.).

Description of new species Indotritia montkoupensis sp. nov. (Fig. 1A–H) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 465, width 379, height 187; prodorsal setae: sensillus 101, interlamellar (in) 40, lamellar (le) 38, rostral (ro) 58, exobothridial (ex) 88; notogaster: length 848, width 626, height 667; notogastral setae: c1 and ps1 116, h1 45; genitoaggenital plate 192×126, anoadanal plate 424×65.


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FIGURE 1A–H. Indotritia montkoupensis sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, mentum of subcapitulum; E, right genitoaggenital plate; F, left anoadanal plate; G, palp; H, trochanter and femur of leg I.

Measurements of paratype I. Prodorsum: length 505, width 242, height 182; notogaster: length 980, width 757, height 747. Description. Colour light to dark brown. Integumental surface of body punctated. Prodorsum with one pair of lateral carinae. Sensilli long and smooth. Prodorsal setae short, filiform, smooth, rostral setae longer than rather faint interlamellar and lamellar setae, exobothridial setae the longest. NEW AND LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES OF PTYCTIMOUS MITES


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Notogaster with short (c1/c1-d1=0.3) needleform setae, setae of c row distanced from anterior notogastral border, setae c1 more, setae c3 less remote. Lateral opisthosomal glands, lyrifissures and vestigial setae typical to family. Ventral region. Setae h of subcapitular mentum considerably longer than distance between their insertion points. Palps five segmented with formula of setation: 0-2-0-2-9(1). Epimeral setation formula: 3-0-3-3. Two posterior epimeres with one more setae than usual in the family. Left genital plate with eight setae, right genital plate with nine setae; paratype I with the same number of genital setae; three or four anterior genital setae located in progenital position considerably distanced from other genital setae of central and posterior part of plates; aggenital setae ag1 vestigial, setae ag2 short. Two pairs of anal and three pairs of adanal setae present, anal setae located in anterior part of anal plates, adanal setae distributed along the whole adanal plates, distance between them is similar, setae ad3 positioned between the level of anal setae, all setae minute; big lyrifissures iad situated in anterior part of adanal plate, anteriorly of an2 setae. Legs. Chaetome of legs (without tarsi I and II): I: 1-4-5(2)-5(1); II: 1-4-4(1)-5(1); III: 3-2-3(1)-4(1); IV: 3-22(1)-3(1). Anterodorsal part of femur I with strong triangular spine. Tarsi heterotridactylous. Material examined. Holotype and 15 paratypes are deposited at DATE from locus typicus: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, submontane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, five paratypes are deposited at ISB and one paratype is deposited at NHMG, all ones from the same locality. Etymology. The specific epithet mountkoupensis refers to the locality of this species—Mont Koup Ecological Reserve. Comparison. The new species is easily distinguishable from all Afrotropical species of the genus Indotritia by the presence of two pairs of anal setae, short needleform notogastral setae, very long exobothridial setae, aggenital setae ag1 vestigial, and presence of one pair of lateral prodorsal carinae.

Acrotritia furca sp. nov. (Fig. 2A–J) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 273, height 106, width 197; prodorsal setae: sensillus 78, interlamellar (in) 142, lamellar (le) 83, rostral (ro) 61, exobothridial (ex) 10; notogaster: length 566, height 394, width 374; notogastral setae: c1 104, h1 101, ps1 114; genitoaggenital plate 121×109, anoadanal plate 215×111. Description. Colour yellow. Surface of body punctated. Prodorsum with lateral carinae forked distally but lower branch is short and not reach the margin of prodorsum. Sensilli long, rod-like, covered with distinct spines in distal half. Dorsal setae long, erect, rigid, covered with distinct spines, exobothridial setae minute. Notogaster with notogastral setae of medium length (c1/c1-d1 = 0.8) covered with small spines, notogastral setae c1—3 remote from anterior notogastral margin, setae c2 more than setae c1, setae c3 less than setae c1. Ventral region. Setae h of mentum longer than distance between their insertion points. Palps three segmented with chaetome: 2-2-8(1). Nine pairs of genital setae, with formula 7: 2; two pairs of aggenital setae situated longitudinally. Legs. Chaetome of legs (without tarsi): I: 1-3-5(2)-5(1), II: 1-4-4(1)-4(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-3(1), IV: 2-1-2-2(1). Genua III with one seta less than in some other Acrotritia species (i. e. A. duplicata (Grandjean, 1953). Tarsi of legs I heterobidactylous, tarsi of legs II and III heterotridactylous, tarsi of legs IV monodactylous. Material examined. Holotype and one paratype are deposited at DATE from locus typicus: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, one paratype is deposited at ISB from the same locality. Etymology. The specific epithet furca is derived from Latin for “a fork” and alludes to bifurcate distal end of lateral carinae of prodorsum. Comparison and diagnosis. The new species is distinguishable from congeners by the presence of monodactylous tarsi I, heterobidactylous tarsi I and heterotridactylous tarsi II and III. Three species with similar


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shape of bifurcation of lateral carinae Acrotritia meristos (Niedbała, 2003), A. furcata (Bayoumi et Mahunka, 1979) and A. penicillata (Mahunka, 1982) have dilated, fusiform head of sensilli. Furthermore A. furcata and A. penicillata have body surface with network of polygonal structure and A. meristos has short and almost equal length of prodorsal, dorsal setae and small notogastral setae.

FIGURE 2A–J. Acrotritia furca sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, lateral view; B, sensillus, dorsal view; C, sensillus lateral view; D, opisthosoma, lateral view; E, left genitoaggenital plate; F, mentum of subcapitulum; G, claw I; H, claw II; I, claw III; J, claw IV.



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FIGURE 3A–F. Acrotritia quasidivida sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, mentum of supcapitulum; E, right genitoaggenital plate; F, palp.

Acrotritia quasidivida sp. nov. (Fig. 3A–F) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 217, width 192, height 101, length of lower lateral carina 119, length of upper lateral carina 38; prodorsal setae: sensillus 68, interlamellar (in) 164, lamellar (le) 71, rostral (ro)


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58, exobothridial (ex) 23; notogaster: length 515, width 379, height 384; notogastral setae c1 71, h1 and ps1 83; genitoaggenital plate 172×66, anoadanal plate 240×56. Prodorsum with two pairs of lateral carinae, lower more than three times longer than upper carinae; sensilli with short, distinctly dilated head, covered with dense spines; interlamellar and lamellar setae robust, erect, with small spines in distal half, rostral setae rough, exobothridial setae shortest, smooth, interlamellar setae more than double length of lamellar and rostral setae. Notogaster. Notogastral setae robust, fairly short (c1/c1-d1=0.6), covered with small spines in distal half. Notogastral setae c remote from anterior border of notogaster, setae c1 and c2 more than setae c3. Ventral region. Setae h of mentum longer than distance of their insertion points, h > h-h; formula of palps: 2-28 (1); nine pairs of minute genital setae after formula: 7: 2, two pairs of aggenital setae present, located longitudinally. Legs. Chaetome of legs (without tarsi I and II): I: 1-3-5(2)-5(1), II: 1-4-3(1)-4(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-3(1)-11, IV: 21-2-2(1)-10. Tarsi of legs I heterobidactylous, tarsi II—IV heterotridactylous. Material examined. Holotype is deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: Cameroon, South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, submontane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov. Etymology. The prefix quasi is Latin meaning “near” and refers to the similarity of the new species to oriental species Acrotritia divida (Mahunka, 1991). Comparison. The new species is similar to Acrotritia divida (Mahunka, 1991) and especially to Australian species Acrotritia paradivida (Niedbała et Penttinen, 2007). All three species have similar size and similar proportion of lateral carinae length of the prodorsum but Acrotritia divida (Mahunka, 1991) is easily distinguishable by the presence of monodactylous tarsi of the legs, whereas two remaining species have heterobidactylous tarsi I and heterotridactylous tarsi II–IV. The new species differs from Acrotritia paradivida by the shape of sensilli with distinct, short head covered with dense spines (versus baciliform sensilli covered with cilia, without head) and longer interlamellar setae, in/le=2.3 (versus 1.8).

Hoplophthiracarus kumboensis sp. nov. (Fig. 4A–H) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 303, width 212, height 106; prodorsal setae: sensillus 111, interlamellar (in) 109, lamellar (le) 38, rostral (ro) 51; notogaster: length 535, width 394, height 364; notogastral setae: c1, h1 and ps1 111; genitoaggenital plate 152×121, anoadanal plate 139×86. Description. Colour light brown. Body surface covered with deep, regular, rounded foveoles. Prodorsum with narrow fields, lateral longer than median; lateral carinae reach the sinus; posterior furrows absent; sensilli long, filiform, flexible, ciliated in distal half; interlamellar setae rather long, rigid, semi-erect, rather pointed distally, covered with small spines in distal end, similar in shape to notogastral setae, lamellar setae very short, spiniform, rostral setae longer, also spiniform, rough, exobothridial setae vestigial. Notogaster with rigid setae, of medium size (c1/c1-d1=0.9), rather pointed distally, covered with small spines in distal half, setae of row c remote from anterior notogastral border, setae c2 and c3 more than setae c1; vestigial setae f1 anterior of setae h1; two pairs of lyrifissures, ia and im, present. Ventral region. Setae h of mentum minute; formula of genital setae: 6 (4+2): 3; anoadanal plates with setae dagger shaped, only adanal setae ad3 minute, spiniform, situated near paraxial border, anal setae shorter than adanal setae ad1 and ad2, adanal setae ad2 remote from paraxial border. Legs. Leg setation complete type, setae d of femora I bifurcated distally and situated at distal end of article. Material examined. Holotype and three paratypes are deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, two paratypes are deposited at ISB and one paratype is deposited at NHMG all from the same locality. Etymology. The specific epithet kumboensis refers to the locality of this species.



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FIGURE 4A–H. Hoplophthiracarus kumboensis sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, mentum of subcapitulum; E, right genitoaggenital plate; F, right anoadanal plate; G, trochanter and femur of leg I; H, tibia IV.

Comparison. The new species is easy distinguishable from congeners by the shape and length of sensilli, long and narrow fields of prodorsum, minute setae h of subcapitular mentum, and bifurcated setae d of femora I.


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

FIGURE 5A–H. Hoplophthiracarus reticulatus sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, mentum of subcapitulum; E, left genitoaggenital plate; F, left anoadanal plate; G, trochanter and femur of leg I; H, tibia IV.



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Hoplophthiracarus reticulatus sp. nov. (Fig. 5A–H) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 364, width 263, height 126; prodorsal setae: sensillus 51, interlamellar (in) 83, lamellar (le) 33, rostral (ro) 56; notogaster: length 778, width 525, height 485; notogastral setae: c1 202, c3 99, h1 253, ps1 243, ps4 83; genitoaggenital plate 217×116; anoadanal plate 247×121. Measurements of paratype I. Prodorsum: length 384, width 286, height 146; notogaster: length 808, width 576, height 535. Description. Relatively big species. Colour brown yellow. Integument sculptured, surface of notogaster covered with distinct reticulation, surface of prodorsum covered with weak foveoles. Prodorsum with distinct sigillar fields, median of medium size, laterals very short. Posterior furrows distinctly expressed. Lateral carinae reach the sinus. Sensilli very short, with narrow pedicel and rounded, smooth head. Prodorsal setae (except vestigial exobothridial) spiniform, rough, interlamellar the longest, semi-erect. Notogaster with three types of shape and length of notogastral setae; all notogastral setae covered with small spines in distal half, setae c3 narrow, short, attenuate, setae ps3 and ps4 small, narrow, rigid; other notogastral setae robust, thick, long, dorsal setae longest (c1/c1-d1=1.1) setae c1 and c3 slightly remote from anterior margin, setae c2 more remote. Vestigial setae f1 not visible. Two pairs of lyrifissures, ia and im, present. Ventral region. Setae h of mentum shorter (0.74) than distance between them. Genitoaggenital plates with 9 pairs of setae with formula: 6(4+2): 3. Anoadanal plates each with 5 well-developed setae, adanal setae ad2 the longest and thickest situated near paraxial border between the level of anal setae, adanal setae ad1 longer and thicked than anal setae, adanal setae ad3 the smallest also situated rather near paraxial border. Legs. Formulae of leg setae and solenidia of complete type. Setae d on femora I distinctly remote from distal end of article. Material examined. Holotype and 60 paratypes are deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, 15 paratypes are deposited at ISB and five paratypes are deposited at NHMG all from the same locality. Etymology. The specific epithet reticulatus alludes to the reticulation of surface of notogaster. Comparison. The new species is easily distinguishable from congeners by distinct reticulation of surface of notogaster, heterotrichy of notogastral setae and shape of sensilli. Slightly similar Afrotropical species Plonaphacarus rybalovi Niedbała, 2011 has monotypic notogastral setae, long and erect interlamellar setae and different shape, length and position of setae of anoadanal plates.

Hoplophthiracarus spinus sp. nov. (Fig. 6A–H) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 328, width 217, height 131; prodorsal setae: sensillus 51, interlamellar (in) 66, lamellar (le) 28, rostral (ro) 61; notogaster: length 656, width 434, height 424, notogastral setae: c1 94, h1 71, ps1 81; genitoaggenital plate 187×113, anoadanal plate 210×106. Measurements of paratypes. Paratype I: prodorsum: length 313, width 222, height 141; notogaster: length 626, width 454, height 444. Paratype II: prodorsum: length 242, width 149, height 76; notogaster: length 444, width 303, height 263. Paratype III: prodorsum: length 303 width 227, height 126; notogaster: length 606, width 424, height 404, c1 121, c1/c1-d1=0.8, h1 131, ps1 111. Description. Colour light brown to brown. Surface of body covered with concavities especially genitoaggenital and anoadanal plates. Prodorsum with strong posterior furrows, sigillar fields not very distinct, median longer than laterals. Lateral carinae reach the sinus. Sensilli of medium size with fusiform, ciliate head. Interlamellar setae rather semi-erect, short, narrow, stout, covered sparsely with small spines, lamellar setae short, spiniform, rostral setae longer, thick, rough.


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

FIGURE 6A–H. Hoplophthiracarus spinus sp. nov., A–G, I, J. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, seta c1; E, mentum of subcapitulum; F, left genitoaggenital plate; G, left anoadanal plate; I, trochanter and femur of leg I; J, tibia IV; H, notogaster of paratype.

Notogaster with rather short notogastral setae (c1/c1-d1=0.54), spiniform, ciliate only at one side, except fine, flexible, smooth notogastral setae c3 directed posteriorly. Setae c3 near anterior margin, setae c1 slightly remote, setae c2 far from margin. Vestigial setae f1 not visible. Two pairs of lyrifissures, ia and im, present. Four paratypes



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with longer and slender notogastral setae, not as spinous as in holotype. All other morphological characters as in holotype. Ventral region. Setae h of mentum shorter than distance between them. Formula of genital setae: 6(4+2): 3. Anoadanal plates with five pairs of rough setae, adanal setae ad2 longer and thicker than ad1 and anal setae, adanal setae ad3 the shortest; adanal setae ad2 situated near paraxial border at level between anal setae, adanal setae ad3 remote from paraxial border and situated in middle of plate. Legs. Chaetome of legs complete type. Setae d on femora I remote from anterior end of article. Material examined. Holotype and 15 paratypes are deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, four paratypes are deposited at ISB and two paratypes are deposited at NHMG, all from the same locality. Etymology. The specific epithet spinus is Latin for “spines, with spines” and refers to the shape of majority of notogastral setae. Comparison. This species is very easily distinguishable from congeners by the shape of thick, short, spiniform majority of notogastral setae, except fine setae c3.

Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) quaternarius sp. nov. (Fig. 7A–H ) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 278, height 111, width 207; prodorsal setae: sensillus 96, interlamellar (in) 139, lamellar (le) 43, rostral (ro) 56, exobothridial (ex) 15; notogaster: length 555, height 404, width 353; notogastral setae: c1 126, h1 144, ps1 109; genitoaggenital plate 121×109, anoadanal plate 215×111. Description. Species with neotrichy of adanal setae. Colour light brown. Integument finely pitted. Prodorsum with sigillar fields distinct, median longer than laterals. Lateral carinae with some traces visible of distal part. Sensilli rather long, with narrow stalk and slightly fusiform head covered with very small spines. Interlamellar setae long, erect, rigid, covered sparsely with small spines in distal half, similar to notogastral setae; lamellar and rostral setae short, spiniform, and rough. Notogaster with notogastral setae of medium length (c1/c1-d1=1.0), rather pointed distally, covered with small spines on their distal half. Notogastral setae c1 and c3 slightly remote from anterior notogastral margin, setae c2 considerably further from margin. Vestigial setae f1 situated anteriorly of setae h1. Two pairs of lyrifissures, ia and im, present. Ventral region. Setae h of mentum longer than distance between their insertion points. Genitoaggenital plates with nine pairs of setae on right plate or 10 pairs on left plate with formula: 6(4+2): 3 or 7(5+2): 3. Anoadanal plates each with seven setae; three anal setae at the paraxial row and four adanal setae remote from paraxial border, adanal setae ad1 and ad2 the longest. Legs. Formulae of leg setae and solenidia of complete type. Setae d on femora I positioned at distal end of article. Material examined. Holotype is deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, submontane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov. Etymology. The specific name quaternarius comes from Latin for “consisting of four, arranged in four” alluding to the four pairs of adanal setae. Comparison. The new species is well characterisable by the presence of four pairs of adanal setae remote from paraxial border of plates. Other Afrotropical Rhacaplacarus species have two pairs of these setae. Some Neotropical species of subgenus Rhacaplacarus with presence also of four pairs of adanal setae remote from paraxial border of plates are morphologically completely different. The most similar Afrotropical Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) spinatus Niedbała, 2001 by the length of interlamellar, lamellar and notogastral setae is distinguishable by the presence of flagellate sensilli (versus slightly fusiform sensilli, obtuse distally) and notogastral setae obtuse distally (versus rather pointed distally).


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

FIGURE 7A–H. Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) quaternarius sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, mentum of subcapitulum; E, genitoaggenital plates; F, left anoadanal plate; G, trochanter and femur of leg I; H, tibia IV.



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FIGURE 8A–H. Austrophthiracarus bicarinatus sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, mentum of subcapitulum; E, right genitoaggenital plate; F, left genitoaggenital plate; G, right anoadanal plate; H, trochanter and femur of leg I.


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

Austrophthiracarus bicarinatus sp. nov. (Fig. 8A–H) Measurement of holotype. Prodorsum: length 520, width 379, height 182; prodorsal setae: sensillus 63, interlamellar (in) 215, lamellar (le) 177, rostral (ro) and exobothridial (ex) 51; notogaster: length 1040, width 778, height 737; notogastral setae: c1 405, c2 126, c3 152, cp 190, h1 455, h3 66, ps1 430; genitoaggenital plate 126×109, anoadanal plate 303×162. Description. Big species, colour brown, body surface punctated. Prodorsum with narrow sigillar fields, median longer than laterals. Two pairs of lateral carinae present, upper longer, reach almost the end of rostrum, posterior furrows absent. Sinus absent. Sensilli very short, slightly fusiform, rough. Very long interlamellar and lamellar setae, procumbent, similar to notogastral setae, attenuate, flexible, smooth, rostral and exobothridial setae short, needleform. Notogaster with 16 pairs of notogastral setae, different in length, attenuate, flexible, smooth, generally dorsal longer than lateral setae, notogastral setae c1 considerably longer than distance between c1-d1. Additional setae in rows c. Setae c1, c1' and c2 slightly remote from anterior notogastral margin, notogastral setae c3 less remote. Vestigial setae f1 situated anteriorly of h1 setae. Five pairs of lyrifissures, ia, im, ip, ih, and ips, present. Ventral region. Setae h of mentum slightly shorter (0.9) than distance between their insertion points. Arrangement of fairly long genital setae: 5(4+1): 4; but in holotype only one seta at right plate is absent. Anoadanal plates with adanal setae ad1 and ad2 longer than anal and ad3 setae. Legs. Chaetome of legs complete type. Setae d on femora I relatively long and slightly remote from distal end of article. Material examined. Holotype and five paratypes are deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, two paratypes are deposited at ISB and one paratype is deposited at NHMG all from the same locality. Etymology. The specific epithet bicarinatus refers to the presence of two pairs of lateral carinae of prodorsum. Comparison. The new species is distinguishable from congeners by presence of two pairs of prodorsal lateral carinae, long notogastral setae, also interlamellar and lamellar setae of prodorsum, short fusiform sensilli and presence of one pair of additional setae in row c of notogaster.

Protophthiracarus diatropos sp. nov. (Fig. 9A–I) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 328, width 237, height 111; prodorsal setae: sensillus 76, interlamellar (in) 182, lamellar (le) 164, rostral (ro) 121; notogaster: length 707, width 515, height 525; notogastral setae: c1 167, cp 131, h1 and ps1 172, h2 119, d2 and ps2 88; genitoaggenital plate 197×126, anoadanal plate 227×146. Measurements of paratype. Prodorsum: length 293, width 202, height 126, sensillus 96, prodorsal setae: interlamellar (in) 159, lamellar (le) 134, rostral (ro) 88; notogaster: length 626, width 454, height 404, notogastral setae: c1 and h1 139 and p1 114. Description. Colour light brown, microsculpture of integument feebly foveolate. Prodorsum with indistinct posterior furrows; lateral carinae very long, run as far to end of rostrum; median sigillar fields very short, lateral very long; sensilli of medium size with fusiform head covered with small scales; interlamerllar setae erect, robust, obtuse, barbed in distal half, similar to notogastral setae; rostral setae very long, rough, attenuate, distance between rostral setae and interlamellar setae shorter than between rostral setae and end of rostrum; exobothridial setae vestigial. Notogaster with notogastral setae robust, stout, of medium length (c1/c1-d1=1), ciliate in distal half; notogastral setae of row c remote from anterior border of notogaster, setae c2 more than setae c1 and c3, vestigial setae f1 positioned slightly anterior of setae h1; two pairs of lyrifissures, ia and im, present.



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FIGURE 9A–I. Protophthiracarus diatropos sp. nov. A–G. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, mentum of subcapitulum; E, right genitoaggenital plate; F, right anoadanal plate; G, trochanter and femur of leg I; H, I, (paratype), H, prodorsum, lateral view; I, trochanter and femur of leg I.

Ventral region. Setae h of mentum the same length as distance between their insertion points; formula of genital setae: 6(4+ 2): 3; anoadanal plates with five pairs of setae, adanal setae ad2 the longest and dagger-like, situated at the level of anal setae an2 and remote from paraxial margin, adanal setae ad3 the shortest .


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

Legs. Chaetome of legs of complete type, setae v" of femora I located in unusual position, posterior of setae v’; setae d at distal end of article. Material examined. Holotype and 34 paratypes are deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, submontane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, 70 paratypes are deposited at DATE from the locality: North–West Province, Mt. Oku, about 12 km W of Kumbo, 4–5. V. 2006, latitude 06°13'17.64" N, longitude 10°30'13.26" E, altitude 2800 m, montane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, 15 paratypes are deposited at ISB and five paratypes are deposited at NMHG all from the same locality. Etymology. The specific epithet diatropos comes from latinized Greek for „different” referring to the difference of some characters of the new species from those of characters of its congeners. Comparison. The new species is easy distinguishable from congeners by the length and shape of rostral setae and especially by unusual short distance to the interlamellar setae, short median and very long lateral sigillar fields, very long lateral carinae of prodorsum, position of ad2 setae at level of setae an2 and remote from paraxial margin. Some similarity with Protophthiracarus dignus (Niedbała, 1983) (Niedbała 1983b) concerns the resemblance of shape and length of interlamellar and lamellar setae and position setae v" at femur I but all other morphological characters are different.

Protophthiracarus korupensis sp. nov. (Fig. 10A–I) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 308, width 217, height 131, prodorsal setae: sensillus 76, interlamellar (in) 104, lamellar (le) 30, rostral (ro) 63; notogaster: length 545, width 404, height 364; notogastral setae: c1 101, h1 121, ps1 111; genitoaggenital plate 152×126; anoadanal plate 164×126. Measurements of paratype I. Prodorsum: length 343, width 242, height 151; notogaster: length 646, width 485, height 444. Description. Colour brown light to dark. Surface of body covered with sparsely distributed but deep concavities. Prodorsum with lateral carinae present. Posterior furrows feeble. Sigillar fields short with deep sinus between rostral setae. Sensilli short with rounded head covered with small scales. Interlamellar setae similar to notogastral setae, covered with strong cilia in distal half; lamellar setae spiniform, rough; rostral setae robust, thick, rough, distanced, directed inward; exobothridial setae vestigial. Notogaster with setae robust, fairly short (c1/c1-d1=0.8), rigid, covered with dense cilia in distal half. Notogastral setae of row c distanced from anterior notogastral border, setae c2 further than setae c1 and c3. Vestigial setae f1 slightly anteriorly of h1 setae. Four pairs of lyrifissures, ia, im, ip, ips, present. Ventral region. Formula of genital setae: 6(4+2): 3. Anoadanal plates with robust, rough setae of unequal length; adanal setae ad2 thick and the longest, situated near paraxial margin, near anal setae an1, adanal setae ad1 longer than anal setae, adanal setae ad3 the shortest. Legs. Chaetome of legs complete type; setae d on femora I remote from anterior border of article. Material examined. Holotype and 70 paratypes are deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km NW of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, 25 paratypes are deposited at ISB from the same locality, three paratypes are deposited at NMHG from the locality: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21. V. 2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18" N, longitude 09°42'27.18" E, altitude 1550 m, submontane foggy forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov. Etymology. The name of the new species korupensis refers to the locality—Korup National Park. Comparison. The new species is most similar to Protophthiracarus venustus (Niedbała, 1983) (Niedbała 1983b) by the similar length and shape of sensilli, interlamellar, lamellar and exobothridial setae of prodorsum and similar notogastral setae. It differs by the long and distanced rostral setae (versus short and near positioned each other setae), deep sinus posterior of rostral setae (versus absence of sinus), presence of vestigial setae and four pairs of lyrifissures (versus absence of vestigial setae and presence of two pairs of lyrifissures), adanal setae ad2 of NEW AND LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES OF PTYCTIMOUS MITES


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anoadanal plate situated near paraxial border, at level of anal setae an1 (versus remote from paraxial border, at level of an2 setae).

FIGURE 10A–I. Protophthiracarus korupensis sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, lateral view; D, seta c1; E, seta h1; F, mentum of subcapitulum; G, right genitoaggenital plate; H, right anoadanal plate; I, trochanter and femur of leg I.


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

FIGURE 11A–J. Protophthiracarus preptos sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, opisthosoma, right side, lateral view; D, anterior part of notogaster, left side, lateral view; E, seta cp; F, seta ps1; G, mentum of subcapitulum; H, left genitoaggenital plate; I, left anoadanal plate; J, trochanter and femur of leg I.



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Protophthiracarus preptos sp. nov. (Fig. 11A–J) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 283, width 207, height 116; prodorsal setae: sensillus 48, interlamellar (in) 68, lamellar (le) 13, rostral (ro) 35; notogaster: length 505, width 374, height 364; notogastral setae: c1, ps1 61, c2 68, cp, h3, ps3 71, h1 63; genitoaggenital plate 121×101, anoadanal plate 242×106. Measurements of paratype. Prodorsum: length 328, width 252, height 151; notogaster: length 646, width 525, height 515. Description. Colour brown. Cuticle well sculptured with weak concavities. Prodorsum with sigillar fields very long and narrow. Lateral carinae reach the sinus, posterior furrows strong accentuate. Sensilli short with widespread head, widely obtuse distally, ciliate at distal end. Interlamellar setae procumbent, rather long, narrow, covered with small spines at distal half, similar to lateral setae of notogaster, lamellar setae small, spiniform, rostral setae short, needleform, exobothridial setae vestigial. Notogaster with rather short notogastral setae (c1/c1–d1=0.45), covered with small spines at distal half, of heterotrichous shape, dorsal setae c1, d1, e1, h1 and ps1 twice as thick as lateral setae and slightly shorter. Notogastral setae of row c remote from anterior border of notogaster, notogastral setae c2 more than setae c1 and c3. Holotype with seta cp duplicated on left side, lyrifissure ia absent at left side, at right side two lyrifissures, ia and im, present. Paratype with two pairs of lyrifissures. Vestigial setae not visible. Ventral region. Setae h of subcapitular mentum slightly shorter than distance between their insertion points. Genitoaggenital plates with nine pairs of genital setae with arrangement: 6(4+2): 3. Anoadanal plates each with five setae, adanal setae ad2 the longest and thickest, situated near anal setae and between them, adanal setae ad3 shortest. Legs. Formulae of setae and solenidia of complete type. Setae d of femora I slightly remote from distal end of article. Material examined. Holotype is deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: South–West Province, Korup National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km NW of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, rainforest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, one paratype is deposited at ISB from the same locality. Etymology. The name preptos of species is latinized Greek for “distinguished” and alludes to the different some morphological characters among congeneric species. Comparison. The new species differs from congeners by the heterotrichy of notogastral setae and especially the shape of sensilli (slightly similar to sensilli of Microtritia minima (Berlese, 1904)—species from another superfamily—Euphthiracaroidea; furthermore by long and narrow sigillar fields of the prodorsum and the shape and position of setae ad2 of the anoadanal plates.

Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) gibbus sp. nov. (Fig. 12A–J) Measurements of holotype. Prodorsum: length 328, width 222, height 151; prodorsal setae: sensillus 126, interlamellar (in) 15, lamellar (le) 20, rostral (ro) 63, exobothridial (ex) 13; notogaster: length 646, width 374, height 384; notogastral setae: c1 53, h1 43, ps1 51; genitoaggenital plate 147×137; anoadanal plate 152×76. Description. Colour light brown. Surface of body covered with feeble concavities and also by cerotegument. Prodorsum with strong median carina. Lateral carinae and posterior furrows absent. Sigillar fields distinct, median widened towards rostral setae. Sensilli long, narrow, filiform, ciliated in distal half. Interlamellar and lamellar setae short, spiniform, rigid. Rostral setae considerably thicker, longer, rough, considerably distanced, directed inwards. Exobothridial setae minute. Notogaster with strong median, anterior hood and other positioned laterally, one pair posterior smaller tubercules with setae ps2 and ps3 and the smallest with setae e2 and h2. Notogastral setae short (c1/c1-d1=0.27), filiform, flexible. Setae c1—3 situated near anterior notogastral margin. Vestigial setae f1 slightly posterior of setae h1. Two pairs of lyrifissures ia and im present.


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

FIGURE 12A–J. Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) gibbus sp. nov. (holotype). A, prodorsum, dorsal view; B, prodorsum, lateral view; C, prodorsum, dorsal view; D, opisthosoma, lateral view; E, opisthosoma, dorsal view; F, mentum of subcapitulum; G, right genitoaggenital plate; H, paraxial part of right genitoaggenital plate; I, right anoadanal plate; J, trochanter and femur of leg I.

Ventral region. Setae h of mentum shorter than distance between their insertion points. Genitoaggenital plates with formula of genital setae: 6: 3. Anoadanal plates with adanal setae ad2 dagger-like, the same length as filiform adanal setae ad3, setae ad1, and anal setae minute. NEW AND LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES OF PTYCTIMOUS MITES


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FIGURE 13A–F. Acrotritia ardua (C. L. Koch, 1841), A, prodorsum, lateral view; B, sensillus; C, tarsus I; D, tarsus II; E, tarsus III; F, tarsus IV; G–J. Arphthicarus sculptilis (Niedbała, 1988), G, prodorsum, dorsal view; H, prodorsum, lateral view; I, setae c1; J, right anoadanal plate.

Legs. Chaetome of legs complete type. Setae d of femora I slightly remote from distal end of article. Distance between setae v' and v" greater than length of setae v". Material examined. Holotype is deposited at DATE from the locus typicus: South–West Province, Korup


NIEDBAŁA & STARÝ

National Park, 12–16. V. 2006, Rengo Camp, about 8 km NW of Mundemba, latitude 05°02'11.64" N, longitude 08°49'45.96" E, altitude 300 m, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov. Etymology. The specific name gibbus is Latin for “a hump” and alludes for humped body of species. Comparison. The new species is easily distinguishable from congeners by the arrangement of notogastral hood and tubercules, long, distanced, directed inwards rostral setae and shape and arrangement of setae of anoadanal plates.

Taxonomical notes and additional information Acrotritia ardua (C. L. Koch, 1841) (Fig. 13A–F) Measurements of one of specimens from sample: South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21.V.2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18"N, longitude 09°42'27.18"E, altitude 1550m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov, prodorsum: length 293, width 217, height 101; prodorsal setae: sensillus 97, interlamellar (in) 106, lamellar (le) 81, rostral (ro) 56, exobothridial (ex) 10; notogaster: length 596, width 515, height 444; notogastral setae: c1 101, c1/c1-d1=0.74. Remarks. Specimens from this sample have monodactylous tarsi IV. This common species normally have heterotridactylous tarsi IV.

Arphthicarus sculptilis (Niedbała, 1988) (Fig. 13G–J) Measurements of specimen from sample South–West Province, Mt. Koup Ecological Reserve, Mt. Koup at Nyasoso, 19–21.V.2006, about 6 km N of Loum, latitude 04°49'09.18"N, longitude 09°42'27.18"E, altitude 1550 m, foggy submontane forest, litter and soil sifting sample, leg V. Grebennikov. Prodorsum: length 252, width 197, height 106; prodorsal setae: sensillus 61, interlamellar (in) 88, lamellar (le) 10, rostral (ro) 51; notogaster: length 555, width 393, height 323; notogastral setae: c1 88, c1/c1-d1=0,6, h1 101, ps1 88. Remarks. Notogastral setae covered with small cilia, obtuse distally, notogastral setae h1 slightly longer than other setae. Distance between setae ps3 and ps4 longer than between ps2–ps3. Anal setae an1 slightly shorter than an2. This variation that is not found in a type serie.

Key for Afrotropical Hoplophthiracarus species 1. -. 2. -. 3. -. 4. -. 5. -. 6.

Surface of notogaster distinctly reticulated, shape of notogastral setae cp, ps3 and ps4 different than other setae of notogaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H. reticulatus sp. nov. Surface of notogaster not reticulated, at least notogastral setae ps3 and ps4 similar to other setae of notogaster . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Notogastral setae hooked distally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H. hamatus (Hammer, 1973) Notogastral setae not hooked distally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sensilli of prodorsum long, flexible, tapering, ciliate at distal half, without head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sensilli of prodorsum not flexible and tapering, with distinct distal head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fields of prodorsum long and narrow, laterals slightly longer than median, two pairs of lyrifissures ia and im present, setae h of subcapitular mentum minute, setae d of femora I bifurcated distally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H. kumboensis sp. nov. Median fields of prodorsum large, always longer than laterals, four pairs of lyrifissures ia, im , ip, ips present, setae h of mentum short but not minute, setae d of femora I not bifurcate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sensilli sickle-shaped, exobothridial setae vestigial, setae ad2 of anoadanal plates not longer than other setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H. parafrater Niedbała, 2012 Sensilli not sickle-shaped, exobothridial setae not vestigial, setae ad2 of anoadanal plates considerably longer than other setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H. frater (Balogh, 1958) Setae of notogaster spiniform, pointed distally, except fine, flexible, smooth notogastral setae c3 directed posteriorly, two pairs of lyrifissures ia and im present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H. spinus sp. nov.



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-. 7. -.

All setae of notogaster not spiniform, obtuse distally, four pairs of lyrifissures ia, im , ip, ips present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rostral setae not reaching the end of rostrum, vestigial setae f1 located posterior of setae h1 . . . . . H. ambiguus Niedbała, 1982 Rostral setae extending beyond the end of rostrum, vestigial setae f1 located anteriorly of setae h1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H. discrepus Niedbała, 1982

Key for Afrotropical Protophthiracarus species 1. -. 2. -. 3. 4. -. 5. -. 6. -.

7. -.

Both interlamellar and lamellar setae similar in shape and length, long, thick, erect, similar to notogastral setae . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Interlamellar and lamellar setae of different shape, interlamellar considerably longer than lamellar, at least lamellar setae different in shape from notogastral setae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Distance between interlamellar and rostral setae shorter than length of interlamellar setae, median sigillar field shorter than laterals, lateral carinae of prodorsum reach the end of rostrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. diatropos sp. nov. Distance between interlamellar and rostral setae longer than length of interlamellar setae, median and laterals sigillar fields narrow, long and similar in length, lateral carinae of prodorsum reach the sinus . . . . . P. dignus (Niedbała, 1983) (Niedbała 1983b) Heterotrichy of notogastral setae, dorsal setae longer or shorter than lateral setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Notogastral setae similar in length and shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Dorsal notogastral setae c1, d1, e1, h1 and ps1 twice thicker and slightly shorter than lateral setae, sensilli short with widened head, widely obtuse distally, ciliate at distal end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. preptos sp. nov. Dorsal setae c1, d1, e1, h1 and ps1 longer than lateral setae, sensilli elongate, gradually thickening, without well separated head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. mayottei Niedbała, 2001 Interlamellar setae long, erect, covered with small spines in distal end, similar in shape to notogastral setae, lamellar setae short, spiniform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Interlamellar and lamellar setae very short, procumbent, different from notogastral setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rostral setae long and distanced, deep sinus posterior of rostral setae present, vestigial setae and four pairs of lyrifissures present, setae ad2 of anoadanal plate situated near paraxial border, at level of an1 setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. korupensis sp. nov. Rostral setae short and positioned near each other, absence of sinus between rostral setae, absence of vestigial setae and presence of two pairs of lyrifissures, setae ad2 remote from paraxial border situated at level of an2 setae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. venustus (Niedbała, 1983) (Niedbała 1983b) Rostral setae directed inward, notogastral setae lanceolate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. prominens (Balogh, 1958) Rostral setae straight, notogastral setae covered with cilia, slightly similar to aspergillum . . . . . . . . . P. araios Niedbała, 2001

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Dr. V. Grebennikov (Ottawa, Canada), a coleopterologist, for collecting soil samples from Cameroon. The study was partly supported by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, under Research Plan NoAV0Z606960521.

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Mahunka, S. (1978) Neue und interessante Milben aus dem Genfer Museum XXXIV. A compendium of the Oribatid (Acari) fauna of Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles Is. II. Revue suisse de Zoologie, 85 (2), 307–340. Mahunka, S. (1982) Ptychoide Oribatiden aus der Koreanischen Volksdemokratischen Republik (Acari). Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 28 (12), 83–103. Mahunka, S. (1983) Neue und interessante Milben aus dem Genfer Museum XLV. Oribatida Americana 6: Mexico II (Acari). Revue suisse de Zoologie, 90 (2), 269–298. Mahunka, S. (1988) The oribatid fauna of Tanzania (Acari) I. Acta Zoologica Hungarica, 34 (4), 345–378. Mahunka, S. (1991) New and interesting mites from the Geneva Museum LXVII. Soil inhabiting Ptychoid Oribatids from Malaysia (Acari: Oribatida). Revue suisse de Zoologie, 98 (2), 325–354. Märkel, K. (1964) Die Euphthiracaridae Jacot, 1930, und Ihre Gattungen (Acari, Oribatei). Zoologische Verhandelingen, 67, 3–78. Niedbała, W. (1982) Nouveaux Phthiracaridae tropicaux (Acari, Oribatida). Bulletin Entomologique de Pologne, 52, 189–229. Niedbała, W. (1983a) Mesoplophora invisitata sp. nov., de l'Ouganda (Acari, Oribatida, Mesoplophoridae). Journal of Natural History, 17, 647–650. Niedbała, W. (1983b) Phthiracaridae nouveaux de l'Ouganda (Acari, Oribatida). Folia Entomologhica Hungarica, 44 (1), 109–123. Niedbała, W. (1988) Deux nouveaux Phthiracaridae des Comores (Acari, Oribatida). Journal of African Zoology, 102, 79–83. Niedbała, W. (1991) Description of two new Euphthiracaroid species (Acari, Oribatida). Genus, 2 (1), 33–44. Niedbała, W. (1998) Ptyctimous mites of the Ethiopian Region I. Euphthiracaroidea (Acari, Oribatida). Journal of African Zoology, 112 (2), 15–75. Niedbała, W. (2000) The ptyctimous mites fauna of the Oriental and Australian regions and their centres of origin (Acari: Oribatida). Genus, suplement, 1–493. Niedbała, W. (2001) Study on the diversity of Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) and quest for centres of its origin: the fauna of the Ethiopian Region. Monographs of the Upper Silesian Museum, 3, 1–245. Niedbała, W. (2002) Zoogeographical survey on the Phthiracaroidea (Acari, Oribatida) of the Ethiopia Region. In: Bernini, F., Nannelli, R., Nuzzaci, G. & de Lillo, E. (Eds.), Acarid phyllogeny and evolution: Adaptation mites and ticks. Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht, pp. 185–197. Niedbała, W. (2003) Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Costa Rica. Annales Zoologici, 53 (2), 259–334. Niedbała, W. & Ermilov, S., (2011) New and little known species of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Ethiopia. Zootaxa, 2739, 60–68. Niedbała, W. & Ermilov, S. (2012) Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from southern Ethiopia with description of three new species. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 17 (2), 182–190. Niedbała, W. & Penttinen, R. (2007) New species of Ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida: Oribotritiidae, Steganacaridae) with some new records from Australasian Region. Annales Zoologici, 57 (3), 517–532. Perty, M. (1841) Allgemeine Naturgeschichte, als Philosophische und Humanitätswissenschaft für Naturforscher, Philosophen und das höhergebildete Publikum. Vol. 3. Bern, 56 pp.



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