New faunistical and taxonomic data on ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Malawi

Abstract

Seven new species of the family Phthiracaridae, Arphthicarus diversus sp. nov., Arphthicarus parasculptilis sp. nov., Arphthicarus quasitrichosus sp. nov., Notophthiracarus dissimilis sp. nov., Notophthiracarus insolitus sp. nov., Notophthiracarus paralineolatus sp. nov., and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) levidensus sp. nov., are described and figured from soils of Afromontane forests from Mulanje Mts., Zomba Mts., and Dedza Mts., in South Malawi. A comparison of morphological similarities with the most closely related species is presented. Two species Acrotritia paraardua Niedbała et Starý, 2015, and Phthiracarus anonymus Grandjean, 1933 are redescribed and figured. In total 22 species of ptyctimous mites are recorded from forest soil in Malawi, 11 of them are new records for oribatid fauna of Malawi.