Phylleremus n. gen., from leaves of deciduous trees in eastern Australia (Oribatida: Licneremaeoidea)

Abstract

We propose a new genus of licneremaeoid oribatid mite, Phylleremus, based on two new species collected from leaves of woody dicots in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, Australia. Description of the type species, Phylleremus leei n. sp., is based on adults and all active immature stages; that of Phylleremus hunti n. sp. is based on adults and tritonymphs. Phylleremus adults have the notogastral octotaxic system of dermal glands developed either as 1 or 4 pairs of saccules, and nymphs are bideficient and plicate. We discuss the characteristics and relationships of this genus to others in Licneremaeoidea and argue for an affiliation with Adhaesozetidae.