Two new species of protoplophorid mites (Acari: Oribatida: Protoplophoridae) from Thailand

Abstract

Two new species of the oribatid mite family Protoplophoridae (Acari: Oribatida), Arthrhoplophora adjacentis sp. nov. and Protoplophora takensis sp. nov., collected from leaf litter of dry evergreen forest, are described and illustrated from Thailand. Arthrhoplophora adjacentis sp. nov. is unique in having the long ciliated rostral setae which are closely paired and bidactylous claws on pretarsi I, whereas pretarsi II–IV are tridactylous. Protoplophora takensis sp. nov. differs from its congeners by the presence of notogastral setae cp, seven pairs of genital setae and four-segmented palpi. Identification keys to species of Arthrhoplophora and Protoplophora are also provided.