Corresponding author: Sergey G. Ermilov (
Academic editor: Vladimir Pesic
Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus
Ermilov SG, Minor MA (2015) The genus
During studies of oribatid mites from New Zealand, we discovered two new species of
Three other species of
The collection locality and habitat for each new species are given in the “
Specimens were mounted in lactic acid on temporary cavity slides for measurement and illustration. The body length was measured in lateral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the ventral plate. Notogastral width refers to the maximum width in dorsal aspect. Lengths of body setae were measured in lateral aspect. All body measurements are presented in micrometers. Formulas for leg setation are given in parentheses according to the sequence trochanter–femur–genu–tibia–tarsus (famulus included). Formulas for leg solenidia are given in square brackets according to the sequence genu–tibia–tarsus.
General terminology used in this paper follows that of Grandjean (summarized by
Drawings were made with a camera lucida using a Carl Zeiss transmission light microscope “Axioskop-2 Plus”. Images were obtained with an AxioCam ICc3 camera using a Carl Zeiss transmission light microscope “Axio Lab.A1”.
Body size: 270–307 × 131–147. Body surface areolate-reticulate. Costulae reduced, terminated by tubercles. Transcostula not developed. Rostral setae thin, directed medially. Lamellar setae minute. Bothridial setae globular. Humeral processes and circumdorsal scissure absent. Thirteen pairs of short, simple notogastral setae. Anterior tectum of ventral plate strongly developed. Palp femora with one seta. Five pairs of genital setae. Lyrifissures
Holotype (female) and seven paratypes (four females and three males): New Zealand, South Island, Central Otago, Old Man’s Range,
The holotype and two paratypes are deposited in the New Zealand National Arthropod Collection, Auckland, New Zealand; two paratypes are deposited in the collection of the Senckenberg Institution, Frankfurt, Germany; three paratypes are deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia.
The specific name
The new species is most similar to
Body size: 381–415 × 199–232. Centro-dorsal part of notogaster areolate. Dorso-lateral parts of notogaster and ventral plate tuberculate. Costulae and transcostula strong. Rostral setae thin, straight. Lamellar setae minute. Bothridial setae globular. Humeral processes small, rounded. Circumdorsal scissure present. Ten pairs of short, simple notogastral setae. Palp femora with two setae. Six pairs of genital setae. Lyrifissures
Holotype (male) and three paratypes (all females): New Zealand, South Island, Central Otago, Pisa Range,
The holotype and one paratype are deposited in the New Zealand National Arthropod Collection, Auckland, New Zealand; one paratype is deposited in the collection of the Senckenberg Institution, Frankfurt, Germany; one paratype is deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia.
The specific name is dedicated to the well-known acarologist Malcolm Luxton, for his extensive contributions to our knowledge of New Zealand oribatid mite fauna.
The new species is similar to
Also, in having circumdorsal furrow, tridactylous legs, costulae, minute notogastral setae, straight rostral setae and areolate centrodorsal region of notogaster,
1 | Notogastral circumdorsal scissure absent; costulae reduced, represented by tubercle-like cusps; legs monodactylous |
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– | Notogastral circumdorsal scissure present; costulae well developed; legs tridactylous |
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2 | Notogaster with 13 pairs of setae; notogastral setae simple; leg femora I, II with extremely large ventral expansions; body size: 270–307 × 131–147 |
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– | Notogaster with 10 pairs of setae; notogastral setae dilated distally; leg femora I, II without extremely large expansions; body length: 330 |
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3 | Costular cusps elongate conical; notogastral setae dilated distally; body length: 420 |
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– | Costular cusps tubercle-like, not elongated; notogastral setae simple or slightly thickened |
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4 | Notogaster with 14 pairs of setae; centro-dorsal notogastral setae ( |
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– | Notogaster with 9–10 pairs of setae; centro-dorsal notogastral setae ( |
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5 | Notogaster with 9 pairs of setae ( |
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– | Notogaster with 10 pairs of setae ( |
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We cordially thank Prof. Dr. Badamdorj Bayartogtokh (National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) and one anonymous reviewer for the valuable comments, Dr. Alastair Robertson (Institute of Agriculture & Environment, Massey University, NZ) for help with fieldwork, and the New Zealand Department of Conservation for sampling permit (national authorization # 38116-GEO). The project was supported by the Massey University Research Fund.
See also redescriptions in