Ptyctimous Mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Peru with the Description of an Extraordinary New Phthiracaroid Mite from the Peruvian Andes

Abstract

Protophthiracarus afthonos sp. nov. is described and illustrated using line drawings, transmitted light and SEM imaging. It is characterized by an extraordinary richness of notogastral setae (ca. 166 pairs) that has been previously unseen among phthiracaroid mites. The species originates from the material collected from the litter of primary forest in the Peruvian Andes. The genus Protophthiracarus is well represented in the Neotropical Region. Many species of ptyctimous mites have been found in Peru, representing both widespread and endemic biogeographic elements. Among a total of 37 species, 20 from Peru have been described for the first time. Currently, the ptyctimous fauna consists of 12 endemite, 11 neotropical, 4 semicosmopolitan and 9 pantropical biogeographic elements.

Keywords

• ptyctimous mites
• <i>Protophthiracarus</i>
• neotropical realm
• neotrichy
• new species