Introduction of some ptyctimous oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida: Ptyctima) of Mazandaran province

Abstract

During 2000-2004, in the course of biodiversity survey of cryptostigmatic mites (Acari: Oribatida) in Mazandaran province, 19 species belonging to 9 genera and 5 families from ptyctimous mites were collected and identified, of which one family, 4 genera, one subgenera and 8 species marked by an asterisk are newly recorded from Iran. Furthermore, the distribution of each species and identification keys for families, genera, subgenera and species are presented together with the figures of the following species:Archoplophora* rostralis* (Willmann), Mesoplophora (Parplophora) pulchra* Sellnick, (Mesoplophoridae), Oribotritia* berlesei* (Michael), Paratritia* baloghi* Moritz (Oribotritiidae*), Steganacarus (Steganacarus) spinosus* (Sellnick), Atropacarus (Atropacarus) echinodiscus* (Mahunka), A. (A.) ochraceus* (Niedbala), Austrophthiracarus* pavidus* (Berlese) (Steganacaridae).

Keywords

• oribatida
• ptyctima
• biodiversity
• mazandaran