Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from the Philippines

Abstract

The ptyctimous oribatid fauna of the Philippines was studied taxonomically and includes 28 species in 16 genera and 7 families. Seven species are new to science: Mesoplophora (M.) vesca Niedbala and Corpuz-Raros (Mesoplophoridae); Austrotritia robusta Niedbala and Corpuz-Raros, Oribotritia capitanea Niedbala and Corpuz-Raros (Oribotritiidae); Arphthiracarus furcatus Niedbala and Corpuz-Raros, Austrophthiracarus tuberculatus Niedbala and Corpuz-Raros, Hoplophthiracarus clavellatus Niedbala and Corpuz-Raros, and Notophthiracarus stenotus Niedbala and Corpuz-Raros (Steganacaridae). Three previously recorded species are confirmed to be present in the Philippines while the fourth previously recorded species, Rhysotritia ardua otaheitensis Hammer does not occur in the Philippines. The identity of the latter is corrected as Rhysotritia lucida Niedbala. The remaining 17 species are all new records for the Philippines. Austrophthiracarus tuberculatus n. sp. is also recorded with the holotype originating from Thailand. New junior synonyms are proposed for two widely distributed Steganacaridae, Plonaphacarus kugohi (Aoki) and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) glaucus (Hammer), after comparison with paratypes of some of these species. Among the species, 6 are narrowly distributed, probably endemites, 5 are widely distributed pantropical species, and 3 are semicosmopolites. There are also 14 species as typical Oriental elements, 6 known from the Orient and Pacific islands, and 2 from the Oriental and Australian regions. Totally unexpected was the finding of Prototritia glomerata (Grandjean) (Protoplophoridae), a species known so far only from the Neotropical Region. The locality in the Philippines significantly extends the geographical range of this species.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

317454

Page

1958-01-01

Document Type

Article

Subject

Apoplophoridae, Euphthiracaridae, Mesoplophoridae, Oribatida, Oribotritiidae, Phthiracaridae, Protoplophoridae, Ptyctima, Soil mites, Steganacaridae

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