Dendrochaetidae, a new family of mites (<i>Acari: Prostigmata</i>), with descriptions of a new genus and species from South Africa

Abstract

A new family, Dendrochaetidae, and genus, Dendrodus, collected from soil samples from South Africa are diagnosed and described. An identification key separating the families of the superfamily Eupodoidea is presented. A new species, Dendrodus acarus is described and illustrated. The diagnostic morphological features are illustrated to be a combination of the type of setae of the idiosoma and appendages; palpal segmentation; the number and type of setae, rhagidial solenidia and erect solenidia of the palptarsus; presence and distribution of erect solenidia of leg segments; coxal chaetome; differences in the complement of cheliceral setae (cha and chb) and adoral setae (or1 and or2) and the number and distribution of  dorsal idiosomal setae. The most essential diagnostic features of the new taxon are comparatively discussed for members of Penthaleidae and Pentapalpidae, selected species of Penthalodidae, Eupodidae and Rhagidiidae. Reference to similar features displayed by other prostigmatic mites (not representatives of Eupodoidea) is made.

Key words: Dendrodus acarus, Dendrochaetidae, Eupodoidea, South Africa.