Key for Afrotropical Hoplophthiracarus species

1. Surface of notogaster distinctly reticulated, shape of notogastral setae cp, ps 3 and ps 4 different than other setae of notogaster..................................................................................... H. reticulatus sp. nov.

-. Surface of notogaster not reticulated, at least notogastral setae ps 3 and ps 4 similar to other setae of notogaster............ 2

2. Notogastral setae hooked distally................................................... H. hamatus (Hammer, 1973)

-. Notogastral setae not hooked distally...................................................................... 3

3. Sensilli of prodorsum long, flexible, tapering, ciliate at distal half, without head.................................... 4

-. Sensilli of prodorsum not flexible and tapering, with distinct distal head.......................................... 6

4. Fields of prodorsum long and narrow, laterals slightly longer than median, two pairs of lyrifissures ia and im present, setae h of subcapitular mentum minute, setae d of femora I bifurcated distally............................ H. kumboensis sp. nov.

-. Median fields of prodorsum large, always longer than laterals, four pairs of lyrifissures ia, im, ip, ips present, setae h of men- tum short but not minute, setae d of femora I not bifurcate..................................................... 5

5. Sensilli sickle-shaped, exobothridial setae vestigial, setae ad 2 of anoadanal plates not longer than other setae........................................................................................... H. parafrater Niedbała, 2012

-. Sensilli not sickle-shaped, exobothridial setae not vestigial, setae ad 2 of anoadanal plates considerably longer than other setae................................................................................. H. frater (Balogh, 1958)

6. Setae of notogaster spiniform, pointed distally, except fine, flexible, smooth notogastral setae c 3 directed posteriorly, two pairs of lyrifissures ia and im present............................................................ H. spinus sp. nov.

-. All setae of notogaster not spiniform, obtuse distally, four pairs of lyrifissures ia, im, ip, ips present................... 7

7. Rostral setae not reaching the end of rostrum, vestigial setae f 1 located posterior of setae h 1..... H. ambiguus Niedbała, 1982

-. Rostral setae extending beyond the end of rostrum, vestigial setae f 1 located anteriorly of setae h 1..................................................................................................... H. discrepus Niedbała, 1982