Malaconothrus

Luxton, M., 1987, Mites of the genus Malaconothrus (Acari: Cryptostigmata) from the British Isles, Journal of Natural History 21, pp. 199-206 : 205

Key to species of Malaconothrus in the British Isles

1 Sculpturing limited in distribution, at best a full covering only on prodorsum................................... 2

- Both prodorsum and notogaster distinctively patterned with areoles and/or coarse punctation........................................ 3

2 Prodorsum with distinct areoles of varying sizes; distal spine (ft") of tarsus I nearly as large as claw..................................... scutatus sp. nov.

- Both prodorsum and notogaster finely punctate only; distal spine (ft") of tarsus I with a Single annulation above the base................................... purvisi sp. nov.

3 Areolar sculpturing of prodorsum in the form of variously sized round markings smaller than those of the notogaster; areoles of notogaster in the form of evenly scattered round markings ................................... monodactylus

- Areolar sculpturing of prodorsum in the form of a dense honeycomb or small reticulation or small to minute punctation; areoles of notogaster quite similar in places to those of prodorsum but with smaller punctations characteristically in centre of notogaster ...................................... processus