Trhypochthoniellus longisetus (BERLESE, 1904)

Mahunka, S., 2011, New And Little Known Oribatid Mites From Madagascar (Acari: Oribatida) Ii., Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 57 (1), pp. 1-21 : 3

Trhypochthoniellus longisetus (BERLESE, 1904)

( Figs 1–4 )

The main taxonomical problem whether this species belongs to Trhypochthoniidae or Thrypochthoniellidae was solved by WEIGMANN (1997, 2006). I accept his opinion, but the validity of some other supraspecific taxa (see SUBÍAS 2010) seems to be uncertain.

The recently collected and studied specimens possess 12 pairs of genital setae. This is within the range (10–18) given by WEIGMANN (1997) for the specimens collected in the Palaearctic Region. They are most similar to specimens which were described as Trhypochthoniellus longisetus forma setosus WILLMANN, 1928. For future identification I give some figures based on the specimens collected in Madagascar.

Measurements: Length of body: 570–588 µm, width of body: 323–346 µm.

Figures

Figs 1–4. Trhypochthoniellus longisetosus (BERLESE, 1904) f. setosus Willmann, 1928: 1 = body in dorsal view, 2 = body in ventral view, 3 = anal plates, 4 = genital plates