A review of the family Alycidae (Acari, Acariformes) from South Africa Author Uusitalo, Matti Zoological Museum, Centre for Biodiversity, University of Turku, FIN- 20014 Turku, Finland Author Ueckermann, Edward A. 0000-0003-4213-4309 Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Private Bag X 6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa & https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0003 - 4213 - 4309 Author Theron, Pieter D. 0000-0003-4213-4309 Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Private Bag X 6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa & https: // orcid. org / 0000 - 0003 - 4213 - 4309 text Zootaxa 2020 2020-10-01 4858 3 301 340 journal article 8277 10.11646/zootaxa.4858.3.1 f8abea37-7992-482c-8a49-982d08cf9f66 1175-5326 4412321 7BA52F1C-4084-4915-A7D9-8DA99379086B Proteromichaeliini trib. nov. Type genus: Proteromichaelia gen. nov. Differential diagnosis. The sole member of this new tribe has several plesiomorphic character states distinctly different from other members of the subfamily Bimichaeliinae . The new tribe can easily be differentiated from its sister group by having large lamellae (the primary cuticular pattern) organized both in cells and in clumps inside the cells ( Figs. 92 , 134A, B ), secondary pattern by glabrous ridges (small granules/lamellae absent, Figs. 92 , 134B ), a pair of eyes present ( Figs. 90, 91 , 104 ), a pair of cheliceral setae present ( Fig. 94 ) and divided femora IV ( Fig. 101 ; Uusitalo 2010 : Appendix 3). In other respects, the species is the same as the rest of the bimichaeliines. Description. Hysterosoma soft, segmented ( Fig. 91 ); ornamented idiosomal cuticle ( Figs. 92 , 134A, B ): primary pattern formed by large lamellae of polygons and separate clumps, secondary pattern by fine ridges ( Figs. 92 , 134A, B ); adults neotrichous, dorsal and ventral setae ciliated, genital, anal and pedal setae elongated, plumose ( Figs. 92, 93, 97, 98 , 134B ); prodorsum ( Figs. 90, 91 , 134A ): naso button-like, a pair of lateral eyes present; posterior sensilla sci globular, barbed, anterior pair of sensilla ve filamentous; chelate chelicera elongated into stylet-like elements, a pair of cheliceral setae present ( Fig. 94 ); subcapitulum elongated, rutella missing, adoral setae missing ( Fig. 95 ); palpi with an apical solenidion and two eupathids ( Fig. 96 ); supracoxal setae ep present, supracoxal setae eI present, femora IV divided, eupathids apically and ventrally on tarsi I and II, solenidia baculiform and ceratiform, symmetrically paired claws with fine barbs, setulate empodia clawless ( Figs. 98–100 ). Remark. This monotypic sister group of Bimichaeliini was obtained from the analysis of the family Alycidae . Some drawings of the undescribed species ‘ sil ’, representing the new tribe, were included already in the analysis paper to illustrate the character state differences ( Uusitalo 2010 : Appendix 3).