Contribution to the knowledge of the genus plenotocepheus (Acari, Oribatida, Otocepheidae)

Abstract

The oribatid mite genus Plenotocepheus (Oribatida, Otocepheidae) is recorded for the first time in the Antilles; one new species is described from the mould in the chimney of a deep cave of the Gaspar Grande Island, Trinidad. Plenotocepheus (Plenotocepheus) trinidadensis n. sp. differs from its most similar congener P. (Plenotocepheus) neotropicus Ermilov, Sandmann, Marian and Maraun, 2013 by the length of some notogastral setae and number of notogastral condyles. Generic and subgeneric diagnoses and an identification key to the known subgenera and species of Plenotocepheus are presented.