New Oripodoidea (Acari, Oribatida) from alpine herbaceous snowbanks of New Zealand

Abstract

Three new species of oribatid mites of the superfamily Oripodoidea (Acari, Oribatida) are described from the soil of alpine herbaceous snowbanks in the South Island of New Zealand. Scheloribates (Topobates) quindecimsp. nov. differs from all S. (Topobates) species by the presence of 15 pairs of notogastral setae (vs. 12-14 pairs). Paraphauloppia reducta sp. nov. differs from all Paraphauloppia species by the presence of one pair of genital setae (vs. 3-4 pairs). Reductobates perangustus sp. nov. differs from all Reductobates species by the elongate, narrow body. An identification key to known species of Reductobates is given.