Ethiopian oribatid mites of the family Scheloribatidae (Acari: Oribatida)

Abstract

We have registered eight species and three genera (Scheloribates Berlese, 1908, Similobates Mahunka, 1982, Perscheloribates Hammer, 1973) of Scheloribatidae from southern Ethiopia. Two species of Scheloribates - S. discifer and S. latipes - and the genus Perscheloribates are reported from Ethiopia for the first time. Two new species, Scheloribates acutirostrum sp. n. and Perscheloribates crassisetosus sp. n. from Cholomu and Harenna forests, are described. The first is from soil, litter and mosses on trees, while the second is from litter. Identification keys to Ethiopian species of Scheloribates and African species of Perscheloribates are presented.