Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Microzetes (acari, oribatida, microzetidae)

Abstract

The oribatid mite genus Microzetes (Oribatida, Microzetidae) is recorded for the first time in the Philippines; one new species is described herein from secondary forest litter in Samar Island. Microzetes (Microzetes) samarensis n. sp. differs from other species of the subgenus by the insertions of notogastral setae c and la (close to each other vs. distanced in the other species). Updated generic and subgeneric diagnoses for Microzetes are given. The taxonomic status of Teraja Mahunka, 1995 and the systematic placement of representatives of this genus are discussed, resulting in the following taxonomic proposals: Microzetes Berlese, 1913 (=Teraja Mahunka, 1995) n. syn.; M. (Microzetes) asymmetricus (Mahunka, 2001) n. comb.; M. (Microzetes) sungai (Mahunka, 1997) n. comb.; M. (Megazetes) wongi (Mahunka, 1995) n. comb. The initial systematic placement of Microzetes flagellifer and M. tuberculatus (in the subgenus Microzetes) is supported, and the inclusion of M. fimbriatus in Microzetes (Megazetes) and Megazetes rugosus (Mahunka, 1986) in M. (Microzetes) is proposed. An identification key to the known taxa of Microzetes is provided.