First record of Atopochthonioidea from New Zealand, with description of Pterochthonius roynortoni sp. n. (Acari, Oribatida, Pterochthoniidae)

Abstract

The oribatid mite superfamily Atopochthonioidea (Acari, Oribatida) is recorded in New Zealand for the first time. A new species of the genus Pterochthonius (Pterochthoniidae) is described and illustrated on the basis of adult specimens collected from soil and debris under Dracophyllum muscoides cushion plant in the high alpine zone in Central Otago mountains, South Island. Pterochthonius roynortoni Ermilov et Minor sp. n. differs from P. angelus (Berlese, 1910) by the comparatively short bothridial setae with well-developed head.