See

discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/263463847

Six new species of the genus Euphthiracarus

(Acari: Oribatida: Euphthiracaridae) from China
ARTICLE in ZOOTAXA SEPTEMBER 2012
Impact Factor: 0.91

CITATIONS

READS

3 AUTHORS, INCLUDING:
Dong Liu

Donghui Wu

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Chinese Academy of Sciences

52 PUBLICATIONS 57 CITATIONS

33 PUBLICATIONS 52 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

SEE PROFILE

Available from: Dong Liu

Retrieved on: 30 September 2015

Zootaxa 3481: 4759 (2012)

www.mapress.com / zootaxa/

ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

Copyright 2012 Magnolia Press

ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)

ZOOTAXA

Article

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8D913C23-AF71-4D14-B346-61A2D7F7029A

Six new species of the genus Euphthiracarus (Acari: Oribatida:

Euphthiracaridae) from China
DONG LIU1, DONGHUI WU1 & JUN CHEN2, 3
1

Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101,
P. R. China
3
Corresponding author. E-mail: chenj@ioz.ac.cn
2

Abstract
Six new species of Euphthiracarus from China are described: E. macrorostralis sp. nov., E. medogensis sp. nov., E. minimus sp. nov., E. oblongus sp. nov., E. protrusus sp. nov., E. truncatus sp. nov., and a key to all known species of China
is provided.
Key words: Soil mites, Oribatida, Euphthiracaridae, Euphthiracarus, new species, China

Introduction
Euphthiracarus is the largest genus of the family Euphthiracaridae, with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. Till
now, ten species of this group have been recorded in China (Chen et al. 2010, Liu et al. 2011). While checking
specimens of ptyctimous mites, we identified six species new to science. The aim of this paper is to give detailed
descriptions of these species and a key to all known species of China. All types are deposited in the National
Zoological Museum of China, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.

Methods
Measurements and descriptions are based on specimens mounted in temporary cavity slides that were studied using
a light microscope equipped with a drawing attachment.
The terminology generally follows Niedbaa (2000). The unit of measurement is micrometre (m).

Descriptions of species
Euphthiracarus macrorostralis sp. nov.
(Figs. 13)
Material examined: Holotype: adult (in alcohol, W-90-28), China: Sichuan Province, Songpan County,
Huanglongsi (3244'59.89"N, 10357'40.32"E), from litter, 3000 m a.s.l., 3 Jul., 1990, leg. Fu-Sheng Huang.
Paratype: one adult (in alcohol, W-90-25), China: Sichuan Province, Songpan County, Zalitai, from litter, 3000 m
a.s.l., 2 Jul., 1990, leg. Fu-Sheng Huang.
Etymology. The new specific name macrorostralis is from Latin and refers to the long and robust rostral
setae.

Accepted by H. Schatz: 1 Aug. 2012; published: 13 Sept. 2012

47

FIGURES 13. Euphthiracarus macrorostralis sp. nov.: 1, lateral view of body (legs removed); 2, prodorsum, dorsal view; 3,
left side of ventral plate. Scale bars=50m.

48 Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

LIU ET AL.

Measurements: Holotype: Prodorsum: length 300, width 215, height 115, setae: ss 110, ro 110, in 127, le 90, ex
35, distance between setae: roro 67, inin 100, lele 55, inle 95, lero 55; notogaster: length 645, width 420,
height 425; setae: c1 105, c2 95, c3 75, cp 77, d1 75, d2 75, e1 80, e2 80, h1 105, h2 85, h3 77, ps1 95, ps2 90, ps3 80;
distance between setae: c1d1 157, d1e1 170, e1h1 175, h1ps1 120; ventral region: genitoaggenital plate 28090,
anoadanal plate 30085. Paratype: Prodorsum: length 330, width 225, height 115; notogaster: length 660, width
385, height 400; ventral region: genitoaggenital plate 255100, anoadanal plate 32582.
Colour yellowish. Surface of body smooth, except dorsal region of prodorsum finely foveolate.
Prodorsum with two parallel lateral carinae on each side, upper carina waved, stronger and longer than lower
one; sensilla bacilliform, covered with small and sparse spines in distal half; interlamellar and lamellar setae
robust, erect, covered with spines in distal half; rostral setae long, rough and semi-erect, bent distally, thicker than
all other prodosal and notogastral setae; exobothridial setae short and fine; comparative length: in>ro=ss>le>ex.
Notogaster setae relatively short, similar in shape to interlamellar setae, barbed in distal half; setae c13 remote
from anterior border, setae c1 slightly more so than setae c2 and c3; vestigial setae f1 located anteriorly of setae h1;
arrangement of opisthosomal glands and lyrifissures typical for genus.
Genital plates each with nine setae, g13 short and fine, located in progenital position, other setae thicker and
longer, spiniform; two pairs of aggenital setae present, spiniform, equally thick, ag2 about twice as long as ag1;
setae an1 and an2 smooth and flagellate at distal end, setae an3 and adanal setae shorter, robust and covered with
small and sparse spines in distal half; lyrifissures iad situated between setae an3 and ad3.
Setae h of mentum longer than distance between them; palps three-segmented with setal formula: 2-2-8(1);
chaetotaxy of legs (without tarsi): I: 1-3-5(2)-5(1); II: 1-4-4(1)-5(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-2(1), IV: 2-1-1(1)-2(1); all legs
heterotridactylous.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality.
Remark. This new species is similar to E. cribrarius (Berlese, 1904), but differs from the latter species by
following characters: surface of notogaster smooth; rostral setae robust, thicker than all other setae, bent distally;
rostral setae longer than lamellar setae.

Euphthiracarus medogensis sp. nov.

(Figs. 46)
Material examined: Holotype: adult (in alcohol), China: Tibet, Mdog County (2919'31.07"N, 9519'59.51"E),
from litter, 1800 m a.s.l., 20 Jan., 1983, leg. Yin-Heng Han.
Etymology. The new specific name medogensis refers to the type locality, Mdog.
Measurements: Holotype: Prodorsum: length 336, width 238, height 125, setae: ss 135, ro 130, in 165, le 115,
ex 30, distance between setae: roro 62, inin 120, lele 60, inle 90, lero 60; notogaster: length 665, width 410,
height 402; setae: c1 125, c2 127, c3 115, cp 115, d1 100, d2 100, e1 125, e2 105, h1 135, h2 115, h3 95, ps1 140, ps2 117,
ps3 102; distance between setae: c1d1 185, d1e1 170, e1h1 167, h1ps1 115; ventral region: genitoaggenital plate
250115, anoadanal plate 32090.
Colour yellowish. Surface of body covered with dense and small foveolae, except notogaster with large
foveolae and lateral region of prodorsum smooth.
Prodorsum with two parallel lateral carinae on each side, upper carina stronger than lower one; sensilla
bacilliform, sparsely barbed in distal half; interlamellar and lamellar setae erect, covered with small and sparse
spines in distal half; rostral setae thin, smooth and long, flagellate and bent distally; comparative length:
in>ss>ro>le>ex.
Notogaster setae relatively short, similar in shape to interlamellar setae, sparsely barbed in distal half; setae c13
remote from anterior border, setae c1 slightly more so than setae c2 and c3; vestigial setae f1 located anteriorly of
setae h1; arrangement of opisthosomal glands and lyrifissures typical for genus.
Genital plates each with nine setae, g13 short and fine, located in progenital position, posterior four genital
setae longer and thicker, spiniform; two pairs of aggenital setae present, spiniform, nearly equally thick, ag2 about
1.5 times as long as ag1; setae an1 and an2 smooth and flagellate at distal end, setae an3 and adanal setae shorter,
robust and covered with small and sparse spines in distal half; lyrifissures iad situated between setae an3 and ad3.

SIX NEW EUPHTHIRACARUS SPECIES FROM CHINA

Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

49

FIGURES 46. Euphthiracarus medogensis sp. nov.: 4, lateral view of body (legs removed); 5, prodorsum, dorsal view; 6, left
side of ventral plate. Scale bars=100m.

50 Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

LIU ET AL.

Setae h of mentum longer than distance between them; palps three-segmented with setal formula: 2-2-8(1);
chaetotaxy of legs (without tarsi): I: 1-2-4(2)-5(1); II: 1-3-3(1)-5(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-2(1), IV: 2-1-1(1)-2(1); all legs
heterotridactylous.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality.
Remark. This new species is similar to E macrorostralis sp. nov., E. cribrarius and E. foveolatus Aoki, 1980.
It can be easily distinguished from E. macrorostralis sp. nov. by foveolate surface, and rostral setae flagellate, not
thicker than all other prodosal and notogastral setae. The new species differs from E. cribrarius by following
characters: surface of body covered with dense foveolae; posterior four genital setae longer and thicker; rostral
setae thin, smooth and longer. The new species can be easily distinguished from E. foveolatus by following
characters: rostral setae thin, smooth and long, flagellate and bent distally; ag2 longer than ag1.

Euphthiracarus minimus sp. nov.

(Figs. 710)
Material examined: Holotype: adult (in alcohol, W-90-79), China: Fujian Province, Jiangle County, Longqishan
Mt. (2616'28.27"N, 11738'40.70"E), Xianrentang, from litter under mixed forest, 1300 m a.s.l., 13 Sep., 1990,
leg. Hui-Fu Wang.
Etymology. The new specific name minimus is from Latin and refers to the minute aggenital setae.
Measurements: Holotype: Prodorsum: length 260, width 185, height 112, setae: ss 83, ro 40, in 85, le 50, ex 13,
distance between setae: roro 30, inin 85, lele 50, inle 90, lero 70; notogaster: length 485, width 320, height
320; setae: c1 60, c2 60, c3 50, cp 46, d1 50, d2 45, e1 55, e2 50, h1 60, h2 55, h3 52, ps1 50, ps2 55, ps3 55; distance
between setae: c1d1 120, d1e1 110, e1h1 95, h1ps1 85; ventral region: genitoaggenital plate 20585, anoadanal
plate 23575.
Colour yellowish to tan. Surface of body covered with dense and small foveolae, except notogaster with
distinct and large foveolae.
Anterior region of prodorsum humped; one pair of wavelike lateral carinae present; sensilla short with narrow
pedicel and dilated head, not pointed distally and covered with robust spines; interlamellar and lamellar setae short,
robust and erect, covered with spines in distal half; rostral setae smooth, semi-erect, spiniform; comparative length:
in>ss>le>ro>ex.
Notogaster setae short, similar in shape to interlamellar setae, barbed in distal half; setae c13 remote from
anterior border, setae c1 slightly more so than setae c2 and c3; vestigial setae f1 not observed; arrangement of
opisthosomal glands and lyrifissures typical for genus.
Nine pairs of genital and two pairs of aggenital setae present, g13 short and fine, located in progenital position,
other setae and aggenital setae slightly longer, spiniform, equally long and thick; setae an1 and an2 smooth and
flagellate at distal end, setae an3 and adanal setae shorter, robust and covered with small spines in distal half;
lyrifissures iad situated between setae an3 and ad3.
Setae h of mentum longer than distance between them; palps three-segmented with setal formula: 2-2-8(1);
chaetotaxy of legs (without tarsi): I: 1-2-4(2)-5(1); II: 1-3-3(1)-5(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-2(1), IV: 2-1-1(1)-2(1); all legs
heterotridactylous.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality.
Remark. This new species is easily distinguished from other species of this genus by the combination of
following characters: surface of notogaster with distinct and large foveolae; anterior region of prodorsum humped;
one pair of wavelike lateral carinae present; sensilla with dilated head covered with robust spines; rostral setae
spiniform.

Euphthiracarus oblongus sp. nov.

(Figs. 1115)
Material examined: Holotype: adult (in alcohol, W-89-125), China: Hubei Province, Badong County
(3042'18.35"N, 11017'52.28"E), Tiechanghuang Forestry Centre, from litter under broadleaf forest, 1500 m a.s.l.,
12 Aug., 1989, leg. Yun-Qi Cui.

SIX NEW EUPHTHIRACARUS SPECIES FROM CHINA

Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

51

FIGURES 710. Euphthiracarus minimus sp. nov.: 7, lateral view of body (legs removed); 8, prodorsum, dorsal view; 9,
sensillum; 10, ventral plates. Scale bars: 78, 10=100m; 9=50m.

52 Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

LIU ET AL.

FIGURES 1115. Euphthiracarus oblongus sp. nov.: 11, lateral view of body (legs removed); 12, prodorsum, dorsal view; 13,
sensillum; 14, right side of ventral plates; 15, mentum of subcapitulum. Scale bars: 1112, 14=100m; 13, 15=50m.

SIX NEW EUPHTHIRACARUS SPECIES FROM CHINA

Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

53

Etymology. The new specific name oblongus is from Latin and refers to the oblong head of sensilla.
Measurements: Holotype: Prodorsum: length 279, width 190, height 105, setae: ss 94, ro 80, in 150, le 95, ex
15, distance between setae: roro 55, inin 93, lele 45, inle 77, lero 70; notogaster: length 512, width 335,
height 325; setae: c1 103, c2 100, c3 95, cp 100, d1 76, d2 70, e1 110, e2 70, h1 116, h2 75, h3 72, ps1 110, ps2 70, ps3 65;
distance between setae: c1d1 150, d1e1 130, e1h1 90, h1ps1 77; ventral region: genitoaggenital plate 18080,
anoadanal plate 26565.
Colour yellowish. Surface of body punctuate.
Prodorsum with two parallel lateral carinae on each side, upper carina longer and stronger than lower one;
sensilla with long and narrow pedicel and oblong and smooth head; interlamellar and lamellar setae erect, covered
with small and sparse spines in distal half; rostral setae thin, smooth and long, flagellate and directed inwards
distally; comparative length: in>le>ss>ro>ex.
Notogaster with 14 pair of setae, relatively short, similar in shape to interlamellar setae, sparsely barbed in
distal half; setae c13 remote from anterior border, setae c1 slightly more so than setae c2 and c3; vestigial setae f1
located anteriorly of setae h1; arrangement of opisthosomal glands and lyrifissures typical for genus.
Genital plates each with nine setae, g13 short and fine, located in progenital position, posterior six genital setae
longer and thicker; two pairs of aggenital setae present, spiniform, nearly equally thick, setae ag2 slightly longer
than ag1; setae an1 and an2 smooth and flagellate at distal end, setae an3 and adanal setae shorter, robust and
covered with small and sparse spines in distal half; lyrifissures iad situated between setae an3 and ad3.
Setae h of mentum longer than distance between them; palps three-segmented with setal formula: 2-2-8(1);
chaetotaxy of legs (without tarsi): I: 1-3-4(2)-5(1); II: 1-4-3(1)-5(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-2(1), IV: 2-1-1(1)-2(1); all legs
heterotridactylous.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality.
Remark. This new species is similar to E. klabati Niedbaa, 2000, but can be easily distinguished from the
latter species by following characters: surface of body punctuate; two pairs of lateral carinae present; posterior six
genital setae nearly equally long, g9 not obviously longer than other genital setae; all legs heterotridactylous.

Euphthiracarus protrusus sp. nov.

(Figs. 1619)
Material examined: Holotype: adult (in alcohol, W-91-6), China: Fujian Province, Jiangle County, Longqishan
Mt. (2616'28.27"N, 11738'40.70"E), from litter, 26 Jun., 1991, leg. Xiao-Mei Zhang. Paratypes: six adults (in
alcohol, W-91-6), same data as holotype.
Etymology. The new specific name protrusus is Latin for protrude and refers to the shape of rostrum.
Measurements: Holotype: Prodorsum: length 270, width 190, height 120, setae: ss 80, ro 65, in 120, le 80, ex
16, distance between setae: roro 37, inin 100, lele 46, inle 195, lero 55; notogaster: length 520, width 350,
height 355; setae: c1 90, c2 95, c3 80, cp 90, d1 80, d2 80, e1 90, e2 82, h1 95, h2 90, h3 95, ps1 80, ps2 85, ps3 85;
distance between setae: c1d1 135, d1e1 120, e1h1 110, h1ps1 110; ventral region: genitoaggenital plate 21085,
anoadanal plate 25075. Paratypes: Prodorsum: length 290330, width 195240, height 112115; notogaster:
length 550700, width 360455, height 370480.
Colour yellowish to brown. Surface of body covered with small foveolae, except region between lateral carinae
of prodorsum with peculiar reticulation.
Rostrum of prodorsum distinctly protruded from lateral view, but not distinctly from dorsal view; two pairs of
lateral carinae present, upper carina strong, lower one indistinct, mixed with reticulation between two lateral
carinae; sensilla with narrow pedicel and dilated head, truncate distally and covered with robust spines;
interlamellar setae long, robust, erect, covered with spines in distal half; lamellar setae similar in shape to
interlamellar setae, sparsely barbed in distal half; rostral setae smooth, semi-erect and spiniform; exobothridial
setae short and fine; comparative length: in>le=ss>ro>ex.
Notogaster setae similar in shape to lamellar setae, sparsely barbed in distal half; setae c1-3 remote from anterior
border, setae c1 slightly more so than setae c2 and c3; vestigial setae f1 located anteriorly of setae h1; arrangement of
opisthosomal glands and lyrifissures typical for genus.

54 Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

LIU ET AL.

FIGURES 1619. Euphthiracarus protrusus sp. nov.: 16, lateral view of body (legs removed); 17, prodorsum, dorsal view; 18,
sensillum; 19, ventral plates. Scale bars: 1617, 19=100m; 18=50m.

SIX NEW EUPHTHIRACARUS SPECIES FROM CHINA

Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

55

Genital plates each with nine setae, g14 located in progenital position, g13 short and fine, g4 thick, other setae
thick and slightly longer; two pairs of aggenital setae present, ag1 minute, ag2 about twice as long and thick as ag1;
setae an1 and an2 smooth and flagellate at distal end, setae an3 and adanal setae shorter, robust and covered with
small and sparse spines in distal half; lyrifissures iad situated between setae an3 and ad3.
Setae h of mentum longer than distance between them; palps three-segmented with setal formula: 2-2-8(1);
chaetotaxy of legs (without tarsi): I: 1-3-5(2)-5(1); II: 1-4-3(1)-5(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-2(1), IV: 2-1-1(1)-2(1); all legs
heterotridactylous.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality.
Remark. This new species is similar to E. takahashii Aoki, 1980 in having similar shape of sensilla, but differs
from the latter species by following characters: surface between lateral carinae with peculiar reticulation, mixed
with lower carina; rostrum of prodorsum distinctly protruded; rostral setae smooth, semi-erect and spiniform, not
bent distally; length of notogastral setae not heterotrichous; posterior four genital setae not much longer than
anterior. This new species is also similar to E. minimus sp. nov., but can be easily distinguished from the latter
species by following characters: two pairs of lateral carinae present, lower one indistinct, mixed with reticulation
between two lateral carinae; surface of notogaster covered with foveolae; ag1 minute, ag2 about twice as long and
thick as ag1. In addition, these two species also differ from each other by the shape of rostrum.

Euphthiracarus truncatus sp. nov.

(Figs. 2024)
Material examined: Holotype: adult (in alcohol, W-97-5), China: Guangdong Province, Zhaoqing City,
Dinghushan National Nature Reserve (23 9'35.51"N, 11233'15.05"E), from litter under shrub and ruderal, 20
Oct., 1997, leg. Hui-Fu Wang. Paratypes: ten adults (in alcohol, W-97-5), same data as holotype.
Etymology. The new specific name truncatus is Latin for truncate and refers to the truncate head of
sensilla.
Measurements: Holotype: Prodorsum: length 275, width 190, height 100, setae: ss 102, ro 60, in 126, le 75, ex
15, distance between setae: roro 35, inin 83, lele 41, inle 90, lero 75; notogaster: length 521, width 365,
height 360; setae: c1 95, c2 87, c3 60, cp 80, d1 82, d2 75, e1 95, e2 75, h1 100, h2 90, h3 70, ps1 95, ps2 75, ps3 70;
distance between setae: c1d1 145, d1e1 125, e1h1 105, h1ps1 85; ventral region: genitoaggenital plate 18595,
anoadanal plate 26575. Paratypes: Prodorsum: length 240320, width 175222, height 90120; notogaster:
length 440649, width 290435, height 280400.
Colour tan to brown. Surface of body covered with dense and great foveolae, except region under lateral
carinae smooth.
Rostrum of prodorsum distinctly protruded; two pairs of lateral carinae present, upper carina longer and
stronger than lower one; sensilla with long and narrow pedicel and dilated head, truncate distally and covered with
long and robust spines; interlamellar setae long, robust, erect, covered with small and sparse spines in distal half;
lamellar setae similar in shape to interlamellar setae, sparsely barbed in distal half; rostral setae smooth and semierect, flagellate and directed outwards distally; exobothridial setae short and fine; comparative length:
in>ss>le>ro>ex.
Notogaster setae similar in shape to lamellar setae, sparsely barbed in distal half; setae c13 remote from anterior
border, setae c1 slightly more so than setae c2 and c3; vestigial setae f1 located anteriorly of setae h1; arrangement of
opisthosomal glands and lyrifissures typical for genus.
Genital plates each with seven equally long setae, g12 short and fine, located in progenital position, other setae
thick; two pairs of aggenital setae present, ag1 minute, ag2 slightly thick, about five times as long as ag1; setae an1
and an2 smooth and flagellate at distal end, setae an3 and adanal setae shorter, robust and covered with small and
sparse spines in distal half; lyrifissures iad situated between setae an3 and ad3.
Setae h of mentum longer than distance between them; palps three-segmented with setal formula: 2-2-8(1);
chaetotaxy of legs (without tarsi): I: 1-2-3(2)-4(1); II: 1-2-3(1)-4(1), III: 2-2-2(1)-2(1), IV: 2-1-1(1)-2(1); all legs
heterotridactylous.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

56 Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

LIU ET AL.

FIGURES 2024. Euphthiracarus truncatus sp. nov.: 20, lateral view of body (legs removed); 21, prodorsum, dorsal view; 22,
sensillum; 23, left side of ventral plates; 24, mentum of subcapitulum. Scale bars: 2021, 23=100m; 22, 24=50m.

SIX NEW EUPHTHIRACARUS SPECIES FROM CHINA

Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

57

Remark. This new species is similar to E. cribrarius and E. paravesciculus Niedbaa, 2004, but differs from
them by following combined characters: rostrum of prodorsum distinctly protruded; sensilla with dilated head,
truncate distally and covered with long spines; rostral setae smooth and semi-erect, flagellate and directed
outwards distally; ag2 much longer than ag1.

Key to species of Euphthiracarus reported from China

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
-

Median carina present or rostrum of prodorsum protruded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Median carina absent or rostrum of prodorsum not protruded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Prodorsum with median carina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. carinatus Liu, Wu & Chen, 2011
Rostrum of prodorsum protruded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Length of notogastral setae heterotrichous; sensilla with rounded head, pointed distally and covered with several small spines
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E. flagellatus Liu, Wu & Chen, 2011
Length of notogastral setae not heterotrichous; sensilla with dilated head, truncate distally and covered with robust spines. . . 4
Region between upper carina and lower one with peculiar reticulation; rostral setae spiniform, not bent and flagellate distally .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. protrusus sp. nov.
Region between upper carina and lower one without peculiar reticulation; rostral setae bent and flagellate distally, not spiniform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. truncatus sp. nov.
Prodorsum with one pair of lateral carinae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Prodorsum with two pairs of lateral carinae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
All legs monodactylous; lateral carinae regular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. longulus Liu, Wu & Chen, 2011
All legs heterotridactylous; lateral carinae irregular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. minimus sp. nov.
Head of sensilla dilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Head of sensilla not dilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Head of sensilla smooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. oblongus sp. nov.
Head of sensilla covered with robust spines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Upper carina undulate; posterior four genital setae obviously longer than anterior ones. . . . . . . . . . . . E. takahashii Aoki, 1980
Upper carina not undulate; posterior four genital setae not obviously longer than anterior ones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. dilatatus Liu, Wu & Chen, 2011
All legs monodactylous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. cathayanus Mahunka, 2000
All legs heterotridactylous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Aggenital setae nearly equally long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. foveolatus Aoki, 1980
Aggenital setae ag2 much longer than ag1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Rostral setae thicker than all other prodosal and notogastral setae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E. macrorostralis sp. nov.
Rostral setae thinner than all other prodosal and notogastral setae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Length of notogastral setae heterotrichous; c1, c2, c3 and cp flagellate in distal half . . . . . . .E. longisetus Liu, Wu & Chen, 2011
Length of notogastral setae not heterotrichous; c1, c2, c3 and cp not flagellate in distal half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Rostral setae longer than interlamellar setae; setae ag2 less than two times as long as ag1 . . . . . . . . . . . E. medogensis sp. nov.
Rostral setae shorter than interlamellar setae; setae ag2 more than two times as long as ag1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Rostral setae not flagellate at distal end; setae ag2 about three times as long as ag1 . . . . . . . E. aequalis Liu, Wu & Chen, 2011
Rostral setae flagellate at distal end; setae ag2 more than four times as long as ag1. . . . . . . . . . . . .E. cribrarius (Berlese, 1904)

Acknowledgements
We thank Prof. W. Niedbaa, Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University,
Poland, for providing assistance in identifying, and supplying references to the first author. Sincere thanks are also
due to all the people who collected specimens for us. This work was supported by the Funds for The Excellent
Youth Scholors of NEIGAE, CAS (DLSYQ12004), the Knowledge Innovation Programs of Chinese Academy
of Sciences (KSCX2-EW-Z-8), the Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaFauna
Sinica (31093430), the National Natural Science-Foundation of China (Grant No. 31101617), and the 100 Elites
Plan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. KZCX2-YW-BR-16).

58 Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

LIU ET AL.

References
Aoki, J. (1980) A revision of the oribatid mites of Japan. II. The family Euphthiracaridae. Acta Arachnologica, 39(1), 924.
Berlese, A. (1904) Acari nuovi. Manipulus III. Redia, 2, 1032.
Chen, J., Liu, D. & Wang, H.F. (2010) Oribatid mites of China: a review of progress, with a checklist. Zoosymposia, 4,
186224.
Liu, D., Wu, D.H. & Chen, J. (2011) Species of Euphthiracarus (Acari: Oribatida: Euphthiracaridae) from China. Zootaxa,
2752, 4561.
Mahunka, S. (2000) Oribatids from Hong Kong II (Acari: Oribatida: Euphthiracaridae) (Acarologica Genavensia XCIV).
Archives des Sciences (Genve), 53(1), 4348.
Niedbaa, W. (2000) The ptyctimous mites fauna of the Oriental and Australian Regions and their centres of origin (Acari:
Oribatida). Genus, supplement, 1493.
Niedbaa, W. (2004) Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of the Neotropical Region. Annales Zoologici, 54(1), 1288.

SIX NEW EUPHTHIRACARUS SPECIES FROM CHINA

Zootaxa 3481 2012 Magnolia Press

59