New Arboreal Oribatids (Arachnida: Acari: Oribatida: Oripodidae) Collected from Broadleaf Evergreen Trees in Central Japan

Abstract

A new species and a new subspecies of oribatid mites, Oripoda obliqua and Truncopes moderatus variabilis, are described from Wakayama City, central Japan. These oribatids were collected by beating trees in a shrine forest. Oripoda obliqua is distinguishable from related species by its broad body, its sensilli being mostly covered, and its arched rostral margin. Truncopes moderatus variabilis differs from the nominate subspecies in its almost glabrous prodorsal surface, its humeral projections being half separated from the body outline, and its highly variable number of genital setae.