Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) inhabiting nests of the termite Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt) in the Franklin Game Reserve (Bloemfontein, South Africa), with description of a new species of the genus Ceratobates (Tegoribatidae)

Abstract

The present study is based on oribatid mite material (Acari, Oribatida) collected from nests of the termite Trinervitermes trinervoides (Sjöstedt) of the Franklin Game Reserve on Naval Hill in Bloemfontein (South Africa). A list of identified taxa, including 38 species from 32 genera and 25 families, is presented. Of these, four species (Sellnickochthonius foliatifer, Sphaerochthonius splendidus, Phyllozetes alatus, Pheroliodes africanus), two genera (Sphaerochthonius, Phyllozetes) and one family (Sphaerochthoniidae) are recorded for the fauna of this country for the first time; four species (Liochthonius simplex, Transoribates agricola, Lepidozetes singularis, Anellozetes translamellatus) and four genera (Liochthonius, Ceratobates, Transoribates, Lepidozetes) are recorded in the Ethiopian region for the first time. A new species of the genus Ceratobates is described, namely C. monosacculatus sp. nov., which is distinguished from all species of the genus by the tridactylous legs (versus monodactylous). Some data on oribatid mites inhabiting nests of termites are summarized.