Systematic relationships of Propelops, with a modification of family-group taxa in Phenopelopoidea (Acari: Oribatida)

Abstract

Relationships of the oribatid mite genus Propelops, whose members are common in the litter of North American coniferous forests, are assessed using the principles of phylogenetic systematics; characters of both adults and newly discovered immatures are analyzed. The closest relatives of Propelops are among the Phenopelopidae (despite the lack of specialized mouthparts previously used to characterize the family) rather than the Ceratozetidae, as commonly suggested. A new phenopelopid subfamily, Propelopinae, is proposed to include Propelops. The phenopelopid genus Tectopelops Jacot, 1929 is considered a junior subjective synonym of Eupelops Ewing, 1917. Unduloribatidae, most commonly included among the Oribatelloidea, is transferred to the Phenopelopoidea, and new diagnoses are presented for all phenopelopoid family-group taxa.