Abstract
The genus Aitkenius Brennan, 1970, is redescribed with emphasis on the idiosomal setae. A. hystricosus off Proechimys semispinosus, A. ciscunctatus holotype off Zygodontomys brevicauda, and A. senticosus off Oryzomys minutus and other cricetids are described as new. A key to the 6 included species is given. The discovery of three new species of Aitkenius in Venezuela further supports the concept of this peculiarly hirsute Neotropical group of chiggers (Brennan, 1970). Six species, readily separable by the curious structure of the idiosomal setae alone, now constitute the genus. By virtue of scutal characteristics, number of genualae I, and nature of palpal dorsotibial seta, five species (3 Venezuelan, 1 Colombian, and 1 Panamanian) form a compact group distinct from a north Brazilian species as shown in the accompanying synoptic key. Despite the recent characterization of Aitkenius, salient generic features are repeated in the following redescription.
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