Papillocepheus banari sp. nov. (Acari, Oribatida, Otocepheidae) from Malawi

A new species of oribatid mite of the genus Papillocepheus is described from Malawi. Papillocepheus banari sp. nov. differs from Papillocepheus deficiens by the larger body size, the localization of dorsal notogastral setae, and the direction of posterior notogastral setae. Observation and documentation. Specimens were mounted in lactic acid on temporary cavity slides for measurement and illustration. Body length was measured in lateral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the notogaster. Body width refers to the maximum width of the notogaster in dorsal view. Lengths of body setae were measured in lateral aspect. All body measurements are presented in micrometers. Formulas for leg setation are given in parentheses according to the sequence trochanter-femur-genu-tibia-tarsus (famulus included). Formulas for leg solenidia are given in square brackets according to the sequence genu-tibia-tarsus. Drawings were made with a camera lucida using a Leica transmission light microscope “Leica DM 2500”.

Among the oribatid mite materials collected from Malawi, we found a new species, which is the first representative of Papillocepheus recorded in this country. The main goal of the paper is to describe this new species.
Observation and documentation. Specimens were mounted in lactic acid on temporary cavity slides for measurement and illustration. Body length was measured in lateral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the notogaster. Body width refers to the maximum width of the notogaster in dorsal view. Lengths of body setae were measured in lateral aspect. All body measurements are presented in micrometers. Formulas for leg setation are given in parentheses according to the sequence trochanter-femurgenu-tibia-tarsus (famulus included). Formulas for leg solenidia are given in square brackets according to the sequence genu-tibia-tarsus. Drawings were made with a camera lucida using a Leica transmission light microscope "Leica DM 2500".
Integument. Colour yellowish brown. Body partially covered by thick layer of gel-like cerotegument. Cuticle densely microgranulate. Prodorsum, notogaster, ventral side and anal plate with sparse foveolae (diameter up to 10). Lateral part of body between bothridium and acetabula I-III with dense tubercles (up to 8).
Legs  Table 1. Seta u of all tarsi setiform.

(tc), (it), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv)
Note: Roman letters refer to normal setae, Greek letters to solenidia (except ɛ = famulus); single quotation mark (') designates setae on the anterior and double quotation mark (") setae on the posterior side of a given leg segment; parentheses refer to a pair of setae.
Type deposition. The holotype is deposited in the collection of the SMNH; 17 paratypes are deposited in the collection of the TSUMZ. All specimens are preserved in 70% solution of ethanol with a drop of glycerol.
Etymology. The species name is dedicated to our colleague, Dr. Petr Baňař (Brno, Czech Republic) renowned entomologist, specialist on soil Heteroptera, collector of large material of soil samples from Malawi.
Remarks. Papillocepheus banari sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to Papillocepheus deficiens Balogh & Balogh, 1983 from Australia in having five pairs of narrowly phylliform notogastral setae, but the new species differs from the latter by the larger body size (length: 830-1326 versus 503), the localization of dorsal notogastral setae (inserted in two longitudinal rows versus widely placed on notogaster), and the direction of posterior notogastral setae (erect versus pressed to notogastral surface).