Protophthiracarus

Niedbała, Wojciech & Starý, Josef, 2014, New and little known species of ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Cameroon, Zootaxa 3889 (1), pp. 31-57 : 56

Key for Afrotropical Protophthiracarus species

1. Both interlamellar and lamellar setae similar in shape and length, long, thick, erect, similar to notogastral setae........... 2

-. Interlamellar and lamellar setae of different shape, interlamellar considerably longer than lamellar, at least lamellar setae dif- ferent in shape from notogastral setae...................................................................... 3

2. Distance between interlamellar and rostral setae shorter than length of interlamellar setae, median sigillar field shorter than lat- erals, lateral carinae of prodorsum reach the end of rostrum.................................... P. diatropos sp. nov.

-. Distance between interlamellar and rostral setae longer than length of interlamellar setae, median and laterals sigillar fields nar- row, long and similar in length, lateral carinae of prodorsum reach the sinus..... P. dignus (Niedbała, 1983) ( Niedbała 1983b)

3. Heterotrichy of notogastral setae, dorsal setae longer or shorter than lateral setae................................... 4

- Notogastral setae similar in length and shape................................................................ 5

4. Dorsal notogastral setae c 1, d 1, e 1, h 1 and ps 1 twice thicker and slightly shorter than lateral setae, sensilli short with widened head, widely obtuse distally, ciliate at distal end............................................... P. preptos sp. nov.

-. Dorsal setae c 1, d 1, e 1, h 1 and ps 1 longer than lateral setae, sensilli elongate, gradually thickening, without well separated head................................................................................ P. mayottei Niedbała, 2001

5. Interlamellar setae long, erect, covered with small spines in distal end, similar in shape to notogastral setae, lamellar setae short, spiniform....................................................................................... 6

-. Interlamellar and lamellar setae very short, procumbent, different from notogastral setae............................. 7

6. Rostral setae long and distanced, deep sinus posterior of rostral setae present, vestigial setae and four pairs of lyrifissures present, setae ad 2 of anoadanal plate situated near paraxial border, at level of an 1 setae.............. P. korupensis sp. nov.

-. Rostral setae short and positioned near each other, absence of sinus between rostral setae, absence of vestigial setae and pres- ence of two pairs of lyrifissures, setae ad 2 remote from paraxial border situated at level of an 2 setae..................................................................................... P. venustus (Niedbała, 1983) ( Niedbała 1983b)

7. Rostral setae directed inward, notogastral setae lanceolate............................... P. prominens ( Balogh, 1958)

-. Rostral setae straight, notogastral setae covered with cilia, slightly similar to aspergillum......... P. araios Niedbała, 2001