Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from the coastal region of Portugal. VI. Chamobates, Protozetomimus, Protoribates, Oribatula

Abstract

Two new species of Oribatida were found in coastal habitats in South-West Portugal and four remarkable species are redescribed. Chamobates roynortoni sp. n. (Chamobatidae), is described, originating from a coastal bush area of the Ribeira de Aljezur, Algarve. Three remarkable species were recorded in a floodplain alder forest of the Ribeira de Aljezur: Chamobates dentatus Mihelčič, 1956, is redescribed and the recently described Oribatula polytuberculata Ermilov et al., 2012, (Oribatulidae) is figured. In the same habitat large populations of Protoribates hakonensis Aoki, 1994, and P. tohokuensis Fujikawa, 2003 (Haplozetidae), originally described from Japan were found for the first time in Europe. The latter species is closely related to P. robustior (Jacot, 1937) from North America. Protozetomimus behanae sp. n. from a floodplain area of Rio Mondego, North Portugal, is described and compared with congeners. The different taxonomic and systematic opinions on the genus in the literature are discussed, resulting in the proposal that Protozetomimus is a distinct genus of Ceratozetidae.