Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus <i>Aleurodamaeus</i> (Acari, Oribatida, Aleurodamaeidae), with description of a new species from Ethiopia

Abstract

A new species of the genus Aleurodamaeus (Oribatida, Aleurodamaeidae) is described from heather forest litter in central Ethiopia. Aleurodamaeus aethiopicus sp. n. differs from all related species of the genus by the presence of a thick cerotegument with specific ornamentations (densely cellular with a median longitudinal interruption) on the notogaster. An identification key to all known species of Aleurodamaeus is provided.