Acarologia

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in Acarology

# New Mochlozetidae (Acari, Oribatida) from the Merida State, Western Venezuela

Sergey G. Ermilov IDª

## Original research

### ABSTRACT

Two new species of Mochlozetidae (Oribatida)—*Dynatozetes asetosus* n. sp. and *Uracrobates* (*Uracrobates*) *paramasneri* n. sp.—are described, based on materials collected from sweep sample in cloud forest in Venezuela. *Dynatozetes asetosus* n. sp. differs from all representatives of the genus in the presence of the prolamella and the morphology of the bothridial seta; *Uracrobates* (*Uracrobates*) *paramasneri* n. sp. differs from all representatives of the genus by the morphology of the notogastral porose area *Aa*. The genus *Uracrobates* is recorded in the Venezuelan fauna for the first time. Identification keys, distribution and habitat to the known species of *Dynatozetes* and *Uracrobates* are provided. The generic diagnosis of *Dynatozetes* is partially revised.

**Keywords** mochlozetid mites; *Dynatozetes*; *Uracrobates*; taxonomy; morphology; identification key; habitat; Neotropical region

**Zoobank** http://zoobank.org/10DF1694-46A4-4C91-ADFE-386F8FB9263D

### Introduction

Among the oribatid mite (Acari, Oribatida) materials collected from the Merida State, Western Venezuela, I found two new species of the family Mochlozetidae, one species belonging to the genus *Dynatozetes* Grandjean, 1960, the other to *Uracrobates* Balogh and Mahunka, 1967. The main goal of the paper is to describe the two new species.

*Dynatozetes* was proposed by Grandjean (1960), with *Dynatozetes amplus* Grandjean, 1960 as type species. The genus comprises four species distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions (Subías 2022, online version 2024). The generic diagnosis and an identification key to the known species were provided by Ermilov and Friedrich (2017a).

*Uracrobates* was proposed by Balogh and Mahunka (1967), with *Uracrobates magniporosus* Balogh and Mahunka, 1967 as type species. The genus comprises two subgenera (nominate and *Parauracrobates* Ermilov and Martens, 2015) and eight species distributed in tropics (Subías 2022, online version 2024). The generic and subgeneric diagnoses as well as an identification key to the known species were provided by Ermilov and Martens (2015) and revised by Ermilov and Mary (2019).

Additional goal of the paper is to update identification keys and to summarize data on distribution and habitat to representatives of *Dynatozetes* and *Uracrobates*.

Prior to this study, two identified species of *Dynatozetes* have been registered in the Venezuelan fauna, *D. amplus* Grandjean, 1960 (see Călugăr 1990; Behan-Pelletier *et al.* 1993) and *D. obesus* Grandjean, 1960 (see Grandjean 1960; Ermilov 2016). *Uracrobates* has not yet been registered in Venezuela.

Received 09 July 2024
Accepted 05 September 2024
Published 10 September 2024

Corresponding author
Sergey G. Ermilov ID:
ermilovacari@yandex.ru

Academic editor
Baumann, Julia

https://doi.org/10.24349/00w4-a8ja

ISSN 0044-586X (print)
ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic)

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

Ermilov S. G.

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

OPEN ACCESS

<footnote>ªTyumen State University, Institute of Environmental and Agricultural Biology (X-BIO), Tyumen, Russia.</footnote>
**Methods**

**Observation and documentation** — For measurement and illustration, specimens were mounted in lactic acid on temporary cavity slides. All body measurements are presented in micrometers (µm); 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 at pteromorph level in dorsal aspect and to the maximum width at ventral plate level in ventral view; the lengths of body setae were measured in lateral aspect. 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 DM 2500 light microscope.

**Terminology** — Morphological terminology used in this paper mostly follows that of papers on Mochlozetidae (e.g., Grandjean 1959, 1960; Norton 1983, 1984; Ermilov and Yurtaev 2023); Norton (1977) for leg setal nomenclature and Norton and Behan-Pelletier (2009) for overview.

**Abbreviations** — Prodorsum: *lam* = lamella; *tlam* = translamella; *plam* = prolamella; *slam* = sublamella; *Al* = sublamellar porose area; *tu* = tutorium; *ro, le, in, bs, ex* = rostral, lamellar, interlamellar, bothridial, and exobothridial setae, respectively; *Ad* = dorsosejugal porose area; *D* = dorsophragma; *P* = pleurophragma. Notogaster: *c, la, lm, lp, h, p* = notogastral setae; *Aa, A1, A2, A3, A₁-A₄* = porose areas; *im, ip, ih, ips* = lyrifissures; *gla* = opisthonotal gland opening. Gnathosoma: *a, m, h* = subcapitular setae; *or* = adoral seta; *d, l, cm, acm, ul, su, lt, vt, inf, sup* = palp setae; *ω* = palp solenidion; *ep* = postpalpal seta; *cha, chb* = cheliceral setae; *Tg* = Trägårdh's organ. Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions: *1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c* = epimeral setae; *Am, Ah* = humeral porose areas; *PdI, PdII* = pedotecta I and II, respectively; *cus* = custodium; *dis* = discidium; *cir* = circumpedal carina; *z* = aperture of supracoxal gland. Anogenital region: *g, ag, an, ad* = genital, aggenital, anal, and adanal setae, respectively; *iad* = adanal lyrifissure; *Amar* = marginal porose area; *po* = preanal organ. Legs: *Tr, Fe, Ge, Ti, Ta* = trochanter, femur, genu, tibia, and tarsus, respectively; *trp* = trochanter process; *pa* = porose area; *ω, σ, φ* = solenidia; *ε* = famulus; *d, l, v, ev, bv, ft, tc, it, p, u, a, s, pv, pl* = setae.

**Taxonomy**

**Family Mochlozetidae Grandjean, 1960**

**Genus Dynatozetes Grandjean, 1960**

Type species: *Dynatozetes amplus* Grandjean, 1960

**Dynatozetes asetosus n. sp.**

Zoobank: 14A566E5-E4C6-4447-A2C0-22B6200C39E9

(Figures 1, 2)

**Material examined** — Holotype (female) and two paratypes (two females): Western Venezuela, Merida State, 2300 m a.s.l., 10 km E Tabay, sweeping in cloud forest, 28.IV.1981 (L. Masner and Marsh).

**Type deposition** — The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, Canada; two paratypes are in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia. All specimens are preserved in 70% solution of ethanol with a drop of glycerol.

**Diagnosis** — Body length: 855-930. Rostrum with small, semi-oval protruding. Prolamella present. Rostral, lamellar and bothridial setae long, setiform, barbed; *ro* and *le* longer than *bs*; interlamellar seta represented by alveolus. Notogaster and anogenital region foveolate. Six pairs of notogastral porose areas, of these, four pairs in posteroperipheral position; *Aa* oval, others rounded. Epimeral, genital and aggenital setae setiform, thin, slightly barbed; anal and
<figure><img src="image_2.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Dynatozetes asetosus* n. sp., adult (gnathosoma and legs omitted): a – dorsal view; b – ventral view; c – right lateral view; d – posterior view. Scale bar 200 µm.</figcaption></figure>

adanal setae short, setiform, thin, roughened. Leg trochanter IV with anterodorsal process.
Dorsal porose area on tarsi I, II not observable.

**Description of adult** — Measurements – Body length: 930 (holotype), 855, 915 (female paratypes); notogaster width (level of pteromorphs): 840 (holotype), 825 (female paratypes); ventral plate width: 750 (holotype), 705 (female paratypes).

Integument – Body color brown. Surface with dense microgranules (visible under high
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** *Dynatozetes asetosus* n. sp., adult: a – anterior part of prodorsum, anterior view; b – subcapitulum, dissected, ventral view; c – palp, right, antiaxial view; d – chelicera, right, antiaxial view; e – leg I, right, antiaxial view; f – leg II, right, antiaxial view; g – leg III, left, antiaxial view; h – leg IV, left, antiaxial view. Scale bars 100 µm (e–h), 50 µm (a, b, d), 25 µm (c).</figcaption></figure>
magnification, 10 × 100); notogaster and anogenital region with small poorly observable foveolae; lateral side of body partially with dense microgranulate cerotegument.

Prodorsum (Figs 1a, 1c, 2a) – Rostrum with small, semi-oval protruding (visible in anterior view). Lamella (including cusp) about 2/3 length of prodorsum, with short cusp having strong lateral tooth; translamella absent; prolamella lineate, located medial to insertions of rostral and lamellar setae; tutorium ridge-like, with small tooth distally. Sublamellar porose area oval (26–30 × 19–22). Rostral (112–131), lamellar (112–131) and bothridial (101–106) setae setiform, barbed; interlamellar seta represented by alveolus; exobothridial seta (45–49) setiform, thin, slightly barbed. Dorsosejugal porose area diffuse, located posterolateral to interlamellar seta.

Notogaster (Figs 1a, 1c, 1d) – Dorsosejugal suture interrupted medially. Pteromorph broadly rounded laterally. Six pairs of porose areas, with four pairs in posteroperipheral position; *Aa* oval (41–52 × 19–26), others (15–26) rounded; *A1* anteromedial to *A1*. All notogastral setae represented by alveoli. Opisthonotal gland opening and all lyrifissures (except *ia*) distinct.

Gnathosoma (Figs 2b–2d) – Subcapitulum size: 195–202 × 172–184; subcapitular seta *a* (22–26) setiform, brushed distally; subcapitular setae *m* (75–86) and *h* (52–60) and both adoral setae (26) setiform, barbed. Palp length: 157–165; setation: 0–2–1–3–9(+ω); postpalpal seta (7–9) spiniform, smooth. Chelicera length: 206–225; setae (*cha*: 71–75; *chb*: 56–60) setiform, barbed.

Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions (Figs 1b, 1c) – Epimeral setal formula: 3–1–3–3; all setae (*1a*, *1c*, *2a*, *3a*: 45–49; others: 71–90) setiform, thin, slightly barbed. Humeral porose areas *Am* and *Ah* elongate oval, poorly observable. Custodium long, thorn-like. Discidium triangular. Circumpedal carina long, distally fused to custodium.

Anogenital region (Figs 1b–1d) – Anogenital setal formula: 6–1–2–3; genital and aggenital setae (45–49) setiform, thin, slightly barbed; anal and adanal setae (19) setiform, thin, roughened. Adanal lyrifissure located close and slightly oblique to anterior half of anal plate. Marginal porose area represented by numerous oval and elongate oval parts.

Legs (Figs 2e–2h) – Median claw distinctly thicker than lateral ones, all slightly barbed dorsally; each lateral claw with small tooth ventrodistally. Trochanter IV with strong anterodorsal process. Dorsoparaxial porose area on femora I–IV, trochanters III, IV, ventrodistal porose area on tibia I–IV and proximoventral porose area on tarsi I–IV well visible; dorsal porose area on tarsi I, II not observable. Formulas of leg setation and solenidia: I (1–5–3–4–20) [1–2–2], II (1–5–3–4–15) [1–1–2], III (2–3–1–3–15) [1–1–0], IV (1–2–2–3–12) [0–1–0]; homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1.

**Remarks** – The new species differs from all species of the genus in the presence of the prolamella (versus prolamella absent) and the setiform bothridial seta (versus bothridial seta with well-developed head). Distinctive characters between species within the genus *Dynatozetes* can be found in the identification key below.

**Etymology** – The species name *asetosus* refers to the absence of interlamellar setae.

<table><caption>**Table 1** Table 1. Leg setation and solenidia of adult *Dynatozetes asetosus* n. sp. and *Uracrobates (Uracrobates) paramasneri* n. sp.</caption><thead><tr><th>Leg</th><th>Tr</th><th>Fe</th><th>Ge</th><th>Ti</th><th>Ta</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>I</td><td>v'</td><td>d, (l), bv'', v''</td><td>(l), v', σ</td><td>(l), (v), φ₁, φ₂</td><td>(ft), (tc), (it), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv), v', (pl), l'', ε, ω₁, ω₂</td></tr><tr><td>II</td><td>v'</td><td>d, (l), bv'', v''</td><td>(l), v', σ</td><td>(l), (v), φ</td><td>(ft), (tc), (it), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv), ω₁, ω₂</td></tr><tr><td>III</td><td>l', v' d, l', ev'</td><td></td><td>l', σ</td><td>l', (v), φ</td><td>(ft), (tc), (it), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv)</td></tr><tr><td>IV</td><td>v'</td><td>d, ev'</td><td>d, l'</td><td>l', (v), φ</td><td>ft'', (tc), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Note: Roman letters refer to normal setae (except ε = famulus); Greek letters refer to solenidia; single quotation mark (') marks seta on the anterior and double quotation mark (") seta on the posterior side of a given leg segment; parentheses refer to a pair of setae.
## Key to the known species of Dynatozetes

1. Bothridial seta setiform; body length: 855-930. **D. asetosus** n. sp.
— Bothridial seta with well-developed head. 2

2. Interlamellar seta well-developed; notogastral porose area *Aa* distinctly elongate oval; body length: 763-863. **D. hexaporosus** Ermilov, 2017 (in Ermilov and Friedrich 2017a)
— Interlamellar seta represented by alveolus; notogastral porose area *Aa* rounded/oval. 3

3. Dorsal porose area on leg tarsi I and II absent; lamellar seta as long as distance *le-le*; body length: 934-964. **D. magnus** (Banks, 1895) (see also Norton 1984)
— Dorsal porose area on leg tarsi I and II present; lamellar seta shorter than distance *le-le*. 4

4. Five or six pairs of posteroperipheral notogastral porose areas present; leg trochanter III with one seta (*v'* absent); body length: 770-870. **D. amplus** Grandjean, 1960
— Four pairs of posteroperipheral notogastral porose areas present; leg trochanter III with two setae (*v'* present); body length: 800-930. **D. obesus** Grandjean, 1960

## Genus *Uracrobates* Balogh and Mahunka, 1967

### Subgenus *Uracrobates* (*Uracrobates*) Balogh and Mahunka, 1967

Type species: *Uracrobates magniporosus* Balogh and Mahunka, 1967

### *Uracrobates* (*Uracrobates*) *paramasneri* n. sp.

Zoobank: 24D88AE8-C0F5-4B16-A5DC-210E345D57F8

(Figures 3, 4)

**Material examined** — Holotype (female) and four paratypes (two females): Western Venezuela, Merida State, 2300 m a.s.l., 10 km E Tabay, sweeping in cloud forest, 28.IV.1981 (L. Masner and Marsh).

**Type deposition** — The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, Canada; four paratypes are in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia. All specimens are preserved in 70% solution of ethanol with a drop of glycerol.

**Diagnosis** — Body length: 930-1020. Body without foveolae. Rostrum pointed. Lamellar cusp with strong lateral tooth. Rostral, lamellar and interlamellar setae long, setiform, barbed; ro shortest, in longest; bothridial seta medium-sized, clavate, barbed. Notogastral porose areas *Aa*, *A2* and *A3* strongly elongate oval (nearly band-like), *A1* rounded. Epimeral, genital and aggenital setae setiform, thin, slightly barbed; anal and adanal setae short, setiform, thin, roughened. Leg dorsal porose area on tarsi I, II present.

**Description of adult** — Measurements — Body length: 930 (holotype), 945-1020 (female paratypes); notogaster width (level of pteromorphs): 720 (holotype), 720-765 (female paratypes); ventral plate width: 615 (holotype), 630-705 (female paratypes).

Integument — Body color brown. Surface with dense microgranules (visible under high magnification, 10 × 100); pedotectum I partially striate; lateral side of body partially with dense microgranulate cerotegument.

Prodorsum (Figs 3a, 3c, 4a) — Rostrum pointed. Lamella (including cusp) about 1/2 length of prodorsum, with long cusp having strong lateral tooth; translamella well-developed, indistinctly convex medially; tutorium ridge-like, with small tooth distally. Sublamellar porose area nearly rounded (15-17). Rostral (131-139), lamellar (180-187) and interlamellar (236-240) setae setiform, barbed; bothridial seta (79-82) clavate, barbed, stalk and head similar in length or stalk slightly longer; exobothridial seta (60-67) setiform, thin, slightly barbed. Dorsosejugal porose area diffuse, located posterolateral to interlamellar seta.
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3** *Uracrobates* (*Uracrobates*) *paramasneri* n. sp., adult (gnathosoma and legs omitted): a – dorsal view; b – ventral view; c – right lateral view; d – posterior view. Scale bar 200 µm.</figcaption></figure>

Notogaster (Figs 3a, 3c, 3d) – Dorsojejugal suture interrupted medially. Posterior margin distinctly narrowed in dorsal and ventral aspects. Pteromorph broadly rounded laterally. Four pairs of porose areas; *A1* rounded (26–37), others strongly elongate oval, nearly band-like (*Aa*: 161–176 × 7–19; *A2*, *A3*: 90–146 × 7–19). All notogastral setae represented by alveoli. Opisthonotal gland opening and all lyrifissures (except *ia*) distinct.
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4** *Uracrobates* (*Uracrobates*) *paramasneri* n. sp., adult: a – anterior part of prodorsum, anterior view; b – subcapitulum, dissected, ventral view; c – palp, right, antiaxial view; d – chelicera, right, antiaxial view; e – leg I, right, an</figcaption></figure>
Gnathosoma (Figs 4b–4d) – Subcapitulum size: 206–229 × 187–206; subcapitular setae (a: 37–41; m: 64–71; h: 56–60) and adoral (19) setae setiform, barbed. Palp length: 169–180; setation: 0–2–1–3–9(+ω); postpalpal seta (7) spiniform, smooth. Chelicera length: 225–236; setae (cha: 71–75; chb: 56–60) setiform, barbed.

Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions (Figs 3b, 3c) – Epimeral setal formula: 3–1–3–3; all setae (1a, 2a, 3a, 4c: 34–37; 1c, 4a, 4b: 45–49; 1b, 3b, 3c: 67–71) setiform, thin, slightly barbed. Humeral porose areas Am and Ah elongate oval, poorly observable. Custodium long, thorn-like. Discidium triangular. Circumpedal carina long, distally fused to custodium.

Anogenital region (Figs 3b–3d) – Anogenital setal formula: 6–1–2–3; genital and aggenital setae (34–37) setiform, thin, slightly barbed; anal and adanal setae (19) setiform, thin, roughened. Adanal lyrifissure located close and slightly oblique to anterior half of anal plate. Marginal porose area complete, band-like.

Legs (Figs 4e–4h) – Median claw distinctly thicker than lateral ones, all slightly barbed dorsally; each lateral claw with small tooth ventrodistally. Dorsoparaxial porose area on femora I–IV, trochanters III, IV, ventrodistal porose area on tibia I–IV, proximoventral porose area on tarsi I–IV, and dorsal porose area on tarsi I, II well visible. Formulas of leg setation and solenidia: I (1–5–3–4–20) [1–2–2], II (1–5–3–4–15) [1–1–2], III (2–3–1–3–15) [1–1–0], IV (1–2–2–3–12) [0–1–0]; homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1.

**Remarks** – The new species differs from all species of the genus in the presence of the strongly elongate oval (nearly band-like) notogastral porose area *Aa* (versus *Aa* rounded/oval). Distinctive characters between species within of the genus *Uracrobates* can be found in the identification key below.

**Etymology** – The species name *paramasneri* refers to the similarity of the new species and *U. (U.) masneri* Ermilov, 2019.

## Key to the known species of *Uracrobates*

1. Notogaster truncated posteriorly (trapezoid form); notogastral porose area *A3* located in corners of the posterior notogastral margin

2. Subgenus *Uracrobates* (*Parauracrobates*) Ermilov and Martens, 2015 – Notogaster narrowed posteriorly (triangular form); notogastral porose area *A3* located dorsally on the notogaster

3. Subgenus *Uracrobates* (*Uracrobates*) Balogh and Mahunka, 1967

2. Lamellar cusp truncated; notogaster and anogenital region foveolate; anal and adanal setae medium-sized; body length: 664–680

— Lamellar cusp with strong lateral tooth, notogaster and anogenital region not foveolate; anal and adanal setae short; body length: 680–780

3. Rostrum pointed; notogastral porose areas *A2* and *A3* strongly elongate oval

— Rostrum rounded or bidentate; notogastral porose areas *A2* and *A3* rounded

4. Notogastral porose area *Aa* strongly elongate oval; body length: 930–1020

— Notogastral porose area *Aa* rounded; body length: 730–879

— Notogastral porose area *Aa* rounded; body length: 730–879

5. Rostrum rounded; lamellar cusp with minute lateral and medial teeth; body length: 730–796

— Rostrum bidentate; lamellar cusp with strong lateral tooth, medial tooth absent

— Rostrum bidentate; lamellar cusp with strong lateral tooth, medial tooth absent

6. Adanal setae *ad*₁ and *ad*₂ medium-sized, longer than short *ad*₃; adanal lyrifissure inverse apoanal; body length: 620
— All adanal setae short, similar in length; adanal lyrifissure paraanal 7

7. Notogaster smooth; body length: 480–500. U. (U.) *africanus* Mahunka, 1988 (see also Mahunka 2001)
— Notogaster foveolate 8

8. Posterior triangular part of notogaster extended; body length: 676–687. U. (U.) *magniporosus* Balogh and Mahunka, 1967 (see also Mahunka 1988)
— Posterior triangular part of notogaster not extended; body length: 548–675. U. (U.) *indicus* Ramani and Haq, 1990

General remarks

Ermilov and Friedrich (2017a) proposed a detailed generic diagnosis of the genus *Dynatozetes*. Their data were based only on morphology of four species. In light of the description of the new (fifth) species, some generic traits need to be adjusted.

The generic diagnosis indicated, e.g.: integument without ornamentation; prolamella absent; bothridial seta clavate to lanceolate (Ermilov and Friedrich 2017a). However, specimens of the new species have: foveolate notogaster and anogenital region; lineate prolamella; setiform

<table><caption>**Table 2** Distribution and habitats of *Dynatozetes* species.</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>Habitat</th><th>Country</th><th>Selective references</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>D. asetosus</td><td>Sweep sample in cloud forest</td><td>Venezuela</td><td>Data of this paper</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">D. amplus</td><td>Bark and fruits of trees</td><td>? Brazil (unconfirmed</td><td>Oliveira et al. 2005</td></tr><tr><td>—</td><td>Costa Rica</td><td>Saporito et al. 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Sweep sample in forest</td><td>Ecuador</td><td>Ermilov 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Lowland rain forest</td><td>Guatemala</td><td>Mahunka 1983</td></tr><tr><td>Soil and litter in low flooded rainforest</td><td>? Mexico (unconfirmed identification)</td><td>e.g., Vázquez 1999</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">D. hexaporosus</td><td>On trees in humid forest; tropical moist forest; montane rain forest; tropical wet forest</td><td>Panama</td><td>Grandjean 1960; Subías et al. 2004; Schatz 2006; Saporito et al. 2007</td></tr><tr><td>Upper soil and leaf litter in a primary evergreen lowland rainforest</td><td>Peru</td><td>Ermilov and Friedrich 2017b</td></tr><tr><td>Soil in tropical forest</td><td>Venezuela</td><td>Călugăr 1990; Behan-Pelletier et al. 1993</td></tr><tr><td>Upper soil and leaf litter in a primary evergreen lowland rainforest</td><td>Peru</td><td>Ermilov and Friedrich 2017a</td></tr><tr><td>D. magnus</td><td>Soil beneath moss mat on rock</td><td>Canada</td><td>Norton 1984</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="5">D. obesus</td><td>Sweep sample in forest</td><td>Ecuador</td><td>Ermilov 2019</td></tr><tr><td>Damp litter in cloud forest; rainforest litter</td><td>Guatemala</td><td>Ermilov 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Leaf litter along intermittent stream</td><td>U.S.A.</td><td>Norton 1984</td></tr><tr><td>Quarry, banks of the river</td><td>Brazil</td><td>Pérez-Iñigo and Baggio 1994</td></tr><tr><td>Leaf-sheaths of herbaceous plants</td><td>Caribbean (Antigua, Bahamas, Saba)</td><td>Ermilov and Smit 2017</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Soil, leaves, litter</td><td>Colombia</td><td>Ermilov 2017</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>On trees in forest; soil, leaves, litter</td><td>Venezuela</td><td>Grandjean 1960; Ermilov 2016</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><caption>**Table 3** Table 3. Distribution and habitats of *Uracrobates* species.</caption><thead><tr><th>Species</th><th>Habitat</th><th>Country</th><th>Selective references</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>U. (U.) africanus</td><td>Leaf litter and soil of medium sub evergreen forest, lowland forest, mangrove and halophyte vegetation</td><td>Mexico</td><td>Vázquez et al. 2016</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) indicus</td><td>Litter</td><td>Kenya</td><td>Mahunka 2001</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) magniporosus</td><td>Leaves on tree</td><td>Tanzania</td><td>Mahunka 1988</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) magniporosus</td><td>Soil, plant</td><td>India</td><td>e.g., Ramani and Haq 1988, 1990</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) magniporosus</td><td>Soil-litter in forest</td><td>India</td><td>Sheela and Haq 1991</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) magniporosus</td><td>Soil, litter, moss in tropical forests</td><td>Taiwan</td><td>Chu and Aoki 1997</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) masneri</td><td>Sweep sample</td><td>Vietnam</td><td>e.g., Balogh and Mahunka 1967; Corpuz-Raros and Ermilov 2020</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) mayottensis</td><td>Stream</td><td>Ecuador</td><td>Ermilov 2019</td></tr><tr><td>U. (U.) pygiseta</td><td>Dry leaves of deciduous tree; leaf litter in rainforest</td><td>Comoro Islands</td><td>Ermilov and Mary 2019</td></tr><tr><td>U. (P.) newtaipeiensis</td><td>Leaves of tree</td><td>Pacific Islands (Tonga, Fiji)</td><td>Hammer 1973; Mahunka 2006</td></tr><tr><td>U. (P.) truncatus</td><td>Soil in secondary mixed broad-leaved forest</td><td>Taiwan</td><td>Ermilov and Liao 2017</td></tr><tr><td>U. (P.) truncatus</td><td>Soil in secondary mixed broad-leaved forest</td><td>Nepal</td><td>Ermilov and Martens 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>

bothridial seta. Hence, the generic diagnosis should include these morphological additions.

## Distribution and habitat of *Dynatozetes* and *Uracrobates*

Species of *Dynatozetes* are known from the Nearctic and Neotropical region; species of *Uracrobates* are known from the Oriental, Afrotropical, Neotropical, and Australasian regions. According to the summarized data (Tables 2, 3), they inhabit mainly soil/litter in the tropical forests but some species are probably arboricolous.

## Acknowledgements

I cordially thank Dr. Julia Baumann and two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments, and Dr. W. Knee for facilitating the loan of Venezuelan Acari material from the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Ottawa, Canada.

## ORCID

Sergey G. Ermilov https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0913-131X

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