Protozetes BALOGH, 1962

Mahunka, S., 2005, Oribatid Mites (Acari: Oribatida) From Venezuela, I. Microzetid Species, Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 51 (4), pp. 287-311 : 298-299

Protozetes BALOGH, 1962

The genus Protozetes , together with its type species ( Protozetes capitulum BALOGH, 1962 ) was described by BALOGH from Peru. Although he (1962), and his co-worker (BALOGH & BALOGH 1988, 2002) discussed the species several times and placed the genus into various identification keys, in every instance they simply considered the inaccurate description and figures and had not studied the specimen anew.

At this time, the discovery of closely allied new species made it inevitable to study the type species of the genus, and to revise the type series of the so far described other species.

So far the genus comprises the following species ( SUBIAS 2004):

Protozetes digitifer alticola P. BALOGH, 1989 *

Protozetes capitulum BALOGH, 1962

Protozetes clavatus MAHUNKA et PALACIOS-VARGAS, 1996

Protozetes digitifer MAHUNKA, 1985

Protozetes longicornis P. BALOGH, 1989

It is without doubt that the species are closely related, excepting P. longicornis . All are distributed in the Neotropical Region.

A short diagnosis of the genus: Rostrum conical in dorsal, beak-like in lateral view. Rostral setae arising on the dorsal surface. Lamellae large, but not touching medially, a weak translamella present. Lamellar setae arising on the inner margin of lamellae, slightly ventrally. Interlamellar setae located on the dorsal surface of lamellae. Sensillus fusiform, ciliate or spiculate, directed anteriorly. Some notogastral setae blunt at tip. Epimeral region with one wide, tranversal border (bo. 4). Ventral plate with some longitudinal lines and one pair of roundish spot.

Type species: Protozetes capitulum BALOGH, 1962