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Protogamasellus caleraensis sp. nov. (Figs 13–15) Specimens examined. Holotype female and a paratype female from soil of a grassland (pH 5.2–5.4; organic matter 29–39 %; humidity 73 %; soil temperature 16 °C); collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in April, 2010. Holotype deposited at ESALQ-USP; paratype deposited at MJHN, PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three subtriangular projections, median smooth and laterals with external margins serrate and slightly longer than median projection; podonotal shield with a transverse line at level of z 6, and with 17 pairs of setae (s 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); opithonotal shield with a transverse line at level of J 1 and with 15 pairs of setae; two pairs of metapodal plates; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae (Jv 1 and Zv 1 on unsclerotised cuticle); peritreme short extending anteriorly to region between posterior margin and median level of coxa II (slightly behind level of r 3); peritrematic plate indistinct, except for anterior end (subtriangular auxiliary anterolateral plate) and posterior end (slender and distally acuminating structure behind stigma). Description ( Female, two specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 23–25 long, with eight teeth and setiform pilus dentilis (two teeth externally to alignment of remaining teeth); movable digit 23–25 long, with two teeth; dorsal lyrifissure and dorsal cheliceral seta distinct; antiaxial lyrifissure indistinct (Fig. 13). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter–tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate. Anterior region of epistome with three projections; median smooth, laterals with external margin serrate and slightly longer than median projection (Fig. 14). Deutosternal groove (Fig. 15) delimited by subparallel lines, with seven transverse lines, of which the most distal smooth and others with 6–8 denticles each. Internal malae distinctly separated from each other, lateral margins fimbriate. Corniculi hornshaped, about twice as long as basal width. Seta h 3 about in longitudinal line with h 1 and mesad of and in transverse line with h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 12, h 2 9, h 3 12, pc 12, palp trochanter av 14–15, palp trochanter pv 9–10; setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 16). Idiosoma 250–259 long and 126–130 wide at widest level. Podonotal shield smooth, except for a transverse line at level of z 6, delimiting a posterior more lightly sclerotised band; 124–127 long and 97–99 wide at widest level; with 17 pairs of setae, six pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores; seta j 2 inserted almost in transverse line with insertions of j 1 and z 1. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of podonotal shield with five pairs of setae (s 2, r 2 – 5). Opisthonotal shield smooth, except for a transverse line at level of J 1, a diagonal wavy line between J 4 and Z 2, a pair of short transverse lines behind Z 1, and an arched wavy and broken line anteriad of J 5 and Z 5; 126–127 long and 85–91 wide; with a series of eight punctiform depressions in an arched line between J 4 and Z 4; with 15 pairs of setae, eight pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores; pore between Z 3 and Z 4 distinctly large. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with six pairs of setae (R 1 –R 6) and a pair of lyrifissures (Rp). Setal measurements: j 1 20–22, j 2 11–12, j 3 13–14, j 4 14–15, j 5 13, j 6 11, J 1 12, J 2 13, J 3 19–22, J 4 24, J 5 15–16, z 1 10–11, z 2 12–14, z 3 15, z 4 15, z 5 16, z 6 10, Z 1 14–15, Z 2 15–16, Z 3 16, Z 4 16–18, Z 5 24–25, s 1 10 –11, s 2 11 –12, s 3 15 –16, s 4 13 –15, s 5 16 –17, s 6 16 –17, S 1 13 –14, S 2 14 –15, S 3 14 – 16, S 4 18 –19, S 5 19 –23, r 2 12–13, r 3 17–18, r 4 10, r 5 9, R 1 8–9, R 2 9–10, R 3 9–10, R 4 9–10, R 5 9–10, R 6 11; setae aciculate and smooth. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 17). Base of tritosternum 16–17 long and 9–10 wide proximally; laciniae 38–40, separated for about 80 % of their total length, pilose. Pre-sternal area weakly sclerotised and weakly punctate. Sternal shield mostly smooth, with scant faint striae along lateral margins; anteromedian region more lightly sclerotised than remaining of the shield; posterior margin slightly concave; approximately 67–69 long and 39–40 wide at widest level; with three pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures; distances st 1 – st 3 54–55, st 2 – st 2 33–34. Metasternal plates indistinguishable; however, fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) on unstriate, lightly sclerotised region. genital shield narrow, finely punctate, with posterior margin convex, bearing st 5; extending slightly behind coxa IV, wider at base of anterior flap (23–24); 60–63 long; distance st 5 – st 5 21–22; lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle, posterolaterad of st 5. Two pairs of metapodal plates, the anterior ovoid and the posterior elongate. Ventrianal shield oval, reticulate; 68–70 long and 87–98 wide at widest level; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 – Jv 5) in addition to circumanal setae; para-anal setae inserted at level of the anterior margin of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 5 of shield length, 13 long. Unsclerotised cuticle around ventrianal shield with two pairs of setae (Jv 1 and Zv 1), a pair of platelets and four pairs of lyrifissures. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section behind sternal shield indistinct. Exopodal shield reduced to triangular platelets between coxae II–III and III–IV. Peritreme short extending anteriorly to region between posterior margin and median level of coxa II (slightly behind level of r 3). Peritrematic plate indistinct, except for anterior end (subtriangular auxiliary anterolateral plate) and posterior end (slender structure behind stigma). Setal measurements: st 1 13, st 2 13–14, st 3 13–14, st 4 11, st 5 10–12, Jv 1 10–11, Jv 2 12–14, Jv 3 14–16, Jv 4 13–15, Jv 5 23–24, Zv 1 10 – 10, para-anal 15–16, post-anal 25; setae aciculate and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Induction pore apparently between coxae III and IV; infundibulum ovoid (6 long and 3 wide); tubulus string-like; distinct section about 30 long (Fig. 18). Legs. Lengths: I: 200–209; II: 143–145; III: 120–121; IV: 150–165. Setation (legs I–IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 11, 8, 8; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 9; tarsi: I not counted, 18, 18, 18. All legs with pretarsi containing a pair of strongly sclerotised claws (Fig. 19); median section of pulvilli of legs I– IV rounded. Adult male. Not found. Etymology. The specific name “ caleraensis ” refers to “La Calera”, the type locality of this new species, and " ensis " denoting origin. Remarks. This new species is most similar to Protogamasellus brevicornis Shcherbak, 1976, described from South Africa; both with a large, rounded pore between Z 3 and Z 4; and setae j 1, Z 5 and r 3 distinctly longer than the other dorsal setae. However, in P. brevicornis Jv 4 is inserted on unsclerotised cuticle; insertions of Jv 2 (mentioned as Jv 3) and Jv 3 (mentioned as Zv 3) in transverse line; and anterior margin of ventrianal shield straight.

Protogamasellus caleraensis sp. nov. (Figs 13���15) Specimens examined. Holotype female and a paratype female from soil of a grassland (pH 5.2���5.4; organic matter 29���39 %; humidity 73 %; soil temperature 16 ��C); collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in April, 2010. Holotype deposited at ESALQ-USP; paratype deposited at MJHN, PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three subtriangular projections, median smooth and laterals with external margins serrate and slightly longer than median projection; podonotal shield with a transverse line at level of z 6, and with 17 pairs of setae (s 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); opithonotal shield with a transverse line at level of J 1 and with 15 pairs of setae; two pairs of metapodal plates; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae (Jv 1 and Zv 1 on unsclerotised cuticle); peritreme short extending anteriorly to region between posterior margin and median level of coxa II (slightly behind level of r 3); peritrematic plate indistinct, except for anterior end (subtriangular auxiliary anterolateral plate) and posterior end (slender and distally acuminating structure behind stigma). Description ( Female, two specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 23���25 long, with eight teeth and setiform pilus dentilis (two teeth externally to alignment of remaining teeth); movable digit 23���25 long, with two teeth; dorsal lyrifissure and dorsal cheliceral seta distinct; antiaxial lyrifissure indistinct (Fig. 13). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter���tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate. Anterior region of epistome with three projections; median smooth, laterals with external margin serrate and slightly longer than median projection (Fig. 14). Deutosternal groove (Fig. 15) delimited by subparallel lines, with seven transverse lines, of which the most distal smooth and others with 6���8 denticles each. Internal malae distinctly separated from each other, lateral margins fimbriate. Corniculi hornshaped, about twice as long as basal width. Seta h 3 about in longitudinal line with h 1 and mesad of and in transverse line with h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 12, h 2 9, h 3 12, pc 12, palp trochanter av 14���15, palp trochanter pv 9���10; setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 16). Idiosoma 250���259 long and 126���130 wide at widest level. Podonotal shield smooth, except for a transverse line at level of z 6, delimiting a posterior more lightly sclerotised band; 124���127 long and 97���99 wide at widest level; with 17 pairs of setae, six pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores; seta j 2 inserted almost in transverse line with insertions of j 1 and z 1. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of podonotal shield with five pairs of setae (s 2, r 2 ��� 5). Opisthonotal shield smooth, except for a transverse line at level of J 1, a diagonal wavy line between J 4 and Z 2, a pair of short transverse lines behind Z 1, and an arched wavy and broken line anteriad of J 5 and Z 5; 126���127 long and 85���91 wide; with a series of eight punctiform depressions in an arched line between J 4 and Z 4; with 15 pairs of setae, eight pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores; pore between Z 3 and Z 4 distinctly large. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with six pairs of setae (R 1 ���R 6) and a pair of lyrifissures (Rp). Setal measurements: j 1 20���22, j 2 11���12, j 3 13���14, j 4 14���15, j 5 13, j 6 11, J 1 12, J 2 13, J 3 19���22, J 4 24, J 5 15���16, z 1 10���11, z 2 12���14, z 3 15, z 4 15, z 5 16, z 6 10, Z 1 14���15, Z 2 15���16, Z 3 16, Z 4 16���18, Z 5 24���25, s 1 10 ���11, s 2 11 ���12, s 3 15 ���16, s 4 13 ���15, s 5 16 ���17, s 6 16 ���17, S 1 13 ���14, S 2 14 ���15, S 3 14 ��� 16, S 4 18 ���19, S 5 19 ���23, r 2 12���13, r 3 17���18, r 4 10, r 5 9, R 1 8���9, R 2 9���10, R 3 9���10, R 4 9���10, R 5 9���10, R 6 11; setae aciculate and smooth. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 17). Base of tritosternum 16���17 long and 9���10 wide proximally; laciniae 38���40, separated for about 80 % of their total length, pilose. Pre-sternal area weakly sclerotised and weakly punctate. Sternal shield mostly smooth, with scant faint striae along lateral margins; anteromedian region more lightly sclerotised than remaining of the shield; posterior margin slightly concave; approximately 67���69 long and 39���40 wide at widest level; with three pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures; distances st 1 ��� st 3 54���55, st 2 ��� st 2 33���34. Metasternal plates indistinguishable; however, fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) on unstriate, lightly sclerotised region. genital shield narrow, finely punctate, with posterior margin convex, bearing st 5; extending slightly behind coxa IV, wider at base of anterior flap (23���24); 60���63 long; distance st 5 ��� st 5 21���22; lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle, posterolaterad of st 5. Two pairs of metapodal plates, the anterior ovoid and the posterior elongate. Ventrianal shield oval, reticulate; 68���70 long and 87���98 wide at widest level; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 ��� Jv 5) in addition to circumanal setae; para-anal setae inserted at level of the anterior margin of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 5 of shield length, 13 long. Unsclerotised cuticle around ventrianal shield with two pairs of setae (Jv 1 and Zv 1), a pair of platelets and four pairs of lyrifissures. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section behind sternal shield indistinct. Exopodal shield reduced to triangular platelets between coxae II���III and III���IV. Peritreme short extending anteriorly to region between posterior margin and median level of coxa II (slightly behind level of r 3). Peritrematic plate indistinct, except for anterior end (subtriangular auxiliary anterolateral plate) and posterior end (slender structure behind stigma). Setal measurements: st 1 13, st 2 13���14, st 3 13���14, st 4 11, st 5 10���12, Jv 1 10���11, Jv 2 12���14, Jv 3 14���16, Jv 4 13���15, Jv 5 23���24, Zv 1 10 ��� 10, para-anal 15���16, post-anal 25; setae aciculate and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Induction pore apparently between coxae III and IV; infundibulum ovoid (6 long and 3 wide); tubulus string-like; distinct section about 30 long (Fig. 18). Legs. Lengths: I: 200���209; II: 143���145; III: 120���121; IV: 150���165. Setation (legs I���IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 11, 8, 8; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 9; tarsi: I not counted, 18, 18, 18. All legs with pretarsi containing a pair of strongly sclerotised claws (Fig. 19); median section of pulvilli of legs I��� IV rounded. Adult male. Not found. Etymology. The specific name ��� caleraensis ��� refers to ���La Calera���, the type locality of this new species, and " ensis " denoting origin. Remarks. This new species is most similar to Protogamasellus brevicornis Shcherbak, 1976, described from South Africa; both with a large, rounded pore between Z 3 and Z 4; and setae j 1, Z 5 and r 3 distinctly longer than the other dorsal setae. However, in P. brevicornis Jv 4 is inserted on unsclerotised cuticle; insertions of Jv 2 (mentioned as Jv 3) and Jv 3 (mentioned as Zv 3) in transverse line; and anterior margin of ventrianal shield straight., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on pages 500-503, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Shcherbak, G. I. (1976) On studying mites of the genus Protogamasellus Karg, 1962 (sensu Karg, 1971) (Gamasoidea, Rhodacaridae). Vestnik Zoologii, 5, 81 - 83."]}

Gamasellodes intermedius sp. nov. (Figs 7–12) Specimens examined. Holotype female and five paratype females from soil of a grassland (pH 5.5–6.1; organic matter 28–36 %; humidity 71–75 %; soil temperature 10–16 °C); collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in April and June, 2010. Holotype and two paratype females deposited at ESALQ-USP; two paratype females deposited at MJHN- PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal projections of uniform width, each bifurcate; podonotal shield with sparse and light reticulation behind j 4, smooth anteriorly, with a well define slender strip between z 3 and s 4, and with 17 pairs of setae (s 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); j 1, j 2 and z 1 almost in transverse line; opisthonotal shield mostly smooth, and with 16 pairs of setae (R 5 inserted on posterior angle of dorsal shield); with two pairs of rounded to ovoid metapodal plates; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in additional to circumanal setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); peritreme short, extending anteriorly only to level of anterior margin of coxa IV (level of r 5); peritrematic plate extending anteriorly to level between z 1 and s 1, not fused to dorsal shield. Description (Female, six specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 26 (25–27) long, with five teeth and setiform pilus dentilis; movable digit 26 (25–27) long, with two teeth; dorsal and antiaxial lyrifissures and dorsal cheliceral seta distinct (Fig. 7). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter–tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal projections of uniform width and each bifurcate (Fig. 8). Deutosternal groove (Fig. 9) delimited laterally by subparallel lines, with seven transverse lines, of which the most distal smooth and others with 9–15 denticles each. Internal malae distinctly separate from each other; lateral margins fimbriate. Corniculi hornshaped, about 1.6 times as long as their basal width. Seta h 3 about in longitudinal line with h 1 and mesad of and in transverse line with h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 12 (11–13), h 2 9 (8–10), h 3 15 (13–17), pc 14 (13–15), palp trochanter av 17 (16–17), palp trochanter pv 11 (10–11); setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 10). Idiosoma 240 (231–248) long and 112 (107–124) wide at widest level. Podonotal shield with sparse and light reticulation behind j 4, smooth anteriorly, with well define slender strip between z 3 and s 4; 123 (117–129) long and 110 (107–115) wide at widest level; with 17 pairs of setae, two pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores; j 1, j 2 and z 1 almost in transverse line. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of podonotal shield with five pairs of setae (s 2, r 2 –r 5). Opisthonotal shield mostly smooth, with a line immediately behind J 1 extending diagonally to anterolateral corners, with scant lines by Z 1, a wavy line between J 3 and Z 3, and with a shallow ovoid depression between J 4 and J 5, more clearly discernable near posterior margin; 117 (114–119) long and 108 (105–110) wide; with 16 pairs of setae (R 5 inserted on posterior angle of dorsal shield), six pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores. Setae J 4 shorter than distance between their bases (24–26). Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with four pairs of setae (R 1 – R 4) and a pair of lyrifissures (Rp). Setal measurements: j 1 11 (10–12), j 2 14 (11–16), j 3 18 (17–20), j 4 19 (17–20), j 5 16 (15–17), j 6 16 (15–17), J 1 16 (15–17), J 2 18 (16–19), J 3 18 (16–19), J 4 22 (20–24), J 5 13 (12–15), z 1 9 (9–10), z 2 17 (15–18), z 3 19 (17–20), z 4 21 (19–23), z 5 21 (20–22), z 6 20 (18–21), Z 1 21 (20–23), Z 2 21 (19–22), Z 3 22 (20–23), Z 4 22 (20–24), Z 5 22 (21– 24), s 1 15, s 2 12 (10–13), s 3 20 (18–23), s 4 22 (18–23), s 5 21 (20–23), s 6 20 (19–22), S 1 18 (16–20), S 2 19 (17– 20), S 3 21 (20–22), S 4 21 (20–22), S 5 20 (19–22), r 2 14 (13–15), r 3 25 (24–25), r 4 11 (10–12), r 5 11 (10–12), R 1 10 (9–10), R 2 10 (10–11), R 3 12 (11–12), R 4 13 (12–13), R 5 14 (13–15); setae aciculate and smooth. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 11). Base of tritosternum 16 (15–16) long and 10 (9–10) wide proximally; laciniae 45 (44–46), separated for about 90 % of their total length, pilose. Pre-sternal area weakly sclerotised, with light punctation distinguishable in some specimens. Sternal shield, mostly smooth, with scant faint marginal striae; posterior margin lightly sclerotised and lightly concave; approximately 65 (58–71) long and 54 (50–56) wide at widest level; with three pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures (iv 3 hardly distinguishable); distances st 1 –st 3 55 (55–57), st 2 –st 2 35 (34–35). Metasternal plates indistinguishable; however, fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) on unstriate, lightly sclerotised region. Genital shield narrow, mostly smooth, punctate along convex posterior margin, bearing st 5 and extending posteriorly well behind coxa IV; 59 (56–61) long and 25 (24–26) wide at the widest level; distance st 5 –st 5 24 (23–25); lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle posterolaterad of st 5. Two pairs of ovoid to rounded metapodal plates. Ventrianal shield reticulate; 66 (65–67) long and 92 (87–95) wide at widest level; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 – Jv 5) in addition to circumanal setae; para-anal setae inserted at about mid-length of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 5 of shield length; 14 (13–15) long. Unsclerotised cuticle between genital and ventrianal shields three pairs of setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2), a pair of tiny transversely elongate platelets and a pair of lyrifissures. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of and posteriorad to ventrianal shield with two pairs and a pair of lyrifissures, respectively. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section behind sternal shield indistinct. Exopodal plate reduced to triangular platelets between coxae II–III and III–IV and an elongate plate next to coxa II. Peritreme short, extending anteriorly only to level of anterior margin of coxa IV (level of r 5). Peritrematic plate abutting but not fused to dorsal shield at level of z 1 and s 1 and ending as a blunt and slightly curved extension at level of posterior margin of coxa IV; with a lyrifissure next to s 2 (median level of coxa II), a lyrifissure next to r 4 (median level of coxa III), and a lyrifissure and a pore posterior to stigma. Setal measurements: st 1 13 (11–14), st 2 12 (11–13), st 3 13 (11–13), st 4 12 (10–13), st 5 10 (10–11), Jv 1 14 (11–15), Jv 2 16 (15–17), Jv 3 17 (16–18), Jv 4 15 (13–17), Jv 5 23 (22–24), Zv 1 12 (11–13), Zv 2 13 (11–14), para-anal 23 (20– 24), post-anal 23 (22–24); setae aciculate and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Not distinguishable. Legs. Lengths: I: 211 (205–215); II: 150 (140–158); III: 139 (130–145); IV: 180 (170–189). Setation (legs I– IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 11, 8, 9; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 9; tarsi: not counted, 18, 18, 18. All legs with pretarsi containing a pair of strongly sclerotised claws (Fig. 12); median section of pulvilli of legs I–IV rounded. Adult male. Not found. Etymology. The specific name “ intermedius ” refers to fact that the morphological characteristics of this species are intermediate between Protogamasellus and Gamasellodes. Remarks. This species is most similar to Gamasellodes minor Athias-Henriot, 1961, described from Algeria, with similar ornamentation on the posterior part of the opisthonotal shield, setae J 4 shorter than the distance between their bases (respectively 18 and 23 in G. minor), and with short peritreme. However, the latter species differs from the species here described by having a continuous line connecting the bases of j 4 and z 3 and by having one less pair of opisthogastric setae (Zv 2). In addition, the opisthonotal shield of G. minor has only 15 pairs (R 5 inserted off dorsal shield). Although placed in Gamasellodes, the generic classification of this species is doubtful, because some characteristics are typical of Protogamasellus, namely the transverse line at level of setae J 1, while other characteristics are typical of Gamasellodes, namely the absence of a transverse line extending completely across the level of z 6, the presence of nine setae on genu IV and the anterior region of epistome most often with three pointed or distally denticulate projections. Some species of Gamasellodes have short peritreme (Moraes et al., 2016); however, except for G. minor, the peritreme extends at least to level of posterior half of coxa II.

Arctoseius semiscissus (Berlese) Laelaps (Iphis) semiscissus Berlese, 1892: 7. Arctoseius bispinatus Weis-Fogh, 1948: 255 (first synonymised by Bernhard, 1963: 151). Arctoseius bicuspidatus Willmann, 1949: 355 (first synonymised by Halliday et al., 1998: 16). Arctoseius (Arctoseiulus) semiscissus.��� Willmann, 1949: 357. Arctoseius limburgensis Nesbitt, 1954: 20 (first synonymised by Halliday et al., 1998: 16). Arctoseius sellnicki Karg, 1962: 45 (first synonymised by Bernhard, 1963: 151). Laelaps semiscissus.��� Hirschmann, 1962: 48. Morphology (female, eight specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 30 (29���30) long, with four teeth and setiform pilus dentilis; movable digit 31 (30���33), with two teeth; anterior region of epistome with two subequal, pointed, smooth projections. Dorsal idiosoma. Dorsal shield smooth, entire, with lateral incisions at line of fusion between podonotal and opisthonotal shields; 392 (345���422) long and 203 (177���224) wide, with 31 pairs of setae. Unsclerotised cuticle with ten pairs of setae (s 2, r 2 ��� r 5, R 1 ��� R 5). Setal measurements: j 1 23 (19���25), j 2 33 (30���35), j 3 40 (37���43), j 4 35 (33���36), j 5 31 (27���35), j 6 32 (28���35), J 1 32 (31���32), J 2 32 (30���34), J 3 35 (35 ��� 35), J 4 34 (33���36), J 5 12 (11���12), z 1 16 (15���17), z 2 44 (40���49), z 3 44 (40���50), z 4 44 (41���49), z 5 35 (30���37), z 6 35 (31���39), Z 1 39 (34���43), Z 2 42 (38���45), Z 3 46 (42���49), Z 4 53 (50���57), Z 5 57 (54���60), s 1 27 (24���33), s 2 24 (23���25), s 3 48 (42���50), s 4 49 (45���52), s 5 47 (44���52), s 6 46 (42���49), S 1 44 (40���47), S 2 45 (41���49), S 3 44 (40���47), S 5 50 (46���55), r 2 30 (27���32), r 3 37 (31���40), r 4 31 (28���35), r 5 32 (28���35), R 1 30 (26���35), R 2 29 (25���32), R 3 28 (24���30), R 4 27 (22���31), R 5 29 (24��� 32); setae aciculate and smooth. Ventral idiosoma. Base of tritosternum 18 (17���18) long and 13 (12���13) wide proximally; laciniae 58 (54���62), separated for about 90 % of their total length, pilose. Presternal plates large, consolidated with sternal shield, lineate and bearing st 1. Sternal shield smooth; 84 (78���95) long and 71 (65���77) wide at the widest level, with two pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures; setae st 1 29 (25���31), st 2 27 (25���30), st 3 24 (22���26), st 4 20 (18���22). Distances st 1 ���st 3 79 (75���84), st 2 ���st 2 63 (60���65). Genital shield punctate; 96 (85���100) long and 47 (40���55) wide at the widest level; seta st 5 20 (18���21); distance st 5 ���st 5 54 (49���59). One pair of ovoid metapodal plates. Anal shield small, ovate, weakly reticulate; 75 (70���78) long and 74 (66���80) wide, bearing only circumanal setae; para-anal setae 21 (20���23), post-anal 39 (36���40); anus 20 (19���21) long. Unsclerotised cuticle around anal shield with eight pairs of setae (Jv 1 ���Jv 5, Zv 1, Zv 2 and Zv 5). Endopodal and exopodal plates indistinct. Peritrematic plate narrow, abutting but not fused anteriorly with dorsal shield at level of z 1 and extending posteriorly as a narrow strip behind coxa IV. Peritreme extending anteriorly to the median level of coxa II (level of s 3). Setal measurements: Jv 1 22 (20���25), Jv 2 24 (22���26), Jv 3 24 (20���25), Jv 4 22 (20���23), Jv 5 40 (37���43), Zv 1 19 (15���21), Zv 2 22 (18���26), Zv 4 29 (27���32), Zv 5 31 (26���35); setae aciculate and smooth. Legs. Setation: genua I���IV: 12, 10, 7, 7; tibiae I���IV: 12, 9, 7, 6. Material examined. Six and two females, respectively, from soil of the fragment of Andean forest (pH 3.6��� 4.4; organic matter 45 %; humidity 60���73 %; soil temperature 10���11 ��C), and of the grassland (pH 5.2; organic matter 57 %; humidity 57 %; soil temperature 13 ��C) in August and October, 2010. Remarks. This species was originally described from Italy. The specimens examined are larger than reported by Kal��z & Fenďa (2005) in a complementary description based on mites collected in Slovakia (340 long and 151 wide). Concurrently, the setae are also longer, especially J 5 (5 ��, in Slovakian specimens). Of the 18 specimens collected, eight were fixed by the gnathosoma to an adult Sciaridae (Diptera). This, as well as other species of this genus, have been reported phoretically on adult flies of that family and as predators of sciarid eggs and larvae (Binns 1972, 1974; Dmoch 1995 cited by Rudzińska 1998; Gerson et al. 2003)., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on pages 494-495, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Berlese, A. (1892) Acari, Myriopoda et Scorpiones hucusque in Italia reperta. Padova, Tipografia del Seminario, fasc. LXVII (7).","Weis-Fogh, T. (1948) Ecological investigations on mites and collemboles in the soil. Natura Jutlandica, 1, 135 - 270.","Bernhard, F. (1963) Die Familie Ascaidae (Oudemans 1905) Bernhard nov. comb. Abschnitt III. In: Stammer, H. - J. (Ed.), Beitrage zur Systematik und Okologie mitteleuropaischer Acarina. Band II. Mesostigmata I. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft Geest & Portig K. - G.: Leipzig. pp. 33 - 177.","Willmann, C. (1949) Das genus Arctoseius Sig Thor, 1930 (Acari). Abhandlungen des Naturwissenschaftlichen Verein zu Bremen, 32, 349 - 358.","Halliday, R. B., Walter, D. E. & Lindquist, E. E. (1998) Revision of the Australian Ascidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata). Invertebrate Taxonomy, 12, 1 - 54. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1071 / IT 96029","Nesbitt, H. H. J. (1954) Some random notes on the mite fauna of Limburg with the description of two new species. Natuurhistorisch Maandblad, 43, 19 - 24.","Karg, W. (1962) Zur Systematik und postembryonalen Entwicklung der Gamasiden (Acarina, Parasitiformes) landwirtschaftlich genutzter Boden. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin, 38, 23 - 119.","Hirschmann, W. (1962) Gangsystematik der Parasitiformes. Teil 5. Gamasiden Ruckenhaarbesttimmungstafeln von 260 Typhlodromus - arten der Erde. Gange´Chaetotaxie Porotaxie, Mundwerkzeuge von Typhlodromus und verwandten Gattungen von Proctolaelaps, Melichares, Lasioseius, Iphidozercon, Sejus, Rhodacarellus, Rhodacarus, Gamasellus, Veigaia, Macrocheles ivanovi. Erstversuch der Aufstellung eines Gangsystems der Gamasiden auf grund der Gnathosoma - unterseite. Acarologie. Schriftenreihe fur Vergleichende Milbenkunde, 5, 1 - 56.","Kaluz, S. & Fenda, P. (2005) Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) of the family Ascidae of Slovakia. Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, 167 pp.","Binns, E. S. (1972) Arctoseius cetratus (Sellnick) (Acarina: Ascidae) phoretic on mushroom sciarid flies. Acarologia, 14, 350 - 356.","Binns, E. S. (1974) Notes on the biology of Arctoseius cetratus (Sellnick) (Mesostigmata: Ascidae). Acarologia, 16 (4), 577 - 582.","Rudzinska, M. (1998) Life history of the phoretic predatory mite Arctoseius semiscissus (Acari: Ascidae) on a diet of sciarid fly eggs. Experimental & Applied Acarology, 22, 643 - 648. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1023 / A: 1006050020450","Gerson, U., Smiley, R. L. & Ochoa, R. (2003) Mites (Acari) for pest control. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 539 pp. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1002 / 9780470750995"]}

Rueda-Ramírez, Diana, Varela, Amanda, De Moraes, Gilberto J. (2016): Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia. Zootaxa 4127 (3): 493-514, DOI: http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5

Cheiroseius aff. neophalangioides Mineiro, Lindquist & Moraes near Cheiroseius neophalangioides Mineiro, Lindquist & Moraes, 2009: 4. Adult female (one specimen measured). Gnathosoma. Movable cheliceral digit 61, with a small tooth; fixed digit 65 long, with a deep subapical notch matching the apex of movable digit, followed by short ridge (ca. 6 ��m long) bearing approximately seven denticles. Anterior region of epistome with three smooth, subtriangular projections; anteromedian projection longest. Dorsal idiosoma. Podonotal and opisthonotal shields fused, reticulate, 445 long and 275 wide, with 36 pairs of setae. Unsclerotised cuticle with seven pairs of setae (r 5, R 1 ��� R 6). Setae j 1 40, j 2 43, j 3 48, j 4 45, j 5 48, j 6 45, J 1 49, J 2 broken, J 3 48, J 4 50, J 5 12, z 1 33, z 2 38, z 3 44, z 4 51, z 5 30, z 6 44, Z 1 55, Z 2 54, Z 3 55, Z 4 (longer than the distance to the base of Z 5) 50, Z 5 42, s 1 36, s 2 36, s 3 44, s 4 49, s 5 50, s 6 52, S 1 48, S 2 56, S 3 54, S 4 54, S 5 43, r 2 34, r 3 36, r 4 45, r 5 35, R 1 33, R 2 32, R 3 34, R 4 35, R 5 35, R 6 37; setae stout and smooth. Ventral idiosoma. Base of tritosternum 30 long and 12 wide proximally; laciniae 118, separated for about 50 % of their total length, pilose. Presternal platelets absent. Sternal shield smooth except for a reticulate anteromedian area; 104 long and 94 wide, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; setae st 1 24, st 2 24, st 3 26, st 4 22. Distances st 1 ��� st 3 87, st 2 ��� st 2 65. Genital shield smooth, 100 long and 93 wide at the widest level; seta st 5 24; distance st 5 ��� st 5 76. One pair of ovoid metapodal plates. Ventrianal shield reticulate, with three pairs of setae (Jv 2, Jv 3 and Zv 2) in addition to circumanal setae; 127 long and 190 wide. Unsclerotised cuticle around ventrianal shield with seven pairs of setae (Jv 4, Jv 5, Zv 1 ��� Zv 5). Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section between coxae II���III and III���IV reduced each to an elongate, v-shaped platelets. Expopodal plate consolidated with peritrematic plate; the latter wide, fused anteriorly with dorsal shield at level of j 2 and extending posteriorly to the posterior margin of coxa IV. Peritreme wide, extending anteriorly to base of j 1, without post-stigmatic extension. Setal measurements: Jv 1 30, Jv 2 26, Jv 3 25, Jv 4 27, Jv 5 35, Zv 1 14, Zv 2 26, Zv 3 30, para-anal 24, post-anal broken; setae stout and smooth. Legs. Setation: genua I���IV: 12, 10, 8, 9; tibiae I���IV: 13, 10, 9, 10. Leg IV 735 long; tarsus IV with macroseta (ad 3) 84 long. Material examined. One female from soil of a fragment of Andean forest���(pH 3.4; organic matter 95 %; humidity 78 %; soil temperature 9 ��C) in December, 2010. Remarks. The specimen examined is similar to Cheiroseius neophalangioides Mineiro, Lindquist & Moraes, 2009, described from Brazil, by the long leg IV (about 1.7 times as long as the dorsal shield) and ad 3 of tarsus IV as a macroseta. However, C. neophalangioides is smaller (dorsal shield 375���390 long and 250���255 wide) and it has shorter z 1 (18���20), st 3 (17���18), st 4 (15���16), ad 3 of tarsus IV (55���60). Collection of additional specimens is required for the exact identification of this species., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on pages 507-508, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Mineiro, J. L. C., Lindquist, E. E., & Moraes, G. J. de. (2009) Edaphic ascid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ascidae) from the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with description of five new species. Zootaxa, 2024, 1 - 32."]}

Cheiroseius aff. trilobus Karg Cheiroseius (Cheiroseius) trilobus Karg, 1981: 67. Cheiroseius (Cheiroseius) trilobus.��� Karg, 1998 a: 54. Adult female (one specimen measured). Gnathosoma. Movable cheliceral digit 45, with two small teeth; fixed digit 47 long, with a deep subapical notch matching apex of movable digit followed by short ridge (ca. 5 ��m long) bearing approximately eight fine denticles. Anterior region of epistome with three projections; median projection subtriangular, longest, sharptipped and smooth; lateral projections subapically and externally denticulate. Dorsal idiosoma. Podonotal and opisthonotal shields fused, 420 long and 245 wide, with 36 pairs of setae. Unsclerotised cuticle with six pairs of setae (r 5, R 1 ��� R 5). Setal measurements: j 1 10, j 2 45, j 3 41, j 4 48, j 5 42, j 6 46, J 1 42, J 2 (longer than the distance to the base of J 3) 43, J 3 (longer than the distance to the base of J 4) 40, J 4 49, J 5 16, z 1 27, z 2 33, z 3 40, z 4 45, z 5 28, z 6 41, Z 1 50, Z 2 46, Z 3 53, Z 4 50, Z 5 52, s 1 21, s 2 31, s 3 45, s 4 45, s 5 47, s 6 47, S 1 47, S 2 45, S 3 47, S 4 50, S 5 51, r 2 20, r 3 20, r 4 36, r 5 25, R 1 19, R 2 22, R 3 25, R 4 25, R 5 27; setae stout and smooth. Ventral idiosoma. Tritosternum not adequately positioned for measurements. Presternal platelets absent. Sternal shield smooth, 85 long and 68 wide, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; setae st 1 17, st 2 16, st 3 16, st 4 18. Distances st 1 ��� st 3 70, st 2 ��� st 2 42. Genital shield smooth, 69 long and 59 wide at the widest level; seta st 5 19; distance st 5 ��� st 5 46. One pair of ovoid metapodal plates. Ventrianal shield reticulate, with three pairs of setae (Jv 2, Jv 3 and Zv 2) in addition to circumanal setae, 100 long and 132 wide; anus 13 long. Unsclerotised cuticle around ventrianal shield with five pairs of setae (Jv 1, Jv 4, Jv 5, Zv 1 and Zv 3). Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; sections between coxae II���III and III���IV reduced each to an elongate v-shaped platelets. Exopodal plate consolidated with peritrematic shield; the latter plate wide, fused anteriorly with dorsal shield at level of s 1 and extending posteriorly to level of posterior margin of coxa IV. Peritreme wide, extending anteriorly to base of j 1, without post-stigmatic extension. Setal measurements: Jv 1 17, Jv 2 20, Jv 3 20, Jv 4 21, Jv 5 20, Zv 1 15, Zv 2 15, Zv 3 13, para-anal 19, post-anal 15; all setae stout and smooth. Legs. Setation: genua I���IV: 13, 10, 8, 9; tibiae I���IV: 13, 10, 9, 10. Tarsi II���IV with a macroseta each (25, 38 and 53, respectively). Material examined. A female from soil of a fragment of Andean forest���(pH 4.0; organic matter 33 %; humidity 46 %; soil temperature 9 ��C) in December, 2010. Remarks. The specimen examined is most similar to Cheiroseius tetrados Karg, 1998 and Cheiroseius trilobus Karg, 1981, both of which were described from Ecuador, also without post-stigmatic extension of the peritreme, ventrianal shield with three pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae and j 1 is much shorter than other dorsal setae. However, both are shorter (dorsal shield 310���340 long and 200 wide in C. tetrados and 340���360 long and 200���250 wide in C. trilobus). Additionally, in C. tetrados j 2 (s 1 in the original description, 30) and Z 5 (40) are shorter, sternal setae (20) are slightly longer, and sternal shield has a longitudinal anteromedian reticulate region (lacking in the specimen examined). Conversely, C. trilobus has S 5 (60) slightly longer than the specimen examined. The identity of this specimen should be confirmed with the collection of additional specimens and an evaluation of the types of those similar species., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on page 507, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Karg, W. (1981) The predatory mite genus Cheiroseius Berlese, 1916. Zoologische Jahrbucher Abteilung fur Systematik, Okologie und Geographie der Tiere, 108, 51 - 69.","Karg, W. (1998) Neue Raubmilbenarten der Ascidae Oudemans, 1905 im tropischen Regenwald von Ecuador (Acarina, Parasitiformes). Zoosystematics and Evolution, 74, 49 - 64. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1002 / mmnz. 19980740107"]}

Cheiroseius mesae sp. nov. (Figs 20���28) Specimens examined. Holotype and a three paratype females from soil of a fragment of Andean forest (pH 3.8��� 4.3; organic matter 37���82 %; humidity 47���70 %; soil temperature 9���12 ��C); collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in August and October, 2010, deposited at ESALQ-USP; a paratype with same collection data deposited at MJHN- PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three distally denticulate projections (in some specimens at least one projection non-denticulate); deutosternum with eight transverse lines, of which the first smooth and the others with progressively larger number of denticles; dorsal shield covering the idiosoma and extending ventrolaterally, with a network of ridges and depressions and with 39 pairs of setae; a pair of metapodal plates; a pair of elongate platelets between genital and ventrianal shields; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae (Jv 1, Jv 5, Zv 1 and Zv 3 and Zv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle); peritreme wide extending anteriorly to the bases of j 1, with post-stigmatic extension narrower than pre-stigmatic section; peritrematic plate wide, fused to dorsal shield at level of s 1. Description (Female, three specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Movable cheliceral digit with two teeth, 77 (77���78) long; fixed digit 81 (80���82) long, with a short ridge bearing 10���12 fine denticles matching interval between teeth of movable digit, with setiform pilus dentilis and subterminal notch matching apex of movable digit; dorsal and paraxial lyrifissure and dorsal seta distinct (Fig. 20). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter���tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate; palp trochanter seta av much longer than the pv seta of the same segment. Anterior region of epistome with three projections slightly wider at the base, all distally denticulate (in some specimens at least one projection nondenticulate); median projection slightly longer (Fig. 21). Deutosternal region (Fig. 22) without delimiting lateral lines and with eight transverse lines, the first of which (most distal) smooth, the second with 22 denticles and other lines with progressively larger number of denticles; the last with about 35 denticles; most basal line w-shaped. Internal malae distinctly separated from each other, covered with tiny spines giving the appearance of crenulate margins. Corniculi horn-shaped, with a ventro-longitudinal carina, about twice as long as basal width. Seta h 3 slightly mesad of h 1 and well anteriad of h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 64 (63���65), h 2 41 (40���43), h 3 48 (47���49), pc 46 (44���48), palp trochanter av 80 (77���82), palp trochanter pv 37 (36���39); setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 23). Dorsal shield entire, covering the idiosoma and extending ventrolaterally, with a network of ridges and depressions; 515 (480���533) long and 342 (330���361) wide. Podonotal region with 22 pairs of setae, one pair of lyrifissures and four pairs of pores. Opisthonotal region with 17 pairs of setae (one specimen with R 1 on unsclerotised cuticle, and thus with 16 pairs of setae on the opisthonotal region of the shield), three pairs of lyrrifisures and a pair of pores. Setal measurements j 1 39 (38���40), j 2 44 (42���48), j 3 45 (44���47), j 4 41 (40���42), j 5 41 (40���42), j 6 44 (43���45), J 1 46 (45���47), J 2 46 (45���47), J 3 47 (45���48), J 4 45 (43���46), J 5 16 (16���17), z 1 25 (24��� 25), z 2 41 (40���42), z 3 39 (37���40), z 4 45 (43���47), z 5 27 (26���29), z 6 44 (42���45), Z 1 47 (45���48), Z 2 46 (45���48), Z 3 45 (42���47), Z 4 43 (42���44), Z 5 50 (47���52), s 1 20 (19���20), s 2 34 (32���35), s 3 40 (38���42), s 4 45 (44���45), s 5 46 (44��� 50), s 6 47 (45���48), S 1 43 (41���45), S 2 47 (46���48), S 3 44 (43���45), S 4 45 (44���45), S 5 48 (46���50), r 2 20 (20���21), r 3 25 (25���26), r 4 38 (37���40), r 5 27 (26���28), R 1 27, R 2 32 (31���33), R 3 37 (36���37); setae stout and smooth, most of which inserted on tubercles. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 24). Line separating the base from the remaining of tritosternum indistinct. Whole tritosternum 189 (181���193) long; separated laciniae corresponding to 50 % of total length of tritosternum, pilose. Pre-sternal platelets absent. Sternal shield smooth except for a reticulate, elongate anteromedian area, 113 (110���115) long and 94 (88���100) wide at level between coxae III and IV, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; distances st 1 ��� st 3 103 (100���109), st 2 ��� st 2 66 (62���70). Fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) and third pair of sternal lyrifissures (iv 3) on metasternal plates. Genital shield smooth, posterior margin slightly convex; 129 (124���134) long and 76 (75���78) wide at the widest level; distance st 5 ��� st 5 68 (65���70). Lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle, posterolaterad of st 5. One pair of ovoid metapodal plates. Ventrianal shield subtriangular, reticulate; 165 (162���170) long and 238 (234���245) wide; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 ��� Jv 4, Zv 2) in addition to circumanal setae and a large pore anteromesad of Jv 4; para-anal setae inserted behind posterior margin of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 8 of shield length, 18 (18���19) long. Unsclerotised cuticle around ventrianal shield with five pairs of setae (Jv 1, Jv 5, Zv 1, Zv 3 and Zv 5), a pair of transversely elongate platelet, three pairs of lyrifissures and a pair of pores. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section between coxae II���III and III���IV reduced to two elongate V-shaped platelets. Exopodal plate distinct around coxa III with triangular sections between coxae II���III and III���IV, connected by a narrow bridge. Peritrematic plate wide, fused anteriorly with dorsal shield at level of s 1 and with exopodal shield at level of coxa IV, with a pore and a pair of lyrifissures behind each stigma. Peritreme wide, extending anteriorly to the bases of j 1, almost meeting anterior end of each other; with post-stigmatic extension narrower than pre-stigmatic section. Setal measurements: st 1 21 (20��� 22), st 2 26 (25���27), st 3 27 (26���27), st 4 24 (23���25), st 5 28 (25���30). Jv 1 26 (25���27), Jv 2 42 (41���44), Jv 3 40 (37��� 45), Jv 4 28 (25���30), Jv 5 41 (39���43), Zv 1 19 (17���20), Zv 2 29 (27���32), Zv 3 22 (20���23), Zv 5 40 (37���42), para-anal 25 (22���28), post-anal 23 (21���25); setae stout and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Induction pore apparently between coxae III and IV; infundibulum ovoid to subtriangular (about 13 long); tubulus string-like; distinct section about 75 long (Fig. 25). Legs. Lengths: I: 574 (560���588); II: 415 (410 ��� 356); III: 398 (380���401); IV: 534 (530���551).���Setation (legs I��� IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 10, 8, 9; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 10; tarsi: I not counted, 18, 18, 18. Leg I with small pretarsi and claw. Legs II���IV with a pair of strongly sclerotised claws, median section of pulvilli acute and paradactyli acuminate. Setae al 2 (ca. 50) and pl 2 of tarsus II (ca. 70), ad 2 and pd 2 of tarsus III (ca. 65), and ad 2 of tarsus IV (ca. 85) longer than other setae of the same segment and distally curved (Fig. 26���28). Etymology. This species is named after Nora Cristina Mesa Cobo, eminent Colombian acarologist. Remarks. This new species is most similar to Cheiroseius trispinosus Karg, 1981 described from Venezuela by having post-stigmatic extension of the peritreme, ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae, and similar size (530���550 long and 340���350 wide in C. trispinosus). However, the sternal shield of C. trispinosus does not have a median reticulate area and its setae Z 5 (75) and J 4 (70) are much longer than in the species here described., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on pages 504-506, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Karg, W. (1981) The predatory mite genus Cheiroseius Berlese, 1916. Zoologische Jahrbucher Abteilung fur Systematik, Okologie und Geographie der Tiere, 108, 51 - 69."]}

Cheiroseius mesae sp. nov. (Figs 20–28) Specimens examined. Holotype and a three paratype females from soil of a fragment of Andean forest (pH 3.8– 4.3; organic matter 37–82 %; humidity 47–70 %; soil temperature 9–12 °C); collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in August and October, 2010, deposited at ESALQ-USP; a paratype with same collection data deposited at MJHN- PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three distally denticulate projections (in some specimens at least one projection non-denticulate); deutosternum with eight transverse lines, of which the first smooth and the others with progressively larger number of denticles; dorsal shield covering the idiosoma and extending ventrolaterally, with a network of ridges and depressions and with 39 pairs of setae; a pair of metapodal plates; a pair of elongate platelets between genital and ventrianal shields; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae (Jv 1, Jv 5, Zv 1 and Zv 3 and Zv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle); peritreme wide extending anteriorly to the bases of j 1, with post-stigmatic extension narrower than pre-stigmatic section; peritrematic plate wide, fused to dorsal shield at level of s 1. Description (Female, three specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Movable cheliceral digit with two teeth, 77 (77–78) long; fixed digit 81 (80–82) long, with a short ridge bearing 10–12 fine denticles matching interval between teeth of movable digit, with setiform pilus dentilis and subterminal notch matching apex of movable digit; dorsal and paraxial lyrifissure and dorsal seta distinct (Fig. 20). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter–tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate; palp trochanter seta av much longer than the pv seta of the same segment. Anterior region of epistome with three projections slightly wider at the base, all distally denticulate (in some specimens at least one projection nondenticulate); median projection slightly longer (Fig. 21). Deutosternal region (Fig. 22) without delimiting lateral lines and with eight transverse lines, the first of which (most distal) smooth, the second with 22 denticles and other lines with progressively larger number of denticles; the last with about 35 denticles; most basal line w-shaped. Internal malae distinctly separated from each other, covered with tiny spines giving the appearance of crenulate margins. Corniculi horn-shaped, with a ventro-longitudinal carina, about twice as long as basal width. Seta h 3 slightly mesad of h 1 and well anteriad of h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 64 (63–65), h 2 41 (40–43), h 3 48 (47–49), pc 46 (44–48), palp trochanter av 80 (77–82), palp trochanter pv 37 (36–39); setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 23). Dorsal shield entire, covering the idiosoma and extending ventrolaterally, with a network of ridges and depressions; 515 (480–533) long and 342 (330–361) wide. Podonotal region with 22 pairs of setae, one pair of lyrifissures and four pairs of pores. Opisthonotal region with 17 pairs of setae (one specimen with R 1 on unsclerotised cuticle, and thus with 16 pairs of setae on the opisthonotal region of the shield), three pairs of lyrrifisures and a pair of pores. Setal measurements j 1 39 (38–40), j 2 44 (42–48), j 3 45 (44–47), j 4 41 (40–42), j 5 41 (40–42), j 6 44 (43–45), J 1 46 (45–47), J 2 46 (45–47), J 3 47 (45–48), J 4 45 (43–46), J 5 16 (16–17), z 1 25 (24– 25), z 2 41 (40–42), z 3 39 (37–40), z 4 45 (43–47), z 5 27 (26–29), z 6 44 (42–45), Z 1 47 (45–48), Z 2 46 (45–48), Z 3 45 (42–47), Z 4 43 (42–44), Z 5 50 (47–52), s 1 20 (19–20), s 2 34 (32–35), s 3 40 (38–42), s 4 45 (44–45), s 5 46 (44– 50), s 6 47 (45–48), S 1 43 (41–45), S 2 47 (46–48), S 3 44 (43–45), S 4 45 (44–45), S 5 48 (46–50), r 2 20 (20–21), r 3 25 (25–26), r 4 38 (37–40), r 5 27 (26–28), R 1 27, R 2 32 (31–33), R 3 37 (36–37); setae stout and smooth, most of which inserted on tubercles. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 24). Line separating the base from the remaining of tritosternum indistinct. Whole tritosternum 189 (181–193) long; separated laciniae corresponding to 50 % of total length of tritosternum, pilose. Pre-sternal platelets absent. Sternal shield smooth except for a reticulate, elongate anteromedian area, 113 (110–115) long and 94 (88–100) wide at level between coxae III and IV, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; distances st 1 – st 3 103 (100–109), st 2 – st 2 66 (62–70). Fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) and third pair of sternal lyrifissures (iv 3) on metasternal plates. Genital shield smooth, posterior margin slightly convex; 129 (124–134) long and 76 (75–78) wide at the widest level; distance st 5 – st 5 68 (65–70). Lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle, posterolaterad of st 5. One pair of ovoid metapodal plates. Ventrianal shield subtriangular, reticulate; 165 (162–170) long and 238 (234–245) wide; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 – Jv 4, Zv 2) in addition to circumanal setae and a large pore anteromesad of Jv 4; para-anal setae inserted behind posterior margin of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 8 of shield length, 18 (18–19) long. Unsclerotised cuticle around ventrianal shield with five pairs of setae (Jv 1, Jv 5, Zv 1, Zv 3 and Zv 5), a pair of transversely elongate platelet, three pairs of lyrifissures and a pair of pores. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section between coxae II–III and III–IV reduced to two elongate V-shaped platelets. Exopodal plate distinct around coxa III with triangular sections between coxae II–III and III–IV, connected by a narrow bridge. Peritrematic plate wide, fused anteriorly with dorsal shield at level of s 1 and with exopodal shield at level of coxa IV, with a pore and a pair of lyrifissures behind each stigma. Peritreme wide, extending anteriorly to the bases of j 1, almost meeting anterior end of each other; with post-stigmatic extension narrower than pre-stigmatic section. Setal measurements: st 1 21 (20– 22), st 2 26 (25–27), st 3 27 (26–27), st 4 24 (23–25), st 5 28 (25–30). Jv 1 26 (25–27), Jv 2 42 (41–44), Jv 3 40 (37– 45), Jv 4 28 (25–30), Jv 5 41 (39–43), Zv 1 19 (17–20), Zv 2 29 (27–32), Zv 3 22 (20–23), Zv 5 40 (37–42), para-anal 25 (22–28), post-anal 23 (21–25); setae stout and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Induction pore apparently between coxae III and IV; infundibulum ovoid to subtriangular (about 13 long); tubulus string-like; distinct section about 75 long (Fig. 25). Legs. Lengths: I: 574 (560–588); II: 415 (410 – 356); III: 398 (380–401); IV: 534 (530–551).–Setation (legs I– IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 10, 8, 9; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 10; tarsi: I not counted, 18, 18, 18. Leg I with small pretarsi and claw. Legs II–IV with a pair of strongly sclerotised claws, median section of pulvilli acute and paradactyli acuminate. Setae al 2 (ca. 50) and pl 2 of tarsus II (ca. 70), ad 2 and pd 2 of tarsus III (ca. 65), and ad 2 of tarsus IV (ca. 85) longer than other setae of the same segment and distally curved (Fig. 26–28). Etymology. This species is named after Nora Cristina Mesa Cobo, eminent Colombian acarologist. Remarks. This new species is most similar to Cheiroseius trispinosus Karg, 1981 described from Venezuela by having post-stigmatic extension of the peritreme, ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in addition to circumanal setae, and similar size (530–550 long and 340–350 wide in C. trispinosus). However, the sternal shield of C. trispinosus does not have a median reticulate area and its setae Z 5 (75) and J 4 (70) are much longer than in the species here described.

Blattisocius keegani Fox Blattiosocius [sic] keegani Fox, 1947: 599. Melichares (Blattisocius) keegani.��� Evans, 1958: 209. Melichares keegani.��� Hirschmann, 1962: 30; Sinha et al., 1962: 546. Blattisocius keegani.��� Haines, 1978: 21; Treat, 1975: 94. Morphology (female, two specimen measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 19���20 long, with three teeth; movable digit 27���28, with a single tooth; anterior region of epistome smooth, with a small rounded median lobe and with two lateral elongate and sharp extensions. Dorsal idiosoma. Dorsal shield reticulate, 475���500 long and 190���223 wide, with 33 pairs of setae. Unsclerotised cuticle with 17 pairs of setae (r 2 ��� r 6, R 1 ��� R 6, UR 1 ��� UR 6). Setal measurements j 1 20���21, j 2 30���33, j 3 33���36, j 4 31, j 5 34, j 6 33, J 1 35, J 2 35, J 3 36���38, J 4 34, J 5 34���36, z 1 21���22, z 2 36���38, z 3 34, z 4 and z 5 broken, z 6 36���38, Z 1 37���42, Z 2 39, Z 3 37, Z 4 37���41, Z 5 52���54, s 1 30 ���31, s 2 36 ���38, s 3 38, s 4 39, s 5 35, s 6 42 ���44, S 1 40, S 2 40 ���43, S 3 41 ���43, S 4 41 ���44, S 5 41 ���45, r 2 39, r 3 41, r 4 43, r 5 42, r 6 45, R 1 46, R 2 44, R 3 44, R 4 45, R 5 42, R 6 45, UR 1 41, UR 2 36, UR 3 38, UR 4 40, UR 5 42, UR 6 44. Dorsal setae smooth, except J 3 ���J 5 and Z 5, serrate. Ventral idiosoma. Base of tritosternum 12���13 long and 14���15 wide proximally; laciniae 73���75, separated for about 45 % of their total length, pilose. Presternal area lightly sclerotised, transversely striate. Sternal shield with sinuous longitudinal striae, 95���110 long and 72���82 wide, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; setae st 1 37���41, st 2 35���36, st 3 34���35, st 4 35. Distances st 1 ��� st 3 80���92, st 2 ��� st 2 70���81. Genital shield longitudinally striate; 170���175 long and 80���82 wide at the widest level; seta st 5 34; distance st 5 ��� st 5 63���70. Two pairs of elongate metapodal plates. Ventrianal shield subpentagonal, slightly concave near Jv 2, reticulate, 154���177 long and 88���105 wide, with three pairs of setae (Jv 1 ��� Jv 3); anus 25 long. Unsclerotised cuticle around ventrianal shield with seven pairs of setae (Jv 4, Jv 5, Zv 1 ��� Zv 5). Discrete endopodal plates absent. Exopodal plate narrow. Peritrematic plate narrow, extending anteriorly to level of s 1 and tapered posteriorly to fuse with remnant of exopodal shield beside coxa IV. Peritreme short, reaching posterior margin of coxa III. Setal measurements Jv 1 31���35, Jv 2 41, Jv 3 46���54, Jv 4 55 ��� 50, Jv 5 70���72, Zv 1 40, Zv 2 44���50, Zv 3 45 ��� 44, Zv 4 49 ��� 46, Zv 5 54, para-anal 24���25, post-anal 40. Legs. Setation: genua I���IV: 13, 11, 9, 9; tibiae I���IV: 13, 10, 8, 10. Material examined. Two females respectively from soil of a fragment of Andean forest (pH 4.5; organic matter 27 %; humidity 48 %; soil temperature 9.5��C) and of a grassland (pH 5.6; organic matter 51 %; humidity 58 %; soil temperature 16 ��C) in August and October, 2010. Remarks. The specimens collected fit well the redescription provided by Britto et al. (2012) based on specimens from Brazil., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on page 503, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Fox, I. (1947) Seven new mites from rats in Puerto Rico. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 40, 598 - 603. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1093 / aesa / 40.4.598","Evans, G. O. (1958) A revision of the British Aceosejinae (Acarina: Mesostigmata). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 131, 177 - 229. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.1958. tb 00685. x","Hirschmann, W. (1962) Gangsystematik der Parasitiformes. Teil 5. Gamasiden Ruckenhaarbesttimmungstafeln von 260 Typhlodromus - arten der Erde. Gange´Chaetotaxie Porotaxie, Mundwerkzeuge von Typhlodromus und verwandten Gattungen von Proctolaelaps, Melichares, Lasioseius, Iphidozercon, Sejus, Rhodacarellus, Rhodacarus, Gamasellus, Veigaia, Macrocheles ivanovi. Erstversuch der Aufstellung eines Gangsystems der Gamasiden auf grund der Gnathosoma - unterseite. Acarologie. Schriftenreihe fur Vergleichende Milbenkunde, 5, 1 - 56.","Sinha, R. N., Liscombe, E. A. R. & Wallace, H. A. H. (1962) Infestation of mites, insects and microorganisms in a large wheat bulk after prolonged storage. The Canadian Entomologist, 94, 542 - 555. http: // dx. doi. org / 10.4039 / Ent 94542 - 5","Haines, C. P. (1978) A revision of the genus Blattisocius Keegan (Mesostigmata: Ascidae) with special reference to B. tarsalis (Berlese) and the description of a new species. Acarologia, 20, 19 - 38.","Treat, A. E. (1975) Mites of Moths and Butterflies. New York, Comstock University Press, 362 pp.","Britto, E. P. J., Lopes, P. C. & Moraes, G. J. de (2012) Blattisocius (Acari, Blattisociidae) species from Brazil, with description of a new species, redescription of Blattisocius keegani and a key for the separation of the world species of the genus. Zootaxa, 3479, 33 - 51."]}

Gamasellodes andinus sp. nov. (Figs 1���6) Specimens examined. Holotype female and two paratype females from soil of a fragment of Andean forest (pH 4.4���4.7; organic matter 44���54 %; humidity 52���77 %; soil temperature 9.5��� 10 ��C; collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in June and August, 2010. Holotype and one paratype deposited at ESALQ-USP; one paratype female deposited at MJHN-PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal, pointed, smooth projections; podonotal shield with 16 pairs of setae (s 1 and s 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); opithonotal shield with 14 pairs of setae (J 4 absent); two pairs of metapodal plates; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); exopodal plate only distinguishable as an elongate structure next to coxa III; peritreme extending anteriorly to level of median region of coxa I (region between z 1 and s 1); peritrematic plate barely fused with dorsal shield. Description (female, three specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 29 (29���30) long, with four teeth; pilus dentilis indistinguishable; movable digit 30 long, with two teeth; dorsal and antiaxial lyrifissures and dorsal cheliceral seta distinct (Fig. 1). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter���tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal, pointed, smooth projections (Fig. 2). Deutosternal groove (Fig. 3) delimited by subparallel lateral lines, with eight transverse lines, the most distal smooth, others with 4���6 denticles each. Internal malae distinctly separated from each other; lateral margins fimbriate. Corniculi horn-shaped, about twice as long as basal width. Seta h 3 about in longitudinal line with h 1 and posteromesad of h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 15 (14���15), h 2 11 (10��� 12), h 3 22 (20���24), pc 17 (15���18), palp trochanter av 20 (19���21), palp trochanter pv 13 (12���14); setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 4). Idiosoma 308 (296���320) long and 132 (122���140) wide at widest level. Podonotal shield with a delineated slender strip along lateral margins, finely punctate; with a curved line crossing the shield anteriad of j 3 and z 2; 151 (147���155) long and 123 (122���125) wide at widest level; with 16 pairs of setae (j 1 ���j 6, z 1 ��� z 6, s 3 ���s 6), four pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and one pair of pores. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of podonotal shield with six pairs of setae (s 1, s 2, r 2 ���r 5). Opisthonotal shield with a delineated slender strip anteriad of S 4; finely puntate; with a wavy line anteriad of J 5 and Z 5; 153 (149���156) long and 135 (133���136) wide at widest level; with 14 pairs of setae, nine pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with five pairs of setae (R 1 ���R 5) and a pair of lyrifissures (Rp). Measurements of setae: j 1 13 (11���15), j 2 18 (17���19), j 3 20 (19���21), j 4 19 (18���20), j 5 17 (16���18), j 6 21, J 1 16, J 2 16, J 3 16, J 5 13 (12���15), z 1 10 (9���10), z 2 21 (21���22), z 3 17 (16���18), z 4 20, z 5 19 (18���20), z 6 18, Z 1 21 (20���22), Z 2 21 (21���22), Z 3 29 (29���30), Z 4 32 (30���34), Z 5 49 (47���50), s 1 15 (14���15), s 2 15 (14���16), s 3 20 (19���21), s 4 22 (21���24), s 5 21 (20��� 21), s 6 22 (21���23), S 1 21 (20���21), S 2 22 (21���23), S 3 21 (20���22), S 4 25 (25���26), S 5 29 (29���30), r 2 15 (14���15), r 3 17 (15���18), r 4 14 (13���15), r 5 14 (13���15), R 1 13 (12���14), R 2 11 (11���12), R 3 14 (12���15), R 4 11 (10���12), R 5 11 (10��� 11); setae aciculate and smooth. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 5). Base of tritosternum 17 (15���19) long and 10 (8���10) wide proximally; laciniae 52, separated for about 90 % of their total length, pilose. Pre-sternal area weakly sclerotised, represented by two lobes fused with sternal shield, punctate and striate. Sternal shield mostly smooth, with scant faint striae along lateral margins and with a variably shaped punctate indentation in anteromedian region (Figs 5, 5 a); posterior margin lightly sclerotised; approximately 84 (83���85) long from anterior margin next to st 1 to posterior margin and 61 (60��� 62) wide at widest level; with three pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures; distances st 1 ���st 3 68 (66���69), st 2 ��� st 2 41 (40���42). Fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) on unsclerotised cuticle, but very close to posterior margin of sternal shield. Genital shield smooth, bearing st 5; extending posteriorly well behind coxa IV; 76 (75���77) long and 38 (37���39) wide at the widest level; distance st 5 ���st 5 36 (35���37); lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle, posterolaterad of st 5. Two pairs of oval to subtriangular metapodal plates, the anterior transversely elongate and mesad of the longitudinally elongate posterior plate. Poststigmatic poroid gv 2 inserted on unsclerotised cuticle behind coxa IV. Ventrianal shield smooth in the anterior third, punctate elsewhere; 100 (92���109) long and 133 (120���149) wide at widest level; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 ���Jv 5) in addition to circumanal setae, and with one pair of distinguishable lyrifissures (posteromesad of Jv 2); para-anal setae inserted slightly behind anterior margin of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 7 of shield length; 15 (14���15) long. Unsclerotised cuticle between genital and ventrianal shields with a slender sclerotised line followed by three pairs of setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2), a pair of tiny transversely elong ate platelets and one pair of lyrifissures. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of and posteriorad to ventrianal shield with two pairs and a pair of lyrifissures, respectively. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section behind sternal shield reduced to a v-shaped platelet between coxae III���IV. Exopodal plate only distinguishable as an elongate plate next to coxa III. Peritreme extending anteriorly to level of median region of coxa I (region between z 1 and s 1). Peritrematic plate narrow, barely fused anteriorly with dorsal shield at level of z 1, with a lyrifissure next to r 4 and with two lyrifissures and a pore behind each stigma. Setal measurements: st 1 17 (15���18), st 2 17 (15���19), st 3 14 (13���15), st 4 12 (11���12), st 5 14 (13���15), Jv 1 15 (15���16), Jv 2 26 (25���26), Jv 3 16 (15���17), Jv 4 20 (17���22), Jv 5 34 (31���37), Zv 1 15 (13���16), Zv 2 14, para-anal 18 (18���19), postanal 29 (27���30); setae aciculate and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Not distinguishable. Legs. Lengths: I: 236 (231���243); II: 194 (193���194); III: 166 (160���172); IV: 223 (219���231). Setation (legs I��� IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 11, 8, 9; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 10; tarsi: I not counted, 18, 18, 18. All legs with pretarsi containing a pair of strongly sclerotised claws (Fig. 6); median section of pulvilli of legs I���IV rounded. Adult male. Not found. Etymology. The specific name andinus refers to ���from the Andes���, South American mountain formation where the type locality is situated. Remarks. Gamasellodes andinus sp. nov. is distinguished from all other Gamasellodes species by lacking J 4. This species is most similar to Gamasellodes magniventris Mineiro, Lindquist & Moraes, 2009, described from Brazil, with a similar curved line crossing the shield anteriad of j 3 and z 2, a wavy line anteriad of J 5 and Z 5, and a broad ventrianal shield with a nearly straight anterior margin. However, the latter species differs from the species here described by having one pair of metapodal plates, presence of Zv 3, opisthonotal shield with 15 pair of setae, and peritreme extending anteriorly to the region beside bases of setae z 1., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on pages 495-498, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Mineiro, J. L. C., Lindquist, E. E., & Moraes, G. J. de. (2009) Edaphic ascid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ascidae) from the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with description of five new species. Zootaxa, 2024, 1 - 32."]}

Gamasellodes intermedius sp. nov. (Figs 7���12) Specimens examined. Holotype female and five paratype females from soil of a grassland (pH 5.5���6.1; organic matter 28���36 %; humidity 71���75 %; soil temperature 10���16 ��C); collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in April and June, 2010. Holotype and two paratype females deposited at ESALQ-USP; two paratype females deposited at MJHN- PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal projections of uniform width, each bifurcate; podonotal shield with sparse and light reticulation behind j 4, smooth anteriorly, with a well define slender strip between z 3 and s 4, and with 17 pairs of setae (s 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); j 1, j 2 and z 1 almost in transverse line; opisthonotal shield mostly smooth, and with 16 pairs of setae (R 5 inserted on posterior angle of dorsal shield); with two pairs of rounded to ovoid metapodal plates; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae in additional to circumanal setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); peritreme short, extending anteriorly only to level of anterior margin of coxa IV (level of r 5); peritrematic plate extending anteriorly to level between z 1 and s 1, not fused to dorsal shield. Description (Female, six specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 26 (25���27) long, with five teeth and setiform pilus dentilis; movable digit 26 (25���27) long, with two teeth; dorsal and antiaxial lyrifissures and dorsal cheliceral seta distinct (Fig. 7). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter���tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal projections of uniform width and each bifurcate (Fig. 8). Deutosternal groove (Fig. 9) delimited laterally by subparallel lines, with seven transverse lines, of which the most distal smooth and others with 9���15 denticles each. Internal malae distinctly separate from each other; lateral margins fimbriate. Corniculi hornshaped, about 1.6 times as long as their basal width. Seta h 3 about in longitudinal line with h 1 and mesad of and in transverse line with h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 12 (11���13), h 2 9 (8���10), h 3 15 (13���17), pc 14 (13���15), palp trochanter av 17 (16���17), palp trochanter pv 11 (10���11); setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 10). Idiosoma 240 (231���248) long and 112 (107���124) wide at widest level. Podonotal shield with sparse and light reticulation behind j 4, smooth anteriorly, with well define slender strip between z 3 and s 4; 123 (117���129) long and 110 (107���115) wide at widest level; with 17 pairs of setae, two pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores; j 1, j 2 and z 1 almost in transverse line. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of podonotal shield with five pairs of setae (s 2, r 2 ���r 5). Opisthonotal shield mostly smooth, with a line immediately behind J 1 extending diagonally to anterolateral corners, with scant lines by Z 1, a wavy line between J 3 and Z 3, and with a shallow ovoid depression between J 4 and J 5, more clearly discernable near posterior margin; 117 (114���119) long and 108 (105���110) wide; with 16 pairs of setae (R 5 inserted on posterior angle of dorsal shield), six pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores. Setae J 4 shorter than distance between their bases (24���26). Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with four pairs of setae (R 1 ��� R 4) and a pair of lyrifissures (Rp). Setal measurements: j 1 11 (10���12), j 2 14 (11���16), j 3 18 (17���20), j 4 19 (17���20), j 5 16 (15���17), j 6 16 (15���17), J 1 16 (15���17), J 2 18 (16���19), J 3 18 (16���19), J 4 22 (20���24), J 5 13 (12���15), z 1 9 (9���10), z 2 17 (15���18), z 3 19 (17���20), z 4 21 (19���23), z 5 21 (20���22), z 6 20 (18���21), Z 1 21 (20���23), Z 2 21 (19���22), Z 3 22 (20���23), Z 4 22 (20���24), Z 5 22 (21��� 24), s 1 15, s 2 12 (10���13), s 3 20 (18���23), s 4 22 (18���23), s 5 21 (20���23), s 6 20 (19���22), S 1 18 (16���20), S 2 19 (17��� 20), S 3 21 (20���22), S 4 21 (20���22), S 5 20 (19���22), r 2 14 (13���15), r 3 25 (24���25), r 4 11 (10���12), r 5 11 (10���12), R 1 10 (9���10), R 2 10 (10���11), R 3 12 (11���12), R 4 13 (12���13), R 5 14 (13���15); setae aciculate and smooth. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 11). Base of tritosternum 16 (15���16) long and 10 (9���10) wide proximally; laciniae 45 (44���46), separated for about 90 % of their total length, pilose. Pre-sternal area weakly sclerotised, with light punctation distinguishable in some specimens. Sternal shield, mostly smooth, with scant faint marginal striae; posterior margin lightly sclerotised and lightly concave; approximately 65 (58���71) long and 54 (50���56) wide at widest level; with three pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures (iv 3 hardly distinguishable); distances st 1 ���st 3 55 (55���57), st 2 ���st 2 35 (34���35). Metasternal plates indistinguishable; however, fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) on unstriate, lightly sclerotised region. Genital shield narrow, mostly smooth, punctate along convex posterior margin, bearing st 5 and extending posteriorly well behind coxa IV; 59 (56���61) long and 25 (24���26) wide at the widest level; distance st 5 ���st 5 24 (23���25); lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle posterolaterad of st 5. Two pairs of ovoid to rounded metapodal plates. Ventrianal shield reticulate; 66 (65���67) long and 92 (87���95) wide at widest level; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 ��� Jv 5) in addition to circumanal setae; para-anal setae inserted at about mid-length of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 5 of shield length; 14 (13���15) long. Unsclerotised cuticle between genital and ventrianal shields three pairs of setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2), a pair of tiny transversely elongate platelets and a pair of lyrifissures. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of and posteriorad to ventrianal shield with two pairs and a pair of lyrifissures, respectively. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section behind sternal shield indistinct. Exopodal plate reduced to triangular platelets between coxae II���III and III���IV and an elongate plate next to coxa II. Peritreme short, extending anteriorly only to level of anterior margin of coxa IV (level of r 5). Peritrematic plate abutting but not fused to dorsal shield at level of z 1 and s 1 and ending as a blunt and slightly curved extension at level of posterior margin of coxa IV; with a lyrifissure next to s 2 (median level of coxa II), a lyrifissure next to r 4 (median level of coxa III), and a lyrifissure and a pore posterior to stigma. Setal measurements: st 1 13 (11���14), st 2 12 (11���13), st 3 13 (11���13), st 4 12 (10���13), st 5 10 (10���11), Jv 1 14 (11���15), Jv 2 16 (15���17), Jv 3 17 (16���18), Jv 4 15 (13���17), Jv 5 23 (22���24), Zv 1 12 (11���13), Zv 2 13 (11���14), para-anal 23 (20��� 24), post-anal 23 (22���24); setae aciculate and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Not distinguishable. Legs. Lengths: I: 211 (205���215); II: 150 (140���158); III: 139 (130���145); IV: 180 (170���189). Setation (legs I��� IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 11, 8, 9; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 9; tarsi: not counted, 18, 18, 18. All legs with pretarsi containing a pair of strongly sclerotised claws (Fig. 12); median section of pulvilli of legs I���IV rounded. Adult male. Not found. Etymology. The specific name ��� intermedius ��� refers to fact that the morphological characteristics of this species are intermediate between Protogamasellus and Gamasellodes. Remarks. This species is most similar to Gamasellodes minor Athias-Henriot, 1961, described from Algeria, with similar ornamentation on the posterior part of the opisthonotal shield, setae J 4 shorter than the distance between their bases (respectively 18 and 23 in G. minor), and with short peritreme. However, the latter species differs from the species here described by having a continuous line connecting the bases of j 4 and z 3 and by having one less pair of opisthogastric setae (Zv 2). In addition, the opisthonotal shield of G. minor has only 15 pairs (R 5 inserted off dorsal shield). Although placed in Gamasellodes, the generic classification of this species is doubtful, because some characteristics are typical of Protogamasellus, namely the transverse line at level of setae J 1, while other characteristics are typical of Gamasellodes, namely the absence of a transverse line extending completely across the level of z 6, the presence of nine setae on genu IV and the anterior region of epistome most often with three pointed or distally denticulate projections. Some species of Gamasellodes have short peritreme (Moraes et al., 2016); however, except for G. minor, the peritreme extends at least to level of posterior half of coxa II., Published as part of Rueda-Ram��rez, Diana, Varela, Amanda & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2016, Soil mites of the families Ascidae, Blattisociidae and Melicharidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from mountainous areas of Colombia, pp. 493-514 in Zootaxa 4127 (3) on pages 498-500, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/268209, {"references":["Athias-Henriot, C. (1961) Mesostigmates (Urop. Excl.) Edaphiques Mediterraneens (Acaromorpha, Anactinotrichida) (collect.","Moraes, G. J. de, Britto, E. P. J., Mineiro, J. C. de & Halliday, B. (2016) Catalogue of the mite families Ascidae Voigts & Oudemans, Blattisociidae Garman and Melicharidae Hirschmann (Acari: Mesostigmata). Zootaxa, 4112 (1), 1 - 299. http: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4112.1.1"]}

Gamasellodes andinus sp. nov. (Figs 1‒6) Specimens examined. Holotype female and two paratype females from soil of a fragment of Andean forest (pH 4.4–4.7; organic matter 44–54 %; humidity 52–77 %; soil temperature 9.5– 10 °C; collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez in June and August, 2010. Holotype and one paratype deposited at ESALQ-USP; one paratype female deposited at MJHN-PUJ. Diagnosis. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal, pointed, smooth projections; podonotal shield with 16 pairs of setae (s 1 and s 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); opithonotal shield with 14 pairs of setae (J 4 absent); two pairs of metapodal plates; ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2 on unsclerotised cuticle); exopodal plate only distinguishable as an elongate structure next to coxa III; peritreme extending anteriorly to level of median region of coxa I (region between z 1 and s 1); peritrematic plate barely fused with dorsal shield. Description (female, three specimens measured). Gnathosoma. Fixed cheliceral digit 29 (29–30) long, with four teeth; pilus dentilis indistinguishable; movable digit 30 long, with two teeth; dorsal and antiaxial lyrifissures and dorsal cheliceral seta distinct (Fig. 1). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter–tarsus: 2, 5, 6, 14, 15; palp tarsal apotele bifurcate. Anterior region of epistome with three subequal, pointed, smooth projections (Fig. 2). Deutosternal groove (Fig. 3) delimited by subparallel lateral lines, with eight transverse lines, the most distal smooth, others with 4–6 denticles each. Internal malae distinctly separated from each other; lateral margins fimbriate. Corniculi horn-shaped, about twice as long as basal width. Seta h 3 about in longitudinal line with h 1 and posteromesad of h 2. Setal measurements: h 1 15 (14–15), h 2 11 (10– 12), h 3 22 (20–24), pc 17 (15–18), palp trochanter av 20 (19‒21), palp trochanter pv 13 (12‒14); setae aciculate and smooth. Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 4). Idiosoma 308 (296–320) long and 132 (122–140) wide at widest level. Podonotal shield with a delineated slender strip along lateral margins, finely punctate; with a curved line crossing the shield anteriad of j 3 and z 2; 151 (147–155) long and 123 (122–125) wide at widest level; with 16 pairs of setae (j 1 –j 6, z 1 – z 6, s 3 –s 6), four pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and one pair of pores. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of podonotal shield with six pairs of setae (s 1, s 2, r 2 –r 5). Opisthonotal shield with a delineated slender strip anteriad of S 4; finely puntate; with a wavy line anteriad of J 5 and Z 5; 153 (149–156) long and 135 (133–136) wide at widest level; with 14 pairs of setae, nine pairs of distinguishable lyrifissures and two pairs of pores. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with five pairs of setae (R 1 –R 5) and a pair of lyrifissures (Rp). Measurements of setae: j 1 13 (11–15), j 2 18 (17–19), j 3 20 (19–21), j 4 19 (18–20), j 5 17 (16–18), j 6 21, J 1 16, J 2 16, J 3 16, J 5 13 (12–15), z 1 10 (9–10), z 2 21 (21–22), z 3 17 (16–18), z 4 20, z 5 19 (18–20), z 6 18, Z 1 21 (20–22), Z 2 21 (21–22), Z 3 29 (29–30), Z 4 32 (30–34), Z 5 49 (47–50), s 1 15 (14–15), s 2 15 (14–16), s 3 20 (19–21), s 4 22 (21–24), s 5 21 (20– 21), s 6 22 (21–23), S 1 21 (20–21), S 2 22 (21–23), S 3 21 (20–22), S 4 25 (25–26), S 5 29 (29–30), r 2 15 (14–15), r 3 17 (15–18), r 4 14 (13–15), r 5 14 (13–15), R 1 13 (12–14), R 2 11 (11–12), R 3 14 (12–15), R 4 11 (10–12), R 5 11 (10– 11); setae aciculate and smooth. Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 5). Base of tritosternum 17 (15–19) long and 10 (8–10) wide proximally; laciniae 52, separated for about 90 % of their total length, pilose. Pre-sternal area weakly sclerotised, represented by two lobes fused with sternal shield, punctate and striate. Sternal shield mostly smooth, with scant faint striae along lateral margins and with a variably shaped punctate indentation in anteromedian region (Figs 5, 5 a); posterior margin lightly sclerotised; approximately 84 (83–85) long from anterior margin next to st 1 to posterior margin and 61 (60– 62) wide at widest level; with three pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures; distances st 1 –st 3 68 (66–69), st 2 – st 2 41 (40–42). Fourth pair of sternal setae (st 4) on unsclerotised cuticle, but very close to posterior margin of sternal shield. Genital shield smooth, bearing st 5; extending posteriorly well behind coxa IV; 76 (75–77) long and 38 (37–39) wide at the widest level; distance st 5 –st 5 36 (35–37); lyrifissure iv 5 on unsclerotised cuticle, posterolaterad of st 5. Two pairs of oval to subtriangular metapodal plates, the anterior transversely elongate and mesad of the longitudinally elongate posterior plate. Poststigmatic poroid gv 2 inserted on unsclerotised cuticle behind coxa IV. Ventrianal shield smooth in the anterior third, punctate elsewhere; 100 (92–109) long and 133 (120–149) wide at widest level; with four pairs of setae (Jv 2 –Jv 5) in addition to circumanal setae, and with one pair of distinguishable lyrifissures (posteromesad of Jv 2); para-anal setae inserted slightly behind anterior margin of anal opening; the latter small, about 1 / 7 of shield length; 15 (14–15) long. Unsclerotised cuticle between genital and ventrianal shields with a slender sclerotised line followed by three pairs of setae (Jv 1, Zv 1 and Zv 2), a pair of tiny transversely elong ate platelets and one pair of lyrifissures. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of and posteriorad to ventrianal shield with two pairs and a pair of lyrifissures, respectively. Anterior section of endopodal plate fused with sternal shield; section behind sternal shield reduced to a v-shaped platelet between coxae III–IV. Exopodal plate only distinguishable as an elongate plate next to coxa III. Peritreme extending anteriorly to level of median region of coxa I (region between z 1 and s 1). Peritrematic plate narrow, barely fused anteriorly with dorsal shield at level of z 1, with a lyrifissure next to r 4 and with two lyrifissures and a pore behind each stigma. Setal measurements: st 1 17 (15–18), st 2 17 (15–19), st 3 14 (13–15), st 4 12 (11–12), st 5 14 (13–15), Jv 1 15 (15–16), Jv 2 26 (25–26), Jv 3 16 (15–17), Jv 4 20 (17–22), Jv 5 34 (31–37), Zv 1 15 (13–16), Zv 2 14, para-anal 18 (18–19), postanal 29 (27–30); setae aciculate and smooth. Spermathecal apparatus. Not distinguishable. Legs. Lengths: I: 236 (231–243); II: 194 (193–194); III: 166 (160–172); IV: 223 (219–231). Setation (legs I– IV): coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 12, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 11, 8, 9; tibiae: 13, 10, 8, 10; tarsi: I not counted, 18, 18, 18. All legs with pretarsi containing a pair of strongly sclerotised claws (Fig. 6); median section of pulvilli of legs I–IV rounded. Adult male. Not found. Etymology. The specific name andinus refers to “from the Andes”, South American mountain formation where the type locality is situated. Remarks. Gamasellodes andinus sp. nov. is distinguished from all other Gamasellodes species by lacking J 4. This species is most similar to Gamasellodes magniventris Mineiro, Lindquist & Moraes, 2009, described from Brazil, with a similar curved line crossing the shield anteriad of j 3 and z 2, a wavy line anteriad of J 5 and Z 5, and a broad ventrianal shield with a nearly straight anterior margin. However, the latter species differs from the species here described by having one pair of metapodal plates, presence of Zv 3, opisthonotal shield with 15 pair of setae, and peritreme extending anteriorly to the region beside bases of setae z 1.

Se estudió la diversidad funcional y el papel de la edafofauna sobre la descomposición de hojarasca en bosque nublado al suroccidente de la Sabana de Bogotá. Se montó un experimento de descomposición, confinando 10 g de hojarasca en bolsas de malla. Se colocaron 24 bolsas en total, la mitad de las cuales contenían naftalina para evitar el ingreso de la edafofauna. A los dos, cuatro y 12 meses se recogieron cuatro bolsas del tratamiento y cuatro del control. Cada bolsa se colocó en un embudo Tullgreen para extraer la edafofauna asociada. Ésta se identificó hasta el menor nivel taxonómico posible y se clasificó en grupos funcionales. Se calculó la riqueza y la diversidad con el índice de Shannon y el de Simpson. La hojarasca se secó y se pesó para determinar el porcentaje de descomposición. En la hojarasca tratamiento se encontró una reducción en la abundancia o ausencia de edafofauna por efecto de la naftalina durante los primeros 60 días, pero no hubo diferencia en el porcentaje de descomposición entre el tratamiento y el control. Hubo una mayor abundancia de detritívoros, seguidos de los transformadores de hojarasca y fitófagos en los tres períodos muestreados. La riqueza de los grupos funcionales, la dominancia y la equidad no fueron distintas entre la hojarasca tratamiento y el control. Esto sugiere que el papel de la edafofauna en la descomposición de hojarasca en este bosque es menos relevante que en bosques de tierras bajas. The functional diversity and role of soil fauna on litterfall decomposition were studied in a cloud forest located southwest of the Sabana de Bogota. A decomposition experiment was set up, confining 10 g of litterfall in mesh bags. A total of 24 bags was set out, half of which contained naphthalene to avoid the entry of soil fauna. At two, four and 12 months, four bags of the treated litterfall and four of the control were collected. Each bag was placed in a Tullgren funnel to extract the associated soil fauna. This was identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible and classified into functional groups. Richness and diversity were calculated using Shannon and Simpson indices. Litterfall was dried and weighed in order to calculate percent decomposition. In the litterfall treatment there was a reduction in the abundance or absence of soil fauna during the first 60 days due to naphthalene, but there was no difference in percent decomposition between the treatment and control. There was a greater abundance of detritivores, followed by litter transformers and phytophages over the three sampling periods. Richness, dominance and equitability of functional groups were not different between the litterfall treatment and the control. This suggests that the role of soil fauna in the decomposition of litterfall is less relevant in this forest than lowland forests.