The oribatid mite genus Acaroceras (Acari, Oribatida, Microzetidae)

A new microzetid mite species, Acaroceras (A.) brasiliensis n. sp., is described from Brazil. It differs from the other representatives of the genus by the talon-like lamellar setae with ciliate branches (versus simple) and the presence of lamellar apophyses (versus absent). An identification key to the known subgenera and species of Acaroceras is provided. Three species of Microzetes are transfered to the genus Berlesezetes: B. longistriatus (Sarkar, 1992) n. comb., B. monoramai (Sarkar, 1992) n. comb. and B. rudrasagarensis (Sarkar, 1992) n. comb.

During taxonomic identification of oribatid mites from Brazil, we discovered one new species of the genus Acaroceras. The main goal of our paper is to describe and illustrate it. In addition, we provide an identification key for all known subgenera and species of Acaroceras, and proposed new systematic placement for Microzetes longistriatus Sarkar, 1992, M. monoramai Sarkar, 1992and M. rudrasagarensis Sarkar, 1992
Specimens were mounted in lactic acid on temporary cavity slides for measurement and illustration. The body length was measured in lateral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the ventral plate. The notogastral width refers to the maximum width in dorsal aspect. Lengths of body setae were measured in lateral aspect. All body measurements are presented in micrometers. Formulas for leg setation are given in parentheses according to the sequence trochanter-femur-genutibia-tarsus (famulus included). Formulas for leg solenidia are given in square brackets according to the sequence genu-tibia-tarsus. General terminology used in this paper follows that of F. Grandjean (summarized by Norton and Behan-Pelletier 2009). Drawings were prepared with the aid of a drawing tube using the Carl Zeiss compound microscope "Axioskop-2 Plus".
Type deposition -The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Senckenberg Institution Frankfurt, Germany; two paratypes are deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia.
Etymology -The name of the new species refers to the country of origin, Brazil.
Comparison -The known species of the genus Acaroceras can be distinguished by the key which is presented below.
Roman letters refer to normal setae (ɛ to famulus), Greek letters to solenidia. Single prime (' ) marks setae on anterior and double prime (" ) setae on posterior side of the given leg segment.

REMARKS ON SYSTEMATIC PLACEMENT OF SOME MICROZETIDAE
The analysis of literature on the Microzetidae has revealed an incorrect systematic placement of three species of the genus Microzetes Berlese, 1913, which were described by Sarkar (1992) from India: M. longistriatus Sarkar, 1992, M. monoramai Sarkar, 1992 and M. rudrasagarensis Sarkar, 1992. All morphological traits of these species correspond to those of the genus Berlesezetes Mahunka, 1980. Hence, they should be combined in the latter genus: B. longistriatus (Sarkar, 1992) n. comb., B. monoramai (Sarkar, 1992) n. comb. and B. rudrasagarensis (Sarkar, 1992) n. comb.