Two new species of Cavernocepheus (Acari, Oribatida, Otocepheidae) from Malawi

The oribatid mite genus Cavernocepheus (Oribatida, Otocepheidae) is recorded for the first time in Malawi. Two new species of the subgenus Cavernocepheus (Paracavernocepheus) — C. (P.) hlavaci n. sp. and C. (P.) mulanjensis n. sp. — are described from forest litter. Morphological comparison between known species of Cavernocepheus (Paracavernocepheus) and their distribution are presented.

Among the oribatid mite materials (all specimens were kindly provided by the Moravian Museum, Brno, Czech Republic) collected from Malawi, we found two new species of C. (Paracavernocepheus). They are the first representatives of the genus recorded in this country. The main goal of the paper is to describe these two new species. Additionally, the morphological comparison between the known (four) species of the subgenus and their distribution are given.

Methods
Observation and documentation -Specimens were mounted in lactic acid on temporary cavity slides for measurement and illustration. Body length was measured in lateral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the notogaster. Notogastral width refers to the maximum width of the notogaster in dorsal view. 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-genu-tibia-tarsus (famulus included). Formulas for leg solenidia are given in square brackets according to the sequence genu-tibia-tarsus. Drawings were made with a camera lucida using a Leica transmission light microscope "Leica DM 2500".
Integument -Body color light brown. Body surface densely microgranulate and partially sparsely foveolate (diameter of foveola up to 8, poorly visible). Lateral part of body between bothridium and acetabula I-III densely tuberculate (diameter of tubercle up to 8).
Notogaster -Concavity of dorsosejugal region large. Lateral notogastral condyle broadly quadrangular, top slightly oblique. Crista (extending from inner part of cnl) long, almost reaching the level of insertions of setae lm. Ten pairs of rod-like, barbed setae (86-98). Lyrifissures distinct, ia located lateral to c, im lateral to lm, ip between p 2 and p 3 , ips between h 3 and p 3 , ih anterior to h 3 . Opisthonotal gland opening located close to im.
Legs -Claw of each leg strong, barbed on dorsal side. Dorsal side of all tarsi without teeth. Genua III, IV and femora I, II with one pair of teeth ventrodistally versus genua I, II and femora III, IV without teeth. Porose areas on all femora and on trochanters III, IV well visible. Type deposition -The holotype and two paratypes are deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia.
Etymology -The species name is dedicated to our colleague, Dr. Peter Hlaváč (Prague, Czech Republic) renowned entomologist, specialist on Coleoptera, collector of large material of soil samples from Malawi.
Remarks -The new species clearly differs from all species of the subgenus in the presence of spindleform (versus clavate/fusiform) bothridial seta having long, setiform apex (versus without long, setiform apex).
Notogaster -Concavity of dorsosejugal region large. Lateral notogastral condyle broadly quadrangular, concave medially. Crista (extending from inner part of cnl) long, almost reaching the level of insertions of setae lm. Ten pairs of notogastral setae (57-65); posterior setae (h 3 , p 1p 3 ) setiform, with attenuate and flexible tip, barbed; other setae rod-like, barbed. Lyrifissures distinct, ia located lateral to c, im lateral to lm, ip between p 2 and p 3 , ips between h 3 and p 3 , ih anterior to h 3 . Opisthonotal gland opening located close to im.
Material examined -Holotype (male) and two paratypes ( Type deposition -The holotype and two paratypes are deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia.
Etymology -The species name refers to the place of origin, Mulanje Mts., Malawi.
Remarks -The new species clearly differs from all species of the subgenus in the presence of posterior notogastral setae (h 3 , p 1 -p 3 ) having attenuate and flexible tip (versus posterior notogastral setae rod-like).

Morphological comparison
The known species of Cavernocepheus (Paracavernocepheus) can be distinguished from each other by the morphology of bothridial seta, lateral notogastral condyle, notogastral and adanal setae, leg tarsi, genua and femora, and leg seta l′ on genu II and pv″ on tibia IV (see Table 2).

Distribution of Cavernocepheus (Paracavernocepheus)
Species of the subgenus are known from the Afrotropical region only and have a highly circumscribed geographic distribution, i.e. are endemic to a single country.