BOCHKOVOCOPTIDAE, AN UNUSUAL NEW FAMILY OF PSOROPTIDIAN MITES (ACARI: ASTIGMATA) ASSOCIATED WITH OTOMYS DENTI (RODENTIA: MURIDAE) FROM UGANDA

Abstract

A new family, Bochkovocoptidae, is proposed for a new genus and species of psoroptidian mite (Astigmata), Bochkovocoptes otomys sp. n., collected from the follicles of the facial vibrissae of Otomys denti (Rodentia: Muridae) from Uganda. The new taxon is characterized by retrorse processes and striated apical membranes on the subcapitular rutella, strong retrorse processes on the segments of the anterior legs, well developed pretarsi on legs I–III and a reduced pretarsus on leg IV. The new taxon is hypothesized to be related to the families Sarcoptidae and Rhyncoptidae.