Hoplophthiracarus niahensis sp. nov.

(Figs 4. A–F)

Diagnosis. Small species. Sigillar fields relatively short, median trapezoidal in shape. Short lateral carinae. Sensilli with globular head. Setae of prodorsum and notogaster filiform, interlamellar very short. Setae of row p situated in one line. Vestigial setae f1 located anterior to setae h1. Setae h of mentum shorter than distance between them.

Description. Measurements of holotype: prodorsum: length 202, width 151, height 86; sensillus 25, setae: interlamellar 5, lamellar 20, rostral 22; notogaster: length 333, width and height 222; setae: c1 38, h1 and p1 30; genitoaggenital plate 86 x63; anoadanal plate 152 x76.

Relatively small species. Colour light brown. Integument of body punctate.

Prodorsum with distinct, short sigillar fields, median slightly longer and trapezoidal shape. Lateral carinae short, reaching anteriorly to the sinus. Sensilli rather short, with short pedicel and rounded, smooth head. Setae filiform, smooth, interlamellar setae unusual very short; ro> le> ex> in.

Notogaster with 15 pairs of smooth, filiform setae, relatively short (c1 <c1–d1). Setae c1 and c3 slightly remote from anterior margin, c2 more remote. Setae of row p situated in one line. Vestigial setae f1 situated anterior to setae h1. Two pairs of lyrifissures, ia and im, present.

Ventral region. Setae h of mentum slightly shorter than distance between them. Genitoaggenital plates with 9 pairs of setae with formula: 6(4+2): 3. Anoadanal plates each with 5 well-developed setae, adanal setae ad1 and ad2 longer than other setae.

Legs. Formulae of setae and solenidia of complete type. Setae d on femora I remote from distal end of article.

Types. Holotype: BO-3.

Comparison. The new species is distinguishable from congeners by the following characters in combination: presence of filiform setae, short interlamellar setae, globular sensilli, setae p of notogaster located in one line, vestigial setae f1 situated at the level of setae h1, setae of anoadanal plates almost equal length. Hoplophthiracarus tryssos Niedbała, 2004 shares four of these characters: filiform setae, globular sensilli, setae p of notogaster located almost in one line, vestigial setae f1 situated almost at the level of setae h1,

Etymology. This species is named after the Niah National Park.