Obuloides crinitus sp. nov., sixth African species of the gall forming mites of the genus Obuloides Baker and Tuttle, 1975 (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), with a key to known species

Abstract

A new species of Obuloides, Obuloides crinitus sp. nov., is described based on females and males collected from the galls and twigs of Grewia occidentalis (Tiliaceae) in South Africa. Obuloides crinutus is closely related to O. namibiensis and O. rajamohani but can be distinguished by the finely granulated shields, a character that no other species of this genus has. Another notable difference is the length of prodorsal setae v2, which are longer and more strongly serrated compared to the other species of this genus which have very short and mostly smooth setae. Males of this species lack setae d1. A key to known species is provided