Taxonomic contribution to knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Achipteria (Acari, Oribatida, Achipteriidae)

The oribatid mite family Achipteriidae is recorded in the Dominican Republic for the first time. A new species of the genus Achipteria-A. (Izuachipteria) dominicanensis sp. nov.-is described, based on adults collected from leaf litter in a mixed forest. The species is characterized by the morphology of the lamella (triangular distally, without strong lateral tooth), the location of the lamellar seta (on ventral side of the lamella), the length of the bothridial seta (long), the ornamentation and morphology of the pteromorph (partially striate, with lateral tooth), the number of the leg claws (one), and the absence of the notogastral saccules. The taxonomic status of the subgenera Achipteria (Cubachipteria), A. (Hokkachipteria), and A. (Izuachipteria) is discussed. An identification key, distribution, and habitat of the known representatives of Achipteria (Izuachipteria) are presented.