At present 108 species of Phthiracaroidea are known from the Ethiopian region, of which 18 were described by the author previously. The greatest number of species has been found in Tanzania and Madagascar. Among the species which are most abundantly represented in the region there are two pantropical Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) stilifer and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) vitrinus and three Ethiopian: Hoplophthiracarus ambiguus, Hoplophorella frater and Plonaphacarus machadoi. The Ethiopian region is the centre of speciation of the genus Steganacarus, especially for its subgenus Rhacaplacarus. The unique character of the Ethiopian faunal region is indicated by the large number of endemic species -73 (67.6%) and a relatively large number of Ethiopian zoogeographic elements -19 (17.6%), which makes in total 92 (85.2%) of all species found. Analysis of distribution of a few widespread species clearly shows that their dispersion proceeded from the Oriental region. Oil both the mainland and on surrounding islands a specialized fauna is present, represented by species of restricted geographical distribution. On the continent the number of species found is 73 (67.6%), oil the islands 45 species (42%). There are only 9 (8.3%) species having common continental and island distribution. The majority of the islands, irrespective of the geographical position, have a specific fauna of Phthiracaroidea, which is well Supported by the number of endemic species occurring with most of these on Madagascar. The greatest number of continental endemites was found in the eastern part of Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia, while a smaller number of them occur in Central Africa. The highest number of endemites in Eastern Africa indicates that a strong speciation took place there. Probably, the fauna colonizing a given area undergoes a strong adaptive radiation under the effect of different conditions in hi,,h mountains. The Obtained data suggest that the dispersion of species into the Ethiopian region took place from the Oriental and perhaps also from the Australian region or Southern Africa.
