Abstract
A new monotypic genus, Afrophilodana africana n. gen, n. sp. (Trigynaspida: Parantennuloidea: Philodanidae) is described from two females found in soil samples from Kenya. The family Philodanidae Kethley, 1977 is redefined and the affinities of the new genus discussed. The leg chaetotaxy is also provided and compared with other members of the Parantennuloidea. The family Philodanidae Kethley, 1977a (Acari: Mesostigmata) are unusual trigynaspid mites, and a curiosity even within the Trigynaspida, being represented by a single species, Philodana Johnstoni Kethley, 1977a, collected from a tenebrionid beetle in North America. Initially, the Philodanidae were provisionally placed in the Paranteimu-loidea on the basis of morphological evidence (Kethley 1977a), a decision later supported by a phylogeny of leg chaetotaxy (Kethley 1977b). In the latter work another undescribed genus "NG. Jamaica" is also regarded as a philodanid mite, but this species has never been described.
NSTL