Taxonomic contribution to knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Tritegeus (Acari, Oribatida, Cepheusidae)

A supplementary description of the type species of the genus Sphodrocepheus (Oribatida, Cepheusidae) -S. tridactylus-is presented, based on adults collected from the U.S.A. The taxonomic status of Sphodrocepheus is discussed, resulting in the following new taxonomic proposal: Tritegeus Berlese, 1913 (=Sphodrocepheus Woolley & Higgins, 1963 syn. nov.). A new species of Tritegeus-T. luissantossubiasi sp. nov.-is described, based on adults from India. A supplementary description of Tritegeus mitratus is presented, based on adults collected from Japan. The new generic diagnosis and an identification key to the known 11 species of Tritegeus are provided.