The Oribatid Family Phthiracaridae I. Introduction and Redescription of Hoplophthiracarus pavidus (Berlese) Author van der Hammen, L. text Acarologia 1963 5 306 317 http://unknown journal article ORI10558 The genus Hoplophthiracarus can be characterized in the following way. Hoplophthiracarus Jacot, 1933. Interlamellar hairs nearly erect. Notogaster at least partly punctate or granulate. Anal hairs inserted on the border; adanal hairs in a distinct oblique row. Two pairs of genital papillae. The type of Hoplophthiracarus is Hoploderma histricinum Berlese (1908). Hoplophthiracarus pavidus is dealt with here in detail, in order to serve as example of the genus 1); after a study of the other Phthiracarid genera, it will certainly be possible to give a more extensive generic diagnosis. H. pavidus was originally described by Berlese (1913, p. 103, pl. 8, figs. 101, 101 a) as a species of Hoploderma ; the type material from Tiarno was studied by me (van der Hammen, 1958, p. 49). Up to now representatives of the genus Hoplophthiracarus have been recorded from America only. 1) My thanks are due to Mr. J. T. Wiebes , who collected the rich material of the present species.