Protoplophora Berlese, 1910

Protoplophora Berlese, 1910, p. 217.

Berlese (1910) placed the genus at the base of the Hoplophoridae (the family in which at that time all ptychoid Oribatid mites had been classified), but nevertheless pointed to a relationship with the Hypochthoniidae . In the diagnosis he characterizes the notogaster as divided into several parts; he distinctly figures several "coupures" and telescoping tergites. The long palp is remarkable, but Berlese leaves us in doubt as to the structure of rostrum and mandibles. The genus is founded on one species ( P. palpalis) from Palermo, Sicily.