| abstract | This paper reviews the systematics of mites of the family Hydryphantidae Piersig, 1896 from Central and South America and presentes the first reports of the family from Costa Rica, Ecuador and Trinidad. We include the description of Almuerzothyas, a genus new to science, the first New World records of Eupatrella Walter, 1935, and the first South American records of Protzia Piersig, 1896. A total of 17 species are discussed, 10 of which are new to science: Almuerzothyas casado, Eupatrella arroz, E. platano, Hydryphantes cocinero, Neocalonyx colada, N. desajunos, N. pina, N. frijolito, Protzia salsa and P. patata. The systematic position of the subfamily Eupatrellinae K. H. Viets, 1935 stat. nov. is discussed and a new diagnosis is presented. Species previously placed in the genus Neoprotziella becomes a synonym. The taxonomic rank of several other species from Latin America is discussed. Two taxa previously considered as subspecies of Hydryphantes are elevated to species level, one formerly synonymized species is re-erected and two subspecies are synonymized. Ecological and zoogeographical observations are presented and discussed. |