Umukusum Ya. Shtanchaeva

A new species of fossil oribatid mite (Acariformes, Oribatida, Trhypochthoniidae) from the Lower Cretaceous amber of San Just (Teruel Province, Spain)

Abstract A new fossil species, Trhypochthonius lopezvallei sp. nov. (Trhypochthoniidae), is described based on one specimen preserved in amber from the San Just outcrop (Teruel Province, Spain) believed to be Albian in age. A comparison with Recent and fossil Trhypochthoniidae is given. A new name, Sachalinbates, is proposed to replace Sachalinella (a fossil oribatid genus described from Sakhalin Paleocene amber) which is preoccupied.

The family Ctenobelbidae (Acari, Oribatida), with description of a new species and discussion on systematic placement and taxonomic status of the genus Berndamerus Mahunka, 1977.

Abstract The oribatid mite genus Berndamerus Mahunka, 1977 is transferred into the family Ctenobelbidae as the subgenus Ctenobelba (Berndamerus) Mahunka, 1977, stat. n. from the family Amerobelbidae. The known species of Berndamerus combined: C. (B.) bicostata (Berlese, 1910), comb. n., C. (B.) eremuloides (Berlese, 1910), comb. n., C. (B.) hellenica (Mahunka, 1977), comb. n. A new species, Ctenobelba (Berndamerus) bugiamapensis sp. n., is described from soil, Bu Gia Map National Park, southern Vietnam. It differs from the other species of the subgenus by the heterotrichy of notogastral setae, presence of adanal neotrichy and localization of adanal lyrifissures. Ctenobelbidae is recorded in Vietnam for the first time. A new diagnosis of the family Ctenobelbidae and the identification keys to the known subgenera of the genus Ctenobelba and species of the subgenus Ctenobelba (Berndamerus) are provided.

A new genus and species of oribatid mite, Cretaceobodes martinezae gen. et sp. nov., from the lower cretaceous amber of San Just (Teruel Province, Spain) (Acariformes, Oribatida, Otocepheidae)

A new fossil genus and species of oribatid mite, Cretaceobodes martinezae gen. et sp. nov., belonging to the family Otocepheidae is described. The new species is preserved in a piece of amber from the San Just outcrop (Teruel Province, Spain), which is believed to be Albian in age. The new genus is compared with the extant genus Carabocepheus Berlese, 1910 and its relationships with the superfamilies Otocepheoidea and Carabodoidea are discussed. Carabocepheidae is regarded as a junior synonym of Otocepheidae. Ranking Carabocepheus lounsbury latior Balogh et Mahunka, 1966 as a separate species is proposed.

A new fossil oribatid mite, Ommatocepheus nortoni sp. nov. (Acariformes, Oribatida, Cepheidae), from a new outcrop of Lower Cretaceous Álava amber (northern Spain)

Abstract A new species of fossil oribatid mite, Ommatocepheus nortoni sp. nov. (Acariformes, Oribatida), is described from the Spanish Lower Cretaceous. The fossil is preserved in amber found in a new outcrop near Salinillas de Buradón (Province of Álava, northern Spain). It represents the first bioinclusion found at this locality and the third oribatid species described from Spanish Cretaceous amber.

Morphology of juvenile instars of Meristacarus sundensis Hammer, 1979 and Cryptacarus promecus Grandjean, 1950 (Acari, Oribatida, Lohmanniidae)

Abstract The morphology of the juvenile instars of two species of the oribatid mite family Lohmanniidae, Meristacaris sundensis Hammer, 1979 and Cryptacarus promecus Grandjean, 1950 is described and illustrated. We collate data on the morphology of lohmanniid juvenile instars whose complete ontogeny is known, and show that genera are readily identifiable from their juvenile features. The main generic distinctions are presented by the body surface, the morphology and number of body setae, and the structure of the rostrum and genital plates.

A new species of Metabelbella (Acari: Oribatida: Damaeidae) from Quercus forests of southern Portugal

In the course of studies of the oribatid fauna of oak forests from southern Portugal, we found representatives of 60 species (51 genera and 38 families) of which 39 species are registered for the first time for Portugal. One new species, Metabelbella epidamaeiformis sp. nov., is described. It is clearly distinguishable from all other species of the genus by the presence of spinae adnatae. An identification key to known Iberian species of Metabelbella is presented. A checklist, the locality and the distribution of all oribatid taxa recorded by us are presented.

Two new species of oribatid mites of Lasiobelba (Acari, Oribatida, Oppiidae) from Nepal, including a key to all species of the genus

Abstract Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Lasiobelba (Oribatida, Oppiidae), Lasiobelba (Lasiobelba) daamsae sp. n. and Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n., are described from eastern Nepal. Lasiobelba (L.) daamsae sp. n. is most similar to L. (L.) remota Aoki, 1959 and L. (L.) gibbosa (Mahunka, 1985), however, it differs from both by the anterior part of pedotecta I specifically curved, rostrum pointed and exobothridial setae not shorter than bothridial setae. Lasiobelba (Antennoppia) nepalica sp. n. is most similar to L. (A.) granulata (Mahunka, 1986), however, it differs from the latter by the larger body size, exobothridial setae longer than rostral setae and bothridial setae not longer than interlamellar setae. An identification key to known species of Lasiobelba is given.

Morphology of Juvenile Instars of Lohmannia turcmenica Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1960 and L. paradoxa (Haller, 1884) (Acari: Oribatida: Lohmanniidae)

Abstract. The morphology of juvenile instars of two species of lohmanniid oribatid mites, Lohmannia turcmenica Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1960 and L. paradoxa (Haller, 1884), is described and illustrated. Known juvenile instars of this genus are compared. A new generic diagnosis of juvenile instars of Lohmannia is given.