Punctoribates longiporosus (BALOGH, 1963)

Mahunka, S., 2011, New And Little Known Oribatid Mites From Madagascar (Acari: Oribatida) Ii., Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 57 (1), pp. 1-21 : 15

Punctoribates longiporosus (BALOGH, 1963)

( Figs 28–31 )

The genus Punctoribates BERLESE, 1908 was divided by SUBÍAS et al. (1990) into two genera ( Punctoribates and Minguezetes ). This opinion was accepted by PÉREZ- IÑIGO (1993), PAVLITSHENKO (1994), BAYARTOGTOKH et al. (2000), but not accepted by BALOGH and BALOGH (1992), WEIGMANN (2006) and BEHAN-PELLETIER and EAMER (2008). Our opinion corresponds with the latter authors, however, presence of three well recognisable species groups (punctum, palustrishexagonus and conjunctus) is indisputable.

1 Anterior tectum of the notogaster flatly rounded or straight medially punctum species group

– Anterior tectum of notogaster strongly projected anteriorly 2

2 Lamellar setae arising anteriorly, far from interlamellar setae. Notogastral tectum gradually narrowed anteriorly, with deep, U-shaped median part palustris-hexagonus species group

– Lamellar and interlamellar setae arising in one transversal line. Notogastral tectum suddenly projected anteriorly, with small, V-shaped median part conjunctus species group

The newly collected specimen belongs to the palustris-hexagonus species group. It was described on the basis of the holotype specimen from Angola, which was collected in riverside detritus. This species is close to P. insignis BERLESE, 1910 [= P. manzanoensis HAMMER, 1958, ( SUBÍAS 2004)], however, the porose Aa of BALOGH’ s specimen is much longer than in insignis .

Measurements: Length of body: 450 µm, width of body: 362 µm.

Figures

Figs 28–31. Punctoribates longiporosus BALOGH, 1963: 28 =body in dorsal view, 29 =body in ventral view, 30 = dorsosejugal furrow, 31 = sensillus