Berndobodes spiculifer, Mahunka, 1986

Mahunka, S., 1986, A survey of the family Carabodidae C. L. Koch, 1836 (Acari: Oribatida), Acta Zoologica Hungarica 32, pp. 73-135 : 116

Berndobodes spiculifer sp. n.

Measurements. - Length: 312-376 µm, width: 176-238 µm.

Prodorsum: Lamellae with sharp outer cuspis, the lamellar setae arising on them. All prodorsal setae peach-leaf shaped, marginally and dorsally spiculate (Fig. 126), interlamellar setae greater than the other two pairs, their end bent backwards. Peduncle of sensillus (Fig. 123) gradually thinning outwards, before the head mostly thin. Peduncle finely roughened or spiculate, and spinulate.

Notogaster: Its shape nearly round, not of typical Carabodes . Fifteen pairs of notogastral setae present, one of them originating on the humeral apophysis, one other in the humeral region and altogether eight pairs arising on the anterior half of the notogaster. Seven pairs of further notogastral setae present on the posterior end of the notogaster. Three anterior setae thin, all originating anteriorly or anterolaterally, all others spathulate, their surfaee ispiculate (Fig. 122).

Ventral side: Apodemes and epimeral borders weakly developed, sternal apodeme absent, so epimeres open medially. Mentum with some round foveolae, other part of ventral plates smooth. All epimeral setae simple, short (Fig. 124). Beside the genital plates a pair of semicircular chitinous laths present. Around the anal opening also a well-developed lath observable bearing setae ad1 and ad2. All adanal setae similar to prodorsal ones.

Material examined: Holotype; Malaysia, Sabah, Pal-83/36 , leg. Dr. B. Hauser , 5 paratypes: from the same sample. Holotype and 3 paratypes: MHNG , 2 paratypes ( 997-PO-84 ): HNHM .

Remarks: The new species is well distinguished from all congeners by the shape and the surface of the notogastral setae and the shape of the sensillus.