Berlesezetes ( MAHUNKA, 1980 )

Mahunka, S., 2005, Oribatid Mites (Acari: Oribatida) From Venezuela, I. Microzetid Species, Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 51 (4), pp. 287-311 : 290-291

Berlesezetes ( MAHUNKA, 1980)

The establishment of the genus ( MAHUNKA 1980) is based on a species type from Venezuela described by GRANDJEAN (1936 b). GRANDJEAN collected this species in Venezuela and Panama. Despite the fact that his description is still accurate it is difficult to identify specimens discovered by later authors because they did not fully investigate a number of characteristics. At first, these later found specimens were given different species name but later were included in the above-mentioned genus. Compendiums published in recent years either did not try to separate them and describe them as undetermined species ( BALOGH & BALOGH 2002) or their synonyms are dubious because the author did not actually study the types in question ( SUBIAS 2004).

Diagnosis of the genus: Rostrum nasiform in dorsal and beak-shaped in lateral view. Lamellae with short inner and much longer outer cusps, set far from each other. Rostral setae setiform, arising on tubercles. Lamellar setae thick, arising on the anterior margin of lamellae, with long cilia. Interlamellar setae longer than lamellae, slightly dilated. A pair of peculiar interlamellar apophyses present. A distinct dorsosejugal suture present, pteromorphae small. Notogastral surface ornamented by longitudinal striation. Epimeral region and the ventral plate also with longitudinal striation. Anogenital setal formula: 6 – 1 – 2 – 3, the anterior genital setae much longer than the others and distinctly pilose.

Type species: Microzetes auxiliaris GRANDJEAN, 1936 .