Neobonzia, Smiley, 1992

Heyer, Jacob Den, 2011, The genus Coleobonzia declared synonymous with Neobonzia Smiley, 1992 (Bdelloidea: Cunaxidae: Coleoscirinae), Zootaxa 2817, pp. 59-62 : 60-62

Genus NEOBONZIA Smiley, 1992

Pseudobonzia Den Heyer 1977: 178 –194; 1980: 121–124

Coleobonzia Den Heyer & Castro 2008: 42 –50.

Neobonzia Smiley 1992: 331 –333; Corpuz-Raros 2008: 87 –89 Type species: Neobonzia moseri Smiley, 1992 (Original designation) Redescription of the genus Neobonzia Smiley, 1992 . Neobonzia are soft-bodied and are often, but not always, yellowish-brown. The weakly-sclerotised dorsal propodosomal areas in females are without subcuticular reticulations. In males an additional weakly sclerotised dorsal hysterosomal area may be present or absent. The gnathosoma may be darker in colour due to somewhat heavier sclerotisation. Palps 5-jointed and extend by approximately half the length of the tibiotarsus past the entomalae. Basi- and telofemora bear dorsal simple tactile seta. Tibiotarsus usually S-shaped and proximally stouter than in Pseudobonzia , with or without a tubercle and the (pen-)ultimate seta rather long. Setae f2 present in both sexes. Coxal plates I+II separated medially. Genital setae in both sexes either three or four pairs. Legs usually shorter than idiosoma. All leg femora divided by articulation facets.

The above redescription is based on all the species described by Berlese (1910), Baker & Hoffmann (1948), Chaudhri (1977, 1980), Den Heyer (1977, 1980), Smiley (1992), Sergeyenko (2005), Corpuz-Raros (2008) and Den Heyer & Castro (2008). Therefore the genus concept, when all described species are taken in consideration, should be robust. However, to compile a key to all species of Neobonzia from literature, i.e. without having seen specimens, is a case of guesswork; therefore no key is provided.

One curiousity is that it seems strange that Smiley (1992), having incorporated all the species described by Den Heyer (1977, 1980), did not recognise the similarity of Neobonzia with that group of species.