Carabodes wettsteini, Mahunka, S., 1996

Mahunka, S., 1996, Oribatids from Switzerland II. (Acari: Oribatida). (Acarologica Genavensia XC), Folia Entomologica Hungarica 57, pp. 125-129 : 128-129

Carabodes wettsteini sp. n.

(Figs 5-7)

Measurements - Length of body: 619 µm, width of body: 396 µm.

Integument: whole body surface covered by thin cerotegument layer

Prodorsum: Rostrum widely rounded with some small tubercles, two larger tubercles also present laterally, on which simple, setiform rostral setae are inserted thin. Lamellar cusps also rounded, wide, phylliform lamellar setae arise on their surface laterally. Basal part of the interlamellar region well framed by a strong transversal band, excavate, with two pairs of large spots. Median part of the interlamellar region pustulate, slightly rising between the lamellae. Interlamellar setae straight, directed laterally, slightly dilated and spiculate. Sensillus long, its peduncle conspicuously thin, long, its head lanceolate with some strong spines and spicules on its distal part.

Figs 5-7. Carabodes wettsteini sp. n. - 5: body in dorsal view, 6: rostrum, 7: sensillus and humeral region

Notogaster: Humeral part strongly protruding anteriorly, a well separated larger tubercle on lateral margin also observable. Median part convex, framed laterally and posteriorly, the whole surface covered by pustules of similar size. Ten pairs of notogastral setae present, mostly straight, sligthly lanceolate and spiculate.

Lateral part of prodorsum: A pair of rounded crests and a pair of large tubercles with two acute tips are seen in dorsal aspect.

Ventral regions: All part of this region well sclerotised, apodemes thick. A pairs of framed hollows present behind the acetabula 4. Mentum and coxisternal region foveolate. Ventral plate pustulate, as is notogastral surface. Genital and anal plates also foveolate. Epimeral setae minute, three pairs of them visible on epimere 1. Anogenital setal formula: 4-1-2-3. Adanal setae resembling notogastral ones, slightly dilated distally.

Legs: Surface of femora foveolate, genu, tibia and tarsus without any sculpture.

Material examined: Holotype: Switzerland, "Feldvaderli" . 14. IV. 1949. Leg. E. Wettstein. 5 paratypes from the same sample . The holotype and paratypes embedded in the same slide. The holotype is marked by a black circle round and located the nearest to the left label with the name written by me, and with the letter and number W(ettstein) 20 in red ink. Types deposited in the NHMB [Museum of Natural History of Basle].

Remarks: The description is based on the embedded specimens, some parts of the specimens were not observable. The new species belongs to the " marginatus " species-group, it is distinguished from the related species by the bacilliform interlamellar setae, by the form of the sensillus and the ratio of the notogastral setae.

Etymology: I dedicate the new species to the memory of the late Dr. E. Wettstein.