Machadocepheus tuberculosus, Mahunka, S., 1987

Mahunka, S., 1987, A survey of the family Carabodidae C. L. Koch, 1836 (Acari: Oribatida), II, Acta Zoologica Hungarica 33, pp. 399-434 : 430-431

Machadocepheus tuberculosus sp. n.

Measurements. - Length: 465-511 µm, width: 279-316 µm.

Prodorsum: Rostrum very wide, laterally a characteristic structure observable (Fig. 97). Lamellae bearing sharp cuspis, lamellar setae phylliform (Fig. 96), rostral and interlamellar setae thin and simple. Median part of notogaster highly elevated, a transversal formation resembling spectacles well visible, interlamellar setae arising on it. Basal part of prodorsum slightly excavate. Sensillus short, but its head reclinate (Fig. 94), well spinulose. Sack of bothridium very long, comparatively narrow, curved. Tutorium well developed.

Notogaster: Dorsosejugal suture straight, well visible. Median part of notogaster also very high, this elevation bearing some paired tubercles and an unpaired one medially, anteriorly a narrowed and divided costula observable. Fifteen pairs of short, simple notogastral setae present. Surface partly alveolate, postero-marginal region smooth.

Coxisternal region: All epimeres well framed by the borders, a wide median, longitudinal field present. Epimeral setae thin, simple and long, excepting setae 1a and 1c.

Anogenital region: Much shorter longitudinally than coxisternal region. Ventral plate with strong laths (Fig. 95). All setae short and thin. Setae ag and ad3 originating very near to each others. Lyrifissures iad well observable, originating far from anal aperture. Setae ad1 and ad2 stand near to each other, in postanal position.

Type-material: Holotype (1183 -HO-87): Kenya: No. 74: Tsavo National Park, Ngulia Lodge. 28. IX. 1985. - Sifted material from litter and dry decaying stumps. Leg. S. Mahunka and L. Mahunka-Papp, 2 paratypes: from the same sample. Holotype deposited in the HNHM, 1 paratype in MHNG, 1 paratype in NHMH.

Remarks: The new species stands nearest to M. sagitta Balogh et Mahunka, 1966, however, the latter has a much longer and thinner sensillus and the structure of its prodorsum is also different.