Unicobelba, Mahunka, S., 1999

Mahunka, S., 1999, Oribatid mites from Switzerland, IV (Acari: Oribatida: Suctobelbidae), Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 45, pp. 375-381 : 378

Unicobelba gen. n.

Diagnosis: Family Suctobelbidae JACOT, 1938. Rostral region without rostral teeth or rostral incisure. Median rostral apex rounded, prodorsal margin with sharply pointed lateral teeth, appearing serrate. Tectopedial fields, lamellar knob and interbothridial field clearly developed. Rostral setae evenly curved mediad, not geniculate, lamellar ones conspicuously long. Dorsosejugal margin of notogaster narrowing medially, with one pair of lateral apophyses, median ones absent but their lateral margin observable. So the median part seems to bear wide protuberances. Ten pairs of notogastral setae present. Epimeral setal formula: 3-1-3-3. Anogenital setal formula: 6-1-2-3. Setae ad1 and lyrifissures iad in adanal position. Posterior margin of epimeral border IV undulate, behind them granulate fossae present. Chelicerae very long with long digits. Infracapitulum distinctly dilated anteriorly. Palp setal formula: 2-1-2-8+1. Legs as in the type genus of the family, setae p on tarsi II-IV setiform.

Type species: Unicobelba ypsilonsignata sp. n.

Remarks: WOAS (1986) drew the attention of specialists to the difficult generic placement of Suctobelba truncicola Forsslund, 1941. While staying in Switzerland we found a species which, at first glance, seemed identical with the latter species, and although some features could not be identified owing to the small size of the body, the common characteristics of the species group became evident, so the erection of a new genus is justified. Owing to the 10 pairs of notogastral setae and the shape of the dorsosejugal margin of the notogaster, as well as the relatively simple rostrum it resembles Suctobelba Paoli, 1908 (see MORITZ 1970). However, as far as the shape of the rostral setae, the lateral condyles and the 6 pairs of genital setae are concerned the new taxon comes close to Suctobelbella JACOT, 1937. The proposed new genus, on the other hand, differs from both previous genera in the lack of rostral incisure, bearing resemblance to the herewith described Helvetobelba . We relegate the species Unicobelba truncicola (FORSSLUND, 1941) comb. n. also to this genus.

Etymology: Named after its unique set of features.