Austrocarabodes ocellatus, 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 : 410-411

Austrocarabodes ocellatus sp. n.

Measurements. - Length: 328-353 µm, width: 172-189 µm.

Prodorsum: Lamellae rounded anteriorly, lamellar setae phylliform, margin smooth. Setae arise on the lateroventral surface of lamellae. Rostral setae similar to the preceding ones, but shorter, arising comparatively near to each other (Fig. 17). Lamellar and interlamellar surface alveolate, medially and anteriorly with round, latero-basally with irregular alveoli, or with rugose sculpture. Interlamellar setae very long, directed forwards, slightly phylliform, with a well-developed vein. Sensillus with a long peduncle, head calyciform.

Notogaster: Fourteen pairs of notogastral setae (Fig. 14), resembling interlamellar ones, present. Notogaster ornamented by very characteristic, ocellate sculpture (Fig. 15) in some male specimens much less observable.

Coxisternal region: Mentum also alveolate. Epimeral surface partly with irregular foveolae or spots (mostly medially) and with round alveoli, sculpture similar to that of notogaster (mostly laterally). Epimeral setae short, spiniform.

Borders only partly observable, apodemes well developed, ap. 3 not reaching to sternal one. A. 4 strong composing a transverse band. Discidium well observable (Fig. 16).

Anogenital region: Ventral plate ocellate. Surface of genital plates smooth, sculpture of anal plates similar to that of ventral plate, but the alveoli are much smaller. Genital and aggenital setae short, spinoform, of anoadanal setae ad1 and an2 very long, ad2, ad3 and an1 shorter than the preceding ones but all being longer than genital setae. Lyrifissures iad not visible.

Type-material: Holotype ( 1180-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. 9 paratypes: from the same sample. Holotype and 7 paratype ( 1180-HO-87 ) deposited in the HNHM,* 2 paratypes in MHNG.**

Remarks: The new species is well characterized by the ocellate sculpture on the dorsal and ventral sides. On the basis of this feature it may readily be distinguished from all Austrocarabodes Hammer, 1966, species.

* Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest.

** Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Geneva.