Lamellocepheus personatus

Mahunka, S. & Mahunka-Papp, L., 2009, Topobates helveticus sp. n. and some other remarkable moss mites from Switzerland (Acari: Oribatida)., Revue suisse de Zoologie 116, pp. 325-336 : 329-332

Lamellocepheus personatus (Berlese, 1910)

Figs 9-14, 19

Localities: VS-40: Switzerland: Valais: above Vernayaz, 700 m ; 7.X.1980; leg. C. Besuchet (221). - TI-42: Switzerland: Ticino: Cortascio above Brissago , sifting of mosses, 900 m; 20.V.1998; leg. C. Besuchet (229).

Remarks: This species was studied and redescribed by Weigmann & Murvanidze (2003) on the basis of Georgian specimens. They gave a thorough histori-

FIGS 9-14

Lamellocepheus personatus (Berlese, 1910). (9) Body in dorsal view. (10) Rostral apex. (11) Body in ventral view. (12) Podosoma in lateral view. (13) Anterior part of notogaster. (14) Trichobothrium.

cal survey of the morphological and nomenclatural problems of the genus and species. The species, now also known from Switzerland, has been found in the Mediterranean region, particularly at alpine localities. These specimens are easily identifiable with the description and figures published by Weigmann and Murvanidze (cf. our Figs 9-14 made from the Swiss specimens).

The present study gave us the opportunity to review the taxa belonging to the genera Lamellocepheus Balogh, 1961 and Nosybea Mahunka, 1993. Soon after the publication of the paper of Weigmann and Murvanidze (2003), Subías (2004) accepted the validity of the Family Nosybeidae , but synonymised the two genera, without having studied their types. A fairly recent study and the re-examination of the type specimens of Nosybea genavensis Mahunka, 1993 and Lamelloceppheus personatus by Mahunka (1993) clearly show that Subías made a mistake, so the validity of the genus name Nosybea is herewith re-established.

DISTINCTION BETWEEN LAMELLOCEPHEUS AND NOSYBEA

Lamellocepheus

1. Middle of anterior half of notogaster with a U-shaped, undivided suture.

2. Epimeral region without annulate structure.

3. A pair of ridges along the genital aperture.

4. Five pairs of genital setae present.

Nosybea

1. Anterior part of notogaster in the middle with a longitudinal crest.

2. Epimeral region with 12 robust structures.

3. No pairs of ridges along the genital aperture.

4. Four pairs of genital setae present.