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The diagnosis of the genus Kunstidamaeus Miko, 2006 is given and a new generic concept within Damaeus sensu lato is proposed. Epidamaeus, Kunstidamaeus and Spatiodamaeus are given generic status, whereas Adamaeus, Paradamaeus and the nominal subgenus Damaeus s. stricto are considered to be subgenera of the genus Damaeus. The type species K. lengersdorfi (Willmann, 1932) including the immature stases is redescribed and its geographic distribution and ecology is discussed. The neotype of K. lengersdorfi is designated. Together with the type species, the genus Kunstidamaeus includes seven known European species: K. tenuipes (Michael, 1885), K. tecticola (Michael, 1888), K. nivalis (Kulczynski, 1902), K. nidicola (Willmann, 1936), K. diversipilis (Willmann, 1951), K. granulatus (Willmann, 1951), and K. longisetosus (Willmann, 1953).

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A redescription of Gymnodamaeus barbarossa Weigmann, 2006, is presented and the species is compared with Gymnodamaeus bicostatus (C. L. Koch, 1835). Only these two species of the genus are known to occur in Central Europe. Gymnodamaeus bicostatus has a holarctic distribution, G. barbarossa has been recorded in Eastern Germany at the Kyffhäuser Mountain (locus typicus), in Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia, up to now. Each species has a characteristic cerotegument ornamentation, which is documented by SEM micrographs. Both species seem to prefer dry and warm habitats. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

We review the current state of taxonomy of the oribatid mite genus Metabelba Grandjean, 1936 (Damaeidae) and present an amended generic diagnosis. In contrast to Subías (2004) we consider Allobelba Kunst, 1961 and Neobelba BulanovaZachvatkina, 1967 as separate genera, not subgenera of Metabelba. We consider the subgenus Metabelba (Parametabel- ba) Mihelčič, 1964, to be a nomen nudum and propose a new subgenus—Metabelba (Pateribelba) n. subg., with type species Metabelba (Pateribelba) sphagni Strenzke, 1950—to replace it. Pateribelba n. subg. includes species of Metabelba without the propodolateral apophysis. Together with the type species, the following named species (new combinations) belong to this subgenus: Metabelba (Pateribelba) italica (Sellnick, 1931); M. (P.) romandiolae (Sellnick, 1943); M. (P.) platynotus Grandjean, 1954; M. (P.) ericius Kunst, 1957; M. (P.) rhodopeia Kunst, 1961; M. (P.) filippovi Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.) flagelliseta Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.) monilipeda Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.) pseudoitalica Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.) paraitalica Kulijev, 1967, M. (P.) glabriseta Mahunka, 1982 and M. (P.) machadoi Pérez-Iñigo, 1986. A new species Metabelba (Pateribelba) denscanis n. sp. is described and illustrated; it is characterized mainly by the presence of a notogastral cornicle in the adult. It was found in Central Bohemia (Czech Republic), Upper Silesia (Poland) and South Tyrol (Italy). Metabelba romandiolae and M. sphagni are redescribed and illustrated. Metabelba gladiator Mihelčič, 1963 is considered to be junior synonym of M. romandiolae. Metabelba lanceolata van der Hammen, 1952 is considered to be a junior synonym of M. sphagni. We also provide a ten-tative diagnostic key of the known species of Metabelba (Pateribelba) n. subg., based on detailed study of available species and a review of literature data.