Taxonomy of European Damaeidae X. Description of Coronabelba unicornis n. gen., n. sp. (Acari, Oribatida, Damaeidae) from Abkhazia, with comments on genus Metabelba Grandjean, 1936

Abstract

A new oribatid mite genus, Coronabelba n. gen., with its type species, Coronabelba unicornis n. sp., belonging to the family Damaeidae, is proposed and described from Abkhazia. The new genus differs from the close genus Metabelba Grandjean, 1936 by shape of notogaster, shape of notogastral setae and their insertions on distinct apophyses and leg chaetotaxy (nine setae on femora I-II). The type species differs from the other known representative of the genus, Coronabelba platynotus Grandjean, 1954 n. comb. by the absence of prodorsal tubercles, the presence of distinct prodorsal protuberance and some characters of the ventral side and legs. The systematic placement of the new taxa within related taxons is discussed.