Abstract
We review the current state of taxonomy of the oribatid mite genus Metabelha Grandjean, 1936 (Damaeidae) and present an amended generic diagnosis. In contrast to Subias (2004) we consider Allobelba Kunst, 1961 and Neobelba Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1967 as separate genera, not subgenera of Metabelba. We consider the subgenus Metabelba (Parametabel-ba) Mihelcic, 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 Bulano-va-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.) flagelliseta Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.) monilipeda Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.)pseudoitalica Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965; M. (P.)petraitalica Kulijev, 1967, M. (P.) glabriseta Mahunka, 1982 and M. (P.) machadoi Perez-Inigo, 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 Mihelcic, 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-ative diagnostic key of theknown species of Metabelba (Pateribelba) n. subg., based on detailed study of available species and a review of literature data.
NSTL