S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 51. (Budapest, 1990)

II. THE MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES AND THEIR TAXONOMIC AND SYSTEMATIC SIGNIFICANCE The morphology of the group is well explored in the two comprehensive monographs and in the weorks of Grandjean (1933, 1967), consequently, I do not wish to go into repetitions. However, I must discuss those characteristics which 1/ from evolutionary point of view are aither plesiomorph and apomorph features, 2/ in the systematics of closely related supermaily enjoyed great significance but hteir true value hereunder is proved to be less, or at least not demonstrable, 3/ the authors did not discuss in detail, or have different values

. a = length of aspis, b = height of aspis, c = width of aspis, d = length of notogaster, e = height of notogaster, f = width of notogaster Apparently it cannot characterise any supraspecific taxa. It is highly variable, the cuticle may be smooth, often punctate, finely striate or coarsely foveolate, rarely showing a polygonate sculpture, or a coarse structure even within one family. The cuticle is sometimes covered by cerotegument waxy layer (mostly consisting of small) granules, imitating the sculpture of the cuticle

. As£is£_ The varieties of shape are more limited than in the related Phthiracaroidea superfamily, but the features, which are present in both superfamilies, have greater significance here than in the other superfamily. Surface with a median crista (or sometimes paired cristae) rarely developed. Lateral carina (or carinae) on both sides often, lateral rim, around the lateral margin or its shorter pair mostly observable. In its inner surface an unpaired posterior median apodeme (median rib) and a paired laterof

entrai apodeme (central rib, manubrium) observable, the lack of the previous one and the length and the development of the latter well characterise the supraspecific taxa. Four (exceptionally five) pairs of prodorsal setae present, their positions are very important feature in keys

. The following types of varieties are well distinguishable : - Rostral setae: 1. In normal position, when arising near the rostrum, far anteriorly before the lamellar ones (e.g. Rhysotritia ), 2. They arise medially, more or less between the lamellar setae, far from the rostrum (e.g. Pocsia) . 1 Figs 1-2. The main measurements of Ptyctima mites.