S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 54. (Budapest, 1993)

FOLIA ENTOMOLOGICA HUNGARICA ROVARTANI KÖZLEMÉNYEK LIV 1993 p. 75-83 Hungaromotrichus baloghi gen. et sp. n. (Acari: Oribatida), and some suggestions to the faunagenesis of the Carpathian Basin* By S. Mahunka (Received January 15, 1993) Hungaromotrichus baloghi gen. et sp. n. (Acari: Oribatida), and some suggestions to the faunagenesis of the Carpathian Basin. - Description of Hungaromotrichus baloghi gen. el sp. n. with zoogeographical notes regarding the northward spread of Mediterranean elements. Introduction The fauna analysis and the available lists of the local, soil-inhabiting Oribatida known from the Carpathian Basin quite clearly suggest that the fauna genesis of this region cannot be explained without a thorough knowledge of Transylvania. It was striking to learn that unusually large number of Mediterranean, Ponto- and Atlanto-Mediterranean species even endemisms had been recovered from localities starting in the Banat region from Mehadia proceeding northward across Bade Herculeane (Herkulesfürdo), Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár), the Transylvanian Basin, the Bihar Mts. (in other words, west to the curve of the Carpathians) right up north to the margin of the Nyírség (Bátorliget). Peculiarly enough the nearest relatives of these species are found far down south. Consequently, it appears logical to suppose (see later) that these species spread from the south toward north. In examining distributional and area-geographical questions in connection with other insect groups (Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera) it became evident that full answers may only be given if we study regions outside of the Carpathian Basin. What is more, the examination of the northward spread of the Mediterranean elements may present useful information regarding connections with the entire Palaeartic and the Ethiopian region. For this particular reason with the financial support of the National Scientific Research Fund (OTKA 3165 and 3179) we started researches in Transylvania, the Carpathians, Moldavia and Bulgaria. With this in mind several soil samples have already been taken in various points of the above geographical regions. The elaboration of the samples is continuous. The final results will be published eventually in a summarizing work. Nevertheless, in the course of the elaboration when striking findings come forward short communications will be published. The hereunder described new genus and species appears to be an important link both taxonomically and zoogeographically concerning the whole of Oribatidology. * This study was sponsored by the National Scientific Research Fund (OTKA 3165 and 3179).