S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 58. (Budapest, 1997)

ROVARTANI KÖZLEMÉNYEK LVIII 1997 pp. 19-24 Two new Notophthiracarus species from Papua New Guinea (Acari: Oribatida) J. Balogh and S. Mahunka Two new Notophthiracarus species from Papua New Guinea (Acari: Oribatida) - Two new Notophthiracarus species are described from the highest (alpine) region of Mt. Wilhelm (New Guinea). On several occasions the senior author collected soil samples in different parts of Papua New Guinea. These materials yielded the description of numerous new species (e.g., Balogh 1970). Among the samples those few coming from the height of 3600-4270 m, in the alpine zone of the Mt. Wilhelm massif are of paramount significance. In this region mostly endemic plant species, like Coprosoma divergens, the bushes of Styphelia suaveolens and the fern Papuapteris papuana prevail, in the detritus of which, among the tussocks and in the moss highly diversified, mostly endemic mite species find shelter. The most interesting species beyond doubt is Pseudantarcticola tropica Balogh, 1970 whose closest relative, at the generic level, is Antarcticola Wallwork, 1967 comprising three species from the Antarctic and South Georgia. Crytobothria papuana Balogh, 1970 is the second representative of the genus, the type species of which lives on the Macquarie Island. Even the sparse data attracts our attention to the fact that the zoogeographical significance of Mt. Wilhelm is extraordinary. Of course, this area needs further profound studies including the description of so far undescribed species. Presently the authors propose to discuss two ptychoid species, one of which is subdominant in the sample. Both species belong to the genus of Notophthiracarus Ramsay, 1966 (sensu Niedbala 1992, 1994) and they are new to the science and their description following below. Notophthiracarus alpinus sp. n. Measurements. Length of aspis: 319^144 urn, length of notogaster: 556-834 pm; height of notogaster: 362-459 pm. Aspis: Surface ornamented by weak foveolae laterally and some short and weak ribs basally. Anterobasal surface smooth. Median crista absent, its dorsal outline straight in lateral view (Fig. 3). Lateral carina also absent, lateral rim not reaching to the apex. Sinus line long, conspicuously developed, strong at its basal part. Rostral setae hardly thickened and curved, interlamellar setae robust, long, lamellar and exobothridial setae thin and simple. All these - excepting the interlamellar ones - smooth, latter finely