S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 60. (Budapest, 1999)

FOLIA ENTOMOLOGICA HUNGARICA ROVARTANI KÖZLEMÉNYEK LX 1999 pp. 5-12 The species of the Granuloppiidae Balogh, 1983 (Acari: Oribatei) J. Balogh and P. Balogh The species of the Granuloppiidae Balogh, 1983 (Acari: Oribatei) — A survey and indentification key for the species of the family Granuloppiidae Balogh, 1983. With 31 figures. INTRODUCTION In their comprehensive work Subias and P. Balogh, (1989) wrote: Some oribatidologists believe that the generic conception of the superfamily Oppioidea is rather restricted. While elaborating a more extensive taxonomic work the present authors reviewed the validity of the generic and suprageneric groups. They endeavoured to characterize both the genera and the hierarchic groups of suprageneric taxa on correlative characteristics rather than on a single feature. Their research revealed that such groups objectively exist. Further analysis is needed whether these groups should be considered taxonomic categories requiring nomenclature. The Oppioidea comprises three subgroups possessing 6 genital setae, their adanal setae originate far removed laterally, apodemata IV disappearing or absent: Sternoppia may easily be separated from Granuloppia by the two overlapping plates, while the group of Teratoppia from Granuloppia by the ventral processes on tibiae I and II. Into these groups 18 extra-holarctic species may well be ranged. According to our present knowledge the three Bornemiszaella species live only in Costa Rica, the species of Hammerella in Malaysia and in Amazonia, two Varioppia species are found in the Neotropics, seven Granuloppia species in the Ethiopian region, 2 Tectoppia species again in the Ethiopian region, while 2 Senectoppia species are the inhabitants of the Oriental region. In other words, the great majority of the species inhabit tropical rainforests.