S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 51. (Budapest, 1990)
The genital setae (4-11 pairs) - arise either 1 / in paraxial position, composing a longitudinal line on the inner margin of the genital plates (e.g. Euphthiracarus ) , or 2 / at least partly in antiaxial position, composing a rather transversal lines (e.g. Synichotritia , Temburongia ) . Aggenital plates with 1-5 pairs of setae, position of latter vary, sometimes they are in distinguishable from the genital setae . Ano-adanal plates mostly with 6 (3-9) pairs of setae (0-6 pairs of anal and 3-4 pairs of adanal) . The number of setae strongly varies even within one genus (Aoki 1980) , therefore, this features may not be applicable in separating supraspecific taxa. Anal plate also carries one pair of lyrifissures , whose position is highly significant. ÇQathosoma: The taxonomically most important character in this region consisting of cheïicerae and infracapitulum is the palps joined with the infracapitulum. The infracapitulum of these species belongs to the stenarthric type, having 3 pairs of mostly smooth infracapitular (h, m, a) and one pair of supracoxal ( elm) setae. The position of the latter might have taxonomical importance. The lips bear three (exceptionally two) pairs of adorai setae torj-or^ ). Palp_s are 3-5-segmented . Earlier the number of joints was used to separate ,the family, but lately it proved to be variable also within a genus ( Synicho tritia , Mesotritia) . Palpal trochanter and genu always hairless, therefore, the maximum setal formula could be: 0-4-0-3-9+1, so on the palpal tarsus 4 eupathidia and 5 normal setae are sitting beside a solenidium. The minimal number of joints: 1-2-7+1. Chelicerae: Each fixed and movable digit has 4-6 well-observable , normal teeth. Both surfaces bear spicules. Setae cha and chb mostly simple, short and smooth, often slightly thickened. I could not find any supraspecific difference on it . Le.25i The number of claws and the chaetotaxy strongly vary, more strongly than, in the related superfamily, but despite of them, the chaetotaxy in generally is applicable to characterise the supraspecific taxa. The number of claws (1-3) could be different also within one genus (e.g. Rhysotritia) . Leg I always stronger (thicker) than the other, leg IV the smallest of all. The basis formula of the legs: I: 1-4-5+2-5+1-17+3-3 II: 1-4-4+1-5+1-15+2-3 III: 3-2-3+1-3+1-12-3 IV: 3-1-2+1-2-10-3. In this case the following setae arise on tarsus I: (f_t) (tc) (it) (p) (u) (pv) (pa) pi', s, Some of them are reduced, or some accessorial setae could appearT Among the setae some, mostly d or (ft), are partly reduced and as coupled setae adjoin a solenidium. This character is very commonly observable on the genua, often on tibiae III and IV, and rarely on tarsus II or tarsus I. Just this experience (the coupled or normal setae d on tibia IV also in this superfamily) clearly proves that this character is not applicable to distinguish families and subfamilies, like Atropacarinae and Steganacarinae . The solenidia in this superfamily display poor variability. Their number differ only on genu IV (0-1), and only exceptionally out the other joints. But their position , first of all on tarsi I and II is well applicable in some species-groups. Unfortunately, we have only a few reliable published data concerning the heretofore known taxa . III. THE EVOLUTIONARY ANALYSIS 3F SOME MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS In my evaluation of the evolutionary trends I follow that of Niedbala (1986)applied to the superfamily of Phthiracaroidea. I study all the morphological features considered to be important by Niedbala and attempt to use the same method of investigation within the superfamily Euphthiracaroidea when applying the sequence of plesiomorphic-apomorphic nature of the characteristic with the final goal to draw up probable evolutionary series.
