S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 51. (Budapest, 1990)
In any analysis when based on the principle of cluster analysis and in the construction of cladograms the selected characteristics are of primary importance. The characteristics in the subsequent part is a sequence of importance showing relationships among the characteristics themselves . It is beyond dispute that in the case of Euphthiracaroidea, the most important proofs in the relationships of individual taxa are the development and the changes in the anogenital region . To me the most ancient forms are the highly dismembered types, still displaying the original plates with their respective sutures (Oribotritidae) . To form a sequential line we have the partly or entirely reduced génito-aggenital suture, Indotritia and Austrotritia , respectively, following it the ano-adanal suture disappears resulting in the fusion of the plates to bring about one pair of anogenital plate (Euphthiracaroidea) ; or a single special fused genital plate (Temburongiidae) . In this case we find the penetration of the notogastral shield between the 2nd pair of plates, secondarily dividing the anogenital region. The change taking place in the anogenital cleft is towards reduction, of course, we cannot exclude the possibility that not all transverse genital dividing line must be of this origin( Pocsia) . In the anogenital region there may be coupling apparatuses (internal transversal apodeme, interlocking triangle) which axially may join the plates. The internal transversal apodeme is present in the yet partly divided anogenital region, while the interlocking triangle is found in the type where the plates fused into one pair of anogenital plates. These, however ,.cannot be derived from each other . Changes in the chaetotaxy of the anogenital region also indicate evolutionary trends. I consider the large number of setae arranged paraxially to be plesiomorphic in nature, while the smaller number of setae indicates an apomorphic character, and the reduction in number more or less follows the degree of fusion of the plates. A more significant change is the shifts of setae from the paraxial line, then their conglomeration into groups Synichotritia and finally the arrangement of setae in an almost clear transversal position (Sabahtritia , Temburongia) . I could not trace any sign of an evolutionary series in the number and position (presence-absence) of the anal and adanal setae characterizing supraspecific taxa. Since their number highly varies in most of the well known genera . The two major regions (aspis and notogaster) of the body differ in value when considering characteristics, since the aspis carries a higher number of important features than the notogaster. The position of the bothridial squama, the presence or absence of the posterior median apodeme and again the position of the prodorsal setae are expecially interesting on the aspis. However, these features are not in correlation with the others, in other words, their plesiomorphic-apomorphic nature is clearly debatable. An evolutionary trend is clearly recognizable in the position of the prodorsal setae, as referred to above. We should consider the original condition the setal pairs in paraxial, medial position, at the same distance one behind the other. The position of the setae has several variations. In case of the rostral setae, there is a trend of removal from the rostrum, consequently, the rostral setae may appear behind the line of lamellar setae. The lamellar setae tend to move away from the median line, while the interlamellar setae also move away but somewhat anteriorly. The presence of the medial crista, or several parallel cristae together with the lateral cariae appears to be plesiomorphic character, their reduction is easily traceable. The nunlber (14-15) of setae on the notogaster and the changes in the number (3-5) of the lyrifissures are again debatable with regards to evolutionary trends. In the development of sinus terminális and fissure terminális in connection with the caudal plicature plates, the fissure terminális seems to be apomorphic, however, there is some problem in connection with this, since both types appear within two genera* Mesotritia , Microtritia . In these genera all the other features indicate a close relationship among the species, consequently, to further divide them would be inappropriate. I consider it highly* inappropriate and it must be avoided that even in admittedly artificial systems the very same feature is used in a superfamily just'as well as in a family, subfamily or a genus to separate the taxa or to characterize one (Balogh and Balogh, 1984: Oribatuloidea ).
