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

FOLIA ENTOMOLOGICA HUNGARICA ROVARTANI KÖZLEMÉNYEK LX 1999 pp. 13-20 The species of the Rhynchoribates Grandjean, 1929 (Acari: Oribatei) J. Balogh and P. Balogh The species of the Rhynchoribates Grandjean, 1929 (Acari: Oribatei)

—A survey and indentification key for the species of the genus Rhynchoribates Grandjean, 1929. With 32 figures. INTRODUCTION The species of Rhynchoribates rostratus was described by Grandjean in 1929 from Venezuela. Both the description and drawings were made in the early stage of Grandean's oribatidological career, nevertheless, they are good enough to well represent the significant features of the genus and the species. The heretofore known data reveal that the genus Rynchoribates does not occur east of Madagascar, excepting Ceylon. It would be important to establish whether the missing of this genus from the Oriental region, the Australian - New Guinea region Oceania is a fact or it is only a matter of insufficient collectings in these regions. It is a highly interesting fact to note that there is a sharp difference in the morphological characteristics of the species deriving from the Paleotropical and Neotropical regions. Since the species in the former species-group possess 6 genital setae, ad

] and ad

2 are in postanal position, both anal setae originate before the half length of anal plate. On the other hand, the species of the Neotropical species-group possess 7 genital setae, setae ad

[ originate far postanally, ad

2 adanally, ad

} preanally, the posterior pair of setae originate at the half length of anal plate. Indentification key for the species Genital plates with 6 pairs of setae (Paleotropical species). Rostrum sharply pointed; lateral denticulation absent. L.: 764 jam. (Fig. 1). Ceylon Rhynchoribates orientális Balogh, 1970 Rostrum rounded or medially incised; lateral denticulation mostly present.