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

The systematics of the family Euphthiracaridae was studied by Märkel (1964), Mahunka (1990) and recently by Niedbala (1998). Niedbala and myself judge the value of the characteristics in the suprageneric hierarchy differently. For example, Niedbala ranked Pocsia Mahunka, 1983 only as a subgenus, in spite of the presence of the anogenital cleft, furthermore, there are important features and differences in distribution which exclude the relationship with Euphthiracarus. I hold the view that all supraspecific taxa are the concoction of the humand mind only and should merely serve to show the relative distance of relationships, consequently, from practical points of view, I do not think right to synonymize taxa without strong conviction. And the species should rather be grouped into clearly demarcated units. In our, rather inadequately known animal group, the Oribatida, we are far from being able to create a system on phylogenetical bases, or unaminously evaluate the precise hierarchy of morphological features. Thus, anyone well acquainted with the type species of e. g. the genus Euphthiracarus without applying modern methods might think justified to separate the mentioned species from the one just described. 1 (10 2 (3 3 (2 4 (5 5 (4 6 (7 7 (6 8 (9 9 (8 10 (1 11 (12 12 (11 13 (14 14 (13 Key to the taxa of the family Euphthiracaroidae Anogenital suture with two interlocking triangles. Anogenital cleft present. Rostral setae arising posteriorly, between the lamellar ones Pocsia Mahunka, 1989 Anogenital cleft absent. Rostral setae arising anteriorly in normal position. Bothridial squama situated above the bothridium Sumatrotritia Mahunka, 1989 Bothridial squama situated below the bothridium. One pair of prodorsal cristae present. Heterotrichy among the genital setae Niedbalaia gen. n. No prodorsal crista present. All genital setae simple. Setae a, long and strong, erect Euphthiracarus (Euphthiracarus) Ewing, 1917 Setae a short and simple Euphthiracarus (Brasilotritia) Markel, 1964 Anogenital suture with one interlocking triangle. Trochanters III and IV with one setae each Microtritia Märkel, 1964 Trochanters III and IV with two seta each. Genu IV without seta Bukitritia Mahunka, 1990 Genu IV with at least one seta Rhysotritia Märkel et Meyer, 1959 Etymology — I dedicate the new genus to prof. Dr. W. Niedbala (Poland), who is the best specialist of ptychoid oribatids. Niedbalaia incredibilis sp. n. (Figs 12-17) Description — Measurements: Length of aspis: 280 urn, length of notogaster: 529 urn, height of notogaster: 367 urn. Aspis: Outline of the aspis nearly straight basally, rostral part sharply curving below and this part narrowed in lateral view (Fig. 14). Two very strong and high cristae present