Ontogenetic instars of Basilobelba werneri Mahunka, 1982 (Acari, Oribatida, Basilobelbidae)

Abstract

Basilobelba werneri (Oribatida, Basilobelbidae) was collected from an alpine cloud forest in Guatemala. This is the first representative of the family Basilobelbidae in the Guatemalan fauna. A supplementary description of adult B. werneri is presented along with summarized diagnostic morphological traits. The juvenile instars of B. werneri are described for the first time. The larva is characterized by the presence of 11 pairs of gastronotic setae, of which c1 (short), da and dm (medium-sized) slightly thickened, barbed, la, lm, lp, h1, and h2 long, thick, narrowed distally, heavily barbed, and c2, c3 and h3 short, setiform, roughened. The proto-, deuto- and tritonymph are characterized by the presence of 12 pairs of short, setiform gastronotic setae.