Oribatid mites of the genera Basilobelba and Heterobelba (Acari: Oribatida: Ameroidea) from Bale Mountains National Park (Ethiopia)

Abstract

We describe Basilobelba gigantea sp. n. and redescribe Heterobelba spumosa, collected in soil of Bale Mountains National Park (African region, Ethiopia). Basilobelba gigantea sp. n. is most similar in morphology prodorsal and epimeral setae, number of notogaster setae, morphology of arched scalp-attachment structures, weakly neotrichy on ventral plate to the Ghanaian species Basilobelba africana, but differs from it by body size, length of interlamellar setae and number of neotrichous setae on the ventral plate. For the first time the data about morphology of gnathosoma, legs, and length of body setae are given for\n Heterobelba spumosa.