Taxonomy of European Damaeidae IX. Contribution to the revision of the genus Belba von Heyden, 1826 (Acari, Oribatida)

Abstract

Genus Belba von Heyden, 1826 sensu lato is revisited on the basis of its suspected polyphyly. New, narrowed and monophyletic definition of Belba is given and Piribelba gen. nov., Eubelba gen. nov. and Arboribelba gen. nov. are proposed as new genera within this group, for well defined groupings of species with shared apomorphies. Additional information on recently defined genus Tokukobelba Lamos, 2016 is provided. Most of known species of Belba sensu lato are attributed to the new genera, few remaining species are not sufficiently known to be undoubtely combined with proposed genera. Differential characters of all genera within the group including the newly proposed genera is given in the form of detailed determination key. Species Belba patelloides (Michael, 1890) is redecribed on the basis of topotypical material. On the basis of types and additional topotypical material, Belba bartosi Winkler, 1955 is redescribed and confirmed as separate taxon; previous synonymy of bartosi and patelloides is rejected. Additional information on B. corynopus (Hermann, 1804), type species of the genus, is given and other species belonging to newly defined genus Belba are discussed. Determination key for all species of Belba is provided. Individuals of Tokukobelba compta (Kulczynski, 1902) from different parts of Europe were compared with topotypical specimens from Tatra Mountains, and additional information about species morphology and its variability is provided. Proposed synonymy of T. compta and Tokukobelba verrucosa (Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1962) is analysed and discussed.