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In tropical forest ecosystems leaf litter from a large variety of species enters the decomposer system, however, the impact of leaf litter diversity on the abundance and activity of soil organisms during decomposition is little known. We investigated the effect of leaf litter diversity and identity on microbial functions and the abundance of microarthropods in Ecuadorian tropical montane rainforests. We used litterbags filled with leaves of six native tree species (Cecropia andina, Dictyocaryum lamarckianum, Myrcia pubescens, Cavendishia zamorensis, Graffenrieda emarginata, and Clusia spp.) and incubated monocultures and all possible two‐ and four‐species combinations in the field for 6 and 12 months. Mass loss, microbial biomass, basal respiration, metabolic quotient, and the slope of microbial growth after glucose addition, as well as the abundance of microarthropods (Acari and Collembola), were measured at both sampling dates. Leaf litter diversity significantly increased mass loss after 6 months of exposure, but reduced microbial biomass after 12 months of exposure. Leaf litter species identity significantly changed both microbial activity and microarthropod abundance with species of high quality (low C‐to‐N ratio), such as C. andina, improving resource quality as indicated by lower metabolic quotient and higher abundance of microarthropods. Nonetheless, species of low quality, such as Clusia spp., also increased the abundance of Oribatida suggesting that leaf litter chemical composition alone is insufficient to explain variation in the abundances of soil microarthropods. Overall, the results provide evidence that decomposition and microbial biomass in litter respond to leaf litter diversity as well as litter identity (chemical and physical characteristics), while microarthropods respond only to litter identity but not litter diversity., Leaf litter identity functions as a major driver of the abundance and activity of soil organisms in tropical montane rainforests.

We investigated how altitude affects the decomposition of leaf and root litter in the Andean tropical montane rainforest of southern Ecuador, that is, through changes in the litter quality between altitudes or other site‐specific differences in microenvironmental conditions. Leaf litter from three abundant tree species and roots of different diameter from sites at 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 m were placed in litterbags and incubated for 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. Environmental conditions at the three altitudes and the sampling time were the main factors driving litter decomposition, while origin, and therefore quality of the litter, was of minor importance. At 2,000 and 3,000 m decomposition of litter declined for 12 months reaching a limit value of ~50% of initial and not decomposing further for about 24 months. After 36 months, decomposition commenced at low rates resulting in an average of 37.9% and 44.4% of initial remaining after 48 months. In contrast, at 1,000 m decomposition continued for 48 months until only 10.9% of the initial litter mass remained. Changes in decomposition rates were paralleled by changes in microorganisms with microbial biomass decreasing after 24 months at 2,000 and 3,000 m, while varying little at 1,000 m. The results show that, irrespective of litter origin (1,000, 2,000, 3,000 m) and type (leaves, roots), unfavorable microenvironmental conditions at high altitudes inhibit decomposition processes resulting in the sequestration of carbon in thick organic layers.

Neoctenogalumna subgen. nov. Type species: Ctenogalumna moresonensis Engelbrecht, 1972 Diagnosis. Notogastral setae represented by alveoli (N. (N.) moresonensis possibly has setae p see Figs 4, 5 in Engelbrecht (1972 b)); leg tarsi with three claws; posterior porose area present.

Sternoppia paramirabilis sp. nov. (Figs 21 ���32) Diagnosis. Body size 365���415 �� 215���249. Rostrum rounded. Interlamellar setae straight and longer than sensilli. Sensilli with weakly swollen head, having two or three long ramifying branches on dorsal side and one short simple cilium on ventral side; head and stalk with small barbs. Ten pairs of short notogastral setae present. Setae c longer than other notogastral setae. Setae la inserted anterior to lm. Epimere I smooth or striate. Description. Measurements. Body length 415 (holotype), 365���415 (mean 377; seven paratypes); body width 249 (holotype), 215���249 (mean 224; seven paratypes). Integument (Figs 21 ���23). Body color yellow-brownish. Surface of prodorsum, notogaster and anogenital region micropunctate (visible under high magnification, �� 1000). Epimere I smooth (rarely striate), epimere III+IV with weakly developed polygonal ornamentation. Prodorsum (Figs 21, 23���27). Rostrum rounded. Costulae well developed, parallel, widely placed from each other. Rostral (41���49), lamellar (53���61), interlamellar (98���106) and exobothridial (41���49) setae setiform, with short cilia. Interlamellar setae straight and longer than sensilli (86���98). Sensilli with weakly swollen head, having two to three long ramifying branches on dorsal side and one short simple cilium on ventral side. Head and stalk with small barbs. Notogaster (Figs 21, 23, 29, 30). Ten pairs of notogastral setae short (lm clearly not reaching insertion of lp), setiform, smooth. Setae c (41���49) located anteriorly to lyrifissures ia and longer than other setae (28���32). Setae la inserted anterior to lm. Lyrifissures ia, im, ip, ih and ips distinct, thin, located typically for genus. Opisthonotal gland openings located posterior to lyrifissure im. Gnathosoma. Subcapitulum longer than wide (82���86 �� 53���57). Subcapitular setae setiform; h (24���28) and m (16���20) with short cilia, a shorter (12), smooth. Two pairs of adoral setae present, short (4), thin, smooth. Palps (61) with setation 0���2 ��� 1���3 ��� 9 (+��). Setae of femora with long cilia, setae of genua and tibia weakly barbed, setae of tarsi smooth. Solenidion long, thickened, blunt-ended, pressed to the palptarsus surface. Chelicerae (82) with two setiform, barbed setae; cha (24) longer than chb (16). Small thorn located posteriorly to cha. Tr��g��rdh���s organ distinct. Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions (Fig. 22). Epimeral setae 3 a thickened, heavily ciliate; other setae setiform, with long or short cilia. Lengths of setae: 1 a, 2 a, 3 a, 3 b and 4 b 24���36; 1 c 73���82; other 49���57. Pedotecta I convex. Discidia triangular, blunt-ended. Anogenital region (Figs 22, 31, 32). Six pairs of genital (g 1 ��� g 4, 24���36; g 5, g 6, 20���24), one pair of aggenital (49��� 57), two pairs of anal (20���24) and three pairs of adanal (32���36) setiform, ciliate. Lyrifissures iad located in paraanal position. FIGURES 23���32. Sternoppia paramirabilis sp. nov., adult: 23 ���prodorsum, lateral view (gnathosoma, epimeral setae and legs not shown); 24 ���rostral seta; 25 ���lamellar seta; 26 ���interlamellar seta; 27 ���sensillus; 28 ���exobothridial seta; 29 ���notogastral seta c; 30 ���notogastral seta p 1; 31 ���genital plate, left; 32 ���anal plate, left. Scale bars (23) 100 ��m, (24���30) 10 ��m, (31, 32) 20 ��m. Legs. Similar with Sternoppia paraincisa sp. nov. Homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Type deposition. Holotype: female (ZISP). Paratypes: five males (SZMN), one male and one female (PC). Etymology. The prefix para is Latin meaning ���near��� and refers to the similarity between the new species and the species Sternoppia mirabilis Balogh & Mahunka, 1968. Remarks. Sternoppia paramirabilis sp. nov. is very similar to Sternoppia mirabilis Balogh & Mahunka, 1968 from Argentina, in having the combination of characters as follows: location of notogastral setae la and lm, lengths and number of notogastral setae, weakly dilated sensillar head, morphology of ventral plate. The former, however differs clearly from the latter by larger body size (365���415 �� 215���249 versus 273���322 �� 161���180 in S. mirabilis), presence of two or three sensillar branches (versus six or seven branches in S. mirabilis), and long (longer than sensilli) interlamellar setae (versus shorter in S. mirabilis)., Published as part of Ermilov, Sergey G., Sandmann, Dorothee, Marian, Franca & Maraun, Mark, 2013, Three new species of the genus Sternoppia (Acari: Oribatida: Sternoppiidae) from Ecuador, pp. 565-576 in Zootaxa 3641 (5) on pages 569-572, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3641.5.5, http://zenodo.org/record/222685

Neoctenogalumna (Paractenogalumna) longiciliata sp. nov. (Fig. 1 A���D) Diagnosis. Body size 290���298 �� 166. Rostral setae of medium size, setiform, slightly barbed; lamellar and interlamellar setae short; sensilli with dilated, ciliate head. Four pairs of oval and rounded porose areas present. Notogastral and ventral setae short. Median pore present. Postanal porose area absent. Description. Measurements. Body length: 298 (holotype), 290 (paratype); notogaster width: 166 (holotype), 166 (paratype). Integument. Body color brown. Body surface smooth. Prodorsum. Rostrum rounded. Rostral setae (ro) of medium size (18���22), setiform, slightly barbed. Lamellar (le, 8���10) and interlamellar (in, 4) setae short, thin, smooth. Sensilli (ss, 36���41) with elongate, unilaterally dilated head, pointed distally, with long cilia. Exobothridial setae absent. Porose areas Ad present, oval. Notogaster. Anterior notogastral margin developed. Dorsophragmata (D) small. Ten pairs of short (8���10), thin, smooth notogastral setae. Four pairs of porose areas present (Aa oval, 10���12 �� 8; A 1 rounded, 8���10, A 2 and A 3 oval, 8���10 �� 6���8). Setae la inserted latero-posteriorly to Aa. Lyrifissures im located between Aa and A 1. Opisthonotal gland openings (gla) located laterally to A 1. Median pore (mp) represented by one large alveolus, located little posterior to the virtual line connecting porose areas A 1. Gnathosoma. Morphology of subcapitulum, palps and chelicerae typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions. Four pairs of epimeral setae visible ventrally; 1 a, 2 a, 3 b and 4 a short (4), thin, smooth. Discidia (dis) triangular, circumpedal carinae (cp) distinct. Anogenital region. Six pairs of genital (except g 1 ��� g 2, 6), one pair of aggenital, two pairs of anal (an 1, an 2) and three pairs of adanal setae (ad 1 ��� ad 3) similar in length, short (4), thin, smooth. Anterior part of genital plates with two setae. Adanal setae ad 3 inserted laterally to lyrifissures iad, removed from the anal plates. Postanal porose area absent. Legs. Leg tarsi with one smooth claw. Morphology of leg segments, setae and solenidia typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Material examined. Holotype (male) and paratype (female): Ec- 2 (01.09.2008). Type deposition. The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; paratype is deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia. Etymology. The specific name longiciliata refers to the long sensillar cilia. Remarks. Additional distinctive characters of the new species with the other species of the genus Neoctenogalumna can be found in the identification key below. Roman letters refer to normal setae (e to famulus), Greek letters to solenidia. Single prime (') marks setae on anterior and double prime (") setae on posterior side of the given leg segment. Parentheses refer to a pair of setae., Published as part of Ermilov, Sergey G., Star��, Josef, Sandmann, Dorothee, Marian, Franca & Maraun, Mark, 2013, New taxa and new records of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Ecuador, pp. 259-270 in Zootaxa 3700 (2) on pages 261-263, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3700.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/220120

Neoctenogalumna gen. nov. Type species: Ctenogalumna moresonensis Engelbrecht, 1972 Diagnosis. Body elongate elliptic, pear-shaped; lamellar and sublamellar lines absent; shape of sensilli diverse (clavate, setiform, fusiform); anterior notogastral margin straight; 10 pairs of notogastral setae represented by alveoli or present; notogaster with four pairs of porose areas, Aa represented by one pair; median pore present; adanal lyrifissures located near to anal aperture; posterior porose area present or absent; leg tarsi with one or three claws. Etymology. The prefix neo is Greek meaning “new” and refers to the genus Ctenogalumna Balogh, 1960. Comparison. Neoctenogalumna sp. nov. is very similar in body shape and form of anterior notogastral margin to Leptogalumna Balogh, 1960 (see Balogh, 1960 b), but it differs from the letter by the absence of sublamellar lines on lateral side of prodorsum (versus present in Leptogalumna) this character is very important for the systematics of genera within the family Galumnidae. Remarks. Ctenogalumna is a genus that was proposed by Balogh (1960 a) with Ctenogalumna madagascarensis Balogh, 1960 as type species, indicating absence of the lines L and S as the main characters of the genus. However, Mahunka (1996) specified that the type species has been incorrectly described (sublamellar lines present versus absent in Balogh’s description) and should be placed in the genus Allogalumna. Hence, the genus Ctenogalumna was recognized as a junior synonym of Allogalumna (Mahunka 1996). However, Engelbrecht (1972 b) and Starý (2005) have described new species of Ctenogalumna, which morphologically correspond to the initial generic diagnosis (Balogh 1960 a) of Ctenogalumna (absence of the lines L and S), although species described by them have differences in body form and shape of anterior notogastral margin. Thus, we propose a new name and new type species for this genus Neoctenogalumna gen. nov. with Ctenogalumna moresonensis Engelbrecht, 1972 as new type species.

Sternoppia fissurata sp. nov. (Figs 33–45) Diagnosis. Body size 209–237 × 114–127. Rostrum rounded, with two small lateral tubercles. Sensilli with weakly swollen head, having seven to eight long ramifying branches on dorsal side and one short simple cilium on ventral side. Nine pairs (setae p 3 and their alveoli absent) of short notogastral setae present, similar in length. Setae la and lm inserted on transversal level. Ventral plate anteriorly with large tectum, which covers the one third of posterior part of a subcapitulum. Epimere I striate. Lyrifissures iad located in inverse apoanal position. Description. Measurements. Body length 229 (holotype), 209–237 (mean 225; four paratypes); body width 123 (holotype), 114–127 (mean 120; four paratypes). Integument (Figs 33–35). Body color yellow-brownish. Surface of prodorsum, notogaster and anogenital region micropunctate (visible under high magnification, × 1000). Epimere I striate, epimere III+IV with weakly developed polygonal ornamentation. Prodorsum (Figs 33, 35, 37–42). Rostrum rounded, with two small lateral tubercles. Costulae well developed, parallel, widely spaces. A transverse pigmented line is located between interlamellar setae. Rostral, interlamellar and exobothridial setae similar in length (20–24), setiform, with short cilia; lamellar setae little longer (24–28). Sensilli with weakly developed head, having seven to eight long ramifying branches on dorsal side and one short simple cilium on ventral side. Notogaster (Figs 33, 35, 36, 43). Nine pairs (setae p 3 and their alveoli absent) of notogastral setae short (lm clearly not reaching insertion of lp), similar in length (14–16), setiform, smooth. Setae c located anteriorly to lyrifissures ia. Setae la and lm inserted on one transversal level. Lyrifissures ia, im, ip, ih and ips distinct, thin, located typically for genus. Opisthonotal gland openings located posteriorly to lyrifissures im. Gnathosoma. Subcapitulum longer than wide (53–61 × 32–36). Subcapitular setae setiform; h (16–20) and m (12–14) with short cilia, a shorter (8–10), smooth. Two pairs of adoral setae present, short (2), thin, smooth. Palps (41) with setation 0–2 – 1–3 – 9 (+ω). Setae of femora with long cilia, setae of genua and tibia weakly barbed, setae of tarsi smooth. Solenidion long, thickened, blunt-ended, pressed to the palptarsus surface. Chelicerae (61) with two setiform, barbed setae; cha (20) longer than chb (12). Small thorn located posterior to cha. Trägårdh’s organ distinct. Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions (Fig. 34). Ventral plate anteriorly with large tectum, which covers the one third of posterior part of a subcapitulum. Epimeral setae 3 a thickened, heavily ciliate; other setae setiform, with long or short cilia. Lengths of setae: 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 3 a, 3 b and 4 b 20–24; other 32–41. Pedotecta I convex. Discidia triangular, blunt-ended. Anogenital region (Figs 34, 44, 45). Six pairs of genital (g 1, 16; g 2 – g 6, 12), one pair of aggenital (20–24), two pairs of anal (8–12) and three pairs of adanal (16–20) setiform, ciliate. Lyrifissures iad located in inverse apoanal position. Legs. Similar with Sternoppia paraincisa sp. nov. Homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Type deposition. Holotype: male (ZISP). Paratypes: two males (SZMN), one male and one female (PC). Etymology. The specific name “ fissurata ” refers to the adanal lyrifissures, which are located in inverse apoanal position (untypical for the genus). Remarks. Sternoppia fissurata sp. nov. differs clearly from all species of the genus Sternoppia by the number of notogastral setae (nine pairs versus ten pairs), location of lyrifissures iad (inverse apoanal position versus paraanal position), and morphology of anterior part of ventral plate (with large tectum versus with no or narrow tectum). Key to known species of Sternoppia 1. Sensillar branches simple; species with largest size in the genus: 775–850 × 474–550......................................................................................... S. pocsiana Mahunka, 2006 (Distribution: Venezuela) - Sensillar branches ramified; species with smaller size....................................................... 2 2. Lyrifissures iad in inverse apoanal position; nine pairs of notogastral setae present (setae p 3 absent); body size: 209–237 × 114– 127.............................................................. S. fissurata sp. nov. (Distribution: Ecuador) - Lyrifissures iad in paraanal position; ten pairs of notogastral setae present, sometimes setae c represented by alveoli (setae p 3 present)............................................................................................. 3 3. Sensilli with well swollen sensillar head.................................................................. 4 - Sensilli setiform or with scarcely or weakly swollen sensillar head............................................. 6 4. Anterior part of notogaster with longitudinal striae; notogastral setae c present; body size: 252–267 × 139–152....................................................................... S. striata Mahunka, 1983 (Distribution: Guatemala) - Anterior part of notogaster without longitudinal striae; notogastral setae c represented by alveoli...................... 5 5. Five pairs of genital setae present; notogastral setae lm reaching insertion of lp; body size: 534–615 × 252–302........................................................... S. sphaerodendron Balogh & Mahunka, 1979 (Distribution: Cuba) - Six pairs of genital setae present; notogastral setae lm not reaching insertion of lp; body size: 196–208 × 104–111................................................................. S. minor Balogh & Mahunka, 1980 (Distribution: Cuba) 6. Rostrum pointed; notogastral setae la and lm inserted on one transversal level; body size: 426–450 × 245–254....................................................... S. boliviana Balogh & Mahunka, 1969 (see 1969 b) (Distribution: Bolivia) - Rostrum rounded or weakly truncated; notogastral setae la inserted anterior or posterior to lm........................ 7 7. Notogastral setae la inserted anterior to lm................................................................. 8 - Notogastral setae la inserted posterior to lm............................................................... 9 8. Sensilli with six to seven branches; interlamellar setae shorter than sensilli; body size: 273–322 × 161–180................................................................ S. mirabilis Balogh & Mahunka, 1968 (Distribution: Argentina) - Sensilli with two to three branches; interlamellar setae longer than sensilli; body size: 365–415 × 215–249............................................................................. S. paramirabilis sp. nov. (Distribution: Ecuador) 9. Notogastral setae lm and lp extremely long, other setae short................................................. 10 - Notogastral setae almost equal in length.................................................................. 11 10. Notogastral setae c present; epimere I smooth; body size: 347 × 210...................................................................................... S. quadriseta Balogh & Mahunka, 1969 (see 1969 b) (Distribution: Bolivia) - Notogastral setae c represented by alveoli; epimere I reticulate; body size: 267–317 × 165–172................................................................... S. reticulata Balogh & Mahunka, 1969 (see 1969 a) (Distribution: Brazil) 11. Epimere I smooth; sensilli without swollen head; body size: 290 × 120......................................................................................... S. brasiliensis Franklin & Woas, 1992 (Distribution: Brazil, Ecuador) - Epimere I striate; sensilli with weakly swollen head........................................................ 12 12. Notogastral setae c present; lyrifissures ia located antero-medially to setae c … 262–295 × 159–176..................................................................................... S. paraincisa sp. nov. (Distribution: Ecuador) - Notogastral setae c represented by alveoli; lyrifissures ia located posteriorly or postero-laterally to setae c.............. 13 13. Notogastral setae short, similar in length, setae lm clearly not reaching insertion of lp; body size: 331–357 × 193–204............................................................. S. incisa Balogh & Mahunka, 1977 (Distribution: Bolivia) - Notogastral setae longer, setae la, lm and lp clearly longer than others, setae lm reaching insertion of lp; body size: 365–405 × 170–227.................................... S. vicina Balogh & Mahunka, 1980 (Distribution: Neotropical region) Acknowledgements We cordially thank Dr. Ekaterina A. Sidorchuk (Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia) and anonymous reviewers for the valuable comments. Oribatid mites were investigated as part of the Research Unit "Biodiversity and sustainable management of a megadiverse mountain ecosystem in South Ecuador ", subproject "Soil fauna: Diversity and functioning" headed by Mark Maraun and Stefan Scheu; financial support by the German Research Foundation is gratefully acknowledged (RU 816). References Balogh, J. & Balogh, P. (1990) Oribatid mites of the Neotropical region. II. Budapest, Akadémiai. Kiadó press, 333 pp. Balogh, J. & Balogh, P. (1992) The oribatid mites genera of the world. Vol. 1. Budapest, Hungarian National Museum press, 263 pp. Balogh, J. & Mahunka, S. (1968) The scientific results of the Hungarian soil zoological expeditions to South America. 5. Acari: Data to the oribatid fauna of the environment of Córdoba, Argentina. Opuscula Zoologica Budapest, 8 (2), 317–340. Balogh, J. & Mahunka, S. (1969 a) The scientific results of the Hungarian soil zoological expeditions to South America. 10. Acari: Oribatids, collected by the second expedition. I. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 15 (1–2), 1– 21. Balogh, J., Mahunka, S. (1969 b) The zoological results of the Hungarian soil zoological expeditions to South America. 11. Acari: Oribatids from the material of the second expedition II. Opuscula Zoologica Budapest, 9 (1), 31–69. Balogh, J. & Mahunka, S. (1977) New data to the knowledge of the oribatid fauna of Neogaea (Acari). I. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 23 (1–2), 1–28. Balogh, J. & Mahunka, S. (1979) New data to the knowledge of the oribatid fauna of the Neogaea (Acari). IV. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 25 (1–2), 35–60. Balogh, J. Mahunka, S. (1980) New data to the knowledge of the oribatid fauna of the Neogaea (Acari). V. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 26 (1–3), 21–59. Franklin, E. & Woas, S. (1992) Some basic oppiid-like taxa (Acari, Oribatei) from Amazonia. Andrias, 9, 57–74. Mahunka, S. (1983) Neue und interessante Milben aus dem Genfer Museum XLVII. Oribatida Americana 7: Guatemala II. (Acari). Revue suisse de Zoologie, 90 (3), 709–724. Mahunka, S. (2006) Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Venezuela, II. New or rare species from Montane forests. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 52 (3), 271–286. Norton, R.A. & Behan-Pelletier, V.M. (2009) Oribatida. Chapter 15. In: G.W. Krantz & D.E. Walter (eds.). A Manual of Acarology. Texas Tech Univ. Press, Lubbock, 430–564. Subías, L.S. (2004) Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Graellsia, 60 (número extraordinario), 3–305. Subías, L.S. (2012) Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles), 564 pp. Available from: http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf / (accessed April 2012)

Galumna miniporosa sp. nov. (Fig. 3 A���D) Diagnosis. Body size 290���298 �� 207���215. Rostral and lamellar setae short; interlamellar setae minute; sensilli clavate, with unilaterally dilated, ciliate head. Lamellar setae inserted considerably nearer to the interlamellar setae than to rostral setae. Anterior notogastral margin not developed. Four pairs of porose areas rounded or oval; A 2 smallest. Median pore absent. Ventral setae short. Postanal porose area very long, narrow in males. Description. Measurements. Body length: 298 (holotype), 290 (paratype); notogaster width: 207 (holotype), 215 (paratype). Integument. Body color brown. Body surface smooth. Anterio-lateral parts of notogaster with distinct, numerous muscle sigillae. Prodorsum. Rostrum widely rounded. Rostral (12) and lamellar (8) setae thin, smooth. Interlamellar setae minute (2). Lamellar setae inserted considerable nearer to the interlamellar setae, than to rostral setae. Sensilli (49) with unilaterally dilated head; sensillar head rounded distally, with long, strong cilia. Exobothridial setae absent. Lamellar (L) and sublamellar lines distinct, strong, parallel medio-distally, but weakly divergent basally. Porose areas Ad present, oval. Notogaster. Anterior notogastral margin not developed medially. Dorsophragmata long. Notogastral setae represented by 11 pairs of alveoli (a pair of additional setae c x present). Four pairs of porose areas present (Aa oval, 12���16 �� 8���12; A 1 rounded, 6���8; A 2 very small, 4; A 3 rounded, 8, or oval, 8���12 �� 6���8). Alveoli of setae la inserted posteriorly to Aa. Lyrifissures im located between lm and lp. Opisthonotal gland openings located laterally to A 1. Median pore absent. Gnathosoma. Morphology of subcapitulum, palps and chelicerae typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions. Four pairs of epimeral setae visible ventrally; 1 a, 3 b, 4 a and 4 b short (4���6), thin, smooth. Discidia triangular, circumpedal carinae distinct. Anogenital region. Six pairs of genital, one pair of aggenital, two pairs of anal and three pairs of adanal setae similar in length, short (4���6), thin, smooth. Anterior part of genital plates with two setae. Adanal setae ad 3 inserted laterally to lyrifissures iad. Postanal porose area very long, narrow (106 �� 4���8). Legs. Three claws of each leg smooth; lateral claws thinner than median claw. Morphology of leg segments, setae and solenidia typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Material examined. Holotype (male) and paratype (male): Ec- 2 (01.04.2009). Type deposition. The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; paratype is in the personal collection of the first author. is deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia. Etymology. The specific name miniporosa refers to the small porose areas A 2. Remarks. In having the combination of main morphological characters (sensilli with dilated, ciliate head; interlamellar setae represented by alveoli or minute; rostral and lamellar setae short; notogaster with four pairs of rounded or oval porose areas), Galumna miniporosa sp. nov. is similar to G. comparabilis Engelbrecht, 1972 from South Africa (see Engelbrecht 1972 c), G. flabellifera Hammer, 1958 from tropics and subtropics (see Hammer 1958; Aoki 1964, 1965, 1982), G. gl a br a P��rez-����igo & Baggio, 1991 from Brazil (see P��rez-����igo & Baggio 1991), G. minuta (Ewing, 1909) from Central America (see Jacot 1935), G. nuda Engelbrecht, 1972 from South Africa (see Engelbrecht 1972 c), G. parva Woodring, 1965 from U.S.A. (see Woodring 1965), G. perezi P��rez-����igo & Baggio, 1994 from Brazil (see P��rez-����igo & Baggio 1994), however it clearly differs from these species by the absence of anterior margin of notogaster (versus developed in the other species), presence of very long postanal porose area in males (versus oval or absent in the other species) and the position of lamellar setae (inserted nearly the interlamellar setae versus similarly removed from rostral and interlamellar setae)., Published as part of Ermilov, Sergey G., Star��, Josef, Sandmann, Dorothee, Marian, Franca & Maraun, Mark, 2013, New taxa and new records of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Ecuador, pp. 259-270 in Zootaxa 3700 (2) on pages 265-267, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3700.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/220120

Allogalumna ampla sp. nov. (Fig. 2 A���D) Diagnosis. Body size 448���464 �� 332���365. Rostral and lamellar setae short; interlamellar setae minute; sensilli setiform, barbed. Anterior notogastral margin not developed. Four pairs of porose areas rounded; Aa largest, A 2 smallest. Median pore absent in females and males. Ventral setae short. Genital plates with one longitudinal stria. Postanal porose area oval. Description. Measurements. Body length: 464 (holotype), 448, 464 (two paratypes); notogaster width: 348 (holotype), 332, 365 (two paratypes). Integument. Body color brown. Body surface smooth. Genital plates with one long, longitudinal stria. Prodorsum. Rostrum widely rounded. Rostral (20���24) and lamellar (10���12) setae thin, smooth. Interlamellar setae minute (2). Sensilli (123���135) setiform, barbed. Exobothridial setae absent. Sublamellar lines (S) distinct, strong. Porose areas Ad present, oval. Notogaster. Anterior notogastral margin not developed medially. Dorsophragmata of medium size. Notogastral setae represented by 10 pairs of alveoli. Four pairs of porose areas rounded (Aa, 24���32; A 2, 10���12; A 1, A 3, 16���20). Alveoli of setae la inserted posteriorly to Aa. Lyrifissures im located between lm and lp. Opisthonotal gland openings located laterally to A 1. Median pore absent in females and males. Gnathosoma. Morphology of subcapitulum, palps and chelicerae typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions. Four pairs of epimeral setae visible ventrally; 1 a, 3 b, 4 a and 4 b short (4), thin, smooth. Discidia triangular, circumpedal carinae distinct. Anogenital region. Six pairs of genital (g 1 ��� g 2, 8, g 3 ��� g 6, 4), one pair of aggenital (4), two pairs of anal (4) and three pairs of adanal (4) setae thin, smooth. Anterior part of genital plates with two setae. Adanal setae ad 3 inserted laterally to lyrifissures iad. Postanal porose area oval (Ap, 20���24 �� 8���10). Legs. Three claws of each leg smooth; lateral claws thinner than median claw. Morphology of leg segments, setae and solenidia typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Material examined. Holotype (female) and two paratypes (female and male): Ec- 1 (01.04.2009). Type deposition. The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; one paratype is deposited in the collection of the Siberian Zoological Museum, Novosibirsk, Russia; one paratype is deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia. Etymology. The specific name ampla refers to the large porose areas Aa. Remarks. In having the combination of main morphological characters (sensilli setiform; interlamellar setae represented by alveoli or minute; anterior notogastral margin not developed; notogaster with four pairs of rounded porose areas; median pore absent in females and males), Allogalumna ampla sp. nov. is similar to Allogalumna costata Mahunka, 1996 from Madagascar (see Mahunka 1996), however it clearly differs from the latter by the smaller body size (448���464 �� 332���365 versus 542���598 �� 403���445 in A. costata), absence of striae on anal plates (versus present in A. costata), large porose areas Aa, which are considerable larger than A 1 ��� A 3 (versus Aa of medium size, little differs from A 1 ��� A 3 in sizes in A. costata) and the presence of postanal porose area (versus absent in A. costata)., Published as part of Ermilov, Sergey G., Star��, Josef, Sandmann, Dorothee, Marian, Franca & Maraun, Mark, 2013, New taxa and new records of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Ecuador, pp. 259-270 in Zootaxa 3700 (2) on pages 263-265, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3700.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/220120

Pergalumna ornamenta sp. nov. (Fig. 4 A���D) Diagnosis. Body size 282���298 �� 199���215. Rostral setae short; lamellar and interlamellar setae minute; sensilli long, with dilated, distally rounded head. Anterior notogastral margin developed. Centro-anterior part of notogaster with specific ornament. Four pairs of porose areas present, Aa transversely oriented, narrow, A 1 ��� A 3 rounded or oval. Median pore present. Ventral setae short. Postanal porose area absent. Description. Measurements. Body length: 298 (holotype), 282 (paratype); notogaster width: 199 (holotype), 215 (paratype). Integument. Body color brown. Body surface smooth, but centro-anterior part of notogaster with specific ornament (thickened longitudinal line with thin lateral branches; orn). Prodorsum. Rostrum widely rounded. Rostral setae short (6���8), thin. Lamellar and interlamellar setae minute (both 2). Sensilli (65���69) with long stalk and unilaterally dilated head rounded distally, with indistinct barbs. Exobothridial setae absent. Lamellar and sublamellar lines distinct parallel, lamellar lines stronger than sublamellar lines. Porose areas Ad absent. Notogaster. Anterior notogastral margin visible but weakly developed. Dorsophragmata small. Notogastral setae represented by 10 pairs of alveoli. Four pairs of porose areas present (Aa transversely oriented, narrow, 18���20 �� 4; A 1 and A 3 rounded, 6���8; A 2 very small, 4). Alveoli of setae la inserted latero-posteriorly to Aa. Lyrifissures im located anterio-laterally to A 1. Opisthonotal gland openings located laterally to A 1. Median pore represented by one large alveolus, located between A 1. Gnathosoma. Morphology of subcapitulum, palps and chelicerae typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions. Four pairs of epimeral setae visible ventrally; 1 a, 3 b, 4 a and 4 b short (4), thin, smooth. Discidia triangular, circumpedal carinae distinct. Anogenital region. Six pairs of genital (except g 1 ��� g 3, 6), one pair of aggenital, two pairs of anal and three pairs of adanal setae similar in length, short (4), thin, smooth. Anterior part of genital plates with three setae. Adanal setae ad 3 inserted laterally to lyrifissures iad. Postanal porose area absent. Legs. Three claws of each leg smooth; lateral claws thinner than median claw. Morphology of leg segments, setae and solenidia typical for Galumnidae (Engelbrecht 1972 a; Ermilov & Anichkin 2011). Homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Material examined. Holotype (male) and paratype (male): Ec- 2 (01.04.2009). Type deposition. The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; paratype is deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia. Etymology. The specific name ornamenta refers to the specific notogastral ornamentation. Remarks. In having the combination of main morphological characters (sensilli with dilated head; prodorsal setae represented by alveoli or short; anterior notogastral margin developed; notogaster with four pairs of porose areas, Aa transversely oriented, elongate), Pergalumna ornamenta sp. nov. is similar to P. silvestris Hammer, 1968 from New Zealand (see Hammer 1968), however it clearly differs from the latter by the presence of notogastral specific ornament (versus absent in P. silvestris), narrow porose areas Aa (versus wide in P. silvestris) and the presence of median pore (versus absent in P. silvestris)., Published as part of Ermilov, Sergey G., Star��, Josef, Sandmann, Dorothee, Marian, Franca & Maraun, Mark, 2013, New taxa and new records of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Ecuador, pp. 259-270 in Zootaxa 3700 (2) on pages 267-268, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3700.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/220120

Ermilov, Sergey G., Starý, Josef, Sandmann, Dorothee, Marian, Franca, Maraun, Mark (2013): New taxa and new records of oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae (Acari: Oribatida) from Ecuador. Zootaxa 3700 (2): 259-270, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3700.2.4