n Taksonomiese ondersoek van die Bdellidae

Abstract

An alpha taxonomic (or microtaxonomic) study of the Bdellinae (Bdellidae: Prostigmata) in Southern Africa was undertaken. It is the first study of this scope being done on Bdellidae in Southern Africa. All diagnostic characteristics of existing subfamilies and genera were investigated by electronmicroscopy. The results of the SEM-studies were used to confirm and define existing characteristics. Keys for distinguishing the subfamilies and genera, Edel/a-species and Hexabdella-species are given. Although not from Southern Africa, a new subfamily, Polytrichinae, with Polytrichus yemenensis as the type genus and species is described and figured. While investigating the monogeneric Bdellinae, a new genus, Hexabdella, with five new species was erected. The newly described and figured species are; Hexabdella singula, H. denheyeri, H. maraugia, H. miranda and H. unusoculata. Seven new species were described and figured for the genus Bdella Latreille, 1795. These are; Bdella usitata, B. malawiensis, B. nylsvleyensis, B. boskopensis, B. consobrinae, B. memorialis and B. carolae. A redescription of B. neograndjeani Meyer & Ryke, 1959, is given.