The soil mite family Galumnidae of Iran (Acari: Oribatida)

Although a few species have been recorded in Iran, many species from the family Galumnidae remained undiscovered, and in this work we describe six new species and redescribe one known species from the northern part of the country. They are Acrogalumna lanceolata sp. nov., Allogalumna dentirostrata sp. nov., Galumna granulimorpha sp. nov., Galumna triangulata sp. nov., Galumna iranensis Mahunka et Akrami, 2001, Pergalumna iunctiporosa sp. nov., Pergalumna microtuberculata sp. nov., and the description of each species is accompanied with detailed illustrations. We also present data on habitat and biogeography of Iranian species of Galumnidae, and a key is provided for identification of all recorded species in this country.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D31C04EF-57C0-4D3F-9F06-0389EB618409


Introduction
The family Galumnidae Jacot, 1925 is one of the largest groups of oribatid mites with a worldwide distribution; it comprises 33 genera with about 450 species (Balogh and Balogh 1992;Subías 2004Subías , 2011. Members of this family are abundant in the litter or upper layer of forest soil as well as in pasture soil of open habitats; in particular, they are diverse in the tropical soil, litter and arboreal habitats in rain forests. The adults of Galumnidae (together with those of the related family Galumnellidae Piffl, 1970) are unique among oribatid mites in having a pair of very large auriculate humeral tectum called a pteromorph, which conceals all or part of the retracted legs, the narrow lamellar (line L) and tutorial (line S) ridges, and the subcapitular mentum with complete tectum. The base of a pteromorph is completely or partially desclerotized to form a linear hinge and some of the dorsoventral musculature is modified to pull the resulting movable pteromorph against the body when the mite is disturbed. Ramsay and Wallwork (1972) speculated that larger pteromorphs, such as those in Galumnidae, might also restrict airflow to tracheae and thereby control water loss.
Members of the family Parakalummidae Grandjean, 1936 share the large, movable, auriculate pteromorphs with Galumnidae, and therefore, the former family is often confused with the latter. However, galumnids have a large subcapitular (mental) tectum as adults and large opisthonotal sclerites as immatures (Norton and Behan-Pelletier 2009). Moreover, the members of Parakalummidae clearly differ from those of Galumnidae by the presence of true lamellae (absent in Galumnidae); notogastral seta c 2 arising on notogaster (in Galumnidae seta c 2 inserted on pteromorph), and well-developed custodium (custodium absent in Galumnidae) (Mahunka 1995). Hence, the members of Parakalummidae do not show a close relationship with those of Galumnidae, so they cannot be included within the same superfamily. Subías (2004) encompassed Parakalummidae in the superfamily Galumnoidea Jacot, 1925, which is, however, in our opinion an incorrect attempt.
Some of the galumnid species exhibit sexual dimorphism in the structure of porose areas on notogaster, prodorsal setae, sensilli etc. (e.g. Travé 1955Travé , 1981Grandjean 1964Grandjean , 1966Norton and Alberti 1997;Bayartogtokh and Weigmann 2005). Immatures of Galumnidae are apheredermous, unideficient, with large opisthonotal sclerites, often bearing an octotaxic system of porose areas, with a single circumgenital sclerite, and seta d absent from tibiae and genua when the respective solenidion is present (Norton and Behan-Pelletier 2009). However, the morphology of immature stages is known for only a few species (Travé 1955;Grandjean 1956;Grishina 1982;Bernini 1984), and descriptions of the majority of species have been based on adults.
Some species of galumnid mites play an important role in the life cycle of cestode tapeworms of the family Anoplocephalidae, serving as their intermediate hosts in both natural conditions and experimental infections (Stunkard 1937;Kulijev 1962;Sengbusch 1977;Balakrishnan and Haq 1989;Denegri 1993;Schuster et al. 2000;McAloon 2004;Akrami et al. 2007).
The oribatid mites of the family Galumnidae of Iran are poorly known, although there is a great possibility for many species to occur in this country. In a few publications (Mahunka and Akrami 2001;Akrami 2007;Kheradpir et al. 2007;Lotfollahi and Irani-Nejad 2010;Mortazavi Lahijani Sh et al. 2010;Akrami et al. 2011) four new and six known species belonging to the genera Galumna Heyden, 1826, Pilogalumna Grandjean 1956 andPsammogalumna Balogh, 1943 were reported (see Discussion). In the present work, we describe six new species and redescribe one known species, and present an identification key to all known species of Galumnidae in Iran, with remarks on their geographical distribution and habitat ecology.

Material and methods
All materials used in this study were collected by the second author, and the specimens were mounted in permanent slides, hence some of the specimens were damaged or slightly pressed. Those slides were reopened to view the anterior, lateral and posterior aspects of studied specimens and the contents were then preserved in alcohol. All examined materials and data on their localities are given in the respective "Material examined" sections. Species studied here are represented as adults.
The morphological terminology used below is mostly that developed over many years by Grandjean (1956Grandjean ( , 1957Grandjean ( , 1966, and also that by Norton and Behan-Pelletier (2009). All measurements are given as a range, with the mean in parentheses. Body length was measured in lateral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the ventral plate, to avoid discrepancies caused by different degrees of notogastral distension. Notogastral length was also measured in lateral aspect (when the dorsosejugal groove is discernable), from the anterior to the posterior edge; notogastral width refers to the maximum width in dorsal aspect. Setal formulae of the legs are given as numbers per segment for appendages (from trochanter to tarsus) and as number per podosomal segment (I-IV) for epimeres.
Most species of Galumnidae show the same structure and setation of legs, palps and chelicerae. Therefore, in this work we made detailed description and illustration of legs, chelicera and palp for only one of the studied species, and for other species only supplementary characterizations are given. Short definitions of the genera studied here are given in parentheses, before the diagnosis of the first described species of each genus. Below, the descriptions are given not in alphabetical order of genera or species order, but starting with the species that is described in detail.
A differential interference contrast microscope (Olympus CX 31) was used for investigation in transmitted light. Line drawings were made using a camera lucida attached to the compound microscope. Micrographs were taken using a digital camera (Olympus Altra 20) attached to the microscope with single shot.

Diagnosis
With typical characters of Allogalumna (lamellar line absent; sublamellar line present; notogastral median pore present; notogastral setae minute or represented by their alveoli); rostrum with three distinct teeth; interlamellar seta long, finely barbed; sensillus medium long, with finely barbed, very slightly dilated head; porose area Aa irregular elongate-oval, obliquely oriented, its lateral part conspicuously widened, but medial part narrowed; A 1 round on dorsal view, but oval in lateral view, A 2 oval, A 3 elongate oval; median pore present; genital plate with longitudinal striations; postanal porose area not evident.

Description
Integument. Body colour yellowish-brown. Cuticle of body and legs nearly smooth, with minute granules, gnathosomal and epimeral regions with larger granules; pteromorph with radiated ridges; marginal part of notogaster with transverse ridges; genital plates with longitudinal striations ( Figure 4C and F).

Material examined
Holotype (

Remarks
Allogalumna dentirostrata sp. nov. is easily distinguishable from other known species of the genus by the combination of the following characters, namely: very narrow, slightly dilated sensillus; irregular elongate-oval porose area Aa; ridges on pteromorph and marginal part of notogaster; dentations of rostrum; longitudinal striations on genital plate and long interlamellar seta. The Turkish species, Allogalumna turkeyensis described by Grobler et al. (2004) resembles the new species in slightly dilated sensillus. However, the former species is distinguished from the present new species by the shorter, but thicker interlamellar seta, not reaching the tip of rostrum as opposed to relatively long and thin interlamellar seta in the new species; round shape of porose area Aa rather than irregular elongate-oval porose area in the new species; incomplete dorsosejugal furrow in contrast to well-developed dorsosejugal furrow in the new species; smoothly rounded rostrum as opposed to the rostrum with dentation, and smooth genital plate rather than striated genital plate in the new species.
The European species, Allogalumna alamellae described by Jacot (1935) and redescribed by Pérez-Iñigo (1972) and Weigmann (2006) is different from the new species in the swollen head of the sensillus; incomplete dorsosejugal furrow; round or slightly oval porose area Aa; smooth pteromorph and much smaller body size.

Etymology
The specific epithet "dentirostrata" refers to the rostrum with distinct teeth in the new species.

Ecology
This species is an inhabitant of the lowland pasture soil, and it was found in sheep faeces.

Diagnosis
With typical characters of Acrogalumna (lamellar line absent; sublamellar line present; females without notogastral median pore, males with group of minute median pores); rostrum with pronounced triangular central carina and lateral carina with blunt tip; rostral and lamellar setae thin, smooth; interlamellar seta minute, but clearly visible; sensillus medium long, with finely barbed lanceolate head; all porose areas nearly round, subequal in size; median pore absent; postanal porose area small, round.

Material examined
Holotype ( Remarks Acrogalumna lanceolata sp. nov. is easily distinguished from other species of Acrogalumna in combination of following characters, namely: rostrum with pronounced triangular central carina and lateral carina with blunt tip; very short interlamellar seta; finely barbed lanceolate head of sensillus; well-developed notogastral setae, and nearly round porose area Aa. Most of species of Acrogalumna are either with setiform sensillus or long interlamellar seta, vestigial notogastral setae and rounded rostrum, in which they clearly differ from the present new species. Among the known species of Acrogalumna, only Acrogalumna ventralis described by Willmann (1932) from Sumatra, later redescribed by Hammer (1972) from Tahiti, and Acrogalumna brevisetosa described by Bayartogtokh and Weigmann (2005) from Mongolia have minute interlamellar setae and fusiform sensillus.
However, Acrogalumna ventralis differs from the present new species in the smooth head of sensillus in contrast to the finely barbed head of sensillus in the new species; very minute lamellar seta in contrast to long seta le in the new species; absence of carina on rostrum as opposed to the distinct carina in the new species; vestigial epimeral, genital, aggenital and notogastral setae of land hseries rather than well-developed setae in the new species, and relatively larger body size.
The Mongolian species, Acrogalumna brevisetosa is distinguishable from the new species in the very narrow and smooth head of sensillus as opposed to widely lanceolate, barbed sensillus in the new species; porose area Aa is divided into two small parts rather than complete round porose area Aa in the new species; vestigial notogastral setae in contrast to well-developed setae in the new species; elongate-oval porose areas A 2 and A 3 rather than round porose areas in the new species, and much larger body size. Before this study there was no record of the genus Acrogalumna from Iran.

Etymology
The specific epithet "lanceolata" refers to the lanceolate shape of sensilli.

Ecology
This species is an inhabitant of lowland and forest soil, and most specimens were found in the soil under citrus fruits.

Diagnosis
With typical characters of Galumna (lamellar and sublamellar lines present; alveolus of lamellar seta inserted between lines L and S; anterior margin of notogaster distinctly developed, rarely interrupted; notogastral median pore present or absent); rostrum with small triangular central carina and larger subtriangular lateral carina; rostral and lamellar setae thin, finely barbed; interlamellar seta long, thin, finely barbed; sensillus medium long, with finely barbed slightly dilated head; porose area Aa large, irregular oval, A 1 smallest, nearly round or slightly oval, A 2 and A 3 elongate oval, subequal in size; median pore absent; postanal porose area large, elongate oval.

Description
Integument. Body colour yellowish brown. Cuticle of body and legs with minute granules; prodorsum with faint striations and minute granules; notogaster nearly smooth, with very minute granules; gnathosomal and epimeral regions with small granules, sejugal area with faint longitudinal striations; pteromorph with radiated ridges and faint striations; marginal part of notogaster with radiating ridges.
Posterior and lateral margins with radiating ridges (Figures 4L and 7D).

Material examined
Holotype (

Remarks
Galumna triangulata sp. nov. is clearly differentiated from the other species of Galumna by the combination of following characters, namely: triangular carina of rostrum; very slightly dilated sensillus; large, irregular oval shape of porose area Aa; presence of radiating ridges or grooves on pteromorph and marginal part of notogaster, and elongate-oval shape and subequal size of porose areas A 2 and A 3 . Among the known species of Galumna, the following species, Galumna elimata (C. L. Koch, 1841), Galumna lanceata Oudmans, 1900, Galumna obvia (Berlese, 1915) and Galumna rossica Sellnick, 1926 resemble the new species in the structure of very narrow and slightly dilated sensillus. However, the first two species, G. elimata and G. lanceata are easily differentiated from the new species by the presence of notogastral median pore (absent in the new species), consisting of single or several small pores; smooth pteromorph and marginal part of notogaster (ridges present in new species), and absence of rostral carina (present in new species).
Another species, G. obvia is easily distinguished from the new species by the minute interlamellar seta as opposed to long seta in the new species; elongate-oval porose area Aa, and much larger body size. The Palaearctic species, G. rossica clearly differs from the new species in the different shape and size of porose areas Aa, A 2 and A 3 ; absence of rostral carina; smooth pteromorph and marginal part of notogaster and much larger body size.
Two Iranian species, Galumna iranensis Mahunka et Akrami, 2001 and Galumna karajica Mahunka et Akrami, 2001 can be differentiated from the new species by the characters given in the identification keys hereunder (see Discussion).

Etymology
The specific epithet "triangulata" refers to the triangular shape of rostral carina.

Ecology
This species is an inhabitant of the highland pasture soil.

Diagnosis
With typical characters of Galumna; rostrum with incision forming triangular central carina and slightly larger lateral carina with subtriangular shape; rostral and lamellar setae thin, finely barbed; interlamellar seta long, thin, finely barbed; sensillus medium long, with finely barbed, distally pointed fusiform head; porose area Aa nearly round or slightly oval, A 1 and A 2 smallest, nearly round, subequal in size, A 3 elongate oval; median pore absent in male, but present in female; postanal porose area large, elongate oval.

Description
Integument. Body colour yellowish brown. Cuticle of body and legs with minute granules; notogaster with few microtubercles, especially female with larger tubercles on humeral region; epimeral region with small granules, sejugal area with faint longitudinal striations; pteromorph with large granules.

Remarks
Galumna granulimorpha sp. nov. is unique among the other known species of Galumna in the combination of the following characters, namely: rostrum with incision forming triangular central carina and two slightly larger lateral carina; narrow fusiform sensillus; granular structure of pteromorph, and different structure of notogastral porose areas.
Among the known species of Galumna, the following Palaearctic species, Galumna tarsipennata Oudemans, 1914, Galumna gibbula Grandjean, 1956, Galumna lanceata Oudemans, 1900, Galumna europea (Berlese, 1914 and Galumna dimorpha Krivolutskaja, 1952 resemble the new species in the structure of fusiform sensillus. However, G. tarsipennata, G. gibbula and G. lanceata differ from the present new species in the smoothly rounded rostrum and interrupted dorsosejugal furrow. Only the Mediterranean species, G. gibbula has rostrum with a pair of small lateral carina, but the median part of rostrum is rounded.
The other Palaearctic species, G. europea is distinguishable from the present new species by the oval shape of porose areas Aa and A 2 ; nearly smooth prodorsal setae and pteromorph, and larger body size. Galumna dimorpha differs from the present new species in the smoothly rounded rostrum; much narrower and smooth rostral, lamellar and interlamellar setae; smooth pteromorph; presence of notogastral median pore in both sexes, and far larger body size.

Etymology
The specific epithet "granulimorpha" refers to the granulated pteromorphs in this species.

Ecology
This species is an inhabitant of the mosses and litter of forest.

Diagnosis
With typical characters of Galumna; rostrum with incision forming triangular central carina; rostral and lamellar setae thin, finely barbed; interlamellar seta long, finely barbed; sensillus medium long, with finely barbed, distally pointed lanceolate head; anterior margin of notogaster slightly concave medially; all porose areas round or slightly oval, Aa large, others smaller, subequal in size, median pore well developed in both sexes; Ap oval.

Description
Integument. Body colour yellowish brown to deep reddish brown. Cuticle of body and legs with minute granules; notogaster with few microtubercles, especially female with larger tubercles on humeral region; epimeral region with small granules; pteromorph nearly smooth, with minute granules.
Prodorsum. Rostrum with incision forming triangular central carina, clearly seen in dorsofrontal view (Figures 10D and 11B). Rostral seta thin, finely barbed, inserted ventrally and well visible in dorsofrontal view. Lamellar seta thin, very slightly longer than ro, finely barbed. Interlamellar seta thin, nearly as long as le, finely barbed ( Figures 10A-D and 11B). Sensillus with thin stalk and finely barbed lanceolate head distally pointed (Figures 10C and 11D). Lamellar and sublamellar lines well developed ( Figures 10A, B, and D, and 11A). Dorsosejugal porose area medium in size, oval, located posterolaterad of seta in.

Remarks
The main character states of the present material accord well with those of the type materials, described by Mahunka and Akrami (2001). The only observed differences are that the interlamellar seta was conspicuously thicker than seta le in the type materials, but in the specimens studied here these setae were of similar thickness. The porose areas Aa, A 1 , A 2 and A 3 of the type specimens were nearly equal in size, but in our materials Aa was far larger than other porose areas. Mahunka and Akrami (2001) illustrated the distinct incision on the lateral part of sublamellar lines, but our specimens did not show this structure. Notogastral median pore was represented as single pore in the type specimens, but it consisted of many small pores in our studied material. We consider the mentioned differences of all these characters as intraspecific variations. It is worth noting that the body size of the female studied here was much larger than that of the male.

Distribution
Geographical range of this species is restricted to Iran. It had been found in central (Yazd province) and northwestern (East Azerbaijan province) areas of the country (Mahunka and Akrami 2001;Lotfollahi and Irani-Nejad 2010), and is now recorded in the northern part of the country.

Ecology
This species is a typical inhabitant of the mosses and litter of forest, but recently, it was found in the soil of pasture under Poaceae (Cynodon dactylon).

Diagnosis
With typical characters of Pergalumna (lamellar and sublamellar lines present; alveolus of lamellar seta inserted mediad of line L; anterior margin of notogaster mostly interrupted; notogastral median pore present or absent); rostrum with small triangular central carina and minute lateral carina of subtriangular shape; rostral and lamellar setae thin, finely barbed; interlamellar seta long, thin, finely barbed; sensillus medium long, setiform, finely barbed at distal half; porose area Aa nearly round or slightly oval, A 1 and A 2 joined together, forming a large irregular oval porose area, A 3 oval; median pore present, consisted of three to five small pores; postanal porose area nearly round in shape.

Description
Integument. Body colour dark brown. Cuticle of body and legs with minute granules; epimeral region few microtubercles; pteromorph with large granules.

Material examined
Holotype (

Remarks
Pergalumna iunctiporosa sp. nov. is characterized among the known species of Pergalumna by the notogastral porose areas A 1 and A 2 joined together forming a large irregular oval porose area; setiform sensillus with fine barbs at distal half; rostrum with small triangular central carina and minute lateral carina of subtriangular shape, and barbed epimeral, anal and adanal setae.
Among the known species of Pergalumna, Pergalumna capillaris Aoki, 1961, Pergalumna clericata (Berlese, 1914, Pergalumna frater Balogh, 1960, Pergalumna intermedia Aoki, 1963, Pergalumna longisetosa Balogh, 1960, Pergalumna myrmophila (Berlese, 1915, Pergalumna nuda Balogh, 1960 andPergalumna pterinervis (Canestrini, 1898), resemble the new species in the structure of setiform sensillus. However, all these species are with separate porose areas A 1 and A 2 , without median pore on notogaster, with oval porose area Aa, and without rostral carina, in which they clearly differ from the new species. Only the African species, P. nuda has round porose area Aa as in new species, but the former is different from the latter in the minute rostral, lamellar and interlamellar setae; smooth sensillus; well-developed dorsosejugal furrow, and much smaller size of notogastral porose areas.

Etymology
The specific epithet "iunctiporosa" refers to the notogastral porose areas A 1 and A 2 , which joined together.

Ecology
This species is an inhabitant of the moss, litter under trees and forest soil.

Diagnosis
With typical characters of Pergalumna; rostrum with small triangular central tooth, lateral carina absent; rostral and lamellar setae thin, finely barbed; interlamellar seta long, thin, finely barbed; sensillus medium long, with finely barbed, slightly dilated head; porose area Aa large, nearly elongate triangular, its lateral part wide, but medial part narrowed, A 1 small, round, A 2 and A 3 elongate oval, subequal in size; median pore present, consisted of single pore; notogastral lyrifissure im positioned far anterior from seta lp; postanal porose area large, elongate oval.

Description
Integument. Body colour dark brown. Cuticle of body and legs with minute granules; humeral region, posterior part of notogaster and epimeral region with few small tubercles.

Material examined
Holotype ( -Iñigo, 1990 andPergalumna nervosa (Berlese, 1914) are similar to the new species in the structure of porose area Aa and sensillus. However, two common species in the Palaearctic region, P. altera and P. nervosa are different from the new species in the slightly widened outer part of porose area Aa; round porose area A 2 ; reticulate structure of pteromorph; smoothly rounded rostrum, and far larger body size.
Two other species, P. comparanda and P. formicaria, are distinguishable from the new species by the different size of interlamellar seta (seta in is far longer in P. comparanda, but much shorter in P. formicaria); swollen head of sensillus; relatively posterior position of notogastral lyrifissure im, and smoothly rounded rostrum.
The Mediterranean species, P. minoricana differs from the new species in the structure of porose area Aa, conspicuously widened in both inner and outer parts; relatively longer interlamellar seta, extending well beyond tip of rostrum; relatively posterior position of notogastral lyrifissure im; smoothly rounded rostrum, and much larger body size.

Etymology
The specific epithet "microtuberculata" refers to the presence of small tubercles on humeral region and posterior part of notogaster.

Ecology
This species is an inhabitant of the lowland pasture soil, and the specimens were found under graminoid grasses (Poaceae).

Discussion
As mentioned above, there are 16 species of Galumnidae currently known from Iran (including the new species described here), and most of them have been described recently. Distributions of Galumna karajica Mahunka et Akrami, 2001, Galumna iranensis Mahunka et Akrami, 2001, Pilogamumna saboori Mahunka et Akrami, 2001, Psammogalumna iranica Akrami, Irani-Nejad et Mirzaie, Akrami et al. 2011, and all new species described here are restricted to Iran. However, there is a strong possibility that these species will be found outside Iran, especially in adjacent regions, the oribatid mite faunas of which are almost completely unknown.
The first three species mentioned above (G. karajica, G. iranensis and Pilogalumna saboori) have been found in the central part (Yazd province) of Iran (Mahunka and Akrami 2001), but later G. karajica was recorded in northern, northwestern and central-western regions (Mazandaran, East Azerbaijan and Markazi provinces). Moreover, G. iranensis was found in the northwestern region (East Azerbaijan province) of the country (Lotfollahi and Irani-Nejad 2010). We found G. iranensis in the northern part of Iran (Mazandaran Province). The last species, Psammogalumna iranica, is known only from northwestern areas (East Azerbaijan province) of the country (Akrami et al. 2011).
Two species of Pilogalumna, Pilogalumna saboorii Mahunka et Akrami, 2001 andPilogalumna tenuiclava (Berlese, 1908) are reported only from the central part (Yazd province) of the country (Mahunka and Akrami 2001;Akrami 2007). Pilogalumna tenuiclava has been recorded under the name Pilogalumna boevi (Krivolutskaja, 1952). However, according to Subías (2009), Pilogalumna boevi is a junior synonym of Pilogalumna tenuiclava, the species widely distributed in the Holarctic region. According to redescriptions by Shaldybina (1975) and Mahunka (1992), these species share similar characters, such as short interlamellar setae, interrupted anterior margin of notogaster, and porose area Aa, which is divided into two smaller porose areas. However, they seem to be different in the structure of the sensillus, size and shape of posterior notogastral porose areas, and presence or absence of median pore. Without examining the type material, it is difficult to judge whether the synonymy of these two species is correct, so further additional study of type specimens is required.
Two Palaearctic species of Galumna, G. rossica Sellnick, 1926 and G. tarsipennata Oudemans, 1913, as well as two African species, Galumna dimidiata Engelbrecht 1969 and Galumna discifera Balogh, 1960 were recorded in the northwestern and central regions (East Azerbaijan, Tehran and Yazd provinces) of the country (Akrami 2007;Kheradpir et al. 2007;Lotfollahi and Irani-Nejad 2010). The latter authors also reported an unidentified species belonging to Pergalumna from central, western and northwestern regions (Esfahan, Hamadan and East Azerbaijan provinces). The latter finding might represent one of the Pergalumna species described here, since all new species discovered by us are from the northern Iran (Mazandaran province).
Mortazavi Lahijani Sh et al. (2010) reported an Oriental species, Galumna divergens Mahunka, 1995, from Guilan province, northern Iran. This species has been described from Sabah (Borneo island), eastern Malaysia (Mahunka 1995), and is still known only from the type locality. In our opinion, there is little likelihood of finding this tropical species in Iran. In the structure of sensilli, concave dorsosejugal furrow and notogastral porose areas, G. divergens is similar to G. iranensis. Therefore, we suspect that Mortazavi Lahijani et al. (2010) might have misidentified the latter species as G. divergens. So, we suggest a further careful examination of their collected materials.
Most Galumnidae species (10 spp. or more than 60%) found in Iran are endemics, and only a few species with Holarctic or Palaearctic (three spp.), Afrotropical (two spp.) or Oriental (one sp.) distributions are represented there.
As for their habitat ecology, all species of Galumnidae found in Iran are typical inhabitants of soil under different types of vegetation including grasses, bushes, tree stands, mosses, litter of various forest types, and herbivore faeces. In conclusion, the following key can be used to identify the adults of all known species of Galumnidae in Iran.