Odontocepheus villosus sp. n.

Measurements. - Length: 687-825 µm, width: 316-412 µm.

Prodorsum: Lamellae wide, lamellar surface pustulate, arranged nearly in parallel rows. Their cuspis wide, a well-observable translamella present. Interlamellar region wide, its surface irregularly foveolate. One pair of very strong prodorsal condyles present (Fig. 82). Sensillus (Fig. 84) long, gradually thickened, proximally bent backwards. Tutorium with long and strong spines, forming (Fig. 86) a bunch.

Notogaster: A pair of very strong, anteriorly concave, median condyles present on the anterior margin of notogaster. Notogastral setae very long, thick and squamose.

Coxisternal region: Apodemes and borders well developed, slightly stronger than in the preceding species. Epimeral setae very characteristic, setae 1a, 1c, 2a minute, setae 1b, 3b, 4a and 4b thick, directed forwards, setae 3c and 4c also thick but blunt (Fig. 85).

Anogenital region: Genital setae pilose, all other setae squamose. Surface of genital and anal plates irregularly foveolate.

Legs: Genu of leg II as shown in Fig. 83.

Type-species: Holotype (1201-HO-87): Tunisia: No. 37-1: Environs of Ain Draham, 31. March, 1977. Berlese- and Tardigrada-samples from Quercus suber and Q. libanotis forest: litter samples from various places in closed forest; leg. S. Mahunka. 5: from the same sample. Holotype and 4 paratypes (1201-PO-87) deposited in the HNHM, 1 paratype in MHNG.

Remarks: The Odontocepheus species heretofore known from the Palaearctic Region may be distinguished by the following key:

1 (4) One strong, unpaired median condyles present on the anterior margin of the notogaster. Peduncle of sensillus long, nearly twice longer than head.

2 (3) One pair of condyles present on the basal part of prodorsum. Median notogastral condyles concave medially, nearly quadrangular .......... villosus sp. n.

3 (2) No basal condyles on prodorsum. Median notogastral concyles triangular .......... piramidalis sp. n.

4 (1) One pair of notogastral condyles and one pair of prodorsal condyles present. Peduncle of sensillus short, its head large and clavate (Fig. 87) .......... elongatus (Michael, 1879)