Lohmannia cylindrica Berlese, 1904, p. 22, pl. 2, fig. 40.

Epilohmannia cylindrica: Berlese, 1916, p. 176; Lombardini, 1936, p. 40; Balogh, 1943, p. 16, figs. 6 & 9; Grandjean, 1946, p. 64, figs. 1 & 2; Hammen, 1959, p. 53; Schuster, 1960, p. 198, fig. 1; Wallwork, 1964, p. 354, figs. 1 & 2; Aoki, 1965, p. 309, figs. 1–3; Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1967, p. 122; 1975, p. 71; Pérez-Iñigo, 1968, p. 214, figs. 30–32; Bayoumi and Mahunka, 1976, p. 6, figs. 1–5; Balogh and Mahunka, 1983, p. 133, pl. 67, figs. a-e; Shtanchaeva and Koshanova, 1987, p. 30; Ayyildiz and Özkan, 1988, p. 122, figs. 7 & 8; Shtanchaeva, 1996, p. 525, fig. 4.

Lesseria szanisloi Oudemans , 1917, p. 79, figs. 127–139; Schuster, 1960, p. 202, figs. 4 & 5.

Epilohmannia verrucosa Jacot, 1934, p. 6, pl. 1, figs. 1–6; Aoki, 1965, p. 309.

Measurements. Body length 484.0–550.8 (516.1) µm; width of hysterosoma 183.6–214.2 (197.2) µm; length of proterosoma 158.1–193.8 (176.5) µm; width of proterosoma 127.5–137.7 (134.3) µm; length of hysterosoma 336.6–372.3 (354.9) µm.

Integument. Colour reddish-brown except rostrum and legs yellowish brown. Cerotegument very thick, dorsal and ventral plates as well as surface of legs densely covered by fine granules.

Prodorsum. Roughly elongate triangular in shape. In contracted specimens proterosoma partly retracted within hysterosoma (Fig. 1), but in most specimens proterosoma well separated from the hysterosoma by broad sejugal articulation (Fig. 10). In dorsal view anterior margin of rostrum rounded, but in lateral aspect rostrum slightly projecting. Rostral setae (ro) relatively short, 20.8–24.7 (23.1) µm, situated close to each other, conspicuously barbed. Relative position of rostral setae somewhat variable; their insertions usually situated obliquely i.e. left seta inserted slightly anterior to the right, but in some specimens two setae inserted at same level. Lamellar setae (le) rather long, 31.2–44.2 (37.4) µm, conspicuously barbed bilaterally; distance between bases of pair longer than setal length. Interlamellar setae (in) long, 62.4–72.8 (66.3) µm, distinctly barbed, situated close to respective bothridium (Fig. 4). Anterior exobothridial setae (exa) short, 18.2–26.0 (22.1) µm, but well visible; posterior exobothridial setae (exp) very short, 9.8–10.4 (10.1) µm, and thin, situated posterolateral to each bothridium. In some specimens seta exp concealed by anterior margin of notogaster, when proterosoma strongly retracted within hysterosoma. Sensillus (ss) with rather long, smooth stalk and fusiform head bearing distinct barbs, about 67.2–101.4 (77.3) µm in length. Bothridia (bo) small, nearly cup-shaped, opening directed posterolaterally (Figs. 1, 4 & 10).

Notogaster. Elongate oval, its anterior margin slightly arched or almost straight, and posterior margin broadly rounded. Relatively robust in lateral view, dorso-ventral thickness of hysterosoma in postgenital transects 130–156 (143) µm. Distal half of each notogastral seta conspicuously barbed; seta h₁ longest, about twice as long as e₁, seta ps₃ shortest. Latero-opistosomal gland opening (gla) rather large, situated close to setae ps₃. Lyrifissures, im, ih and ips developed, visible in lateral aspect; other lyrifissures not descirnable (Figs. 1, 3 & 10).

Gnathosoma. Subcapitulum with three pairs of barbed setae. Chelicera robust, with sclerotized teeth; seta cha shorter and thinner than chb. Palp structure and setation similar to that of E. spathulata (see below), but trochanter inconspicuous.

Epimeral region. Apodemes apo.1, apo.2, apo.3 and apo.4 well developed. Epimeral regions between apo.2 and apo.4 divided by a sternal apodeme. Apodemes apo.1 convergent, V-shaped, but not fused medially and widely separated from each other. Apodemes apo.2 long, but well separated from each other; apo.3 and apo.4 completely fused medially. A pair of relatively short, but distinct ridges present anterior and parallel to apodemes apo.3. Epimeral setae medium long, subequal in length, distinctly barbed (Figs. 2 & 11). Epimeral setal formula: 3-1-3-3. Discidium conspicuously developed, but relatively short. Acetabula I and II situated close to each other (Fig. 3).

Ano-genital region. Genital and anal apertures broadly oval in shape, the latter slightly larger than the former. Each genital plate with five setae along its median margin and three setae inserted laterally. Three pairs of aggenital setae with ag3 the longest. All genital and aggenital setae distinctly barbed. Anal setae slightly longer than genital setae. Anal lyrifissures ian located near the anteromedian corner of each anal plate, and obliquely oriented with respect to the body axis. Adanal setae distinctly barbed, ad₁ and ad₂ longer than ad₃. Adanal lyrifissures iad with similar shape as ian, situated adjacent to the anterolateral margin of anal aperture (Figs. 2, 11–13). Adanal plate narrowing posteriorly around anal aperture and incomplete posterior to anal region (Fig. 3).

Legs. Claws strongly thickened, with few serrations on the dorsal surface. Dorsodistal part of tarsi I and II with distinct projections; trochanters III and IV with a strong ventrodistal and a weak dorsodistal projections. Genua II and III with oblique striations. Tarsi I and II thicker, but shorter than tarsi III and IV; tibiae and genua III and IV more slender than tibiae and genua I and II. Femur and trochanter IV much longer than those of other legs. Formula of leg setation, trochanter to tarsus (including famulus): I (1-4-4-4-15); II (1-4-4-5-11); III (2-3-3-3-10); IV (2-3-3-3-9); formula of solenidia, genu to tarsus: I (2-1-3); II (1-1-2); III (1-1-0); IV (1-1-0). Solenidion ω1 of tarsus I curved, shorter than ω2; ω3 short and thin. Famulus ϵ very small, situated between solenidia ω1 and ω2. Solenidion σ of genu I nearly as long as ϕ of tibia I; σ′about twice shorter and thinner than σ. Setation of legs I–IV as shown in Figs. 5–9, 14 & 15.

Variations. In the five studied specimens the following variations of morphological characters were noted. Arrangement of rostral setae was somewhat variable as shown in Figs. 1 & 10. Notogastral lyrifissures ih and ip usually lie relatively close to each other, but in some specimens, or on one side of a specimen ih and ip are widely separated from each other. Lyrifissure im was observed only in one specimen (Figs. 2, 3 & 11). The structure of genital region and shape of setae u′ and tc′ of tarsus IV were variable, as shown in Figs. 12–15.

Material examined. Four specimens (females): from sandy soil, Mt. Gurvan Saikhan, Mouth Yolyn Am, District Bayandalai, South Gobi Province, Mongolia, sandy desert, (Juniferus sabina + Artemisia santalinofolia), 43° 40′ N, 103° 30′ E, 2450 m, 18-VIII-1996; one specimen (female): from sandy soil, Oasis Ehiin Gol, District Shinejinst, Bayankhongor Province, Mongolia, sandy desert (Haloxylon ammodendron + Tamarix sp.), 43° 55′ N, 98 ° 45′ E, 1210 m, 21-VIII-1991, Leg. B. Bayartogtokh.

Remarks. Character states of the Mongolian specimens of E. cylindrica agree well with those given in the original description by Berlese (1904) and redescriptions by Oudemans (1917), Wallwork (1964), Aoki (1965), Pérez-Iñigo (1968) and Bayoumi and Mahunka (1976). The Tchad and Spanish specimens of this species discussed by Wallwork (1964) and Pérez-Iñigo (1968) are slightly different from Mongolian material in several aspects. The sensilli of these are distinctly swollen or clavate, as opposed to lanceolate in Mongolian specimens. In Tchad and Spanish specimens the right rostral seta is inserted a little anterior to the left one, while the left seta is situated anterior than the right seta in Mongolian specimens. Wallwork (1964) mentioned that tarsus IV of Tchad specimens bears 4 swollen setae (pv′, pv′, a” and s), whereas setae pv′ and pv′ of Mongolian specimens are normally developed. Pérez-Iñigo (1968) showed four swollen setae (a′, pv”, s and tc′) on tarsus IV of Spanish specimens, more similar to those of one of Mongolian specimens (Fig. 15), but seta pv” and u′ of the Spanish form are slightly thicker and thinner, respectively, than those of the Mongolian form. Wallwork (1964) showed only six pairs of genital setae, but possibly some genital setae were lost or the single specimen examined by him was unusual. In their redescription based on Hungarian and Egyptian material, Bayoumi and Mahunka (1976) stated that tarsus IV has only two “thorn-like” setae (s and a”), but their figure 3 shows seta pv” which is nearly as thick as seta s. Also these authors illustrated 15 setae in lateral view, which was a drawing error (Norton et al. 1978).

Distribution. Palaearctic region (Berlese 1904; Oudemans 1917; Balogh 1943; Hammen 1959; Schuster 1960; Bulanova-Zachvatkina 1967, 1975; Pérez- Iñigo 1968; Bayoumi & Mahunka 1976; Balogh & Mahunka 1983; Karppinen et al. 1986, 1987, 1992; Shtanchaeva & Koshanova 1987; Ayyildiz & Özkan 1988; Krivolutsky 1995; Shtanchaeva 1996; Niedbala & Olszanowski, 1997), and Mongolia (see “material examined” section); Nearctic region (Jacot 1934; Marshall et al. 1987; Behan-Pelletier 1993; Swift & Norton 1998); Oriental region (Sheals 1965; Prasad 1974; Bhaduri & Raychaudhuri 1981); Ethiopian region (Wallwork 1964); Oceania region (Aoki 1965; Schatz 1998).

Epilohmannia spathulata Aoki, 1970, p. 399, figs. 5–8.

Epilohmannia spathulata: Fujikawa, 1972, p. 135, fig. 9.

I have examined the holotype and two paratype specimens mounted on slides (deposited in the collection of National Science Museum, Tokyo, No NSMT-Ac-164-166). All three specimens were slightly damaged. The original description of this species is very good, and gives sufficient information on most character states. However, complete illustrations of dorsal and lateral views and setation of legs other than tarsus IV given here, were not included in the original description.

Measurements. The type specimens were damaged, thus measurements of body size were impossible, but length measurements of some setae are given below in the appropriate sections.

Integument. colour of body light yellowish to yellowish brown. Cerotegument thin, posterior part of prodorsum with fine punctures; the anterior region of prodorsum as well as whole dorsal surface of notogaster and ventral plate lacking in punctation. Lateral part of podosoma smooth.

Prodorsum. Proterosoma retracted within hysterosoma. Anterior margin of rostrum rounded in both dorsal and lateral views. Rostral setae (ro) short, 26–33 (29.5) µm, thin, finely barbed, not reaching to tip of rostrum, positioned asymmetrically. Lamellar setae (le) longer than rostral setae, 43–55 (49.3) µm, finely barbed bilaterally. Distance between bases of setae le-le about 1.5 x setal length. Interlamellar setae (in) very long, 106–121 (113.8) µm, weakly barbed bilaterally, situated medial to each bothridium. Anterior exobothridial setae (exa) smooth, 25–30 (27.5) µm, nearly as long as rostral setae; posterior exobothridial setae (exp) 9–12 (11.5) µm, less than half length exa. Sensillus (ss) long, 82–98 (90.5) µm, with long, smooth stalk, and narrow fusiform head bearing distinct barbs. Bothridium (bo) small. (Fig. 16).

Notogaster. Notogastral setae thin, smooth, approximately subequal in length to one another, 38–46 (43.0) µm. Latero-opistosomal gland opening gla inconspicuous. Only lyrifissure ih evident (Figs. 16 & 17). General aspect of lateral view similar to that of E. cylindrica (specimen showed in Fig. 17 was slightly flattened bilaterally).

Gnathosoma. Three pairs of smooth, but long hypostomal setae. Chelicerae robust, digits with four blunt teeth. Seta cha minute, chb long, thick. Palp three segmented, trochanter very large, without seta. Femur, genu and tibia fused together, with four smooth setae. Tarsus with a very thick solenidion ω and six setae; sul shortest and thinnest eupathidium (Fig. 20).

Epimeral region. Structure of epimeral and ano-genital regions as in the original description. Epimeral ridges and apodemes apo.1, apo.2, apo.3 and apo.4 well developed. Epimeral setae short, 9–12 (11) µm, thin, smooth (Fig. 17). Discidium inconspicuous.

Ano-genital region. Genital aperture oval, anal aperture narrowed anteriorly and strongly widened posteriorly, the latter aperture much larger than the former. Each genital plate with five setae along its median margin and three setae inserted laterally, 5–7 (6.2) µm in length. Aggenital setae thin, smooth, 11–14 (12.5) µm, conspicuously longer than genital setae. All genital and aggenital setae smooth. Anal setae long, smooth, 11–15 (13) µm. Anal lyrifissures ian located midway between median and lateral margins of each anal plate, and obliquely oriented with respect to the body axis. Adanal setae long, smooth, 11–16 (13.5) µm in length. Adanal lyrifissures iad situated almost transversely adjacent to the anterolateral margin of anal aperture (Fig. 17).

Legs. Claws strongly thickened, claws of tarsi I and II more stronger than those of tarsi III and IV. Tarsi I and II slightly thicker than those of the legs III and IV; tibiae, genua and femora I and II much thicker than those of the legs III and IV. Formula of leg setation, trochanter to tarsus (including famulus): I (1-4-3-5-16); II (1-4-4-5-11); III (2-3-3-3-10); IV (2-3-3-3-10); formula of solenidia, genu to tarsus: I (2-1-3); II (1-1-2); III (1-1-0); IV (1-1-0). Solenidion ϕ₂ of tibia I not evident. Setae v” of tibia III, pv′ and a of tarsus III, v” of tibia IV and pv” and a of tarsus IV strongly modified, expanded distally (spatula-shaped). Setation of legs I–IV as shown in Figs. 18, 19, 21 & 22.

Material examined. Two specimens (holotype and paratype, females): Mt. Oboshi, Mineson, Tsushima Islands, 18-X-1968; one specimen (paratype, female): Mt. Okora, Gaya, Shimoagata-gun, Tsushima Islands, Japan, 22-X-1968, Leg. J. Aoki.

Remarks. I observed only one pair of lyrifissure ih on the notogaster, four pairs (ia, im, ih and ip) are shown in the original description. In the original description, only 9 setae were illustrated on tarsus IV, but I noted 10 setae including seta ft”. Leg setae v” of tibia III, pv” and a of tarsus III, v” of tibia IV and pv” and a of tarsus IV are strongly modified (spatula-shaped). This species is unique among previously known species of Epilohmannia in having the above mentioned spatula-shaped setae on tibiae and tarsi III and IV

Distribution. Japan: Tsushima Isl., Hokkaido, Fukushima, Tochigi Prefectures, Himeshima Isl. (Aoki 1970; Fujikawa 1972; Kubota 1987; Fujikawa et al. 1993), China (Wang et al. 1992; Aoki et al. 1997) and Korea (Choi 1997).

Measurements. Body length 826.8–864.4 (845.6) µm; width of hysterosoma 343.6–357.0 (350.3) µm; length of proterosoma 286.9–294.9 (290.9) µm; width of proterosoma 215.8–224.4 (220.1) µm; length of hysterosoma 589.6–600.0 (594.8) µm.

Integument. colour deep reddish-brown to dark brown; rostral part of prodorsum and legs yellowish brown. Cerotegument very thick, whole dorsal and ventral plates as well as surface of legs densely covered by punctate. Exobothridial and lateral regions of prodorsum with a number of muscle sigillae.

Prodorsum. In dorsal aspect roughly elongate triangular in shape. Anterior margin of rostrum rounded, with a number of longitudinal striations anteriorly and laterally. Rostral setae (ro) relatively short, 36.4–41.6 (39.0) µm, reaching to the tip of rostrum, situated very close to each other, and inserted at the same level, conspicuously barbed. Lamellar setae (le) long, about 61.3–65.0 (63.6) µm, conspicuously barbed. Distance between bases of setae le-le a little longer than setal length. Interlamellar setae (in) very long, 174.2–182.0 (178.1) µm, distinctly barbed, situated close and medial to each bothridium. Anterior exobothridial setae (exa) short, 23.4–31.2 (27.3) µm, but well visible; posterior exobothridial setae (exp) very short 7–9.6 µm, hardly visible. Sensillus (ss) long, 114.4–117.0 (115.7) µm, with long smooth stalk and narrow fusiform head bearing distinct barbs. Bothridium (bo) relatively small. A few muscle sigillae present medial to each bothridium (Fig. 23).

Notogaster. Elongate oval in shape, slightly wider posteriorly, its anterior margin slightly arched, posterior margin broadly rounded. Very robust in lateral view, dorso-ventral thickness of hysterosoma in postgenital transects about 214–219 µm. Notogastral setae rather thick, conspicuously barbed; setae ps₁ longest, about twice as long as e₁, setae ps₃, c₂ and c₃ shortest, subequal in length. Latero-opistosomal gland opening (gla) inconspicuous. Only lyrifissure ih visible, other lyrifissures not evident (Fig.23).

Gnathosoma. Two pairs of thick and barbed setae h and m, one pair of short and smooth hypostomal setae a present (Fig. 24). Chelicerae robust, digits with four sclerotized teeth. Seta cha minute, chb long, thick. Palp three segmented, trochanter very large, without seta. Femur, genu and tibia fused together, with four smooth setae. Tarsus with a very thick solenidion ω and six setae; sul shorter and thinner than the other eupathidia.

Epimeral region. Apodemes apo.1, apo.2, apo.sj, apo.3 and apo.4 well developed. Each epimeral region divided into two parts by a sternal apodeme. Apodemes apo.1 convergent, forming a Vshape, but not fused medially and widely separated from each other. Apodemes apo.2, apo.sj, apo.3 and apo.4 relatively long, completely fused medially. Epimeral setae medium short, subequal in length, except setae 1b and 3c about twice longer than other setae, all setae distinctly barbed (Fig. 24). Discidium poorly developed, relatively short. Accetabulae I and II situated close to each other.

Ano-genital region. Genital aperture rounded rectangular, anal aperture narrowed anteriorly and strongly widened posteriorly, the latter aperture distinctly larger than the former. Each genital plate with five setae along its median margin and three setae inserted laterally. Aggenital seta ag₁ much shorter than the other setae. All genital and aggenital setae distinctly barbed. Anal setae long, much longer than genital setae. Anal lyrifissures ian located near the anterolateral corner of each anal plate, and obliquely oriented with respect to the body axis. Adanal setae long, distinctly barbed, posterior two pairs longer than the anterior pair. Adanal lyrifissures iad similar in shape to ian, situated almost transversely adjacent to the anterolateral margin of anal aperture. Adanal plate narrowing posteriorly around anal aperture and incomplete posterior to anal region (Fig. 24).

Legs. Claws strongly thickened, dorsal surface of each claw with few serrations. Tarsi I and II stronger, but shorter than those of the other legs; tibiae and genua III and IV more slender than those of legs I and II. Femur IV and trochanter IV much longer than those of the other legs. Formula of leg setation, trochanter to tarsus (including famulus): I (0-6-4-5-22); II (0-6-4-5-18); III (2-3-4-3-14); IV (1-3-3-3-12); formula of solenidia, genu to tarsus: I (2-1-3); II (1-1-2); III (1-1-0); IV (1-1-0). Solenidion ω1 of tarsus I strongly curved, while ω2 nearly straight, almost same in length; ω3 short and thin. Famulus ϵ very small, situated behind solenidion ω2. Solenidion ϕ of tibia I almost as long as ω1 of tarsus I. Solenidion σ of genu I short, thin, σ” nearly as long as ϕ of tibia I. Setae a” and pv” of tarsus IV strongly modified, not thickened proximally, but expanded distally (spatula-shaped). Setae s of tarsus IV and l” of tibia IV slightly modified, isodiametric and blunt distally. Other setae of legs normally developed and conspicuously barbed. Setation of legs I–IV as shown in Figs. 25–29.

Variations. No variation was observed in examined characters.

Material examined. Holotype (female) and a paratype (female): from litter of larch plantation (Larix kaempferi), Tennyosan, Mt. Yatsugatake, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, 36° 56′ N, 138° 25′ E, 1520 m, 5-XI-1999, Leg. B. Bayartogtokh. Both specimens are deposited (in alcohol) in the Acarology collection of the National Science Museum, Tokyo.

Remarks. Among previously described species of Epilohmannia, only E. spathulata Aoki, 1970 and E. spathuloides sp. nov. have spatula-shaped setae on some leg segments. However, Epilohmannia spathuloides is easily distinguishable from E. spathulata by 1) the much larger body size (E. spathulata 520–550 µm in length; 230–250 µm in width); 2) the thick and conspicuously barbed notogastral, epimeral and ano-genital setae as opposed to thin and smooth setae in E. spathulata; 3) the rounded rectangular shape of genital aperture as opposed to elongate oval aperture in E. spathulata; 4) the heterogeneity of aggenital setae (in the new species ag₁ is much shorter than ag₂ and ag3, while all aggenital setae are subequal in length in E. spathulata); 5) the different number of setae on trochanters I, II and IV, femora I and II, genua I and III, and tarsi I–IV; 6) the presence of spatulashaped setae, developed only on tarsus IV, while E. spathulata bears such setae on both the tarsi and tibiae of legs III and IV; 7) the presence of distinct punctation on body surface and 8) the difference in body colour. In addition, this species is unique among the known species of Epilohmannia in the number of setae (neotrichy) on tarsi I–IV and femora I and II.

Etymology. The specific epithet “spathuloides” refers to the presence of spatula-shaped setae on the tarsus IV, which are similar to those of E. spathulata Aoki.

Measurements. Body length 601.8–617.1 (609.4) µm; width of hysterosoma 244.8–265.2 (255.3) µm; length of proterosoma 193.8–219.3 (207.4) µm; width of proterosoma 145.3–147.9 (146.6) µm; length of hysterosoma 392.7–408 (401.2) µm.

Integument. colour of body yellowish-brown; rostral part of prodorsum and legs light-yellowish brown. Cerotegument rather thick, dorsal surface nearly smooth, only exobothridial region and marginal part of notogaster granulated. Ventral plate, anal and genital plates and as well as surface of legs densely covered by relatively small granules.

Prodorsum. Rostrum strongly elongated, with a very broadly rounded anterior margin. Weakly developed longitudinal striations along the anterior and lateral margins of rostrum. Rostral setae (ro) long, 28.6–31.2 (29.9) µm, about twice as long as distance between their bases, conspicuously barbed. Insertions of rostral setae symmetrical and far removed from the anterior margin of rostrum. Lamellar setae (le) long, 57.2–59.8 (58.5) µm, conspicuously barbed. Distance between bases of setae le-le slightly longer than setal length. Interlamellar setae (in) long, 72.8–83.2 (76.3) µm, but shorter than sensilli, barbed, situated close to and posteromedially of each bothridia. Anterior exobothridial setae (exa) short, 23.4–36.4 (29.9) µm, situated anterior to each bothridium, finely barbed. Posterior exobothridial setae (exp) very small, 7.8–10.4 (9.1) µm, smooth, poorly observable, situated lateral to each bothridium. Sensillus (ss) long, 78–98.8 (84.9) µm, with long, but narrow stalk and fusiform head bearing relatively long barbs. Bothridium (bo) small. A few oblique striations present posterior to each bothridium (Fig. 30).

Notogaster. Elongate oval in shape, distinctly wider posteriorly than anteriorly, its anterior margin almost straight and posterior margin broadly rounded. Robust in lateral view, dorso-ventral thickness of hysterosoma in postgenital transect 181–187 µm. Notogastral setae, except proximal part, conspicuously barbed; setae h₁, h₂, ps₁ and ps₂ longest, slightly longer than other setae, seta ps₃ shortest, about 1/4 as long as h₁. Latero-opistosomal gland opening (gla) rather large, situated close to setae ps₃. Only two pairs of lyrifissures, ih and ips well developed, other lyrifissures not evident. Lateral and posterior margins of notogaster with dense sigillae, appearing as undulating striations (Fig. 30).

Gnathosoma. Hypostomal setae a, h and m long, distinctly barbed (Fig. 31). Chelicerae robust, digits with four sclerotized teeth. Seta cha minute, chb long, thick, smooth. Palp three-segmented, trochanter very small, without seta. Structure and setation of palp normal for genus.

Epimeral region. Apodemes apo.1, apo.2, apo.sj and apo.4 well developed, while, apo.3 poorly developed and represented by inconspicuous line. Epimeral regions between apo.2 and apo.sj, and between apo.3 and apo.4 divided into two parts by a sternal apodeme. Apodemes apo.1 convergent, forming V-shaped, but not fused medially and widely separated from each other. Apodemes apo.2 fused medially to each other; apo.sj and apo.3 not fused, while apo.4 fused medially. Epimeral setae relatively long, subequal in length, other than short 1c and 3c; all setae distinctly barbed (Fig. 31). Discidium inconspicuously developed. Acetabula I and II situated close to each other, while acetabula III and IV situated far from each other.

Ano-genital region. Genital aperture nearly quadrangular, anal apertures nearly rounded oval, a little larger than the genital aperture. Each genital plate with five setae along its median margin and three setae inserted laterally. Posterior pair of genital setae a little shorter than the other setae. All genital and aggenital setae conspicuously barbed. Anal setae slightly longer than genital setae. Anal lyrifissures ian located near the anteromedian corner of each anal plate, and obliquely oriented with respect to the body axis. Posterior two pairs of adanal setae slightly longer than anterior pair. Adanal lyrifissures iad slightly longer than ian, situated adjacent to the anterolateral margin of anal aperture (Fig. 31). Adanal plate narrowing posteriorly around anal aperture and incomplete posterior to anal Region.

Legs. Claws strongly thickened, dorsal surface smooth. Dorsodistal part of tarsus I with distinct projection; trochanters III and IV with strong ventrodistal and slight dorsodistal projections. Tarsi I and II thicker and shorter than those of the other legs. Femur and trochanter IV much longer than those of the other legs. Formula of leg setation, trochanter to tarsus (including famulus): I (1-4-4-5-13); II (1-5-4-5-12); III (2-3-3-3-12); IV (1-3-3-3-10); formula of solenidia, genu to tarsus: I (2-1-3); II (1-1-2); III (1-1-0); IV (1-1-0). Setae a and s of tarsus IV very thick. Setation of legs I–IV as shown in Figs. 32–36.

Variations. No significant variation in described character states was observed. Only the arrangement of some epimeral setae was slightly variable, i.e. in one specimen, setae 4a and 4b were situated asymmetrically.

Material examined. Holotype (female) and nine paratypes (females): from soils of 30–40 cm in depth, Mt. Khustai, Altanbulag District, Central Province, Mongolia, mountain-steppe (Stipa grandis + Cleistogenes squarosa), 47° 42′ N, 106° 25′ E, 1640 m, 10 October, 1996. Leg. B. Bayartogtokh. The holotype and five paratypes are (all specimens in alcohol) deposited in the Acarology collection of the Department of Zoology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, and two paratypes in the Acarology collection of the National Science Museum, Tokyo and two paratypes in the collection of Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.

Remarks. The new species can readily be distinguished from most other known species of Epilohmannia by the very broadly rounded shape of the rostrum, the posteriorly widened shape of the notogaster with many marginally located sigillae. In spite of the above characters, the following known species, E. cylindrica (Berlese), E. gigantea Berlese, E. imreorum Bayoumi et Mahunka and E. pallida Wallwork resemble the new species in some general respects. However, Epilohmannia shtanchaevae is easily distinguishable from E. cylindrica not only by the shape and sigillae of rostrum and notogaster, but also by the relatively long epimeral and ano-genital setae, the rostral setae situated far posterior from the anterior margin of rostrum, the different structure and number of setae on tarsi I–IV, tibia I, femur II and trochanter IV, respectively, and the larger body size. Two other species, E. gigantea and E. imreorum differ from the present new species in the different size of notogastral setae (setae c₃ and ps₃ in these two species very short and smooth, much shorter than in the new species and other setae longer and thicker than those of the present species), the presence of strongly modified and thick setae pv′, pv” on tarsi IV, v′, v” and l” on tibiae IV and v′ genua IV (these setae are normally developed in the new species). Another nominal species, E. pallida and its subspecies differs from the new species in the relatively short notogastral setae, the different number of setae of tarsi I–IV, and dissimilar structure of setae of tarsus IV.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of the Russian acarologist, Dr. U. Ya. Shtanchaeva, Caspian Institute of Biological Resources, Russian Academy of Sciences, who completed a recent review of Epilohmanniidae.