Сontribution to the knowledge of Parabelbella (Acari, Oribatida, Damaeidae): description of two new species from Russia and the U.S.A., redescription of P. inaequipes (Banks, 1947) and a key to known species.

The genus Parabelbella (Oribatida, Damaeidae), with nine known species, is distributed in the Holarctic and Neotropical regions; of these, two new species from the Russian Far East and the U.S.A. are described on the basis of adult specimens. Parabelbella rusfareastensis sp. nov. differs from Parabelbella crenatosetosa Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1967 by the smaller body size, the absence of propodolateral apophysis, direction of notogastral seta c1, and the mutual distance between notogastral setae c. Parabelbella pseudoinaequipes sp. nov. differs from Parabelbella inaequipes (Banks, 1947) by the presence of distinctly barbed notogastral setae la and lm and sparsely barbed setae c1, c2, lp, h3, shorter and thinner dorsal notogastral setae, anterior median ventral tubercle, and by distance between insertions of seta lm-lp. The redescription of P. inaequipes is presented, based on material from the U.S.A. The main morphological traits for this species are summarized. An identification key to known species of Parabelbella is provided.

Checklist of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of the Russian Far East and Northeast of China.

The present paper reviews the taxonomic studies of the mite suborder Oribatida in the Russian Far East South and Chinese North-East Territories. At present, 746 species of oribatid mites are registered in China, including 175 species in the soils of Northeast China. In the Russian Far East, there were 605 species of oribatids, including 344 species in the south of the Far East. The fauna of the oribatid mites of the Northeast of China and the south of the Russian Far East has 446 species and subspecies representing 190 genera and 80 families. 72 species of oribatid are common for both territories. The modern fauna of the oribatid mites of the Northeast of China and the south of the Far East was formed as a result of prolonged interaction between the boreal and palaearchaearctic faunas. The oribatid fauna of this region is distinguished by the presence of a large number of endemics, some of which are relics of the late Tertiary time and which can be considered as autochthonous. The checklist includes data from more than 100 locations of this enormous region. In addition, a short climatic and historical review of oribatid mites study is presented.

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) in Soils of the Russian Far East .

The present paper reviews the taxonomic studies of the mite suborder Oribatida in the Russian Far East and gives a checklist of 596 species and subspecies in 228 genera, representing 84 families. The checklist includes data from more than 230 habitats of the Russian Far East from Chukotka to the Southern Primorye. In addition, a short historical and biogeographical review of oribatid mites study in the Russian Far East is presented.