| abstract | The oribatid mite family Hungarobelbidae is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, but has been represented by only two genera and eight known species. Herein, we propose a remarkable new species, Hungarobelba nortonroyi sp. nov. based on adults from western USA, exhibiting curious mixtures of character states of both genera of this family, Costeremus and Hungarobelba. Based on available data, we assess current views of the family-level classification of Costeremus rejecting its placement in Damaeolidae, and a close relationship is suggested between Costeremus and Hungarobelba. Also, recent transfer of the damaeid genus Tokukobelba to Hungarobelbidae is reversed, as there are no synapomorphies linking the latter two taxa. Furthermore, a brief note on habitat ecology and biogeography of hitherto know species is given, and a key for the identification of adults of the known genera and species of Hungarobelbidae in the world, is provided. |