New Water Mite Species Research Articles

A new species of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 from Montenegro (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Hygrobatidae), separated from A. nodipalpis (Thor, 1899), one of the most common water mite species in running waters in Europe

A new species of water mite from Montenegro, i.e. Atractides milosevici sp. nov., is described, using morphological data and DNA barcodes. Morphologically, the new species is closely related to A. nodipalpis sensu Gerecke, 2003 but differs in its distinct COI barcode sequence, as well as details of the terminal segments of the first legs. Morphological examination of specimens of A. nodipalpis from the Netherlands which belong to the same BIN (BOLD:ACA0209) as the specimens of the nominal species collected near its type locality in Norway reveals that the latter, one of the most common water mite species in running waters in Europe, can be identified by the shape of male genital plate with a distinct anteromedial peg-like fissure. A redescription is given of Atractides nodipalpis (Thor, 1899) based on material from the Netherlands.

New Molecular-Based Phylogeny of Mussel-Associated Mites Reveals a New Subgenus and Three New Species Representing an Example of a Host-Driven Radiation in Indochina and Confirms the Concept of Division of the Genus Unionicola Haldeman, 1842 (Acari: Unionicolidae) into Numerous Subgenera

Here we describe a new subgenus and three new species of parasitic water mites in the genus Unionicola (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from Myanmar: Myanmaratax subgen. nov., Unionicola (Myanmaratax) savadiensis subgen. and sp. nov. (hosts: Lamellidens savadiensis and L. generosus), U. (My.) generosa sp. nov. (the same hosts), and U. (My.) trapezidenssp. nov. (hosts: Trapezidens dolichorhynchus and T. angustior). These taxa were identified based on a two-gene phylogenetic analysis (COI + 28S), which also confirms the division of the genus Unionicola into numerous subgenera. The new species are cryptic species, which are morphologically indistinguishable but strongly resemble U. (Prasadatax) brandti Vidrine, 1985 described from Thailand (hosts: Lens spp. and Ensidens spp.). We also transfer the latter taxon from Prasadatax to Myanmaratax based on a set of morphological evidence and propose U. (My.) brandti comb. nov. The new subgenus contains a total of five species, one of which needs future sampling efforts and will be described elsewhere. Additionally, 56 valid subgenera, which were placed in the synonymy of the genus and in one case raised to the genus level, are restored here until robust phylogenetic evidence on their taxonomic status is available. Our results also confirm that Unionicola mites are narrow host specialists that are associated with either one or a few closely related freshwater mussel species belonging to one or two sister genera.

Sperchon milisai nov. sp., an overlooked new species of water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Sperchontidae) from Montenegro and Croatia, based on morphological and DNA barcode evidence

In the present study a new species, Sperchon milisai sp. nov. is described from Montenegro and Croatia based on morphological and DNA barcoding data. Surprisingly, morphological evidence revealed that the new species is most similar to S. ampliscutatus Pešić & Smit, 2020, from Kyrgyzstan, confirmed by the phylogenetic analysis based on COI data. The average K2P-distance between DNA-barcode sequences of S. milisai sp. nov. and S. ampliscutatus was estimated at 15.51±1.6%.

Hygrobates calabricus, a new species of water mite (Acariformes, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) from Italy, based on morphological and molecular evidence

In the present study we used an integrative taxonomic approach that combines morphological and DNA barcoding data to describe a new species of the H. nigromaculatus-complex, Hygrobates calabricus sp. nov. from Calabria, Italy. The average K2P-distance between DNA-barcode sequences of H. calabricus sp. nov. and its closest relative H. setosus Besseling, 1942 was estimated at 8.7±1.2%.

Extended depth of focus ultraviolet imaging compared with laser scanning confocal microscopy for the study of micro-Arthropoda surface texture, with the description of a new species of Brachypodopsis (Acari: Hydrachnidia).

Visualization and representation are two processes at the core of basic biodiversity studies. Visualization involves the examination, sorting, and evaluation of similarities and differences among specimens by specialists who then assign them to the same or different species. It is a cognitive process. Representing involves transmitting the knowledge obtained in the first step to others, usually specialists of the group under study, generally through written descriptions aided by representative drawings and/or images. In this work, I describe a new species of water mite, Brachypodopsis guillermoi n. sp. (Acari, Hydrachnidia), from the island of Coiba off the Pacific coast of Panama, using both laser scanning confocal microscopy and extended depth of focus microscopy with visible (wavelength: 400-700 nm) and ultraviolet (wavelength: 365 nm) light. A comparison of the surface texture representation obtained from these imaging methods suggests that extended depth of focus ultraviolet microscopy can be a cost-effective alternative to laser scanning confocal microscopy for the description of exoskeletal features of micro-arthropods.

A new species of Litarachna Walter, 1925 (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Pontarachnidae) from Corozal Bay (Belize), described based upon morphology and DNA barcodes

A new planktonic species of the marine water mites of the family Pontarachnidae Koenike, 1910 is described from Corozal Bay, an estuarine system in Belize. The morphological description includes Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) images and is augmented by an analysis of DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences, the DNA barcode, used for the first time for a species description in this group.

New records of water mites from Chile (Acari: Hydrachnidia), with the description of three new species

Abstract. Three new species of water mites are described from Chile, viz. Pseudohydryphantes chilensis n. sp. (Hydryphantidae), Rhynchaturus dispar n. sp. and Rhynchaturus rucuensis n. sp. (Hygrobatidae). Andesobates magellanicus (Tuzovskij and Stolbov, 2016) is synonymized with A. longipalpis Smit, 2002. The first description is given of the females of Omartacarus ferradasae Cook and Rhynchaturus projectus Cook, and the male of Hygrobatella coriacea quiponensis Cook. Moreover, many new records are given, and two species are reported new for the fauna of Chile (not including the new species described in this paper).

<strong>A new crenobiontic water mite species of the genus <em>Atractides</em> Koch, 1837 from Montenegro and Bulgaria, based on morphological and molecular data (Acariformes, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae)</strong>

A new species of water mites from Montenegro and Bulgaria, Atractides anae Pešić sp. nov., is described, combining traditional morphological techniques with the analysis of partial mtDNA COI sequences (DNA-barcodes). Based on our molecular and morphological analysis, the new species is most closely related to the crenobiontic A. pennatus (K. Viets 1920) from which it differs by 6.4 (SD = 1.12)% K2P distance. A dataset including the novel COI sequences of 10 Atractides species from Montenegro and Iran is assembled in order to facilitate further studies on the genus by using molecular tools.

<p class="Body"><strong>Five new species of genera <em>Torrenticola </em>and <em>Monatractides</em> (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Torrenticolidae) from Hainan Island, China</strong></p>

This paper deals with five new species of torrenticolid water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Torrenticolidae) from Hainan Island, China, i.e. Monatractides cuspiscoxer sp. nov., M. jini sp. nov., M. vietusacoxer sp. nov., Torrenticola postfusina sp. nov. and T. hainanensis sp. nov.. Detailed descriptions for these new species and a modified key to all species of Torrenticolidae in China are provided.

New species of aturid water mites from southern Africa (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Aturidae).

One new subgenus, i.e. Shebaturus and one new species, Amperaturus globulipes n. sp. is described from South Africa. Hexaxonopsis clavigera (Walter, 1922) is re-described. New records are given for South Africa and Namibia, including the first records of the genera Aturus Kramer and Kongsbergia Thor.

Two new species of the genus Atractides KOCH, 1837 (Acari: Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) from Belarus

Descriptions of males, females and larvae of two new species of water mites from Belarus, Atractides albaruthenicus sp. nov. and A. svislocensis sp. nov., are presented.

A new water mite species of the genus Lebertia Neuman, 1880 (Lebertiidae, Acariformes), from Magadan oblast

An illustrated description is given of the female and larva of a new species of water mite, Lebertia chaunensis, from a mountain stream in Magadan oblast. This species is characterized by the following features: female integument has little ribs, female anterior frontal seta has a short ramus near its base, one of the dorsodistal setae on pedipalpal tibia is located near the middle of the segment, the suture between coxae I is longer than the suture between coxae II, and legs II to IV have swimming setae.

New species of water mites from Oman, with some zoogeographical notes (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

The paper deals with a collection of epigean water mites from Oman. One new genus, Omanaxonopsis, and 16 new species are described: Bharatavolzia arabica, Nilotonia bisetosa, N. longiseta, Torrenticola arabica, T. omanensis, Limnesia kochi, Protolimnesia inexspectata, Atractides arabicus, A. omanensis, Neumania indentata, Axonopsis arabica, A. balneatoris, A. omanensis, Omanaxonopsis arabica, Arrenurus dugesi and Arrenurus rectituberculatus. The zoogeographical position of Oman is discussed briefly.

New species of water mites from the Comoros (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

New species of water mites from the Comoros (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

Three new euthyadine water mites representing previously unreported or inadequately known genera in North America (Acari: Hydrachnidiae: Hydryphantidae)

ABSTRACT Adults of three new species of euthyadine water mites are described to document the occurrence of their respective genera in North America, namely Almuerzothyas comalensis n. sp. from a spring in Texas, Thyasella canadensis n. sp. from a stream in Quebec and Zschokkea ontarioensis n. sp. from temporary pools and small streams in Ontario. Males of the genus Almuerzothyas are described for the first time leading to an expanded diagnosis of the genus and assessment of its relationships to other Trichothyas-like genera.

Feltria kolymica nom. n. is a new name for the water mite Feltria similis Tuzovskij, 1998

The name Feltria similis, which was given to a new species of water mite was preoccupied by Tuzovskij (1998). The new name Feltria kolymica is proposed for the species studied.

A new species of marine water mite (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Pontarachnidae) from the Red Sea

Abstract Litarachna smiti, a new species of the predominantly marine water mite family Pontarachnidae (Acari: Hydrachnidia) is described from the Red Sea (Saudi Arabia).

Two new species of water mites of the family Hygrobatidae (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from the Garhwal Himalayas (India)

New records of water mites of the family Hygrobatidae (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from the Garhwal Himalayas (Northern India) are presented. Hygrobates gangeticus and Atractides garhwali are described as new to science.

Water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from South-East Asia, Thailand and Sulawesi Tenggara (Indonesia): descriptions of new species and new records

New species of water mites collected from Sulawesi Tenggara and Thailand are described, four from Buton island: Hygrobates colesi, Mideopsis gillespiei, Koenikea oliveri, Oxus sennettopsis; one from Thailand: Hygrobates henni; and the first recorded male of Harpagopalpus indicus Cook, 1967. Hygrobates projectus Wiles, 1990 is described for the first time. Koenikea oliveri is the first recorded Koenikea species found on the Asian side of Wallacea. New records of Mamersa rouxi Walter, 1911 and Africasia cataphracta (Halik, 1930) are given.

Three new genera and species of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnida: Hygrobatidae) from South Africa

Three new genera and species of water mites (Acari: Hygrobatidae) collected in South Africa are described. These are Sterkspruitia ovalis n. gen., n. sp.; Homtinibates lootsi n. gen., n. sp.; and Knysnabates theroni n. gen., n. sp. The latter two species are part of the unique water mite fauna of the deeply stained coastal streams of southeastern Eastern Cape Province.