Subaturus Viets, 1916

Smith, Ian M., Cook, David R. & Gerecke, Reinhard, 2015, Revision of the status of some genus-level water mite taxa in the families Pionidae Thor, 1900, Aturidae Thor, 1900, and Nudomideopsidae Smith, 1990 (Acari: Hydrachnidiae), Zootaxa 3919 (1), pp. 111-156 : 135

Genus Subaturus Viets, 1916

Subaturus: Cook, 1974a , pp. 362–363, figs. 1597, 1599, 1600, 1602–1604. Subaturus: K.O. Viets, 1987 , p. 718.

Diagnosis. Larva: Unknown.

Adults (modified from Cook 1974a): Idiosoma broadly elliptical in shape. Idiosomal sclerites with surfaces smooth or finely reticulate. Dorsal and ventral shields separate from one another. Dorsal shield bearing four pairs of glandularia, with one pair located near posterior end of shield; bearing three well-defined longitudinal ridges, including an unpaired medial ridge and one pair of lateral ridges; posterior region of shield with slight caudal development. Dorsal furrow lacking glandularia. Fourth coxal plate bearing coxoglandularium II and a second glandularium near posterior edge of plate, and with a moderately large projection associated with opening for insertion of fourth leg. Ventral shield with well-defined ridge extending anteriorly from projections associated with openings for insertions of fourth legs and ending in prominent projections that extend beyond edges of shield in region lateral to end of suture line between third and fourth coxal plates; posterior pair of glandularia apparently shifted onto fourth coxal plate (see above); unmodified posteriorly or with a small caudal projection. Genital field terminal and bearing ten to many pairs of acetabula; excretory pore incorporated into dorsal shield; acetabular plates extending laterally well beyond posterior angles of fourth coxal plates, incorporated into ventral shield with suture lines obliterated in males, adpressed to ventral shield with suture lines clearly delineated in females. First leg of males with tarsus bearing modified claws and second leg of males with tibia expanded ventrally and bearing thick setae; posterior legs with segments unmodified. Pedipalp with segments relatively short and stocky and with tibia lacking a ventral projection and bearing a sessile, slender setae distoventrally.

Type species. Aturus (Subaturus) sulcatus Viets.

Species included. Subaturus sulcatus (Viets) , S. expansus Cook , S. similis Cook , all from West Africa.

Distribution. West Africa.

Discussion. Cook (1974a) considered Subaturus to be a distinct genus and we follow that treatment here.