Forelia variegator (Koch, 1837), Haller, 1882

Gerecke, R., 2014, Pseudofeltria (Acariformes: Pionidae) In Europe: Three Previously Described Taxa, A Species New To Science From The Northern Apennines, And A Redefinition Of Foreliinae, Acarologia 54 (1), pp. 57-67 : 58-59

Forelia variegator (Koch, 1837)

Pseudofeltria vanrensburgi Bader, 1994 , nov. syn.

Material examined — Holotype male, NHMB 4458 , " Pseudofeltria vanrensburgi ♂Tessin 4.10.1968 Coll. Rensburg " "holotypus" " Naturhist. Museum Basel Prep. 88 4.10.1968 Maggia Delta 18 °C (COOK) Coll. 19"; Paratype male, NHMB 4459 , same data as holotype, but "Prep. 88", "Para-Typus".

Discussion — In the original description of Pseudofeltria vanrensburgi, Bader (1994) wondered about the presence of swimming setae in an interstitial-dwelling species and considered that type of leg setation as diagnostic in comparison with all other species of the genus. The fact that representatives of the sister taxon Forelia , all characterized by this type of leg setation, are generally found in standing waters only, probably was the reason for Bader not to consider the possibility of a Forelia -species appearing in an interstitial sample. The two specimens clearly represent Forelia variegator, not showing any remarkable morphological deviation from that widely distributed species. As F. variegator not rarely appears in pool areas of running waters, an occasional detection of drifting specimens in a stream sediment sample (the indication "COOK" on the label refers probably to the kick sampling method) is not surprising.