Subalbia Viets, 1914

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 : 134-135

Genus Subalbia Viets, 1914

Subalbia: Cook, 1974a , p. 362, figs. 1595, 1596, 1598, 1601. Subalbia: 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 seven pairs of glandularia, with six pairs often grouped together near midlength of shield and one pair located near posterior end of shield; lacking well-defined longitudinal ridges; posterior region of shield unmodified or with slight caudal development in males. Dorsal furrow bearing one pair of glandularia on small platelets. Fourth coxal plate bearing coxoglandularium II and a second glandularium near posterior edge, and with a moderately large projection associated with opening for insertion of fourth leg. Ventral shield with well-defined ridges extending anteriorly from projections associated with openings for insertions of fourth legs and typically form prominent lateral projections that extend to anterior edges of shield; with 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, incorporate into ventral shield but with suture lines distinct. Legs of males with distal segments unmodified or variously modified and with some segments bearing modified setae. Pedipalp with segments very long and slender and with tibia lacking a ventral projection and bearing two sessile, slender setae distoventrally.

Type species. Subalbia proceripalpis Viets.

Species included. Subalbia proceripalpis Viets , S. distincta Cook , S. longipalpis Cook , S. punctata Viets , S. walteri Cook , all from West Africa.

Distribution. West Africa.

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