Neobrachypoda Koenike, 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 : 148

Genus Neobrachypoda Koenike, 1914

Neobrachypoda: Cook, 1974a , p. 341, figs. 1442, 1445, 1447, 1449. Neobrachypoda: Smith, 1984 , pp. 312–313, figs. 9–16.

Neobrachypoda: Smith & Cook, 1991 , pp. 553, 577, fig. 16.150.

Neobrachypoda: Smith et al., 2001 , pp. 581, 614, figs. 155, 369, 370. Neobrachypoda: Smith et al., 2010 , pp. 524, 555, figs.15.155, 15.370, 15.371.

Diagnosis. Larva (modified from Smith 1984 and based on larvae of N. sp. nr. eckmani (Walter), only species in genus with known larvae): Third coxal plate with medial coxal apodeme absent and transverse muscle attachment scar absent. Posterior edge of third coxal plate convex and lacking prominent projection. Excretory pore plate much larger than excretory pore and nearly triangular in shape, bearing only setae ps1 and ps2. Numbers of setae on leg segments as follows: ITi 9; ITa 12 (seta Ta14 absent); IITa 12 (seta Ta14 absent).

Adults (modified from Cook 1974a): Character states of Brachypoda -like mites. Dorsal shield without a slight bulge posterior to midlength and lacking enlarged glandularia with extremely long associated setae. Ventral shield without a pronounced ridge extending anterolaterally from genital field in males. Coxal plates with all setae slender; fourth coxal plate with opening for insertion of fourth leg lacking condyles. Genital field bearing four pairs of acetabula; genital field of males located near posterior end of ventral shield and relatively compact, with acetabula not extending laterally beyond level of insertion of fourth leg and without a patch of long setae immediately lateral to acetabula. Excretory pore borne on separate small platelet posterior to dorsal shield. Pedipalp femur bearing a large distoventral projection and tibia usually bearing a thick seta on a ventral projection. Fourth leg of males with segments unmodified.

Type species. Axonopsis (?) ekmani Walter.

Species included. Neobrachypoda ekmani (Walter) (Holarctic) (monobasic), but there are numerous specimens in the Canadian National Collection of Insects and Arachnids from North American populations that may represent undescribed species.

Distribution. Holarctic (Eurasia, North America).

Discussion. Cook (1974a) considered Neobrachypoda to be a distinct genus. This treatment was followed by Smith (1984), Smith & Cook (1991), and Smith et al. (2001, 2010), and is followed by us here.