Parabrachypoda Viets, 1926

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 : 149-150

Genus Parabrachypoda Viets, 1926 stat. nov.

Brachypoda (Parabrachypoda) : K.H. Viets, 1929, pp. 168, 170.

Brachypoda (Hemibrachypoda) : K.O. Viets, 1937, p. 301.

Brachypoda (Hemibrachypoda) : Cook, 1974a, p. 339, figs. 1436, 1443. Brachypoda (Parabrachypoda) : Cook, 1974a, p. 340, figs. 1437, 1440, 1441.

Diagnosis. Larva (modified from Tuzovskij 1978 and based upon larvae of P. mutila (Walter) , only species in genus with known larvae): Character states of Brachypoda -like mites. Third coxal plate with medial coxal apodeme absent and transverse muscle attachment scar present. Posterior edge of third coxal plate bearing prominent lobed projection. Excretory pore plate much larger than excretory pore and nearly quadrangular in shape, bearing setae ps1, ps2, and h2 posterolaterally with ps2 displaced medially. Numbers of setae on leg segments as follows: ITi 8 (seta Ti10 absent); ITa 11 (setae Ta8 and Ta14 absent); IITa 11 (setae Ta8 and Ta14 absent).

Adults (modified from Cook 1974a): Character states of the Brachypoda -like mites. Dorsal shield of males without a slight bulge posterior to midlength lacking enlarged glandularia with extremely long associated setae. Ventral shield of males lacking a pronounced ridge extending anterolaterally from genital field. Fourth coxal plate with opening for insertion of fourth leg lacking condyles. Genital field bearing three or four pairs of acetabula; genital field of males located near posterior edge 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 dorsal shield near posterior edge in males, on separate posterodorsal platelet in females. Fourth leg of males with genu bearing three thick setae on a distoventral projection that extends beyond level of insertion of tibia, tibia slightly bowed and bearing a row of swimming setae posteriorly, and tarsus slightly expanded distally and bearing modified claw socket with highly modified claws. Pedipalp femur bearing a distoventral projection and tibia bearing a thick seta on a ventral projection.

Type species. Brachypoda montii Maglio.

Species included. Parabrachypoda montii (Maglio) (Europe) , P. baderi Cicolani & Di Sabatino (Europe) , P. modesta (Koenike) (Europe) , P. mutila (Walter) (North Africa), P. orientalis Esen, Pešić & Erman (Crimea, Turkey).

Distribution. Palearctic (Europe, western Asia, North Africa).

Discussion. Cook (1974a) considered Parabrachypoda to be a subgenus of Brachypoda . Here we propose to elevate this taxon to full generic rank based on the unique combination of character states listed above. The taxon Hemibrachypoda Viets, 1937 , previously regarded as a subgenus of Brachypoda , is based entirely on one character, namely acetabular number. We regard this to be an insufficient basis for continuing to recognize this species group as a separate subgenus and propose that Hemibrachypoda should be considered as a synonym of Parabrachypoda .