Atractides tatrensis, SZALAY, 1953

Gerecke, Reinhard, 2003, Water mites of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 (Acari: Parasitengona: Hygrobatidae) in the western Palaearctic region: a revision, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 138, pp. 141-378 : 271

ATRACTIDES TATRENSIS SZALAY, 1953

Syn. to A. vaginalis Koenike, 1905 : syn. nov.

Type series: Missing. Locus typicus: Hohe Tatra, Fehérviz, 1150 m ü.d.M., 12∞C, 3.VIII.1930, 1 ♂, 3 ♀ (site of the type series, further material listed under ‘Weitere Fundorte; all material coll. Dudich).

Material examined: MMB (all leg. Láska): 164, 1325. pritok Ramzovky v Hor. Lipovè, 11.8.1958 1 ♂ 3 ♀ 1038; 1103–3. Javorina, pot. u twist.chaty Belan. Tatry. 3.9.1956 3 ♀ 1049; 1107. Javorinka u novàrny pod Havranem. Belan Tatry. 4.9.1956 3 ♀ 1059; 1113. Havrani potok nad Podopády. 5.9.1956 ♀ 1071; 1120. Studeny p. v Strè Lesne Tatry. 7.9.1956 ♀ 1103; 1160. Prameny Moravice m Velkotji, Jeseniky, 18.6.1957. 2 ♀ 1105; 1228–1. Pramen nad Ostruznou. Jeseniky. 7.8.1957 12 ♂ 1106; 1228–2 Pramen nad Ostruznow. Jezeniky. 7.8.1957 12 ♀ 1107; 1228–3. Pramen nad Ostruznow. Jeseniky. 7.8.1957 12 ♀ 1108; 1228–4. Pramen nad Ostruznou. Jeseniky 7.8.1957. 12 ♀ 1131; 1236–3 Jamnick y ¢ p. v pásma Jesa, 8.9.1957 2 ♀ 1148; 1247–3. Tichà dotina na zacatica Kp. Tatry. 12.9.1957 1 ♀ 1149; 1249–1. Koprovà n Htinskc det. Vys. Tatry. 13.9.1957 3 ♀ 1155; Potok pod Kopou Podbeinskou 14.9.1957 1 ♂, 1 ♀ 1157; 1254. Furkotsk y ¢ p. na. Tatr. magistrale. 14.9.1957 1 ♂ 1248; 1318–2. Pramenn y ¢ p. pod. Serakem. 6.8.1958. 1 ♂ 2 ♀ piknc exempl.

Discussion: In his brief discussion, Szalay (1953) compared this species with A. subasper , A. lacustris and A. scutatus because of the presence of extended ventral sclerotization in the male. The presence of this character in A. vaginalis escaped his attention, which is not surprising as the only description of a male of that species at that time ( Walter, 1922a) lacked figures. Neither Szalay’s figures nor his measurements reveal any significant difference to A. vaginalis . The study of a huge amount of material classified by Láska under the name of A. tatrensis , and mainly coming from the Czech side of the Tatra mountains, confirms the synonymization of A. tatrensis with A. vaginalis . As in alpine populations, the posterior margin of Cx-4 is surrounded by a large border of secondary sclerotization including the Vgl- 3 in most males, but in a few specimens this border is not fully developed and the Vgl-3 project over the posterior contour line. In 71 out of 72 specimens, the shape of palps and first legs agrees with A. vaginalis . There is only one exception, a female from prep. 1107, with I-L-6 not narrowed but enlarged distally as described for A. adnatus . As the specimen is a weakly sclerotized juvenile, this could be the consequence of a deformation. For the time being, the presence of A. adnatus in the Tatra mountains should be accompanied with a question mark.