Australiobates (Australiobates) hyporheicus, Smit, 2007

Smit, Harry, 2007, New Records of Hyporheic Water Mites from Australia, with a Description of Two New Genera and Ten New Species (Acari: Hydrachnidia), Records of the Australian Museum 59 (2), pp. 97-116 : 101

Australiobates (Australiobates) hyporheicus n.sp.

Figs. 7–11

Type material. HOLOTYPE female, West Canungra Creek at Blue Pool, Lamington National Park, Queensland, Australia, 15 November 2003 ( QM).

Diagnosis. Glandularia of fourth coxal plates shifted onto third coxal plates; genital field triangular; IV-leg-5 with four swimming setae, IV-leg-6 with three swimming setae.

Description. Female: Idiosoma dorsally 672 long and 405 wide, ventrally 737 long. Fourth coxal plates extending onto dorsum, the dorsal parts scale-like. One pair of small eyes, which are hardly visible. Capitulum 244 long, including its a long anchoral process, which is approximately 114 long. First and second coxal plates ending posteriorly in a long, pointed extension. Posterior apodemes of fourth coxal plates short, 30 long. Posterior margin of fourth coxal plates sloping. Glandularia of fourth coxal plates shifted onto third coxal plates. Genital plates triangular, with three pairs of acetabula, 22 in diameter; acetabula occupying most of the space of genital plate. Genital plate 62 long and 37 wide, occupying only a small part of the genital field. Pregenital sclerite large, 92 wide. Lengths of PI–PV: 22, 58, 78, 86, 40. PII stocky; PIV ventrally straight, with well separated, thin setae; PV relatively long compared to other species. Lengths of I-leg-4–6: 128, 120, 108. Lengths of IV-leg-4–6: 206, 228, 204. IV-leg-5 with four long swimming setae, IV-leg-6 with three swimming setae. Legs I–III without swimming setae. All legs with claws, clawlet and small claw blade.

Male: Unknown.

Remarks. No other Australiobates species has the glandularia of the fourth coxae shifted onto the third coxae. Moreover, the long swimming setae are also unusual, as most species have only two swimming setae on IV-leg-5. In most hyporheic species swimming setae are reduced, so it is somewhat questionable if the new species is truly hyporheic. However, the small, reduced eyes are an indication of a subterranean way of life.

Figures

Figs 7–11. Australiobates hyporheicusn.sp., holotype female:(7) ventral view