MM149999

The Astacocrotonidae is a family of water mites from the superfamily Hygrobatoidea. It contains a single species, Astacocroton molle(NSW, Vic), a parasite in the gills of parastacid crayfish. As well as by this unusual habitat, Astacocroton can be recognised by the presence of thick, peg-like setae on the coxal plates. There are other mites that occupy the gill chambers of crayfish (Halacaridae, Pezidae), but they bear little resemblance to Astacocroton (see illustrations in main key).

References

Cook, D.R. 1986. Water mites from Australia. Mem. Amer. Ent. Inst. 40: 1-568.

Harvey, M.S. 1998. The Australian Water Mites: a Guide to Families and Genera. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Vic.