MM229999

The Athienemanniidae is a family of water mites in the superfamily Arrenuroidea. There are two genera in Australia, Mellamunda (1 sp., Vic) and Notomundamella (1 sp., Qld).

Athienemanniids can be recognised by their palps, which have the tibia rotated laterally so that the tarsus (the terminal segment) cannot be seen in lateral view.

In Australia, athienemanniids have been collected only from interstitial deposits in streams.

References

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

Harvey, M.S. 1988. Three new unusual water mites from Australia (Chelicerata: Acarina: Hydryphantidae, Hygrobatidae and Athienemaniidae). Mem. Mus. Vic. 49: 355-361.

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