Diplodontinae

MM059999

The Hydryphantidae is a family of water mites in the superfamily Hydryphantoidea. In Australia there are 9 genera divided into 7 subfamilies.

The subfamily Diplodontinae is represented in Australia by the genus Diplodontus (2 spp., NSW, Vic, Tas, WA and other records from Queensland (HCP)). Diplodontus species can be differentiated from other hydryphantids by this combination of characters: swimming setae are present, numerous acetabula on the external face of the genital flaps, eye-plate encompassing median eye is absent.

Diplodontusspecies can be found in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams.

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.