Notoaturinae

MM199999

The Aturidae is a family of water mites in the superfamily Hygrobatoidea. There are 10 genera of aturids in Australia that are divided into three subfamilies.

The Notoaturinae is represented by 8 genera in Australia: Austraturus (11 spp., Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas, WA, NT); Azugaturus (1 sp., Qld); Barwontius (8 spp., NSW, Vic, Tas, and other records from Qld [HCP]); Cabellaturus (1 sp., Qld, NSW); Melenaturus (1 sp., Vic, and other records from Qld [HCP]); Spinaturus (2 spp., NSW, Tas); Thryptaturus (2 spp., NSW, WA); Twarntaturus (5 spp., Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas).

Notoaturines are easily distinguishable from other aturids by their dorsum being covered with from 4-12 platelets. They also often have ventral projections from the second palp segment (the femur) or from the dorsal surface of the fourth palp segment (the tibia). Notoaturines are often strongly sexually dimorphic, and matching males and females may be difficult.

Notoaturines are most commonly found in running waters, in both surficial and interstitial habitats; however, Thryptaturus has also been collected from mound springs.

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.