Pseudohydryphantinae

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 Pseudohydryphantinae is represented in Australia by two genera: Pseudohydryphantes (10 spp., Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas, WA, NT) and Cyclohydryphantes ( 2 spp., Qld, Vic, Tas).

Pseudohydryphantine species can be differentiated from other hydryphantids by this combination of characters: swimming setae are present, three pairs of genital acetabula covered by genital flaps, eye-plate encompassing median eye is absent. Pseudohydryphantes species typically have small semi-circular sclerites around the glandularia, while the body margin of Cyclohydryphantes species is ornamented with narrow interlocking sclerites.

Pseudohydryphantine species can be found in both standing and flowing water.

References

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

Harvey, M.S. 1987. New and little-known species of the water mite genera Tartarothyas, Pseudohydryphantes and Cyclohydryphantes from Australia (Chelicerata: Actinedida: Hydryphantidae). Mem. Mus. Vic. 48: 363-365.

Harvey, M.S. 1988. New species of the water mite family Hydryphantidae (Acarina) from the Northern Territory, Australia. The Beagle 5: 17-26.

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