MM279999

The Wettinidae is to be described as a family of water mites in the superfamily Hygrobatoidea (see Harvey 1998). In Australia, it is represented by three genera: Tasmanaxona (1 sp., Tas), Wheenyella (1 sp., NSW), and Wheenyoides (1 sp., WA). These genera were previously placed in the Aturidae.

Species of Wettinidae can be recognised by this combination of characters: two long, stout setae on the ventral side of the penultimate palp segment; tarsus of leg I with an enlarged claw and deepened claw socket; three pairs of genital acetabula.

Wettinids occur in both standing and running water.

References

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

Harvey, M.S. 1990. Two new water mite genera from south-western Australia (Acarina: Aturidae, Mideopsidae). Mem. Mus. Vic. 50: 341-346.

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