A review of the water mite family Anisitsiellidae in Australia (Acarina)

Abstract

Based on a limited amount of new material, the Australian members of Anisitsiellidae are reviewed. Four new species are described: Mamersella ponderi, Rutacarus stygius, Anisitsiellides caledonia, and A. tabberabbera. Three new synonymies are proposed: Pseudatractides Nayar under Sigthoria Koenike, Australiotonia Cook under Anisitsiellides Lundblad, and Pseudatractides pyriformis Nayar under Sigthoria nilotica (Nordenskiold). Variation between populations of S. nilotica is investigated. Particular attention is given to the glandularia, and homologies are established between genera. A key to species is presented.