Scaptognathus exquisitus Otto, 2000

Abé, Hiroshi, 2021, Taxonomic review of the subfamily Lohmannellinae (Acari: Trombidiformes Halacaridae) with morphological comparisons among genera, Zootaxa 4980 (2), pp. 201-255 : 228-229

Scaptognathus exquisitus Otto, 2000

Diagnosis. Glp-1 same level as Ds-1. Ds-2 on membranous cuticle. PE with 1 dorsal seta. GA bipartite in female. Female with 4 Pgs and 2 Sgs. Tr I–IV with 1-1-1-1 setae; Bf I–IV with 1-1-1-1 setae; Tf I–IV with 6-5-2-2 setae, (0,2)-0-0-0 Bp setae; Gn I–IV with 5-(4,5)-3-3 setae, 2-1-0-0 Bp setae; Tb I–IV with 9-5-6-6 setae, 5-2-3-3 Bp setae; Ta I–IV with 3-3-3-3 dorsal setae, 1-1-0-0 Bp setae. Lc I with either no or minute accessory process. Idiosoma length 210–307 (holotype 273) in female. Ratio of P-2 to P-1 2.17 in female.

Remarks. This species is similar to S. punctatus , S. ornatus , and S. gracilipalpis . However, S. exquisitus differs from them by the absence of Bp seta on Tf II. Measurements in the original description is likely to be influenced by compression of the specimen (Bartsch 2003d). Female is known.

Habitat. Littoral–Sublittoral zones: Fine to coarse sands at a depth of 0.5– 13 m.

Distribution. South Pacific Ocean: Yonge Reef, Elizabeth Reef, Myrmidon Reef, Carter Reef, Lizard Is., No Name Reef (14°39’S, 145°40’E), Sand Bank No.1 (Great Barrier Reef), Diamond Islet (Queensland Plateau) [ Australia]. Indian Ocean: Enderby Is. (20°32.1’S, 116°26.7’E) [ Australia].

References. Bartsch (2003d), Otto (2000b).

Depository. ANIC, QMS, ZIZMH.