Kongsbergia, Lundblad, 1953

Radwell, Andrea J. & Smith, Ian M., 2012, North American members of the reticulata-like species group of the water mite genus Kongsbergia (Acari: Hydrachnidiae: Aturidae), Zootaxa 3540, pp. 1-49 : 39-40

Kongsbergia (s.s.) cyanea Habeeb, 1981 .

( Figs. 74–78, 107, 108)

Kongsbergia cyanea Habeeb, 1981, p.1 , Figs. 8–10, male.

Description. Character states of the cyanea subgroup. Male: Idiosoma in dorsal view nearly elongate and with sides nearly parallel between humeral region and midlength, rounded posteriorly. Dorsal shield ( Figs. 74, 107) with anterior edge crenellate and with a shallow medial depression; with edge linear or slightly convex in area between eyes and humeral region and with a modest humeral angle; reticulate pattern moderately developed and arranged in asymmetrical longitudinal lines covering surface of shield; anteromedial hump small, lateral ridges weakly developed and sinuate, curving inward near midlength and then outward to meet lateral edges of shield posterolaterally to outline an elevated medial area extending posteriorly from anteromedial hump and surrounded by depressed areas laterally and posteriorly; ridge bearing excretory pore weakly developed; three pairs of slender setae on posterior edge. Ventral shield ( Fig. 76) elongate with posterior edge acuminate; with projections associated with insertions of fourth legs small and curved posteriorly; bearing three pairs of slender, short and straight setae adjacent to genital field. Pedipalp ( Fig. 77) with femur enlarged and bearing three papillate projections ventrally, the proximal one large and hook-shaped. Fourth leg ( Fig. 78) with segments and setae as illustrated. Female: Dorsal shield ( Fig. 75, 108) similar in shape, sculpturing and color to that of male, but ridges relatively weakly developed. Ventral shield similar to that of male but with projections covering insertions of fourth leg smaller. Pedipalp with femur not enlarged and tibia proportionately longer than in male. Measurements: Male (n=5): Length/width dorsal shield 298–318/224–232, length/width ventral shield 328–348/232–242. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 20–25, Fe 71–75, Ge 22–25, Ti 63–68, Ta 28–30. Height pedipalp femur 70–75. Lengths leg segments: IGe 49–53, ITi 68–78, ITa 68–80; IIGe 50–56, IITi 70–74, IITa 75–82; IIIGe 58–60, IIITi 73–80, IIITa 82–90; IVTr 55–58, IVBFe 63–67, IVTFe 52–55, IVGe 60–64, IVTi 70–78, IVTa 88–95. Female (n=5): Length/ width dorsal shield 348–370/254–274, length/width ventral shield 350–364/250–266. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 21–23, Fe 57–62, Ge 26–28, Ti 90–97, Ta 30–38. Lengths leg segments: IVTr 45–50, IVBFe 53–58, IVTFe 47–52, IVGe 59–70, IVTi 73–77, IVTa 83–93.

Specimens examined: USA: Arizona: Coconino Co.: Oak Creek beside Rt. 89A just north of Pine Flat Campground , Oak Creek Canyon , 21 July 1987, IMS – 2 females (slides) . California: Mendocino Co.: Rancheria Creek beside Rt. 128, 7.3 km south of Boonville , 4 August 1987, IMS – 3 males, 2 females (slides). Ventura Co. : Sespe Creek 3 miles north of Fillmore , 23 July 1963, HH – holotype male, 1 paratype female (slides, NBM). Stream in Horn Canyon 1 mile from gate, Ojai , 3 November 1981, HH – 1 paratype male, 2 paratype females (slides, NBM, CNC). North Fork of Ventura River beside Rt. 33, 9.8 km north of Ojai , 25 July 1987, IMS – 3 males, 3 females (slides), 6 females (GAW). North Fork of Ventura River beside Rt. 33 just above Wheeler Gorge , 25–26 July 1987, IMS – 1 male, 2 females (slides), 2 females (GAW). Sespe Creek at Middle Lion Campground off Road 6N/31, 26 July 1987, IMS – 1 male, 3 females (slides), 5 females (GAW). North Fork of Ventura River just below Wheeler Gorge Campground beside Rt. 33, Ojai , 27 July 1987, IMS – 1 female (slides) .

Distribution. Streams of southern California and Arizona, USA.

Remarks. Kongsbergia cyanea differs from all other species in the reticulata -like group in the presence of asymmetrical ridges covering much of the surface of the dorsal shield. Habeeb (1981) described this species as blue in color but we observed no pigmentation on either the holotype or other specimens examined in this study.