Woolastookia rotundifrons ( K. VIETS, 1922 ), K. Viets, 1922

Gerecke, Reinhard, 2014, Studies on European species of the water mite family Aturidae Thor (Acari: Hydrachnidia), Zootaxa 3841 (1), pp. 1-46 : 36-38

Woolastookia rotundifrons ( K. VIETS, 1922)

Fig. 26

Material examined. Germany: Harz, Kellwasser, coll. K. O.Viets 1955, SMF (2/3/0). France: Corsica, F 34 (4/2/0), F 43h (0/1/0), F 44g (1/1/0), F 44h (2/3/0), F 45e (0/1/0), F 46 (0/4/0), F 48 (4/2/0), F 50 (1/0/0), F 51 (1/2/0), F 52 (2/7/0), F 68 (0/1/0), F 69 (2/11/0), F 78 (2/2/0), F 81 (1/5/0), F 97 (0/4/0), F 98 (0/2/0), F 101 (1/1/0), F 104 (0/2/ 0), F 109 (3/1/5). Italy: Calabria, I 425 (1/4/0), I 426 (2/1/0), I 429 (0/2/0), I 435 (3/1/0); Sardinia: I 335 (0/2/0), I 336 (1/0/0), I 354 (0/1/0), I 386 (3/4/0), I 849 (1/1/0), I 1155 (1/0/0), I 1162 (10/3/0), I 1162 Int (1/0/0), I 1165 (1/0/ 0); Sicily: I 132 (0/2/0); I 401 (1/1/0); I 402 (1/6/1); I 594 (2/0/0); I 647 (0/1/0); I 659 (1/0/0); I 661 (0/1/0); I 662 (0/1/0); I 1138 Int (3/0/0).

Remarks. The new data extend remarkably the distribution area of W. rotundifrons . In the southern parts of its distribution area, the species is restricted to low order streams at middle and higher elevations, in areas with natural forest remnants. In a comparison to specimens from the area of the type locality ( Germany, Harz) no remarkable differences are found. Swimming setae numbers are in both sexes: II-L-4,1; II-L-5, 3; III-L-4, 2; III-L-5, 3; IV-L-5, 3. Palp slender, similar in proportions in both sexes (relative L [% total L] P-1, 15–16, P-2, 22–23, P-3, 13–15, P-4, 33–35, P-5, 13–16, L/H ratio P-1, 1.7–2.0, P-2, 1.4–1.7, P-3, 1.1–1.4, P-4, 3.3–4.2, P-5, 2.6–3.3; L ratio P-2/4, 0.62–0.68).

Measurements (F 44g-h,I 401, In 425, I 1162, Kellwasser): Males (n = 7): Idiosoma L/W 500–585/383–441, ratio 1.29–1.47; distance tip Cx-I – gonopore anterior end 383–432 (= 69–77 % idiosoma L). L/H IV-L-5, 204–121/30–46 (ratio 2.6–3.7), IV-L-6, 77–86/30–47 (ratio 1.7–2.7). Gnathosoma vL 93–101, chelicera L 107–124 (ratio L/H 2.7–3.1, basal segment/claw 1.7–1.8). Palp total L 233–288; L/H P-1, 36–43/18–25; P-2, 52–62/33–41; P-3, 30–38/24–30; P-4, 81–101/22–25; P-5, 33–40/12–14. Females (n = 8): Idiosoma L/W 531–630/392–473, ratio 1.30–1.36; distance tip Cx-I – gonopore anterior end 383–486 (= 71–81 % idiosoma L). L/H IV-L-5, 98–115/22–31 (ratio 3.4–4.9), IV-L-6, 81–112/18–23 (ratio 3.3–5.0). Gnathosoma vL 86–99, chelicera L 107–127 (ratio L/H 2.6–2.9, basal segment/claw 1.6–1.8). Palp total L 230–277; L/H P-1, 35–41/20–24; P-2, 52–61/35–41; P-3, 31–38/ 24–33; P-4, 77–98/23–33; P-5, 35–41/12–14.

Figures

FIGURE 26. Woolastookia rotundifrons, male from Harz (Kellwasser, K. O. Viets 1964). A. IV-L; B. venter; C. palp. Scale bars = 100 µm.