Copidognathus Trouessart, 1888

Bartsch, Ilse, 2015, The genital area of Halacaridae (Acari), life stages and development of morphological characters and implication on the classification, Zootaxa 3919 (2), pp. 201-259 : 216

Copidognathus Trouessart, 1888

(Figs 37–40)

Type species. Copidognathus glyptoderma Trouessart, 1888 .

Adults. In both sexes GP and AP fused. Female GO close to anal cone, in a few mounted (slide) specimens partly overlapping basis of anal sclerites. Female with single pair of internal acetabula in about middle of GO (Figs 37, 38; Newell 1947: figs 198, 224, 1971: fig. 24; Bartsch 2003a: fig. 8A, 2006a: fig. 22), in a few species acetabula somewhat or greatly enlarged, namely in C. acnemus Bartsch 1986 , C. cephalocanthus Bartsch 1992 , C. laeviusculus Bartsch 1993 , C. majorinus Bartsch, 1993 , C. mirus Bartsch, 1984 ( Bartsch 1984a: fig. 27, 1986a: fig. 6, 1992b: fig. 26, 1993c: fig. 8B, 9G). GA with (2–)3(–5) pairs of pgs, genital sclerites with single pair of small sgs. Ovipositor at rest extending from slightly to far beyond anterior margin of GO. When at rest, zero to one pair of basal genital spines or papillae and two pairs of apical spines visible through genital sclerites (Figs 37, 38; Bartsch 2013d: fig. 5). Everted ovipositor apically with four anterior (lateral) and seven posterior spines; their shape spiniform to claw-like and palmate (Figs 39, 40; Bartsch 1977a: figs 32, 48). Male GA with 4–40 pairs of pgs. Male GO similar-sized or somewhat smaller than female GO and in a more ventral position. Genital sclerites with (2–)3–4 pairs of sgs; often one or two pairs of spur-like sgs in posterior half of sclerites, the other sgs setiform. Single pair of gac in posterior half of GO, similar-sized or slightly smaller than those of female ( Newell 1971: fig. 55; Bartsch 1977b: fig. 133, 2003a: fig. 7C, 2006a: fig. 34). AE of both female and male with epimeral pores. Species living in freshwater often with enlarged pores (if compared with that size in congeners from other habitats) ( Bartsch 1979b: fig. 141, 1999d: fig. 3), a few inhabitants of marine sandy deposits with enlarged internal lumina, examples are Copidognathus laeviusculus and C. majorinu s ( Bartsch 1993c: figs 8B, 9B).

Juveniles. A larval and a single nymphal stage (protonymph) known. In both stages AE with pair of epimeral pores. In protonymph GP and AP separated, an exception, the fused plates in C. bunofer Bartsch, 1984 ( Bartsch 1984a: fig. 8); this may be an anomaly. GP of protonymph with single pair of internal gac; pgs and sgs not developed.

Remarks. Copidognathus is spread world-wide, in all climatic and depth zones. The genus is the most diverse halacarid taxon, it holds one-third of all species ( Bartsch 2004b, 2009a).