Andesobates, Smit, Harry, 2002

Smit, Harry, 2002, Rheophilic water mites from southern Argentina, with the description of one new genus and three new species (Acari: Hydrachnidia), Zootaxa 103, pp. 1-23 : 19

Andesobates n. gen.

Diagnosis

Genital plate of male very large, with three pairs of widely separated acetabula; fourth legs inserted far posteriorly.

Type species

Andesobates longipalpis sp. nov.

Description

Dorsum without platelets. Capitulum separated from body. First coxal plates separated medially. Third coxal plates narrowed medially. Cx 4 located near suture line of third and fourth coxal plates. Fourth coxal plates long, extending far posteriorly. Fourth legs therefore inserted far posteriorly. Three pairs of widely separated acetabula, lying on a large genital field.

Remarks

The new genus is characterised by its very large genital field. Such a large genital field is unusual within the family Hygrobatidae . Moreover, the far posterior insertion of the fourth legs is also unusual. In a number of South­American genera a large genital field can be found (although not as large as in the new genus), e.g. Eocorticacarus Besch and Mapuchacarus Besch. Moreover , these genera have incomplete suture lines of the coxal plates and normal shaped fourth coxal plates.