Sperchon (Hispidosperchon) papillosus Thor, 1901

Asadi, Mahdieh, Pešić, Vladimir & Etemadi, Isa, 2010, A revised survey of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from Iran: new synonyms and descriptions of three new species, Zootaxa 2628, pp. 43-55 : 44-45

Sperchon (Hispidosperchon) papillosus Thor, 1901

Sperchon bispinosus Bader & Sepasgosarian, 1982 n . syn.

Material examined. NHMB 1536-1541, Sperchon bispinosus Haft Tscheschmeh , 15.5.1978 sep. 78/13 1 /5/0.

Remarks. In the original description Bader & Sepasgosarian (1982) compared Sperchon bispinosus with S. papillosus , separating these two species only by the measurements of the palps. A re-examination of specimens of S. bispinosus from the type series shows that from all points of view (integument sculpture made up of a network of fine denticles combined with additional larger papillae and the similar shape of dorsum and palp) these specimens are in close agreement with S. papillosus . Thus S. bispinosus should be considered a junior synonym of S. papillosus .

Iranian records. Tehran Province (Karaj)—“ Sperchon bispinosus ” Bader & Sepasgosarian (1982) ; Kerman, Yazd, Hamedan, Markazi Province—“ S. bispinosus ” Pešić et al. (2004) ; Mazandaran Province— Pešić et al. (2004); Markazi, Kerman Province—Pešić et al. (2005b); Guilan Province—“ S. bispinosus ” Pešić et al. (2007) ; Lorestan Province—Pešić & Saboori (2007); Kermanshah Province—Pešić et al. (2008).

Distribution. Europe, Asia Minor, Iran.

S perchon algeriensis Lundblad, 1942

Sperchon beneckei Bader & Sepasgosarian, 1982 , n. syn.

Material examined. NHMB 1533, Sperchon beneckei Holotype Ƥ, Gele Rud, 24.9.1977, S 77/5.

Remarks. In the original description, Bader & Sepasgosarian (1982) compared Sperchon beneckei with S. setiger , a species similar in the presence of two pairs of ventral setae on P-3, but clearly different in the integument sculpture (made up of a network of fine denticles combined with additional larger papillae vs. integument scultpture formed exclusively by fine denticles in S. setiger ), but was not aware of the close similarity to S. algeriensis . A re-examination of the holotype shows that this specimen is in agreement with S. algeriensis . Also, the palp and leg measurements given in the original descriptions are in close agreement with the variability of Iranian specimens of S. algeriensis (see Pešić et al. 2005a). Thus S. beneckei should be considered a junior synonym of S. algeriensis .

Iranian records. Tehran Province (River Gele Rud)—“ Sperchon beneckei ” Bader & Sepasgosarian (1982) ; Kerman Province—Pešić et al. (2005a); Khorasan Province—Pešić et al. (2006a).

Distribution. Mediterranean, Iran.