Hygrobates (Hygrobates) sigthori K. Viets, 1914

Smit, Harry, 2005, Water mites of the family Hygrobatidae Koch from southern Africa (Acari: Hydrachnidia), Journal of Natural History 39 (38), pp. 3369-3405 : 3385

Hygrobates (Hygrobates) sigthori K. Viets, 1914

( Figures 19–22 )

Material examined

South Africa, Gauteng Province: one male, two females, head waters of Vaal River where crossed by the road from Breyten to Lake Chrissie , 22 July 1959, leg. Chutter (slides 2076, 2073, 2077, SMF) ; two females, same data, 19 November 1958 (slides 2008, 2009, SMF) ; one female, Vaal River source, swamp between Breyten and Lake Chrissie, 22 July 1959, leg. Chutter (slide 3209, SMF) .

Remarks

Thus far, few illustrations have been published. Only K. Viets (1914) published an illustration of the female palp in his original description. Later on, K. O. Viets (1963) published more records of the species with more measurements, however, without illustrations. Therefore, more illustrations are provided here, as well as more measurements, especially of the legs (see Table II). For differences with H. (Inflatibates) inflatipes see under the latter. K. Viets (1956) described H. sigthori rubicundus , based on a different genital skeleton of the male. In the slide with the holotype male (7779, SMF), two males are present. The genital skeleton of the male which probably represents the holotype is lying free in the slide. This genital skeleton is similar to the nominate form. The other male has a genital skeleton as described by K. Viets (1956), with a vesicular part between the arms of the genital skeleton.The females are in my opinion similar.More material is needed before the separate taxonomical status of H. sigthori rubicundus can be confirmed.

Figures

Figure 19. Hygrobates sigthori K. Viets, ventral view male (slide 2076, SMF). Scale bar: 200 mm.

Figure 20. Hygrobates sigthori K. Viets, genital field male (slide 2076, SMF). Scale bar: 50 mm.

Figure 21. Hygrobates sigthori K. Viets, genital field female (slide 2077, SMF). Scale bar: 50 mm.

Figure 22. Hygrobates sigthori K. Viets, I-leg-5–6 male (slide 2076, SMF). Scale bar: 50 mm.