On the identity of some North Atlantic halacarid species (Acari)

Abstract

Approximately 160 halacarid species have so far been recorded from the northern Atlantic Ocean. Some of these species are little known, resulting in misidentifications and synonymies. This paper presents a description of Bradyagaue meteoris nov. spec., redescription and diagnosis of Bradyagaue alberti (Trouessart) and the northern Atlantic species of the Copidognathus tricorneatus group, viz, C. adriaticus Viets, C. longipes Bartsch, C. mucronatus Viets, C. quadricostatus (Trouessart), and C. trouessarti (Voinov). Rhombognathides merrimani Newell is considered a junior synonym of R. trionyx (Trouessart). Halacarus ctenopus Gosse is a junior synonym of Halacarellus basteri (Johnston), whereas Halacarus ctenopus Lohmann has a distinct specific status. Halacarellus basteri septentrionalis Gimbel is no longer maintained as a variety. Copidognathus consimilis Bartsch is a junior synonym of C. quadricostatus, and C. tricorneatus sensu Bartsch of C. trouessarti (Voinov): C. adriaticus Viets may possibly be synonymous with C. quadricostatus. Copidognathus richardi (Trouessart) and C. granulatus (Hodge) are redescribed and C. richardi is discussed in terms of their possible synonymy.

Keywords :

• Halacaroidea
• North Atlantic
• redescriptions
• synonymies