Scaptognathides planus Monniot 1972

Abé, Hiroshi, 2021, Taxonomic review of the subfamily Lohmannellinae (Acari: Trombidiformes Halacaridae) with morphological comparisons among genera, Zootaxa 4980 (2), pp. 201-255 : 226

Scaptognathides planus Monniot 1972

Diagnosis. Ds-2 and Ds-3 on AD. OC with 2 Glps. Female with 4 Pgs, and 2 Sgs. Male with 30–31 Pgs without Sgs. Tr I–IV with 0-0-1-2 setae; Bf I–IV with 2-2-2-2 setae; Tf I–IV with 4-3-3-2 setae; Gn I–IV with 4-4-3-3 setae; Tb I–IV with 5-5-5-4 setae; Ta I–IV with 3-3-4-3 dorsal setae. Lc II–IV with accessory process and comb. Body length 270–285 in adult. Idiosoma length 210 in adult. Gnathosoma length 75 in adult. Gnathosoma width 55 in adult. Ratio of gnathosoma to idiosoma 0.36–0.38.

Remarks. The species is characterized by reticulate dorsal plates, Sgs present in female, more than 30 Pgs in male, and Ta III with 4 dorsal setae. This species is distinguished from congeners by the large number of Pgs in male. In the original illustration of Monniot (1972), the third and fourth legs should be changed each other. Female and male are known.

Habitat. Sublittoral zones: Coarse calcareous sediments at 8 m depth between coral reefs.

Distribution. North Atlantic Ocean: The Bermudas [ UK].

References. Bartsch (1986a, 1996b), Monniot (1972).

Depository. MNHNP.