taxonID	type	description	language	source
03E1AB02FF9935539AB6C512FBFAFA1C.taxon	materials_examined	Type species: Acaricis plana Beard & Gerson, 2009: 32.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9935539AB6C512FBFAFA1C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (modified from Beard & Gerson 2009, Xu & Zhang 2013, Castro et al. 2018). Adult female. Body elongate, about 1.7 – 3 times longer than wide; prodorsal and opisthonotal shields poorly defined. Palps 4 - segmented; palp tarsus with 2 terminal phaneres (both long). Anterior margin of prodorsum with short to moderately long median forked projection forming a notch; dorsal opisthosoma with 9 pairs of setae (c 3, d 1, d 3, e 1, e 3, f 2, f 3, h 1, h 2 present; c 1, c 2, d 2, e 2 absent); most dorsal setae short, fine to broadly lanceolate, with pointed tips; seta h 2 flagellate. Ventral and genital shields not developed, both regions membranous and merged together; two pairs of ps setae, anal valves membranous, setae ps 3 inserted far anterior to ps 2; ventral setae g 1 inserted anterior to g 2; 4 a 1 – 2 present, elongate, fine; lacking supernumerary coxal setae 3 a 2. Trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 or 1 - 1 - 2 - 1; femora 4 - 4 - 2 - 2 or 4 - 4 - 2 - 1, femur I – II with d inserted laterally (heteromorphic with respect to dorsal idiosomal setae); genua 2 - 2 - 1 - 0 (d absent on ge I – II) or 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 (d absent on ge I – II, lʹ absent on ge III); tarsi 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 5 - 5, setae ftʺ absent on tarsi I – II, setae ftʹ on tarsi I – IV finely elongate. Tarsal claws and empodia pad-like. Adult male. With 2 solenidia present on tarsi I – II; 0 – 1 solenidion present on tarsi III – IV.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9935539AB6C4C3FD07FC9D.taxon	materials_examined	Type genus — Tenuipalpus Donnadieu, 1875	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	description	(Figs 1 – 5)	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype. Female, Australia, Queensland, Rungulla National Park, along a wooded rocky ridgeline near a creek, Rungulla National Park, 32.1 km SSE from the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 24 ’ 21 ’’ S 143 ° 34 ’ 32 ” E, ex. Scleria sphacelata F. Muell. (Cyperaceae), 11. v. 2022, J. J. Beard (QM). Paratypes. 1 deutonymph, 1 larva, same data as holotype (QM).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. As per genus in addition to: body 3 times longer than wide; anterior margin of prodorsum with moderately long median forked projection; most dorsal setae short (almost minute) weakly lanceolate; trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 0; femora 4 - 4 - 2 - 2; genua 2 - 2 - 1 - 0; dorsal leg setae strong, smooth, weakly to strongly lanceolate, in contrast to fine ventral setae; tectal setae on tarsi strongly barbed.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	description	Description Adult female (1 measured) Dorsum. (Fig. 1) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 332, sc 2 – sc 2 105, c 3 – c 3 107, f 3 – f 3 60. Body mostly smooth, with prodorsal and opisthosomal shields not developed. Prodorsum with few longitudinal plicae in line with sc 1 and sc 2; eyes large and prominent; anterior margin with elongate median forked projection with notch (20); pair minute pores posterior to sc 1. Opisthosoma with few longitudinal plicae anteriorly between cx III – IV; pair of large pores present (mesad c 3, posteromesad d 3); pair minute pores present anterior to e 1. Dorsal setae mostly short, smooth, blunt, except setae h 2 finely elongate. Setal measurements: v 2 5 – 6, sc 1 5 – 6, sc 2 6, c 3 5 – 6, d 1 6, d 3 4 – 5, e 1 5, e 3 5 – 6, f 2 5 – 6, f 3 5 – 6, h 1 8 – 9, h 2 72 – 73. Infracapitulum. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (not measurable), femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta and single barbed ventral seta. Venter. (Fig. 2 A) Ventral cuticle entirely finely plicate. With longitudinal plicae between setae 1 b to 1 a; with transverse plicae from 1 a to ag setae, with a narrow band of widely spaced transverse plicae between setae 2 c – 2 c; plicae between 3 a and 4 a 1 – 2 with fine granulate texture; with longitudinal plicae laterally from coxae III to level with anus; genital flap with irregular plicae between ag – g 1, and longitudinal from g 1 to posterior margin; narrow band of oblique plicae flanking anal opening, and smooth cuticle laterad genitoanal region. Setae g 1 inserted anterior to g 2 on genital flap; setae ps 3 inserted on anal valves far anterior to ps 2. Ventral setae mostly short, fine, smooth, except setae 1 a, 4 a 1, 4 a 2 finely elongate. Setal measurements: 1 a 62 – 112, 1 b 15 – 17, 1 c 13 – 15, 2 b 16 – 20, 2 c 16 – 19, 3 a 16, 3 b 16 – 17, 4 a 1 84 – 90, 4 a 2 80 – 103, 4 b 17, g 1 15, g 2 15, ps 2 10 – 11, ps 3 12 – 13. Spermathecal apparatus. (Fig. 2 B) A moderately elongate, coiled, membranous duct terminating in a narrow, elongate vesicle (11); appears broken or folded distally. Legs. (Fig. 3) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2 - 2 - 1 - 1, tr 1 - 1 - 1 - 0, fe 4 - 4 - 2 - 2, ge 2 - 2 - 1 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3 - 3, ta 7 (1) - 7 (1) - 4 - 4. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b, 1 c; cx II 2 b, 2 c; cx III 3 b; cx IV 4 b; tr I – III v′; fe I – II d, l′, v′, bvʺ; fe III – IV d, ev′; ge I – II l′, lʺ; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III – IV d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, tc′, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ (ft ″, tc ″ absent); ta III – IV ft′, tc′, tcʺ, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (8 and 7 – 8, respectively); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small tubercles (both 7). Femur II with bv ″ broadly lanceolate (13). Deutonymph (1 measured). Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 218, sc 2 – sc 2 98, c 3 – c 3 82, f 3 – f 3 41. Smooth prodorsal and pygidial shields indicated by cuticle pattern; broad band of widely spaced transverse plicae anterior to c 3 – d 1; cuticle smooth posterior to d 1 – d 3. Anterior margin prodorsum with elongate median forked projection forming a notch (10). Dorsal setae mostly short, smooth, blunt, except setae h 2 fine, elongate. Setal measurements: v 2 3 – 4, sc 1 4 – 5, sc 2 3 – 4, c 3 4, d 1 5, d 3 3 – 4, e 1 3 – 4, e 3 3 – 4, f 2 4, f 3 4 – 5, h 1 5 – 6, h 2 67 – 70. Infracapitulum. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (not measurable), femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (6) and single barbed ventral seta (6). Venter. Ventral cuticle entirely plicate. With longitudinal and oblique plicae between setae 1 b to just posterior to 1 a; with transverse plicae from 1 a to coxae IV, becoming wavy to ag setae; central cuticle from g 1 to ps 2 with fine longitudinal plicae, smooth laterally; setae ps 3 inserted on anal valves far anterior to ps 2. Ventral setae mostly short, fine, smooth, except setae 1 a, 4 a 1 fine, elongate. Setal measurements: 1 a -, 1 b 8, 1 c 7 – 10, 2 b 8 – 10, 2 c 8 – 13, 3 a 10 – 12, 3 b 8, 4 a 1 36 – 42, 4 b 8, g 1 10 – 12, ps 2 8 – 9, ps 3 6. Legs. Setal formulae and chaetotaxy for legs I – IV as in adult female. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (both 6); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small tubercles (both 6). Femur II with bv ″ strong, smooth, blunt (7). Larva (1 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 4) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 188, sc 2 – sc 2 72, c 3 – c 3 68, f 3 – f 3 28. Cuticle pattern as in deutonymph; anterior margin with single short median projection (14); dorsal setae short, smooth, blunt, except setae h 2 finely elongate. Setal measurements: v 2 3 – 4, sc 1 3, sc 2 3 – 4, c 3 3, d 1 4, d 3 2 – 3, e 1 4, e 3 2 – 3, f 2 3, f 3 4, h 1 4 – 5, h 2 33 – 41. Infracapitulum. Palps 3 - segmented (Figs 5 A – D); palp tarsus with two phaneres (5, 2 – 3), femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (6) and single barbed ventral seta (6). Venter. Ventral cuticle with almost entirely weak fine transverse plicae from 1 a to just posterior coxae III, where small central region of broadly U-shaped plicae becomes oblique to ps 3. Setal measurements: 1 a 68 – 87, 1 b 9, 3 a 9 – 10, ps 2 6 – 7, ps 3 6. Legs. (Fig. 5) Setal formulae for legs I – III: cx 1 - 0 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 1, ti 5 - 5 - 3, ta 6 (1) - 6 (1) - 3. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b; fe I – II d, v′, bvʺ; fe III d, ev′; ge I – III l′; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III ft′, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (6 and 5, respectively); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (all 5). Colour. These mites were yellowy-green when alive.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	biology_ecology	Host. Scleria sphacelata F. Muell. (Cyperaceae).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This mite is so far known only from Rungulla National Park in northern Queensland, Australia. Although the host plant was collected at three different sites within the park, only three specimens of the mite were collected at one location where Scleriacarus gilbert i sp. nov. Beard & Seeman was also collected.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named for the sedge host genus, Scleria.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF99355A9AB6C394FDF7FD0D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Host plant identification made by Queensland Herbarium (BRI vouchers: RNP 68). As seta d is not a larval seta on the genua, we feel the setae on genua I – IV are a combination of l′ and l ″, not d and l ″ as they are named in Xu et al. (2013) and Castro et al. (2018). Both genera Prolixus and Acaricis have only a single fastigial (ft) seta present on tarsi I – II, and over the years it has been labelled as ft′ on species of Prolixus (Xu & Zhang 2014; Xu et al. 2017; Xu et al. 2018) and as ft ″ on species of Acaricis (Xu & Zhang 2013; Castro et al. 2018). Here, we designate this seta as ft′ in both genera (and in Scleriacarus gen. nov.), and we feel that in the absence of the companion seta ft ″, ft′ has moved to be more central or even somewhat abaxial on the segment.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF90355A9AB6C4A7FBBAFA68.taxon	materials_examined	Type species: Aegyptobia trägårdhi Sayed, 1950: 1019.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF90355A9AB6C4A7FBBAFA68.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (modified from Seeman & Beard 2011, Beard et al. 2012). Adult female. Body usually rounded, ovate to obovate, often no more than 1.5 times longer than wide (measured as v 2 – h 1 and sc 2 – sc 2), rarely ca. 2 times longer than wide, exceptionally rarely much more than 2 times longer than wide (e. g. A. prolixa Meyer); prodorsal and opisthonotal shields often well-developed and ornamented with patterns of striae or reticulation. Palps 5 - segmented; palp tarsus usually with 3 terminal phaneres (all well-developed). Anterior margin of prodorsum smoothly rounded or with short median notched projection; dorsal opisthosoma with full complement of dorsal setae (n. b. A. ericae Meyer & Van Dis was incorrectly recorded with setae f 2 absent (Beard et al. 2012 )); dorsal setae variable but typically homogenous in form and none flagellate. Ventral plate weakly developed or absent; genital plate weakly developed and with g 1 and g 2 inserted on posterior margin; anal plates usually well-developed, with three pairs of ps setae in a longitudinal line along medial margin or in a weak triangle (e. g. A. prolixa Meyer, A. gahnia sp. nov.); metapodal plates often developed; supernumerary coxal setae absent. Leg chaetotaxy variable, but tibiae I – IV stable 4 - 4 - 3 - 3 (seta lʹʹ lacking on tibiae I – II); usually with trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 or 1 - 1 - 2 - 1; femora I-II 4 - 4 or 3 - 3 (seta l’ sometimes absent); femora III – IV usually 2 - 1; genua I – IV usually 3 - 3 - 1 - 0, with several exceptions (e. g. 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 in A. pennatulae Baker & Tuttle, A. pomaderrisae Collyer, A. vannus Pritchard & Baker; 2 - 2 - 1 - 0 in A. nina (Pritchard & Baker); 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 in A. nummulus Chaudhri); tarsi usually 9 (1) - 9 (1) - 5 - 5, rarely with tcʹʹ absent on tarsi I – IV (e. g. A. pennatulae, A. vannus). Femora I – II with d inserted dorsally, typically similar form to dorsal idiosomal setae. Tarsal claws either pad-like (macswaini species group) or claw-like (trägårdhi species group). Adult male. Lacking additional solenidion on tarsi I – IV.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	description	(Figs 6 – 14)	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Adult female: as per genus and Aegyptobia macswaini species group, in addition to: body 2 times longer than wide; prodorsal, paired metanotal and pygidial shields developed; dorsal cuticle pattern of strong fine sulci; anterior margin of prodorsum smoothly rounded; dorsal setae not homogeneous in form with short setae centrally and much longer setae laterally and posteriorly; ventral plate not developed, region membranous; anal plates developed but membranous; ps setae inserted in a weak triangle; ps 1 – 2 equal in length to g 1 – 2, ps 3 minute; metapodal plates not developed; trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 (n. b. v′ on tr I – II, IV; l′ on tr III); femora I – II 4 - 4; tarsi I – IV 9 (1) - 9 (1) - 5 - 5; femora I – III with seta d inserted dorsally, similar in form to posterior dorsal idiosomal setae; tarsal claws pad-like with a ventrally-directed claw-like structure.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype. Female, Australia, Victoria, Ararat-Hall’s Gap Road, approx. 7 km E Hall’s Gap turn off, ex. thatch saw-sedge Gahnia radula (R. Br.) Benth. (Cyperaceae), 37 ° 09 ’ 13.5 ” S 142 ° 34 ’ 30.5 ” E, 02. iii. 2015, J. J. Beard and C. J. Burwell (QM). Paratypes. 18 females, 6 males, 2 deutonymphs, 4 protonymphs, 1 larva, same data as holotype (QM).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	description	Description Adult female (8 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 6) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 310 – 348 [332], sc 2 – sc 2 140 – 161 [160], c 3 – c 3 164 – 192 [188], f 3 – f 3 111 – 122 [117]. Prodorsum with widely spaced longitudinal plicae over most of region, with large central area of smooth cuticle; multiple minute pores visible; anterior margin without projections or notches. Opisthosoma with pair of large, rounded, smooth mesonotal shields between setae c 1 and c 2; anterior margin opisthosoma with band of finely colliculate cuticle; with longitudinal plicae between c 1 setae and laterad mesonotal shields; with broad band of widely spaced transverse sulci from d 1 to level with e 2; cuticle posterior to e 2 much smoother, forming a weak pygidial shield with few longitudinal to oblique plicae; 2 pairs small pores present (mesad d 2, posteromesad e 2) and multiple minute pores visible. Dorsal setae barbed, variable in length, with setae along posterior margin long, thick, barbed. Setal measurements: v 2 8 – 10 [10], sc 1 13 – 16 [13 – 15], sc 2 21 – 28 [27 – 28], c 1 13 – 19 [14], c 2 10 – 13 [12], c 3 16 – 27 [16 – 19], d 1 7 – 9 [8 – 9], d 2 7 – 11 [10 – 11], d 3 30 – 43 [37 – 38 – 33], e 1 7 – 9 [-], e 2 8 – 11 [10], e 3 39 – 51 [39 – 51], f 2 10 – 13 [11], f 3 49 – 62 [54 – 62], h 1 38 – 46 [44 – 46], h 2 42 – 62 [57 – 60]. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 6) Cuticle on dorsal infracapitulum with fine longitudinal plicae; infracapitular seta m present (10 – 12) [12]. Palps 5 - segmented; palp tarsus small with solenidion (5 – 6) [5] and two eupathidia (4 – 5); femur and tibia each with single barbed dorsal seta (9 – 12) [10 – 12] and (11 – 12) [12] respectively. Venter. (Fig. 7 A) Ventral cuticle entirely plicate. Anterior margin of prosternal cuticle between 1 b – 1 b finely colliculate to finely rugose with longitudinal wrinkles laterally; cuticle 1 b – 1 a smooth; cuticle 1 a – 3 a finely colliculate with widely spaced transverse sulci, becoming much more strongly colliculate along lateral margin of body; cuticle between 3 a and 4 a with widely spaced longitudinal sulci (weak to strong); band of widely spaced transverse sulci posterior to 4 a becoming small central region of broadly V-shaped to oblique sulci anterior to ag; ag – ag with fine to widely spaced transverse sulci; setae g 1 and g 2 long, barbed, inserted along posterior margin of mostly smooth oval genital flap; entire pregenital and genital region flanked by strong, widely spaced longitudinal sulci that form corrugate cuticle over most of posterior ventral opisthosoma. Small pore at anterior limit of coxae III (Fig. 7 A, indicated by arrow). Ventral setae 1 a, 1 b, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 4 a fine, elongate (often broken and difficult to determine full length); setae g 1, g 2, ps 1, ps 2 long, thick, barbed; setae ps 3 reduced, short, blunt (can be difficult to see). Setal measurements: 1 a 55 – 80 [-], 1 b 22 – 34 [22 – 25], 1 c 14 – 16 [14], 2 b 38 – 60 [-], 2 c 49 – 80 [73], 3 a 32 – 56 [32 – 37], 3 b 15 – 22 [18], 4 a 53 – 78 [78], g 1 21 – 26 [22 – 25], g 2 22 – 26 [22 – 23], ps 1 19 – 24 [24], ps 2 18 – 22 [22], ps 3 2 – 3 [3]. Spermathecal apparatus. (Fig. 7 B) An elongate, highly coiled, fine membranous duct terminating in a rounded membranous vesicle. Legs. (Fig. 8) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2 - 2 - 1 - 1, tr 1 - 1 - 2 - 1, fe 4 - 4 - 2 - 1, ge 3 - 3 - 1 - 0, ti 4 - 4 - 3 - 3, ta 9 (1) - 9 (1) - 5 - 5. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b, 1 c; cx II 2 b, 2 c; cx III 3 b; cx IV 4 b; fe I – II d, l′, v′, bvʺ; fe III d, ev′, fe IV ev′; ge I – II d, l′, lʺ; ti I – II d, l′, v′, vʺ (lʺ absent); ti III – IV d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, ft ″, tc′, tc ″, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III – IV ft′, tc′, tcʺ, u′, uʺ. Aberrations: one individual with l′ absent on one tr III, and a different seta absent on each genua II — d and l ″. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5 – 7 [7], 5 – 6 [5 – 6], respectively) associated with a short companion seta ftʺ (12 – 16) [15], (9 – 13) [11] respectively; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small truncate tubercles (all 6 – 7). Some long, thick, barbed setae on legs segments: trochanter III seta l′ 22 – 27 [25]; femur I seta d 31 – 41 [41]; femur II seta d 25 – 34 [34], bv ″ 32 – 39 [32]; femur III seta d 28 – 35 [35]; genu III seta d 23 – 30 [29]; tibiae seta d — ti I 50 – 56 [56], ti II 19 – 21 [20], ti III 18 – 29 [29], ti IV 25 – 38 [35]. Tectal setae on tarsi distinctly shaped — basal section broad with cluster of small barbs and single large barb approximately half way along seta after which becomes very fine (Fig. 8). The lateral true claws are pad-like with an acute ventrally-directed claw-like structure distally on pad, difficult to see clearly as obscured by the tenent hairs (Fig. 9 B). The pads of the true claws have a finely toothed ventrolateral margin. Adult male (6 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 10) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 201 – 212, sc 2 – sc 2 134 – 141, c 3 – c 3 147 – 162, f 3 – f 3 52 – 66. Prodorsum with widely spaced longitudinal sulci over most of region, with large central area of smooth cuticle (anteriorly with extremely fine plicae, difficult to see); multiple minute pores visible in sublateral longitudinal row; anterior margin without projections or notches. Opisthosoma with large, transversely rectangular, smooth mesonotal shield-like region between setal pairs c 2 and d 2, with single pair minute pores in each anterolaterad corner; with longitudinal plicae laterad shield; with broad band of fine transverse sulci from d 1 to e 1; with smooth shield-like region between e 1 and h 1; with fine transverse plicae posterior to h 1; body terminating in projecting anogenital valves that bear short ps 1 – 2 and modified ps 3. Dorsal setae barbed, variable in length, with setae along posterior margin long, thick, barbed. Setal measurements: v 2 7 – 10, sc 1 8 – 12, sc 2 10 – 21, c 1 9 – 16, c 2 9 – 11, c 3 14 – 19, d 1 7 – 10, d 2 8 – 13, d 3 13 – 19, e 1 7 – 10, e 2 7 – 12, e 3 23 – 30, f 2 9 – 14, f 3 29 – 43, h 1 21 – 31, h 2 27 – 36. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 10) Cuticle on dorsal infracapitulum with fine longitudinal plicae; infracapitular seta m present (7 – 8). Palps 5 - segmented; palp tarsus small with solenidion (5 – 6) and two eupathidia (4 – 5), femur and tibia each with single barbed dorsal seta (7 – 8) and (10 – 11) respectively. Venter. (Fig. 11 A) Ventral cuticle entirely plicate. Anterior margin of prosternal cuticle between 1 b – 1 b finely granulate with longitudinal plicae; cuticle 1 b – 1 a smooth; cuticle 1 a – 3 a finely colliculate with widely spaced transverse sulci, becoming much more strongly colliculate toward lateral margin of body; cuticle between 3 a and 4 a with weak fine longitudinal plicae; cuticle posterior to 4 a with strong transverse plicae and sulci to genital setae and opening. Setae ps 3 modified to form long, thick, blunt accessory genital stylets, inserted distally on short membranous projection flanked by projecting anogenital valves that bear short fine ps 1 – 2 distally. Ventral setae very fine, often difficult to determine full length, especially setae 1 a, 2 b, 2 c, 3 a, 4 a. Setal measurements: 1 a 42 – 47, 1 b 9 – 10, 1 c 8 – 10, 2 b 18 – 22, 2 c 33 – 58, 3 a 29 – 43, 3 b 10 – 15, 4 a 23 – 48, 4 b 11 – 15, g 1 10 – 12, g 2 10 – 12, ps 1 7 – 9, ps 2 7 – 9, ps 3 15 – 17. Aedeagus. (Fig. 11 B) Sclerotised, elongate, narrowly subulate (68 – 70), with narrow membranous tube emerging from sclerotised section, termination not visible. Legs. (Fig. 12) Setal formulae and chaetotaxy same as adult female. Tarsi I and II each with only a single solenidion ωʺ (both 8), with an associated companion seta ftʺ (8 – 10, 6 – 8 respectively), and pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small truncate tubercles (all 5 – 6). The proral setae on ta I – II have a distal elongate nipple. Some long, thick, barbed setae on legs segments: trochanter III seta l′ 12 – 19; femur I seta d 46 – 50; femur II seta d 31 – 42, bv ″ 12 – 16; femur III seta d 22 – 39; genu III seta d 11 – 14; tibiae seta d — ti I 36 – 48, ti II 11 – 15, ti III 17 – 35, ti IV 22 – 37. The lateral true claws are pad-like with a broad ventrally-directed claw-like structure on pad, difficult to see clearly as obscured by the tenent hairs (Figs 9 C – D, 12). Deutonymph (2 measured). Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 292 – 301, sc 2 – sc 2 129 – 134, c 3 – c 3 158, f 3 – f 3 95 – 111. Prodorsum with widely spaced longitudinal sulci over most of region, with large central area of faintly plicate and granulate cuticle; with transverse plicae between v 2 and v 2; 2 pairs minute pores visible; anterior margin without projections or notches. Opisthosoma with mostly transverse plicae; with longitudinal plicae laterad c 2; cuticle posterior to e 1 with arching plicae becoming longitudinal. Setal measurements: v 2 7 – 14, sc 1 13 – 24, sc 2 22 – 29, c 1 15 – 21, c 2 12 – 31, c 3 21 – 33, d 1 7 – 11, d 2 8 – 10, d 3 25 – 27, e 1 7 – 9, e 2 9 – 11, e 3 31 – 42, f 2 9 – 15, f 3 33 – 42, h 1 27 – 30, h 2 33 – 43. Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in adults; infracapitular setae m (9 – 12). Palps 5 - segmented; palp tarsus with solenidion (5 – 6) and two eupathidia (both 3 – 4); femur and tibia each with single dorsal barbed seta (both 9 – 10). Venter. Ventral cuticle with narrow band transverse plicae between 1 b – 1 b; with longitudinal plicae between 1 b – 1 a; with transverse plicae 1 a – g 1 with region of irregular between cx IV – IV; setae ag framed by longitudinal plicae laterally and transverse plicae anteriorly and posteriorly; with band of transverse plicae around ps 3 becoming longitudinal to posterior. Setal measurements: 1 a 34, 1 b 22, 1 c 13, 2 b -, 2 c 28 – 45, 3 a 39 – 43, 3 b 10, 4 a 42 – 44, 4 b 11 – 16, ag 9 – 10, g 1 11 – 13, ps 1 8 – 9, ps 2 7 – 10, ps 3 2. Legs. Setal formulae and chaetotaxy for legs I – IV same as adult female except tr IV nude, fe I – II with 3 setae (l′ absent). Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (6 and 5, respectively) with associated barbed companion seta ftʺ (7 – 11 and 8 – 10, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (both 4 – 5 on both tarsi). Some long, thick, barbed setae on legs segments: trochanter III seta l′ 18 – 20; femur I seta d 29 – 42; femur II seta d 29 – 38, bv ″ 26 – 32; femur III seta d 25 – 35; genu III seta d 15 – 19; tibiae seta d — ti I 41 – 48, ti II 16 – 24, ti III 19 – 27, ti IV 21 – 25. Ontogenetic setal additions: setae 2 b are added to coxae II; v′ added to trochanters I – III; d and l ″ added to genua I – II; tc′ – tc ″ added to tarsus IV. Protonymph (4 measured). Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 210 – 238, sc 2 – sc 2 108 – 116, c 3 – c 3 141 – 148, f 3 – f 3 60 – 71. Prodorsum with fine, weak longitudinal plicae over most of region with granular texture; with large central area smooth cuticle; anterior margin without projections or notches. Opisthosoma with mostly transverse plicae; with small region longitudinal plicae laterad c 2; cuticle posterior to e 1 with arching plicae. Setal measurements: v 2 9 – 11, sc 1 14 – 18, sc 2 20, c 1 15 – 18, c 2 13, c 3 16 – 24, d 1 7 – 9, d 2 9 – 11, d 3 25, e 1 7 – 9, e 2 9 – 13, e 3 23 – 31, f 2 9 – 12, f 3 20 – 29, h 1 17 – 22, h 2 17 – 27. Infracapitulum. Infracapitular setae m (7 – 10). Palps 5 - segmented; palp tarsus with solenidion (5 – 6) and two eupathidia (both 3 – 4); femur and tibia each with single barbed dorsal setae (7 – 10 and 8 – 9, respectively). Venter. Ventral cuticle with narrow band transverse plicae between 1 b – 1 b; with longitudinal plicae between 1 b – 1 a; with transverse plicae 1 a – 3 a with region of irregular between cx IV – IV; cuticle posterior to cx IV transverse to ps 3; setae ag framed by longitudinal plicae laterally and transverse plicae anteriorly and posteriorly. Setal measurements: 1 a 35, 1 b 10 – 20, 1 c 9 – 10, 2 c 19 – 27, 3 a 14 – 37, 3 b 7 – 9, ag 4 – 8, ps 1 3 – 5, ps 2 3 – 6, ps 3 4 – 6. Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2 - 1 - 1 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 1 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2 - 1, ge 1 - 1 - 1 - 0, ti 4 - 4 - 3 - 3, ta 9 (1) - 9 (1) - 5 - 3 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: same as larva except 1 c, 2 c, 3 b added to cx I, II, III respectively; l′ added to tr III; and tc′ added to ta I – II. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5 and 4 – 5, respectively) with associated companion seta ftʺ (both 5 – 8), and pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (4 – 5 on both tarsi). Some long, thick, barbed setae on legs segments: trochanter III seta l′ 11 – 13; femur I seta d 25 – 38; femur II seta d 22 – 26, bv ″ 14 – 18; femur III seta d 19 – 24; genu III seta d 12 – 14; tibiae seta d — ti I 30 – 36, ti II 20 – 21, ti III 17 – 21, ti IV 14 – 21. Larva (1 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 13) Body measurements: v 2 – e 1 158 (v 2 – posterior margin 175), sc 2 – sc 2 87, c 3 – c 3 118, f 3 – f 3 36. Prodorsal shield weakly indicated, with fine longitudinal plicae becoming weak centrally; anterior margin smoothly rounded without median notch. Dorsal opisthosoma entirely with transverse plicae and sulci except for small region oblique plicae between c 1 and c 2. Setae h 1, h 2, f 3 inserted ventrally, with setae f 2 and e 3 inserted on lateral margin. Setal measurements: v 2 7, sc 1 11, sc 2 8, c 1 16 – 18, c 2 -, c 3 16, d 1 9 – 10, d 2 14, d 3 -, e 1 -, e 2 -, e 3 15 – 16, f 2 13 – 14, f 3 18 – 19, h 1 13 – 17, h 2 14 – 15. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 13) Cuticle on dorsal infracapitulum appears smooth; infracapitular seta m absent. Palps 5 - segmented; palp tarsus with solenidion (5) and two eupathidia (both 4), femur and tibia each with single barbed dorsal seta (7) and (8) respectively. Venter. (Fig. 14) Ventral cuticle with narrow band transverse plicae between 1 b – 1 b; with longitudinal plicae between 1 b – 1 a; with transverse plicae 1 a – 3 a; posterior 3 a with large region of longitudinal plicae to setae h 1 with a small central diamond-shaped region of transverse plicae anterior to setae ps 3; with oblique plicae laterad genitoanal region. Setae h 1, h 2, f 3 inserted ventrally, with setae f 2 and e 3 inserted on lateral margin. Setal measurements: 1 a 28, 1 b 7 – 8, 3 a 12, ps 1 2, ps 2 2, ps 3 3. Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – III: cx 1 - 1 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 1, ti 4 - 4 - 3, ta 7 (1) - 7 (1) - 3 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b; fe I – II d, v′, bvʺ; fe III – IV d, ev′; ge I – II l′; ti I – II d, l′, v′, vʺ (lʺ absent); ti III d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, ftʺ, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III ft′, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (both 5) associated with companion seta ftʺ (both 5 – 7), and pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (all 4). Femur I seta d 13; femur II seta d 11 – 12, bv ″ 7 – 8; femur III seta d 13. Genu III seta d 9 – 10. Tibiae seta d — ti I 21 – 22, ti II 14 – 15, ti III 15 – 16. Colour. These mites were broad, flat and shiny orange in colour when alive.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	biology_ecology	Host. Thatch saw-sedge, Gahnia radula (R. Br.) Benth. (Cyperaceae).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This mite is so far known only from Victoria, Australia, where the host plant was growing along the side of the road.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named after the genus of its sedge host, Gahnia J. R. & G. Forst, which in turn was named after the Swedish botanist and student of Linnaeus, Dr Henricus Gahn.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF9035469AB6C040FCE1F935.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Aegyptobia gahnia sp. nov., the first species in this genus to be described from Cyperaceae, is an unusual species of Aegyptobia, but less so in the context of the macswaini species group, which includes several members with more elongate bodies with poorly defined dorsal shields, combined with a tendency to associate with host plants in the order Poales. The macswaini species group bears a close resemblance to the genus Pseudoleptus Bruyant, 1911, and no single character state separates these two assemblages. However, all Pseudoleptus have acutely-pointed anterior prodorsal projections (Khanjani et al. 2012) and, as A. gahnia sp. nov. lacks these projections, we exclude this species from Pseudoleptus. Nevertheless, various species distributed within both genera show similarities that may reflect their shared association with Poales. In this respect, the body of A. gahnia sp. nov. is striate, mesonotal shields are apparent, and prodorsal, opisthosomal, and ventral shields are poorly expressed. Additionally, A. gahnia sp. nov. and other members of the macswaini group share the distinct triangular arrangement of the pseudanal setae with species of Pseudoleptus, although the triangle is not as exaggerated in the macswaini group with ps 2 not always as lateral as that found in Pseudoleptus. The unusual ventral claw-like structures on the pad-like empodia could be interpreted as an autapomorphy of A. gahnia sp. nov. However, re-examination of a paratype of A. bromi Khanjani, Khanjani & Seeman shows that this species has a similar claw-like structure (Fig. 9 A). As the holotype of A. mcswaini does not have this structure (pers. comm. Aline Tassi), it is unknown how widespread it is within the species group. Closer examination of other Aegyptobia and Pseudoleptus with pad-like claws is needed to elucidate the prevalence of this unusual character state. Within the macswaini species group, A. gahnia sp. nov. is possibly unique by having minute setae ps 3, but ventral details are not provided in several descriptions, restricting diagnostics to the dorsum alone. In this sense, A. gahnia sp. nov. is similar to A. torreyi Baker & Tuttle, in being the only species of the macswaini species group with distinctly long opisthomarginal setae that contrast with very short opisthosomal sublateral and central setae. The species are easily distinguished by the absence of a distinct metanotal region in A. torreyi. We note that the contrasting opisthosomal setae are also a feature of many Pseudoleptus species, further indicating a close relationship between A. gahnia sp. nov. and Pseudoleptus. The minute pair of ps 3 setae in Aegyptobia gahnia sp. nov. also raises the possibility of a close relationship with Phytoptipalpus, as this genus is separated from Aegyptobia by only the loss of a single ps seta. However, members of Phytoptipalpus all have uncinate claws (Khanjani et al. 2012), suggesting a closer relationship with the tragardhi species group of Aegyptobia. Nevertheless, it may be pertinent to re-examine species of Phytoptipalpus for similar reduced setae, which may be concealed beneath the genital flap.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8C35479AB6C17BFE16FB61.taxon	materials_examined	Type species: Prolixus forsteri Beard, Fan & Walter, 2005: 170.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8C35479AB6C17BFE16FB61.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis (modified from Beard et al. 2005 and Xu & Zhang 2014). Adult female. Body highly elongate, at least four times longer than wide; prodorsal and opisthonotal shields absent or poorly defined. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with 2 terminal phaneres (both moderately short or both long). Anterior margin of prodorsum smooth, or with small median projection; dorsal opisthosoma with 7, 8 or 9 pairs of setae (c 3, d 1, d 3, e 3, f 3, h 1, h 2 present; c 1, c 2, d 2, e 2 absent; e 1, f 2 present or absent). Dorsal setae variable; sc 1, sc 2 elongate and usually highly pilose; posterior lateral opisthosomal setae usually elongate and highly pilose; opisthosomal setae d 1, d 3, e 1 usually much shorter; seta h 2 flagellate. Ventral and genital shields not developed, both regions membranous and merged together; ventral setae 1 c, 2 b, 2 c, 3 b, 4 b, ag present or absent; two pairs of ps setae, anal valves membranous, setae ps 3 inserted far anterior to ps 2; ventral setae g 1 inserted well anterior to g 2; 4 a 1 – 2 usually present, elongate, fine (absent in P. setifolius Xu, Huang & Zhang); lacking supernumerary coxal setae 3 a 2. Trochanters variable, 0 - 0 - 0 - 0, 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 (tr III lʹ added in protonymph) or 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 (tr I – II vʹ added in adult stage); femora 4 - 4 - 2 - 2, 4 - 3 - 2 - 2, 3 - 3 - 1 - 1 or 1 - 1 - 0 - 0, femur I – II with d inserted dorsally; genua variable, 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 (d absent), 2 - 1 - 0 - 0, or 1 - 1 - 0 - 0 (d absent, lʹʹ absent on ge II or ge I – II); tibiae 5 - 5 - 3 - 3; tarsi usually 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 4 - 4 or 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 5 - 5, rarely 7 (1) - 7 (1) - 3 - 3. Tarsi I – II with setae ftʹʹ absent; setae ftʹ finely elongate. Tarsi III – IV with tc′ absent, and tc ″ present or absent. Tarsal claws and empodia pad-like. Adult male. As in female, in addition to: lacking solenidion on tarsi III – IV; femora 4 - 4 - 2 - 2 or 2 - 2 - 1 - 1; genua 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 or 1 - 1 - 0 - 0; tarsi 9 (2) - 9 (2) - 4 - 4, 8 (2) - 8 (2) - 4 - 4 or 8 (2) - 8 (2) - 3 - 3.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8C35479AB6C17BFE16FB61.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The setation on coxae I – IV is variable in this genus, from the full standard 2 - 2 - 1 - 1 in P. forsteri to the greatly reduced 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 in P. setifolia. On coxa II, seta 2 c is added in the protonymph, prior to seta 2 b being added in the deutonymph. When there is only one seta present on coxa II, its name will depend on the stage in which it is added during ontogeny. Likewise with the setae added to trochanters I – IV. When there is just one seta present on trochanter III, its name will depend on the stage in which it was added, with l′ being added in the protonymph and v′ added in the deutonymph or adult. For example, P. meyerae has 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 on trochanters, with the seta being added to trochanter III in the protonymph making it l′; while P. nicholasi has 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 on the trochanters, where l′ is added to trochanter III in the protonymph and v′ is added to trochanters I – II in the deutonymph. Males of P. insignis sp. nov. also have 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 present on the trochanters, however, these are all added in the deutonymph and are considered to be v′. As in several other tenuipalpid genera (e. g. Raoiella (Beard et al. 2018), Obuloidini (Beard et al. 2022), Prolixus exhibits sexual dimorphism during ontogeny (in addition to the standard additional solenidion on the tarsi of males), as discussed further by Xu et al. (2017). Here, P. insignis sp. nov. males and females of all stages can be separated by dorsal opisthosomal seta f 2 being present on the males and absent on the females. Additional sexual dimorphic character states appear in the deutonymph stage with the male having both 2 b and 2 c present on coxa II and v′ on trochanters I – III, while the female has only 2 c present on coxa II, and the trochanters are nude. See also Remarks for P. insignis sp. nov.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	description	(Figs 15 – 20)	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Adult female: as per genus, in addition to: body four times longer than wide; anterior margin of prodorsum smooth; seta e 1 present; seta f 2 absent; setae sc 1, sc 2 strongly pilose, thickened; sc 1 (length 15 – 20) shorter than sc 2 (length 23 – 31); setae c 3, f 3 setae strongly pilose, similar in form to sc 1 – 2; 1 c, 3 b, 4 b, ag absent; setae 2 b, 2 c present; seta 3 a not flagellate (length 14 – 31); trochanters 0 - 0 - 0 - 0; femora 4 - 4 - 2 - 2; genua 2 - 1 - 0 - 0 (occasional losses on both genua); tarsi 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 4 - 4; spermathecal calyx cylindrical. Adult male: as per genus and female in addition to: trochanters 1 - 0 - 0 - 0, genua 2 - 2 - 0 - 0, tarsi 9 (2) - 9 (2) - 4 - 4.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype. Female, Australia, Queensland, Rungulla National Park, Marta Logo Spring, 3.3 km NE of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 07 ’ 33 ” S 143 ° 30 ’ 02 ” E, ex. Gahnia aspera (R. Br.) Spreng. (Cyperaceae), 03. v. 2022, J. J. Beard (QM). Paratypes. 20 females, 8 males, 4 deutonymphs, 3 protonymphs, 2 larvae, same data as holotype (QM). Other material examined. 18 females, 11 males, 2 protonymphs, 5 larvae, along creek line, 16.3 km NNW of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 18 ° 59 ’ 59 ” S 143 ° 24 ’ 24 ” E, Rungulla National Park, ex. Gahnia aspera, Queensland, Australia, 06. v. 2022, J. J. Beard (QM); 23 females, 14 males, 12 nymphs, 1 km along tributary of Gilbert River, 19.1 km NNW of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 18 ° 59 ’ 01 ” S 143 ° 22 ’ 53 ” E, Rungulla National Park, Queensland, Australia, ex. Gahnia aspera, 09. v. 2022, J. J. Beard (QM).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	description	Description Adult female (8 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 15) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 336 – 398 [386], sc 2 – sc 2 74 – 87 [78], c 3 – c 3 75 – 85 [78], f 3 – f 3 32 – 40 [40]. Body entirely membranous and plicate, prodorsal and opisthosomal shields not developed. Prodorsum with longitudinal plicae v 2 to sc 1 and between sc 1 to sc 2 surrounding eyes, becoming transverse centrally; anterior margin without projections. Opisthosoma with transverse plicae from level with sc 2 to d 1 – c 3; central plicae from d 1 to h 1 V-shaped to U-shaped, becoming longitudinal towards lateral margins. Dorsal setae barbed, variable in length; setae h 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length. Setal measurements: v 2 3 – 5 [4], sc 1 16 – 20 [16], sc 2 23 – 31 [28], c 3 18 – 23 [19], d 1 5 – 8 [8], d 3 4 – 6 [5 – 6], e 1 4 – 8 [8], e 3 5 – 9 [6], f 3 13 – 20 [17 – 20], h 1 5 – 6 [6], h 2 82 – 110 [104]. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 15) Cuticle on dorsal infracapitulum with longitudinal plicae. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two elongate narrow phaneres (4 – 5 [4 – 5]; 6 – 7 [6 – 7]), femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (8 – 12) [12] and single smooth ventral seta (6 – 8) [7]. Venter. (Fig. 16 A) Ventral cuticle entirely plicate. With longitudinal and oblique plicae between setae 1 b to just posterior to 1 a; with transverse wavy plicae from coxae II to 4 a setae, becoming broadly U-shaped level with coxae III, often with small central region of irregular plicae between 3 a and 4 a 1 – 2; between coxae III – IV, central cuticle broadly U-shaped becoming longitudinal laterally; posterior to coxae IV, central cuticle becoming arched to setae g 2; between g 2 – g 2 with longitudinal plicae along posterior margin of genital flap; with oblique plicae surrounding anal valves. Setae g 1 inserted anterior to g 2 on genital flap; setae ps 3 inserted far anterior to ps 2 on anal valves. Ventral setae mostly short, fine, smooth, except setae 1 a, 1 b, 4 a 1, 4 a 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length. Setae 1 c, 3 b, 4 b, ag absent. Setae ps 3 often obscured within membranous folds. Setal measurements: 1 a 83 – 117 [94], 1 b 41 – 65 [62], 2 b 8 – 14 [11], 2 c 10 – 15 [12], 3 a 14 – 31 [23 – 31], 4 a 1 47 – 82 [77], 4 a 2 45 – 62 [45], g 1 8 – 14 [12], g 2 8 – 13 [12], ps 2 8 – 11 [11], ps 3 5 – 7 [6]. Spermathecal apparatus. (Fig. 16 B) A moderately elongate, coiled, membranous duct terminating in a short, narrow, cylindrical vesicle (8 – 10). Legs. (Fig. 17) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 1 - 2 - 0 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0 - 0, fe 4 - 4 - 2 - 2, ge 2 - 1 - 0 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3 - 3, ta 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 4 - 4. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b; cx II 2 b, 2 c; cx III 3 b; cx IV 4 b; fe I – II d, l′, v′, bvʺ; fe III – IV d, ev′; ge I – II l′, lʺ; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III – IV d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, tc′, tc ″, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III – IV ft′, tcʺ, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5 – 7 [6 – 7], 4 – 6 [5], respectively); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small truncate tubercles (all 6 – 7). Seta d on tibiae I with enlarged socket (20 – 25 [22]); seta d on tibiae II (13 – 17 [14]). Genua I – II have 1 – 2 setae present, often asymmetrically. Genu I most commonly has 2 setae (l′, l ″) and genu II most commonly with 1 seta (l′) present. We note that because males have 2 - 2 on ge I – II, and seta l ″ is apparently inconsistently added to ge I – II in deutonymph, it follows that the sex of the deutonymph can likely be determined by the number of setae on genu II. Adult male (8 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 18) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 257 – 283, sc 2 – sc 2 68 – 77, c 3 – c 3 63 – 72, f 3 – f 3 36 – 40. Body entirely membranous and plicate, prodorsal and opisthosomal shields not developed. Prodorsum with mostly longitudinal plicae, becoming oblique to transverse posteromedially between setae sc 2 – sc 2; anterior margin without projections. Opisthosoma with broad band of transverse plicae between sc 2 to c 3; central plicae from level with c 3 to h 1 mostly longitudinal with some oblique plicae in region between c 3 to d 1, and narrow band of mostly transverse plicae between coxae IV. Dorsal setae barbed, variable in length; setae h 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length; setal measurements: v 2 5 – 8, sc 1 22 – 30, sc 2 32 – 39, c 3 24 – 31, d 1 7 – 10, d 3 11 – 19, e 1 8 – 11, e 3 20 – 23, f 3 21 – 27, h 1 6 – 9, h 2 93 – 138. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 18) Cuticle on dorsal infracapitulum with longitudinal plicae. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two elongate narrow phaneres (both 5 – 7), femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (9 – 10) and single smooth ventral seta (7 – 8). Venter. (Fig. 19 A) Ventral cuticle entirely plicate; from seta 1 b to level with coxae II with longitudinal plicae; with a band of transverse plicae just posterior to coxae II, becoming longitudinal to 3 a and oblique laterally; narrow band of transverse plicae just posterior to 3 a, then longitudinal to 4 a; small region of arching plicae just posterior to 4 a that becomes a narrow band of transverse plicae between coxae IV; posterior to coxae IV with fine longitudinal plicae to a band of transverse to arching plicae around genitoanal region. Setae ps 3 modified to form short narrow accessory genital stylets, often obscured within membranous folds. Ventral setae mostly short, fine, smooth, except setae 1 a, 1 b, 4 a 1, 4 a 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length. Setae 1 c, 3 b, 4 b, ag absent. Setal measurements: 1 a 70 – 108, 1 b 30 – 71, 2 b 15 – 20, 2 c 15 – 20, 3 a 17 – 30, 4 a 1 62 – 87, 4 a 2 24 – 60, g 1 11 – 15, g 2 9 – 14, ps 2 12 – 14, ps 3 7. One male has seta 3 b asymmetrically present. Aedeagus. (Fig. 19 B) Sclerotised, elongate, narrowly subulate (34 – 38), with narrow membranous tube emerging from sclerotised section terminating in a broad V-shaped calyx and rounded membranous vesicle. Legs. (Fig. 20) Setal formulae and chaetotaxy same as adult female except tr I – II with 1 seta (v′), ge I – II with 2 setae present, ta I – II with additional solenidion ω′ present; ω′ inserted proximally on segment. Tarsi I and II each with two solenidia (ta I adaxial ω′ 8 – 9, abaxial ωʺ 7 – 8; ta II adaxial ω′ 6 – 9, abaxial ωʺ 7 – 8); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small truncate tubercles (all 6 – 7). Seta d on tibiae I with enlarged socket (23 – 27); seta d on tibiae II (16 – 17). Form of leg setae similar to that of female, except d setae on femora are longer and thicker — fe I 16 – 21, fe II 14 – 20, fe III 17 – 20, fe IV 18 – 22. Seta bv ″ on femur II 19 – 24 long. Deutonymph (3 measured). Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 314 – 321, sc 2 – sc 2 67 – 76, c 3 – c 3 62 – 66, f 3 – f 3 26 – 29. Body entirely membranous and plicate. Central cuticle on prodorsum between v 2 to sc 1 with chevron-shaped plicae, flanked by longitudinal plicae; small region between sc 1 to sc 2 with longitudinal striae surrounding eyes; sc 1 to just posterior to setae d 3 with wavy transverse plicae; posterior to d 3 with arching striae becoming longitudinal; longitudinal plicae from level with coxae IV to h 1. Dorsal setae similar in form to adults. Setal measurements: v 2 4 – 5, sc 1 16 – 17, sc 2 23 – 26, c 3 16 – 19, d 1 8 – 9, d 3 5 – 6, e 1 3 – 4, e 3 5 – 9, f 3 9 – 11, h 1 4 – 5, h 2 72 – 78. Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in adults. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two narrow phaneres (4 – 5, 5 – 6); femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (8 – 10), and single smooth ventral seta (6 – 7). Venter. With longitudinal plicae from 1 b to just posterior 1 a, then wavy transverse plicae to 4 a 1; with V-shaped plicae 4 a 1 to g 1; with a band of transverse plicae at g 1; anal flaps with longitudinal plicae, and oblique plicae laterad anal flaps. Form of ventral setae as in adults. Setal measurements: 1 a 88, 1 b 37 – 39, 2 b 8 – 10, 2 c 8 – 10, 3 a 16 – 18, 4 a 1 32 – 41, g 1 8 – 10, ps 2 5 – 7, ps 3 3 – 4. Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – IV as in adult female except (differences in bold): cx 1 - 2 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2 - 2. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (both 4 – 5); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (all 5 – 6). Genua I – II have 1 – 2 setae present, sometimes asymmetrically, with 1 seta (l′) present being most common. We note that it is seta d that is inconsistently added to ge I – II in the deutonymph, with all larvae and protonymphs examined having 1 seta (l′) symmetrically present on ge I – II. Protonymph (3 measured). Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 231 – 255, sc 2 – sc 2 61 – 70, c 3 – c 3 53 – 57, f 3 – f 3 21 – 22. Body entirely membranous and plicate. Central cuticle on prodorsum between v 2 to sc 1 with chevron-shaped plicae, flanked by longitudinal plicae; small region between sc 1 to sc 2 with longitudinal striae surrounding eyes; sc 1 to just posterior to setae d 1 with transverse plicae; plicae between d 1 to h 1 longitudinal to oblique, with small patches of irregular plicae. Dorsal setae similar in form to adults. Setal measurements: v 2 4 – 5, sc 1 10 – 13, sc 2 17 – 20, c 3 8 – 11, d 1 5 – 6, d 3 3 – 5, e 1 3 – 4, e 3 4 – 5, f 3 4 – 5, h 1 4 – 5, h 2 68 – 89. One individual with an aberrantly long seta f 3, 11 long. Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in adults. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two narrow phaneres (4; 5); femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (7 – 8), and single smooth ventral seta (5 – 6). Venter. With longitudinal to oblique plicae from 1 b to posterior margin coxae II; transverse plicae from coxae II to anterior margin anus; longitudinal plicae around anal flaps. Setal measurements: 1 a 43 – 58, 1 b 26 – 36, 2 c 7 – 9, 3 a 13 – 21, ps 2 4 – 5, ps 3 3 – 4. Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 1 - 1 - 0 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 0 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3 - 3, ta 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 4 - 3. Leg chaetotaxy same as larva except: 2 c added to cx II; tc′ and tc ″ added to ta I – II; tc ″ added to ta III. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (both 3 – 4); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (both 4 – 5). Larva (2 measured). Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 183 – 185, sc 2 – sc 2 55 – 62, c 3 – c 3 48 – 52, f 3 – f 3 20 – 22. Body entirely membranous and plicate. Prodorsum similar to protonymph; opisthosoma with transverse plicae to just anterior to e 1; with broad V-shaped plicae from e 1 to h 1. Dorsal setae as in adults. Setal measurements: v 2 3 – 4, sc 1 8 – 9, sc 2 9 – 12, c 3 6 – 7, d 1 5 – 6, d 3 4 – 5, e 1 3 – 4, e 3 3 – 4, f 3 4 – 5, h 1 4 – 5, h 2 98. Infracapitulum. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two narrow phaneres (4 – 5 seta-like; 5 – 6 blunt); femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (8 – 9) and single smooth ventral seta (6 – 7). Venter. Ventral cuticle the same as protonymph. Setal measurements: 1 a 30 – 33, 1 b 18 – 27, 3 a 11 – 12, ps 2 4 – 5, ps 3 4. Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – III: cx 1 - 0 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3, ta 6 (1) - 6 (1) - 3. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b; fe I – II d, v′, bvʺ; fe III d, ev′; ge I – II l′; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III ft′, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (3; 2 – 3); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (all 5). Colour. These mites were translucent orange when alive.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	biology_ecology	Host. Rough saw-sedge, Gahnia aspera (R. BR.) Spreng. (Cyperaceae). Host plant identification was made by Queensland Herbarium (BRI vouchers: RNP 01, RNP 27, RNP 64).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This mite is so far known only from Rungulla National Park in northern Queensland, Australia, where it and its host plant were collected at three different sites within the park — two along creek-lines and one near a spring.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named for the sedge species it was collected from, Gahnia aspera.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF8D354F9AB6C34BFB62FB4D.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The new species is remarkably close to Prolixus corruginus Beard, Fan & Walter, 2005, which was collected on the same host species approximately 2000 km to the south, from the Wondul Range in southern Queensland. The main feature separating these species is that P. asperus sp. nov. has four setae on femur II (P. corruginus has three setae, with l′ absent). Apart from this, the species are remarkably close, suggestive of a sistergroup relationship. We note that there are some minor setal length differences between the two species also, see below. The measurements of dorsal setae provided in Beard et al. (2005) for P. corruginus are not all accurate. The following are some noted differences (although often with minor overlap) in length of setae on P. asperus sp. nov. vs P. corruginus. Male. Dorsal body setae: sc 2 33 – 39 vs 38 – 54; c 3 24 – 31 vs 30 – 35; e 1 8 – 11 vs 10 – 16; f 3 21 – 27 vs 25 – 34. Seta d on legs: femur I 16 – 21 vs 15 – 24, femur II 14 – 20 vs 14 – 22, femur III 17 – 20 vs 16 – 23, femur IV 18 – 22 vs 18 – 25; tibia I 23 – 27 vs 17 – 23, tibia II 16 – 17 vs 15 – 18; seta bv ″ on femur II 18 – 24 vs 26 – 30. Female. Dorsal body setae: sc 1 16 – 20 vs 21 – 28; sc 2 23 – 31 vs 32 – 40; c 3 18 – 23 vs 24 – 29; e 1 4 – 8 vs 8 – 10; f 3 13 – 20 vs 19 – 24. Seta d on legs: femur I 8 – 11 vs 15 – 16; femur II 8 – 10 vs 10 – 12; femur III 8 – 12 vs 11 – 12; femur IV 8 – 12 vs 12 – 13; tibia I 20 – 25 vs 23 – 25; tibia II 13 – 17 vs 14 – 18; femur II seta bv ″ 11 – 14 vs 13 – 21.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	description	(Figs 21 – 29)	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Adult female: as per genus, in addition to: body four times longer than wide; anterior margin with greatly reduced broadly rounded projection medially; seta e 1 present; seta f 2 absent; setae sc 1, sc 2 strongly pilose, thickened, subequal in length (respective lengths 25 – 37, 28 – 44); setae c 3, d 1, e 1 of similar form to sc 1 – 2; 2 c absent; seta ag absent; 1 c, 2 c, 3 b, 4 b present; seta 3 a not flagellate (length 17 – 29); trochanters 0 / 1 - 0 / 1 - 0 - 0 (i. e. unstable v′ on tr I – II (added in adult )); femora 4 - 4 - 2 - 2; genua 1 - 1 - 0 - 0; tarsi 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 4 - 4; spermathecal calyx cylindrical. Adult male: as in genus and female in addition to: f 2 present; 2 b, 2 c present; trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 (with v′ present (all added in deutonymph), thick and barbed on tr III; genua 2 - 2 - 0 - 0. Deutonymphs: female trochanters 0 - 0 - 0 - 0; f 2 absent; 2 b absent, 2 c present; femur II 3 setae; genua 1 - 1 - 0 - 0; male trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 0; f 2 present; 2 b, 2 c present; femur II 4 setae; ge 2 - 2 - 0 - 0.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype. Female, Australia, Queensland, Dave’s Creek, Binna Burra, Lamington National Park, ex. Gahnia insignis S. T. Blake (Cyperaceae), 28 ° 13 ’ 28 ” S 153 ° 12 ’ 16 ” E, 18. iii. 2008, J. J. Beard and P. I. Forster (QM; BRI voucher PIF 33440). Paratypes. 11 females (incl. 2 pharate), 6 males (incl. 1 pharate), 8 deutonymphs (5 female, 3 male), 3 protonymphs, 1 larva, same data as holotype (QM).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	description	Description Adult female (8 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 21) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 376 – 411 [376], sc 2 – sc 2 77 – 91 [83], c 3 – c 3 82 – 93 [84], f 3 – f 3 29 – 34 [29]. Body entirely membranous and plicate; plicae with minute lobes; prodorsal and opisthosomal shields not developed. Prodorsum with almost diamond-shaped region of longitudinal plicae between v 2 to sc 1, becoming oblique between sc 1 to sc 2 surrounding eyes; anterior margin with greatly reduced broadly rounded projection medially. Opisthosoma with transverse to somewhat wavy plicae from level with sc 2 to level with d 1 – c 3; central plicae from d 1 to e 1 forming fine chevrons, becoming longitudinal and granulate towards lateral margins; plicae between e 1 and h 1 mostly longitudinal to oblique with a small central region of transverse plicae. Dorsal setae barbed, variable in length; setae h 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length. Setal measurements: v 2 4 – 7 [5 – 6], sc 1 25 – 37 [25 – 29], sc 2 28 – 44 [32 – 33], c 3 21 – 26 [22 – 23], d 1 17 – 24 [20 – 21], d 3 7 – 10 [7 – 8], e 1 13 – 21 [17 – 19], e 3 7 – 10 [7 – 9], f 3 6 – 11 [7 – 8], h 1 4 – 7 [6 – 7], h 2 77 – 121 [77 – 92]. Infracapitulum. (Figs 21, 22 B) Cuticle on dorsal infracapitulum with fine longitudinal plicae. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two elongate narrow phaneres (6 [6]; 6 – 7 [7]), femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (11 – 14) [11 – 12] and single barbed ventral seta (7 – 10) [8 – 9]. Venter. (Fig. 22 A) Ventral cuticle entirely plicate. With longitudinal to oblique plicae between setae 1 b to just posterior to 1 a; coxae I and II with fine longitudinal to oblique plicae; cuticle between coxae II and level with c 3 with mixed plicae, oblique laterally becoming wavy transverse centrally with small central diamond shaped region of longitudinal plicae; transverse wavy plicae from level with c 3 to just anterior to cx III; plicae broadly Vshaped centrally between setae 3 b, becoming longitudinal laterally between cx III – IV; plicae from setae 4 a 1 – 2 to g 1 irregular; g 1 inserted anterior to g 2 on membranous flap with plicae forming a distinct triangle pattern; plicae laterad genital region longitudinal and granulate; setae ps 3 inserted anterior to ps 2 on anal valves. Ventral setae mostly short, fine, smooth, except setae 1 a, 1 b, 4 a 1, 4 a 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length. Setae 1 c, 2 b, ag absent. Setae ps 2 – 3 often obscured within membranous folds. Setal measurements: 1 a 53 – 98 [74 – 85], 1 b 37 – 51 [37 – 44], 2 c 13 – 19 [19], 3 a 17 – 29 [20 – 24], 3 b 10 – 13 [11 – 12], 4 a 1 47 – 78 [51], 4 a 2 46 – 67 [51], 4 b 9 – 12 [9 – 10], g 1 9 – 12 [10 – 11], g 2 9 – 11 [9 – 10], ps 2 5 – 6 [5], ps 3 9 – 12 [12]. Spermathecal apparatus. (Fig. 22 C) An elongate, membranous duct terminating in a narrow, elongate vesicle (12 – 14) [12]. Legs. (Fig. 23) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2 - 1 - 1 - 1, tr 0 / 1 - 0 / 1 - 0 - 0, fe 4 - 4 - 2 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 0 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3 - 3, ta 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 4 - 4. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b, 1 c; cx II 2 c; cx III 3 b; cx IV 4 b; fe I – II d, l′, v′, bvʺ; fe III – IV d, ev′; ge I – II l′; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III – IV d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, tc′, tc ″, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III – IV ft′, tcʺ, u′, uʺ. The seta on trochanters I – II is unstable with various patterns observed: some females with v′ symmetrically present, females with v′ asymmetrically present, females with no setae present, females with a seta present on tr I but not tr II and vice versa. Aberrations: one individual with l′ absent on both fe I; one with d absent on single fe I; one with d absent on single fe IV; one with ev′ absent on single fe IV. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5 – 7 [6], 4 – 5 [4], respectively); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small truncate tubercles (all 6 – 8). Seta d on femora: I 18 – 24, II 8 – 15, III 9 – 12, IV 8 – 11. Femur II with seta bv ″ 14 – 17. Seta d on tibiae I with enlarged socket (23 – 27 [23]); seta d on tibiae II (14 – 18 [17]). Adult male (5 measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 24) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 276 – 297, sc 2 – sc 2 68 – 74, c 3 – c 3 64 – 73, f 3 – f 3 34 – 38. Body entirely membranous and plicate, prodorsal and opisthosomal shields not developed. Prodorsum with region of longitudinal plicae between v 2 to sc 1, becoming oblique between sc 1 to sc 2 surrounding eyes; with central band of longitudinal plicae between sc 2 and c 3 flanked by transverse plicae; anterior margin without projection medially. Prodorsum and opisthosoma separated by narrow band of fine transverse plicae. Opisthosoma with narrow waist level with cx IV; narrow central band of transverse plicae between c 3 and d 3 flanked by longitudinal plicae laterally; plicae posterior to waist longitudinal, granulate laterally. Dorsal setae strongly barbed, variable in length but mostly longer and thicker than those of female; setae h 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length; setal measurements: v 2 5 – 7, sc 1 28 – 37, sc 2 37 – 48, c 3 25 – 32, d 1 16 – 18, d 3 22 – 29, e 1 17 – 19, e 3 30 – 36, f 2 33 – 38, f 3 25 – 29, h 1 7 – 10, h 2 70 – 107. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 24) Cuticle on dorsal infracapitulum with fine longitudinal plicae. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two elongate narrow phaneres (6 – 7; 7), femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (10 – 12) and single barbed ventral seta (7 – 10). Venter. (Fig. 25) Ventral cuticle entirely plicate; from seta 1 b to 1 a with longitudinal plicae; with transverse plicae from level with 2 c to posterior to 3 a, becoming longitudinal to 4 a 1 – 2; narrow band of transverse plicae between coxae IV; posterior to coxae IV with fine longitudinal plicae to a band of widely spaced transverse to arching plicae around genitoanal region. Setae ps 3 modified to form short narrow accessory genital stylets, often obscured within membranous folds. Ventral setae mostly short, fine, smooth, except setae 1 a, 1 b, 4 a 1, 4 a 2 finely elongate, often broken and difficult to determine full length. Setae 1 c, 3 b, ag absent. Setal measurements: 1 a 63 – 98, 1 b 42 – 57, 2 b 11 – 17, 2 c 16 – 21, 3 a 19 – 30, 3 b 13 – 20, 4 a 1 48 – 73, 4 a 2 38 – 62, 4 b 11 – 18, g 1 14 – 17, g 2 10 – 16, ps 2 15 – 18, ps 3 7 – 8. Aedeagus. (Fig. 26) Sclerotised, elongate, narrowly subulate (38 – 40), with narrow membranous tube emerging from sclerotised section terminating in a broad V-shaped calyx with a basal granulate region. Legs. (Fig. 27) Setal formulae and chaetotaxy same as adult female except tr I – III with 1 seta (v′), cx II with 2 setae (2 b, 2 c), ge I – II with 2 setae consistently present (l′, l ″), ta I – II with additional solenidion ω′ present; ω′ inserted proximally on segment. Tarsi I and II each with two solenidia (ta I adaxial ω′ 9, abaxial ωʺ 9 – 10; ta II adaxial ω′ 7, abaxial ωʺ 7 – 8); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on small truncate tubercles (all 6 – 7). Seta d on femora longer and thicker than those on female: I 20 – 24, II 13 – 17, III 16 – 23, IV 21 – 24. Femur II with seta bv ″ 17 – 19. Seta d on tibiae I with enlarged socket (22 – 25); seta d on tibiae II (15 – 18). Deutonymph (4 F, 3 M measured). Dorsum. (Figs 28 A – B) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 F 346 – 377 M 242 – 325, sc 2 – sc 2 F 63 – 73 M 70 – 75, c 3 – c 3 F 64 – 73 M 64 – 74, f 3 – f 3 F 26 – 29 M 26 – 27. Body entirely membranous and plicate, with similar plicate patterns. Central cuticle on prodorsum between v 2 to sc 1 with longitudinal plicae; wavy transverse plicae from sc 1 to d 3, transverse plicae becomes central elongate diamond shaped region of longitudinal plicae just anterior to e 1, flanked by transverse plicae laterally; setae d 3 surrounded by small region longitudinal plicae; posterior to e 1 with mixed mostly oblique plicae to h 1. Dorsal setae shorter and finer than those of adults. Setal measurements for female and male deutonymphs combined when ranges overlap: v 2 4 – 6, sc 1 21 – 27, sc 2 22 – 27, c 3 11 – 16, d 1 11 – 14, d 3 6 – 9, e 1 9 – 11, e 3 F 6 – 7 M 7 – 10, f 2 male only 8 – 12, f 3 F 4 – 7 M 8 – 11, h 1 3 – 5, h 2 62 – 87. Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in adults. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two narrow phaneres (F 4 – 5, 5 – 6; M 5, 6); femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (10 – 11 9 – 11), and single smooth ventral seta (6 – 8 7 – 9). Venter. With longitudinal plicae from 1 b to just posterior 1 a, then wavy transverse plicae to level with coxae III where plicae become V-shaped to 4 a 1; 4 a 1 to ag with transverse plicae with central region between coxa IV with V-shaped plicae; plicae arch around and flank anal opening becoming longitudinal laterally. Form of ventral setae as in adults. Setal measurements: 1 a 49 – 53 58, 1 b 31 – 43 40 – 48, 1 c 9 – 11 10 – 11, 2 b male only 7 – 11, 2 c 11 – 16 12 – 13, 3 a 15 – 21 13 – 19, 3 b 7 – 10 8 – 12, 4 a 1 27 – 30 38 – 42, 4 b 7 – 9 9 – 10, g 1 7 – 8 7 – 9, ps 2 6 – 8 8 – 11, ps 3 4 – 4 5 – 6. Legs. Setal formulae and chaetotaxy for legs I – IV as in adult female and male respectively (note sexual dimorphism in additions — male adds 2 b on coxa II, l ″ on genua I – II. Female deutonymphs have seta l′ variously symmetrically or asymmetrically absent on femora II, but more often absent than present. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (F 4 – 5, 3 – 4; M 4, 3); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (all 5 – 6). Seta d on femora: I 15 – 17 15 – 19, II 6 – 9 8, III 6 – 9 7 – 9, IV 6 – 8 7 – 8. Femur II with seta bv ″ 11 – 14 11. Seta d on tibiae I with enlarged socket (23 – 25 22 – 24); seta d on tibiae II (13 – 16 15 – 16). Protonymph (3 F measured). Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 251 – 254, sc 2 – sc 2 63 – 67, c 3 – c 3 53 – 58, f 3 – f 3 19 – 24. Body entirely membranous and plicate; cuticle patterns as in deutonymph. Dorsal setae similar in form to adults. Setal measurements: v 2 4 – 5, sc 1 19 – 21, sc 2 17 – 19, c 3 8 – 9, d 1 9 – 10, d 3 5 – 6, e 1 5 – 7, e 3 4 – 5, f 3 3 – 5, h 1 3 – 4, h 2 53 – 66. Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in adults. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two narrow phaneres (4 – 5; 5 – 6); femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (9 – 11), and single smooth ventral seta (3 – 4). Venter. With longitudinal plicae from 1 b to just posterior 1 a with oblique plicae around 1 a, then wavy transverse plicae to level with coxae IV where plicae become longitudinal to ps 3. Setal measurements: 1 a 36 – 39, 1 b 30 – 32, 1 c 7 – 8, 2 c 8 – 9, 3 a 16 – 20, 3 b 7 – 8, ps 2 4 – 5, ps 3 3 – 4. Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2 - 1 - 0 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 0 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3 - 3, ta 8 (1) - 8 (1) - 4 - 3. Leg chaetotaxy same as larva except: 1 c, 2 c, 3 b added to relative coxae; tc′ and tc ″ added to ta I – II; tc ″ added to ta III. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (both 3 – 4); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (all 5). Larva (1 M measured). Dorsum. (Fig. 29) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 175, sc 2 – sc 2 54, c 3 – c 3 47, f 3 – f 3 12. Body entirely membranous and plicate. Prodorsum with longitudinal to oblique plicae from v 2 to sc 1; with mostly oblique plicae between sc 1 to sc 2 surrounding eyes; with transverse plicae from level with sc 1 to e 1; posterior to e 1 with irregular but mostly broadly V-shaped plicae. Dorsal setae short, fine, barbed; except h 2 fine, elongate. Setal measurements: v 2 4, sc 1 15, sc 2 11 – 12, c 3 8, d 1 7, d 3 6 – 7, e 1 5 – 6, e 3 4, f 2 male only 4, f 3 4 – 5, h 1 3 – 4, h 2 56 – 61. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 29) Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two narrow phaneres, one long one short (3, 5); femur-genu-tibia with single barbed dorsal seta (9) and single barbed ventral seta (6). Venter. Ventral cuticle the same as protonymph, except longitudinal plicae posterior to coxae III. Setal measurements: 1 a 33, 1 b 27, 3 a 18 – 21, ps 2 3, ps 3 2. Legs. (Fig. 29) Setal formulae for legs I – III: cx 1 - 0 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3, ta 6 (1) - 6 (1) - 3. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b; fe I – II d, v′, bvʺ; fe III d, ev′; ge I – II l′; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III ft′, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (both 2 – 3); companion seta ftʺ absent; pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (all 4 – 5). Colour. These mites were orange-red in colour when alive.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	biology_ecology	Host. Gahnia insignis S. T. Blake (Cyperaceae). Host plant identification was made by Queensland Herbarium (BRI voucher PIF 33440).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This mite is so far known only from Lamington National Park. The host plant was growing in a low mallee woodland on rhyolite. The host leaves are smooth and shiny, with narrow and shallow grooves on the dorsal surface in which the mites live.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	etymology	Etymology. This species is named for the sedge species it was collected from, Gahnia insignis.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FF85357B9AB6C367FCF4FD91.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Prolixus insignis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Prolixus by the pattern of larger modified dorsal setae on the female (sc 1, sc 2, c 3, d 1, e 1 all thick and barbed, versus other combinations in other species). Prolixus is unusual in the sexually dimorphic expression of some idiosomal and leg setae. In P. insignis sp. nov., only the male has setae f 2, 2 b, vʹ on trochanter III, lʹʹ on genua I – II, as well as expressing vʹ on trochanters I – II (unstable in females). The sexual dimorphism of setae f 2 is unique, and being a larval seta, allows sexes to be identified throughout their life cycle. The other sexually dimorphic setae are added in the deutonymph, of which seta lʹʹ on genua I – II is atypically delayed from the larva to this stage.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB1357B9AB6C41BFBBEFA3F.taxon	type_taxon	Type species — Scleriacarus gilberti sp. nov. Beard & Seeman	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB1357B9AB6C41BFBBEFA3F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Adult female. Body moderately elongate, slightly more than twice as long as wide; prodorsal and opisthonotal shields weakly developed. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with 2 terminal phaneres (both long). Anterior margin of prodorsum with short median forked projection forming a notch; dorsal opisthosoma with 9 pairs of setae (c 3, d 1, d 3, e 1, e 3, f 2, f 3, h 1, h 2 present; c 1, c 2, d 2, e 2 absent); dorsal setae short, fine with blunt rounded tips; seta h 2 not flagellate (flagellate only in larva). Ventral and genital shields not developed, both regions membranous and merged together; two pairs of ps setae, anal valves membranous, setae ps 3 inserted far anterior to ps 2; ventral setae g 1 inserted anterior to g 2; 4 a 1 – 2 present, elongate, fine; lacking supernumerary coxal setae 3 a 2. Trochanters 1 - 1 - 1 - 0 (v′ added to tr I – II in deutonymph; l′ added to tr III in protonymph; v′ absent on tr IV); femora 4 - 4 - 2 - 2, femur I with d inserted centrally, broad, barbed (heteromorphic with respect to dorsal idiosomal setae), femur II with d inserted laterally; genua 2 - 2 - 0 - 0 (d absent on ge I – II); tarsi 7 (1) - 7 (1) - 5 - 5, setae ftʺ and tcʺ absent on tarsi I – II, setae ftʹ on tarsi I – IV finely elongate. Tarsal claws and empodia pad-like. Adult male. With solenidion present on tarsi I – IV.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB1357B9AB6C41BFBBEFA3F.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Of the sedge-associated genera, Scleriacarus gen. nov. appears closest to Acaricis in sharing the same body shape (i. e. not significantly elongate), the same complement of dorsal opisthosomal setae, a forked median prodorsal projection, two pairs of 4 a setae, setae g 1 inserted anterior to g 2, setae ps 3 far anterior to ps 2, lacking ftʹʹ on tarsi I – II and males with a solenidion on tarsi III – IV (in most species of Acaricis). Scleriacarus differs from Acaricis by having setae h 2 unmodified (flagelliform in Acaricis), lacking tcʹʹ on tarsi I – II, having 3 - segmented palps (versus 4 - segmented in Acaricis), and seta d on femur I in a dorsal position (lateral in Acaricis). The absence of setae ft ″ on tarsi I – II is also found in the other sedge-inhabiting genera Cyperacarus, Gahniacarus and Prolixus, but the loss of tcʹʹ is shared only with Cyperacarus and Gahniacarus.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	description	(Figs 30 – 39)	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. Holotype. Female, Australia, Queensland, Rungulla National Park, in a small ravine at the edge of a spinifex plateau, 48.3 km south of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 34 ’ 13 ” S 143 ° 29 ’ 09 ” E, ex. Scleria sphacelata F. Muell. (Cyperaceae), 08. v. 2022, J. J. Beard. Paratypes. 6 females, 3 males, 1 larva, same data as holotype; 3 females, 4 males, 2 protonymphs, 3 larvae, along a small gully beside a spinifex plateau, Rungulla National Park, 26.1 km SSE of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 21 ’ 35 ’’ S 143 ° 32 ’ 35 ” E, ex. S. sphacelata (Cyperaceae), 04. v. 2022, J. J. Beard; 7 females, 3 males, 2 deutonymphs, open woodland, Rungulla National Park, 28.7 km south of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 23 ’ 14 ’’ S 143 ° 31 ’ 31 ” E, ex. S. sphacelata (Cyperaceae), 09. v. 2022, J. J. Beard, M. D. Barrett & G. Turpin; 2 females, 1 male, 1 deutonymph, 1 protonymph, along a wooded rocky ridgeline near a creek, Rungulla National Park, 32.1 km SSE of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 24 ’ 21 ’’ S 143 ° 34 ’ 32 ” E, ex. S. sphacelata (Cyperaceae), 11. v. 2022, J. J. Beard.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	materials_examined	Other material examined. 12 females, 8 males, 4 deutonymphs, same data as holotype; 14 females, 3 males, along a small gully beside a spinifex plateau, Rungulla National Park, 26.1 km SSE of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 21 ’ 35 ’’ S 143 ° 32 ’ 35 ” E, ex. S. sphacelata (Cyperaceae), 04. v. 2022, J. J. Beard; 5 females, 2 males, 3 deutonymphs, open woodland, Rungulla National Park, 28.7 km south of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19 ° 23 ’ 14 ’’ S 143 ° 31 ’ 31 ” E, ex. S. sphacelata (Cyperaceae), 09. v. 2022, J. J. Beard, M. D. Barrett & G. Turpin. All material in QM.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. As per genus, in addition to: dorsal idiosoma mostly smooth with few longitudinal sulci, folds or plicae. Male dorsum with defined metanotal and pygidial regions; solenidion ω′ on tarsi I – II elongate, inserted proximoventrally. Larva with elongate flagellate h 2 setae.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	description	Description Adult female (19 measured) Dorsum. (Figs 30 – 31) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 207 – 248 [219], sc 2 – sc 2 96 – 105 [100], c 3 – c 3 96 – 108 [100], f 2 – f 2 57 – 69 [57]. Prodorsal and opisthosomal shields weakly developed, with few longitudinal plicae and mostly unornamented cuticle. Anterior margin of prodorsum with median forked projection forming a notch (6 – 17) [8]. Several pairs of minute pores often visible on opisthosoma (posteromesad c 3 and d 3, anterolaterad e 1, posterolaterad e 1). Dorsal setae all short, smooth, thick acicular, with blunt rounded tips. Setal measurements: v 2 5 – 7 [6], sc 1 6 – 8 [6], sc 2 5 – 8 [6], c 3 4 – 7 [4 – 5], d 1 5 – 8 [5], d 3 4 – 7 [4 – 5], e 1 4 – 7 [5], e 3 4 – 7 [5], f 2 5 – 7 [5], f 3 5 – 8 [5 – 6], h 1 4 – 8 [4 – 5], h 2 4 – 10 [6]. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 30) Cuticle appears smooth; infracapitular setae m (8 – 11) [8 – 9]. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 5 – 6), femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 7 – 10 [7], ventral 5 – 7 [6]). Venter. (Fig. 32 A) Ventral cuticle with weak fine striae and plicae of various patterns: longitudinal plicae between setae 1 b – 1 a and on coxae I – II; transverse plicae between setae 1 a – 3 a; widely spaced longitudinal plicae between setae 3 a to 4 a 1 – 4 a 2; region of fine transverse striae between setae 4 a – ag; few longitudinal plicae on genital flap. Setae g 1 inserted just anterior to g 2 on genital flap. Most ventral setae short, fine, smooth; except setae 1 a and 4 a 1 – 2 elongate, fine, and often broken. Setae 4 a secondarily multiplied to 4 a 1 and 4 a 2. Setae ps 3 often obscured within lateral folds of genital opening; large oval pore on body margin laterad anal opening (if body flattened, pore appears posterolaterad dorsal seta f 3 (Fig. 31 )). Setal measurements: 1 a 74 – 110 [74], 1 b 13 – 18 [13], 1 c 13 – 19 [15], 2 b 15 – 21 [15], 2 c 13 – 20 [17], 3 a 11 – 17 [11], 3 b 14 – 18 [14], 4 a 1 46 – 97 [90], 4 a 2 47 – 76 [67], 4 b 13 – 17 [17], ag 8 – 12 [9], g 1 10 – 17 [10], g 2 12 – 17 [13], ps 2 4 – 7 [5], ps 3 5 – 11 [8 – 9]. Spermathecal apparatus. (Fig. 32 B) Elongate elliptic vesicle visible (9 – 15 [12] long, 2 – 3 [2 – 3] wide). Legs. (Fig. 33) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2 - 2 - 1 - 1, tr 1 - 1 - 1 - 0, fe 4 - 4 - 2 - 2, ge 2 - 2 - 0 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3 - 3, ta 7 (1) - 7 (1) - 5 - 5 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b, 1 c; cx II 2 b, 2 c; cx III 3 c; cx IV 4 b; tr I – III v′, tr IV nude; fe I – II d, l′, v′, bvʺ; fe III – IV d, ev′; ge I – II l′ – lʺ, ge III – IV nude; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III – IV d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ft′, tc′, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III – IV ft′, tc′, tcʺ, u′, uʺ. No setae are added to the legs in this stage. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (7 – 9 [8], 6 – 8 [7 – 8], respectively); seta ft′ elongate with minute distal club (25 – 33 [30], 21 – 25 [23], respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on minute cuneiform tubercles (7 – 8, 6 – 7, respectively); setae ft ″ and tcʺ absent. Setae ft′ inserted on small tubercles. Femora I – II with dorsal seta d broad, barbed; tibiae I – II with an elongate dorsal seta d (22 – 25 [24], 18 – 21 [19], respectively). Tarsal claws and empodia all pad-like. Adult male. (11 measured) Dorsum. (Fig. 34) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 155 – 181, sc 2 – sc 2 79 – 92, c 3 – c 3 75 – 88, f 2 – f 2 37 – 49. As in female, dorsal cuticle with few longitudinal plicae and mostly unornamented. Anterior margin of prodorsum with median forked projection forming a notch (4 – 8). Dorsal opisthosoma divided into mesonotal and pygidial shields. Dorsal setae all short, smooth, thick acicular, with blunt rounded tips. Setae h 2 can appear inserted ventrally. Setal measurements: v 2 5 – 7, sc 1 5 – 7, sc 2 5 – 7, c 3 4 – 6, d 1 5 – 6, d 3 4 – 6, e 1 5 – 6, e 3 4 – 7, f 2 5 – 7, f 3 5 – 7, h 1 5 – 6, h 2 7 – 10. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 34) Cuticle appears smooth; infracapitular setae m (7 – 9). Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 5), femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 6 – 9, ventral 5 – 6). Venter. (Fig. 35) Ventral cuticle with some weak fine plicae and smooth regions; with band of widely spaced transverse striae posterior to coxae IV; with few longitudinal plicae surrounding setae ag to anogenital region. Setae g 1 inserted just anterior to g 2 on anterior margin of anogenital opening. Most ventral setae short, fine, smooth; except setae 1 a and 4 a 1 – 2 elongate, fine, and often broken. Setae 4 a secondarily multiplied to 4 a 1 and 4 a 2. Setae ps 3 often obscured within lateral folds of anogenital opening; modified into thick, curved accessory genital stylets. Setae ps 3 obscured under posterior extension of genital opening. Setal measurements: 1 a 66 – 87, 1 b 10 – 14, 1 c 11 – 14, 2 b 13 – 19, 2 c 13 – 17, 3 a 9 – 13, 3 b 11 – 16, 4 a 1 56 – 80, 4 a 2 47 – 58, 4 b 10 – 14, ag 8 – 11, g 1 12 – 15, g 2 12 – 15, ps 2 5 – 7, ps 3 6 – 8. Aedeagus. (Fig. 36) Sclerotised, elongate, subulate (38 – 45), with narrow membranous tube emerging from sclerotised section and terminating in a cuneiform or cone-shaped membranous vesicle. Legs. (Fig. 37) Setal formulae same as adult female except ta I – IV with solenidion ω′ present, 8 (2) - 8 (2) - 6 (1) - 6 (1); ω′ inserted strongly ventroproximally along adaxial margin of tarsi. Tarsi I and II each with two solenidia (ta I adaxial ω′ 15 – 17, abaxial ωʺ 6 – 7; ta II adaxial ω′ 17 – 19, abaxial ωʺ 6 – 7); seta ft′ elongate, with minute distal club (24 – 28, 19 – 21, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on minute cuneiform tubercles (3 – 4 on both tarsi); setae ft ″ and tcʺ absent. Tarsi III and IV each with adaxial solenidion (10 – 13, 11 – 14, respectively). Femora I – II with dorsal seta d broad, barbed; tibiae I – II with an elongate dorsal seta d (19 – 24, 16 – 19, respectively). Deutonymph. (3 measured) Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 180 – 212, sc 2 – sc 2 81 – 92, c 3 – c 3 86 – 97, f 2 – f 2 37 – 50. Prodorsal and opisthosomal shields weakly developed, with smooth cuticle; with median notch in anterior margin (4 – 8). Prodorsum with a few arching striae that form a weak ring; opisthosoma with broad transverse striae to level with setae d 1, and with smooth cuticle from setae e 1 to h 1. Dorsal setae as in adults. Setal measurements: v 2 5 – 6, sc 1 5 – 6, sc 2 4 – 6, c 3 4 – 6, d 1 5 – 6, d 3 5 – 6, e 1 4 – 5, e 3 4 – 5, f 2 4 – 5, f 3 5 – 6, h 1 4 – 5, h 2 5 – 7. Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in adults; infracapitular setae m (5 – 8). Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 5 – 5); femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 7, ventral 5 – 6). Venter. Ventral cuticle difficult to discern, with patterns of fine plicae; longitudinal plicae between 1 b – 1 a, transverse plicae 1 a – ag, and longitudinal plicae ag – ps setae. Ventral setae as in adults. Setal measurements: 1 a 57 – 59, 1 b 12 – 13, 1 c 11 – 13, 2 b 12 – 14, 2 c 12 – 14, 3 a 9 – 11, 3 b 10 – 11, 4 a 1 32 – 52, 4 b 8 – 9, ag 7 – 9, g 1 7 – 8, ps 2 4 – 6, ps 3 6 – 8. Legs. Setal formulae and chaetotaxy for legs I – IV same as adult female. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5 – 6, 5, respectively); elongate seta ft′ with minute distal club (25 – 26, 19 – 20, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (5 – 6 on both tarsi). Tibiae I – II with an elongate dorsal seta (17 – 20, 14 – 17, respectively). This is the final stage in which setae are added to the legs: setae 2 b are added to coxae II; v′ added to trochanters I – II; l′ added to femora I – II; l ″ added to genua I – II; tc′ – tc ″ added to tarsus IV. Protonymph. (3 measured) Dorsum. Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 156 – 173, sc 2 – sc 2 79 – 87, c 3 – c 3 79 – 85, f 2 – f 2 35 – 42. Prodorsal and opisthosomal shields weakly developed, with smooth cuticle; with median notch in anterior margin (7 – 10). Prodorsum with a few arching plicae; opisthosoma with broad transverse plicae to level with setae e 1, and with smooth cuticle from setae e 1 to h 1. Dorsal setae as in adults. Setal measurements: v 2 4 – 6, sc 1 4 – 6, sc 2 4 – 5, c 3 3 – 4, d 1 4 – 5, d 3 4, e 1 3 – 4, e 3 3 – 4, f 2 3 – 5, f 3 4 – 5, h 1 3 – 5, h 2 7 – 10. Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in deutonymph; infracapitular setae m (5 – 6). Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 4); femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 5 – 6, ventral 4 – 5). Venter. Ventral cuticle as in deutonymph. Setal measurements: 1 a 41 – 56, 1 b 10 – 11, 1 c 8 – 9, 2 c 9 – 11, 3 a 8 – 9, 3 b 8 – 10, ag 7 – 9, ps 2 3 – 5, ps 3 4 – 6. Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2 - 1 - 1 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 1 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 0 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3 - 3, ta 7 (1) - 7 (1) - 5 - 3 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: same as larva except 1 c, 2 b, 3 b added to cx I, II, III respectively; l′ added to tr III; and tc′ added to ta I – II. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5 on both tarsi); elongate seta ft′ with minute distal club (22 – 25, 17 – 19, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (4 – 5 on both tarsi). Tibiae I – II with an elongate dorsal seta (17 – 18, 15 – 16, respectively). Larva. (4 measured) Dorsum. (Fig. 38) Body measurements: v 2 – h 1 128 – 151, sc 2 – sc 2 71 – 75, c 3 – c 3 73 – 85, f 2 – f 2 29 – 35. No shields developed; prodorsum with anterior margin smoothly rounded without median notch; with few curved striae forming weak oval pattern mesally. Dorsal opisthosoma with broad band of widely spaced transverse striae between level with sc 2 to level with setae d 1, and with smooth cuticle from setae e 1 to h 1. Dorsal setae as in adults. Setal measurements: v 2 5, sc 1 5 – 6, sc 2 5 – 6, c 3 4, d 1 4 – 5, d 3 4 – 5, e 1 4 – 5, e 3 3 – 4, f 2 3 – 4, f 3 3 – 5, h 1 4 – 5, h 2 26 – 37. Infracapitulum. (Fig. 38) Cuticle as in deutonymph. Palps 3 - segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (2 – 3, 4 – 5); femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 5 – 7, ventral 5 – 6). Venter. (Fig. 39) Ventral cuticle and setae as in deutonymph, except fine transverse plicae from 1 a – leg III, with narrow band longitudinal plicae around anus, and coxae with faint longitudinal striae. Setal measurements: 1 a 36 – 52, 1 b 9 – 10, 3 a 8 – 10, ps 2 3 – 4, ps 3 4 – 5. Legs. (Fig. 39) Setal formulae for legs I – III: cx 1 - 0 - 0, tr 0 - 0 - 0, fe 3 - 3 - 2, ge 1 - 1 - 0, ti 5 - 5 - 3, ta 6 (1) - 6 (1) - 3 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1 b; fe I – II d, v′, bvʺ; fe III – IV d, ev′; ge I – II l′; ti I – II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III d, v′, vʺ; ta I – II ftʺ, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ (ft′ absent); ta III ft′, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (4, 3 – 4, respectively); one elongate companion seta ftʺ with minute distal club (24 – 29, 20 – 21, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (5 on both tarsi). Tibiae I – II with an elongate dorsal seta (14 – 17, 13 – 14, respectively). Colour. These mites were bright red when alive.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	biology_ecology	Host. Scleria sphacelata F. Muell. (Cyperaceae).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This mite is so far known only from Rungulla National Park in northern Queensland, Australia, where it was collected at four different sites within the park.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The flat mite genus Scleriacarus is named for the sedge host genus Scleria. The species S. gilberti is named after the river that runs through Rungulla National Park, which in turn was named by Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845 to honour the naturalist and member of his expedition, John Gilbert. Gilbert had spent many years exploring and collecting extensively across Australia.	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
03E1AB02FFB135669AB6C076FCE1FAF1.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Host plant identification made by Queensland Herbarium (BRI vouchers: RNP 14, RNP 50, RNP 68), and Australian Tropical Herbarium (ATH voucher: MDB 6137).	en	Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. (2025): A new flat mite genus and five new species (Tetranychoidea: Tenuipalpidae) from native Australian sedges (Cyperaceae). Zootaxa 5637 (1): 1-56, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1
