Atractides schlienzi, Schwoerbel, 1961

Gerecke, Reinhard, 2003, Water mites of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 (Acari: Parasitengona: Hygrobatidae) in the western Palaearctic region: a revision, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 138, pp. 141-378 : 303

ATRACTIDES SCHLIENZI SCHWOERBEL, 1961

Syn. to A. nodipalpis Thor, 1899 : syn. nov.

Type series: Holotype ♀ CSM Steina 21.XII.60; Atr. schlienzi n. sp. ♀ TYPE ♀. State of conservation: gnathosoma in situ, damaged; right I-/II-L, one chelicera, both palps together under separate cover, crushed and desiccated.

Material examined: CSM Atractides schlienzi ♂ Steina Okt., 1961 1 ♂ (probably not conspecific) .

Discussion: Schwoerbel (1961b) considered the combination of the rather long and curved segment I-L-6 (L ratio I-L-5/6 238/158 = 1.51) and the relatively narrow setal interspace (25 Mm) as a diagnostic feature separating A. schlienzi from all other Atractides species. Instead, both values lie within the range of variability of, and all available measurements and morphological features agree with, A. nodipalpis . The particular curvation of S-1 is due to damage, as is documented by a kink in the sclerotization of the seta. No information has ever been published about the male of A. schlienzi . A male in CSM so labelled is badly damaged and of problematic taxonomic status. In view of its lineated integument, it cannot be conspecific with A. schlienzi , but possibly represents A. remotus . A. schlienzi is thus a junior synonym of A. nodipalpis .