Spongihalacarus longiscutus, a new genus and species of marine mite (Acari: Prostimata: Halacaridae) associated with an alga-sponge symbiosis from the Great Barrier Reef

Brief description

A new genus and species of marine mite, Spongihalacarus longiscutus n. sp. was described from Great Keppel Island. A single female specimen was extracted from "sponge weed", collected at a depth of 1 metre on 2 April 1999. "Sponge weed" is a symbiosis between the red alga, Ceratodictyon spongiosum and the sponge, Haliclona cymaeformis.A new subfamily, Spongihalacarinae n. subfam. was also established to incorporate this single genus.
This research was conducted as part of a survey of marine mites from northern Australia.
The holotype (QMS105568) was lodged with the Museum of Tropical Queensland, Townsville.

Full description

Spongihalacarus Longiscutus n. gen., n. sp., a marine mite (Acari: Prostigmata: Halacaridae) associated with an alga-sponge symbiosis from the Great Barrier Reef lagoon in Australia: Otto JC (2000) Spongihalacarus longiscutus n. gen., n. sp., a marine mite (Acari: Prostigmata: Halacaridae) associated with an alga-sponge symbiosis from the Great Barrier Reef lagoon in Australia. International Journal of Acarology 26: 279-283. - Spongihalacarus Longiscutus n. gen., n. sp., a marine mite (Acari: Prostigmata: Halacaridae) associated with an alga-sponge symbiosis from the Great Barrier Reef lagoon in Australia: Otto JC (2000) Spongihalacarus longiscutus n. gen., n. sp., a marine mite (Acari: Prostigmata: Halacaridae) associated with an alga-sponge symbiosis from the Great Barrier Reef lagoon in Australia. International Journal of Acarology 26: 279-283.
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