Three new species of halacarid mites of the genus Agauopsis (Acari, Halacaridae) from Korea
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Three new halacarid mites of the genus Agauopsis Viets, 1927, collected from intertidal sandy sediments and macroalgae along the Korean coast, are described. Agauopsis oligorosetta n. sp. and A. polyrosetta n. sp. are assigned to the pugio group and can be distinguished from all other members of the group by having three, three, one, and one bifurcated dorsal setae on the telofemora of the first to fourth legs, respectively. The two species differ primarily in the number and distribution of rosette pores. Agauopsis oligorosetta n. sp. is characterized by one to three rows of rosette pores on the costae of the posterior dorsal plate, two separate rosette-pore fields around the first ventral seta on the anterior epimeral plate, and the absence of rosette pores on the genitoanal plate. In contrast, A. polyrosetta n. sp. has three to five rows of rosette pores on the costae of the posterior dorsal plate, a single transverse rosette-pore field around the first ventral seta on the anterior epimeral plate, and rosette pores on both lateral sides of the genitoanal plate. Agauopsis robustospina n. sp., belonging to the ornata group, is distinguished by garland-like areolae on the anterior epimeral plate and a robust, elongate frontal spine on the anterior part of the idiosoma. Detailed descriptions and illustrations based on differential interference contrast microscopy and scanning electron micrographs are provided, together with keys to the newly described Korean species of each Agauopsis group.
Source: Acarologia
DOI: 10.24349/38bh-vpe8
Authors: Jong Hak Shin, Cheon Young Chang, Jimin Lee
Language: English
Topic: Study of Mite Species
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204237138