Acarochelopodia and Actacarus Species (Acari : Halacaridae) from Australia, with Remarks on A. pacificus and A. orthotectus

Abstract

Acarochelopodia biunguis Bartsch, 1988 and four new species of Actacarus (A. chelonis, A. cornutus, A. nanus, A. spinosus) are recorded from beaches and subtidal sediments of northeastern Australia ; A. spinosus and A. chelonis are also recorded from French Polynesia, and the latter species from Indonesia. Specimens from Western Australia, previously referred to as Actacarus pacificus Bartsch, 1979, are described as Actacarus marindicus sp. nov., A. orthotectus Newell, 1984 is removed from synonymy with A. pacificus, and Japanese records of A. pacificus are commented on. A key to the Australian species of Actacarus is presented.