ON THE SYNONYMY OFTARSONEMUS WAITEIBANKS,T.SETIEREWING, ANDT.BAKERIEWING, WITH REDESCRIPTION OF SPECIES (ACARI: TARSONEMIDAE)

Abstract

AbstractTarsonemus waiteiBanks, 1912,T.setiferEwing, 1939, andT.pauperoseatusSuski, 1967, are shown to be conspecific (new synonymy).Tarsonemus bakeriEwing, 1939, thought to be conspecific withT.setiferfor the last 25 years, is shown to be specifically distinct. Both sexes of these species are redescribed and reillustrated, and character state variability expressed within populations ofT.waiteiis discussed. Thewaiteispecies group, previously called thepauperoseatusgroup, is redescribed for these and other species. A provisional key to the known member species of this group is given. This group is judged to be insufficiently distinct from some of the other species ofTarsonemusto warrant recognition as a subgenus.