| abstract | While information regarding water mites of India, Afghanistan and other countries of the region are in hand, Iranʼs water mite fauna has not been studied. Considering the geographical situation, Iran must have a very rich fauna.
In 1974, first steps towards studies fo Iranʼs water mite fauna were undertaken by Tehran University. Sampling was made from river- and quanat-water from Northern, North-Eastern, and Western, Central and Southern parts of Iran. Species of 13 important water mite genera was gathered and identified.
The new species which were identified for the first time and could be added to the world fauna are as follows:
1. Panisopsis circularis n.sp.
This species was gathered from streaming water 12 kms to Delijan on Tehran-Esfahan road. It was named circularis due to a round chitin shield on the front of its body.
2. Hygrobates (Dekabates) quanaticola n.sp.
This species was gathered from the water of a quanat near Rezaie. Due to its finding place, it has been named quanaticola.
3. Atractides (s.str.) nahavandii n.sp.
This species was found in the water of a forest stream near Shandis, Meshed. It was named in the honour of Dr. Hushang Nahavandi, Chancellor of Tehran University.
4. Atractides (Iranomegapus) baderi n.sp.
This species was also found in the streaming water 12 kms to Delijan on Tehran-Esfahan road. It was also gathered in water samples of river Shur, 40 kms outside Tehran in the direction to Saveh. It was named in the honour of Dr. Carl Bader in appreciation of his 40 yearsʼ studies and reserach on water mites. Iranomegapus is a new subgenus which is mentioned for the first time. |