Thalassophthirius auster gen. et spec, nov., a halacarid mite (Acari) suspected of being a parasite

Abstract

Thalassophthirius auster gen. et spec. nov., collected off Staten Island, South Atlantic Ocean, is described. The species is suspected of being parasitic in habit. This speculation is based on characteristics such as extremely long and robust recumbent dorsal setae, absence of eye pigment and bulbous idiosoma. A short survey of parasitic halacarids is given.