A new Protzia species and the first description of the female Atractides (Polymegapus) persicus Pešić & Asadi 2010 from Turkey.

In this study, there is a description of a new species, Protzia longiacetabulata n.sp., and P. squamosa Walter, 1908 representing a new Protzia record for the fauna of Turkey. Protzia longiacetabulata n.sp. is closest to the P. halberti from the P. rotunda species group and identified from these species by the number of the leg claws and acetabuli. Furthermore, there is the first description of the female of Atractides persicus Pešić & Asadi, 2010, for which there is a description from Iran of the male. Water mites of the genus Protzia Piersig, 1896 have been found in all biogeographic regions except Australia and Antarctica (Cook 1974). So far, 7 species from the genus have been recorded from Turkey: Protzia beyazoglui Pešić & Turan, 2006, P. caucasica Sokolow, 1937, P. halberti (Walter, 1920), P. invalvaris Piersig, 1898, P. knaepleae Özkan, 1982, Protzia rotunda Walter, 1908 and Protzia vietsi Özkan, 1982 (Erman et al. 2010). Atractides Koch, 1837 with 27 species known thus far from Turkey (Erman et al. 2010; Gülle et al. 2010; Esen & Erman 2013; Esen et al. 2013) is among the most well-known genera in the poorly-known water mite fauna of Turkey. During a survey of the freshwater fauna of Turkey, among the material examined there were present two Protzia species, one of which is a new species, and an Atractides species previously not reported from Turkey, Atractides (Polymegapus) persicus Pešić & Asadi 2010, for which descriptions of males have recently been provided by Iran. Descriptions of the two Protzia species and the first description of the female of Atractides (Polymegapus) persicus are presented below. Water mites were collected by hand netting and sorted on the spot from other living material. They were then preserved in Koenike’s fluid (50% glycerin, 20% acetic acid, 30% distilled water). The specimens were dissected and slide-mounted in Hoyer’s medium, then deposited in the Faculty of Fisheries, SDU, Isparta, Turkey. All measurements are given in micrometres (μm). The following abbreviations are used: SDU = Süleyman Demirel University, Ac = acetabulum, Cx–I–IV = first–fourth coxae, H = height, L = length , W = width, n = number of specimens examined, P–1–5 = palp segment 1–5, I-L-6= first leg, sixth segment, S-1 = large proximal ventral seta at I-L5, S-2 = large distal ventral seta at I-L-5, Vgl = ventroglandulare.