The Dutch species of Limnesia, with ecological and biological notes (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

This paper treats nine water mite species of Limnesia now known to occur in the Netherlands. Two species are new for the Netherlands: L. marmorata and L. curvipalpis. Limnesia angustata, previously considered a variety of L. maculata and raised to species level later on in the 20th century, fits the original description of L. marmorata and is similar to the type material of L. marmorata. Therefore L.angustata is synonymised with L. marmorata. A key to the nine species of the Netherlands is given as well as an overview of the ecology and, where available, information on the biology. Limnesia marmorata is very common, occurring in ditches, lakes and rivers, whereas L. curvipalpis is rare, being found in moorland pools and a eutrophic canal. With both latest additions, the Dutch list of water mite species now numbers 248.