The first record from Southern Europe, and a redescription are given ofMesobates forcipatus, a rare water mite species so far believed to be restricted to Scandinavia and Northern Russia. The differences between this species andM. longipesfrom the Ussuri region in Eastern Russia are outlined.M. churchillensisfrom Canada is most probably a synonym ofM. forcipatus. The phylogenetic significance of some character states inAtractides-like genera of the family Hygrobatidae is discussed. A monophyletic origin and early radiation of this group of genera in the Southern hemisphere is hypothesized, withMesobatesandAtractidesas two representatives that successively reached the temperate and cold climatic belts of the Northern hemisphere.