Abstract
Species of the feather mite genus Michaelia Trouessart, 1884 are notable for striking bilateral asymmetry in males, displayed in the structure of the anterior legs (both hetero- and homeomorphs) and the opisthosomal lobes (heteromorphs). A new species of this genus, Michaelia neotropica Hernandes and Mironov n. sp., is described from the Neotropical Cormorant Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Pelecaniformes: Phalacrocoracidae) from Brazil. It differs from M. urile (Dubinin, 1953) by having a narrower incision on the inner margins of the opisthosomal lobes anterior to setae h1, and relatively longer legs I with the ambulacrum reaching the midlevel of elongated tarsus II. A key to heteromorphic males of the genus Michaelia is provided.
Highlights
NTRODUCTIONMost animals are bilaterally symmetrical externally with left and right sides being mirror images of each other
It is necessary to note that males of other feather mite species living on those same hosts are symmetrical
Since the asymmetry is expressed only in males, Dubinin (1951) suggested that it may enable them to maintain a more secure hold in the slanted corridors of the feather vanes during copulation with adult females or precopulatory guarding of female nymphs
Summary
Most animals are bilaterally symmetrical externally with left and right sides being mirror images of each other. The asymmetry of feather mites is displayed to a different extent and is the expression of male polymorphism; some male individuals (referred as heteromorphs) are strongly asymmetrical, while others (referred as homeomorphs) are almost or completely symmetrical. This can be a counterargument to the hypothesis of Dubinin. Males of the feather mite genus Michaelia are so bizarrely distorted that, when the first species "Dermaleichus heteropus Michael, 1881" was discovered, the author was reluctant to describe it based on a single male found, fearing it might be an abnormally distorted specimen (Michael 1881).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
