Four New Chiggers from Mexico

Abstract

Four new species of chiggers from Mexico and their type hosts are Euschoengastia gagarini off Liomys irroratus, Neoschoengastia titovi off motmot (unidentified bird, family Momotidae), Whartonia carpenteri off Lasiurus borealis, and Whartonia glenni off Balantiopteryx plicata. This paper commemorates the first four manned orbital flights, 1961 and 1962. Accordingly, the species described are named in honor of the participating astronauts. The material was collected by Dr. G. W. Wharton, Ohio State University. Euschoengastia gagarini sp. n. (fig. 1) Type data: Holotype and three paratypes, RML No. 35524, off Liomys irroratus (spiny pocket mouse), Guerrero, Mexico, 2 November 1950. Holotype and a paratype in the Rocky Mountain Laboratory; paratypes in U. S. National Museum and British Museum. Diagnosis: Scutum small, subquadrate; two genualae I; three pairs sternal setae. Body: Broad-ellipsoidal, mildly constricted when engorged. Eyes small, obscure, 2/2, in a plate. Anus at fifth row of ventral setae. Length and width of holotype, engorged, 721 by 402 ,. Gnathosoma: Cheliceral blades small and with tricuspid cap. Palpal setae B/B/NNB; tarsus with six branched setae and a small tarsala; claw apparently trifurcate. Scutum: As figured, with few and scattered puncta, the reduced anterolateral setae with nearly imperceptible barbs. Measurements of holotype: AW 23, PW 23, SB 11, ASB 16, PSB 19, AP 26, AM 21, AL 9, PL 26, S 25. Legs: Punctate. Specialized setae as figured. Nonspecialized setae sparsely branched, a few nearly nude. Body setae: Dorsal setae with small appressed barbs, 25 to 38 au, arranged approximately 2-108-8-6-4-4. Ventral setae 2-2-2 (sternals) plus about 36, postanals similar to dorsals. Remarks: Named for Maj. Yuri Gagarin, USSR, who made the first orbit of the earth in the Vostok I, 12 April 1961. Euschoengastia titovi sp. n. (fig. 2) Type data: Holotype and 15 paratypes, RML No. 35522, off motmot (unidentified bird, family Momotidae), Guerrero, Mexico, 1 November 1950. Received for publication 25 June 1962. Holotype and some paratypes in the Rocky Mountain Laboratory; other paratypes in the U. S. National Museum, British Museum and Chicago Natural History Museum. Diagnosis: Closely related to N. americana (Hirst). Distinguishing characteristics are: N. titovi-ovate sensillae, normally branched scutal setae, palpal tarsus with subterminala, tarsal claws without tenent hairs, tarsala I > tarsala II, AL > PL; N. americana-capitate sensillae, strongly penniform scutal setae, palpal tarsus without subterminala, tarsal claws with tenent hairs, tarsala I = tarsala II, AL PL, sensillae ovate, with numerous fine setules. Measurements of holotype: AW 50, PW 71, SB 33, ASB 20, PSB 22, AP 29, AM 31, AL 57, PL 50, S 31. Legs: Punctate. Specialized setae as figured, parasubterminala lacking. Nonspecialized setae moderately branched, none of them plumose. Body setae: Dorsal setae with semiappressed branches, similar to scutals, 24 to 44 u, arranged 2-8-6-6-4-2-2. Ventral setae 2-2 (sternals) plus about 32. Remarks: Named for Maj. Gherman Titov, USSR, who in the Vostok II made 17 orbits of the earth, 6 August 1961. Whartonia glenni sp. n. (fig. 3) Type data: Holotype and 14 paratypes, RML No. 35475, off Balantiopteryx plicata (sac-winged bat), Morelos, Mexico, 18 August 1950. Holotype and some paratypes in the Rocky Mountain Laboratory; other paratypes in the U. S. National Museum, British Museum and Chicago Natural History Museum. Diagnosis: Cheliceral blades very large and with numerous coarse teeth; palpal dorsotibial seta un-