Length Of Setae Research Articles

Contribution to the genus Clypeocaenis Soldán, 1978 (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) from Lao People’s Democratic Republic with a key to Oriental species

Larvae of Clypeocaenis laosensis sp. nov. were collected from the Xe Nou River, Xe Bang Hieng River, and Tha Hao Stream in central and southern Lao PDR. This investigation also encompassed the examination of eggs extracted from female larvae, and we give here the first egg description of Cl. multisetosa Soldán, 1978 and Cl. oligosetosa Soldán, 1983. Clypeocaenis laosensis sp. nov. is closely related with Cl. gayathri Balasubramanian & Muthukatturaja, 2020 and Cl. kaveri Balasubramanian & Muthukatturaja, 2021. The new species is distinguishable from other Clypeocaenis species by specific morphological traits. These include the number of setae on the clypeus, the morphology of the labial palpus, the length of marginal setae on the middle and hind femora, setae of the transverse row on the forefemur, and body surface microtrichia. A detailed comparison of the morphological features between this new species and its closely related species is provided. Furthermore, the first-time reporting of Cl. multisetosa and Cl. oligosetosa in Lao PDR expands the known Caenidae diversity in the country to five species. A key to the nymphs of the Oriental species of Clypeocaenis is provided.

New Scheloribates (Acari, Oribatida, Scheloribatidae) from Ethiopia

Four new species of the genus Scheloribates (Oribatida, Scheloribatidae)—S. (Scheloribates) flexibilis Ermilov sp. nov., S. (S.) monosetosus Ermilov sp. nov., S. (S.) triangulus Ermilov sp. nov., S. (Topobates) tredecim Ermilov sp. nov.—are described, based on adults collected from litter in the afroalpine and bamboo locations in Ethiopia. Scheloribates (S.) flexibilis differs from the related species S. (S.) longisetosus by the length of aggenital, anal and adanal setae and the morphology of setal bothridial head and anterodorsal part of the leg tibia II. Scheloribates (S.) monosetosus differs from the related species S. (S.) concentricus by the length of anal and adanal setae and translamellar line, and the morphology of the setal bothridial head. Scheloribates (S.) triangulus differs from the related species S. (S.) monosetosus by the morphology of ventrodistal part of the leg femora II–IV, number of setae on the leg genu II, the length of the prolamella, and the development of the notogastral seta p1. Scheloribates (T.) tredecim differs from the related species S. (T.) scheloribatoides by the absence of the prolamella, distinctly longer aggenital, anal and adanal setae, and narrower body.

Two new species of Oribatella (Acari, Oribatida, Oribatellidae) from Guatemala

ABSTRACT Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Oribatella (Oribatida, Oribatellidae)—O. paradechambrieri sp. nov. and O. parastrinatii sp. nov.—are described, based on adults collected from rainforest litter in Guatemala. Oribatella paradechambrieri sp. nov. is similar to O. dechambrieri but differs by the smaller body size, the length of the teeth of the lamellae, the relative length of the free distal and fixed mediobasal parts of the lamella, the size of the trapezoid region in basal part of the prodorsum, and the length of the interlamellar seta. Oribatella parastrinatii sp. nov. is similar to O. strinatii but differs by the smaller body size, the morphology of the rostrum, the morphology of the tutorial cusp, the presence of large dense foveolae in the centrodorsal part of the notogaster and between the genital and anal apertures, and dense short transverse ridges on the medioposterior part of the notogaster, and the number of genital setae. Oribatella dechambrieri is the first record of the species for Guatemala. The belonging of O. paradechambrieri to the genus Fenestrobates is discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5F474B0F-7E2B-42CC-9252-E5C41D17FE96

Toe pad morphology and adhesion in the miniaturized gecko, Chatogekko amazonicus (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae).

Chatogekko amazonicus is a miniaturized gecko from northern South America and is among the smallest of toe pad bearing lizards. The toe pads of C. amazonicus are miniscule, between 18% and 27% of the plantar surface area. We aimed to investigate the relationship between adhesive toe pad morphology, body size, and adhesive capabilities. Using scanning electron microscopy, we determine that the adhesive pads of C. amazonicus exhibit branched setae similar to those of other geckos, but that are generally much smaller. When compared with other gecko taxa, we show that C. amazonicus setae occupy a similar range of seta length: snout-vent length ratio and aspect ratio as other gekkonoid species (i.e. Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae, and Sphaerodactylidae). We demonstrate that C. amazonicus-even with its relatively small toe pads-is capable of climbing a smooth glass surface at a nearly vertical angle. We suggest that sphaerodactylids like C. amazonicus offer an excellent system for studying toe pad morphology and function in relation to miniaturization.

Two new species of Platynothrus and Heminothrus (Oribatida: Crotoniidae) from Mexico

The oribatid mite genera Platynothrus and Heminothrus currently comprise 20 and 10 species, respectively, and collectively have a cosmopolitan distribution. They have been classified into three to five subgenera, depending on the classification. For Platynothrus, a couple of new species have been described in the last two years, while for Heminothrus, the last formal description of a new species was 26 years ago. In this study, we describe two new species of these crotoniid mites, discovered in the soil and litter of a tropical montane cloud forest in Mexico. One of these new species belongs to the genus Platynothrus, which can be distinguished from other species of this genus by the short clavate sensillus, curved smooth interlamellar seta, and the length of the notogastral setae. The second new species belongs to the genus Heminothrus, being characterized by a short rhomboidal sensillus and a very long interlamellar seta. Intraspecific genetic distances of the COX-1 mitochondrial marker were 2.15%, and 0.81% for the new Platynothrus and Heminothrus species, respectively.

Taxonomic contribution to knowledge of the oribatid mite subfamily Arcoppiinae (Acari, Oribatida, Oppiidae)

This study is based on oribatid mites of the subfamily Arcoppiinae (Oribatida, Oppiidae) collected from rainforest litter in Izabal Department, Guatemala. A new species of Arcoppia—A. tetraramosa sp. nov.—is described. In having several long, barbed branches of the bothridial seta and comparatively long dorsal notogastral setae, the new species is similar to A. dechambrierorum and A. serrulata, but can be distinguished from both by the morphology of the rostrum, the length of dorsal notogastral setae, the sculpturing of basal part of the prodorsum, the length of the costula, and the presence of the specific ridge-like structure in front of the transcostula. A supplementary description of Wallworkoppia cervifer is presented and its main morphological traits are summarized.

Redescription of adults and first description of the larva of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) adleri Feldman-Muhsam, 1951 (Acari: Ixodidae), parasite of carnivorans in Western Asia.

The adults of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) adleri Feldman-Muhsam, 1951 (Acari: Ixodidae) are redescribed and the larva of this species is described for the first time here. The adults of H. adleri that we studied were collected from various canid, felid and hyaenid carnivorans (Carnivora: Canidae, Felidae, Hyaenidae) as well as a hedgehog (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae) in Iraq, Israel and West Bank. The males, females and larvae of H. adleri can be differentiated from Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) species occurring in the Palearctic portion of West Asia and Egypt as well those in the H. asiatica subgroup by the length of idiosomal setae, development and size of spurs on palpi, dental formula on the hypostome and size of spur on coxae. A lectotype of H. adleri has been designated and the geographic distribution and hosts of this tick species are discussed.

Integrative taxonomy demonstrates synonymy between Euseius amissibilis Meshkov and Euseius gallicus Kreiter & Tixier (Acari: Phytoseiidae)</p >

Taxonomy of the predatory mite family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is essentially based on morphological observations, and only a few studies use integrative approaches that include mainly morphological and molecular analysis. Species of the genus Euseius Wainstein (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are pollen feeding generalist predators belonging to “Type IV” group. There are more than 200 species of the genus that are considered to be valid. However, there could be a series of synonyms among these valid species. Euseius gallicus Kreiter & Tixier is one of the recently described species and its natural populations have been reported from a total of 10 countries. There are some molecular studies showing that E. gallicus represents a different lineage and separated adequately from the other well-known and common species, E. stipulatus in the Western Palearctic region. However, it shows great morphological similarities with E. amissibilis Meshkov, a species previously described from Tajikistan. According to its original description, these two species can be separated based on a few differences in their setal lengths, but doubts remain regarding the similarities between them. Therefore, we examined the type material of E. amissibilis, and newly collected materials from various localities including the type locality. We conducted molecular analyses, using two gene markers (ITS and Cox1) to determine whether these two species are conspecific. Results show that all morphological characters and measurements of the type and the newly collected materials of E. amissibilis fall within the range indicated in the original description of E. gallicus. Moreover, zero and low levels (≤6% previously considered as variation for phytoseiid mites) of genetic distances were detected among the specimens of these two species from different populations based on ITS and Cox1 gene markers, respectively. As conclusion, this study confirms that E. gallicus is a junior synonym of E. amissibilis. In addition, based on our best knowledge, a ventral pore-like structure located on ambulacral stalk of the first leg is observed for the first time in a species of the family Phytoseiidae, probably even in the order Mesostigmata.

A supplementary description of Typhlodromina conspicua (Garman) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Türkiye, with comments on its taxonomic status

ABSTRACT Typhlodromina conspicua (Garman) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and the genus Typhlodromina are reported from Türkiye for the first time. Many morphological details, including measurements of dorsal setae, were missing in its original description. In addition, there are inconsistencies regarding the dorsal setal lengths and number of macrosetae on leg IV among the redescriptions of this species by different authors. Most importantly, we observed five setae (pd absent) on trochanter I of this species, compared to six in many groups of the subfamily Typhlodrominae, which have been mainly reported from the Palearctic region. Therefore, a supplementary description and new illustrations of this species are provided, based on female specimens collected from Populus deltoides and P. nigra (Salicaceae) trees in Samsun Province on the Black Sea coast. In addition, the important diagnostic characters of this species are reviewed to facilitate species delimitation. Based on our examinations of two of the six known species of the genus, it appears that Typhlodromina spp. could be elevated to the level of tribe or subfamily, based on their distinctive morphological characters. However, additional molecular analysis, in combination with the use of morphological characters, would help to confirm the taxonomic status of Typhlodromina.

New Suctobelbidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Mexico

ABSTRACT Two new suctobelbid mite species (Oribatida, Suctobelbidae), Suctobelbella (Flagrosuctobelba) crassisetosa sp. nov. and Suctobelbila tetrasetosa sp. nov. are described based on adults collected from leaf litter in secondary semi-evergreen tropical forest in Mexico. Suctobelbella (F.) crassisetosa sp. nov. is similar to S. (F.) muronokiensis and S. (F.) plumosa in having thick notogastral setae and numerous lateral teeth on the rostrum, but differs from both by the number of genital setae, and the morphology and length of some notogastral setae. Suctobelbila tetrasetosa sp. nov. is similar to S-bila dentata in having one pair of notogastral tubercles, three pairs of simple lateral teeth on the rostrum and short notogastral setae, but differs from the later by the number of genital setae and the presence of long notogastral cristae.

Phylogenomics resolves the rediscovered Himalayan endemic Brachymeniopsis gymnostoma (Bryophyta, Funariaceae), as a species of Entosthodon, prompting also the transfer of Clavitheca poeltii

AbstractTraits of the spore‐bearing generation have historically provided the basis for systematic concepts across the phylogenetic spectrum and depth of mosses. Whether taxa characterized by a simple sporophytic architecture are closely related or emerged from independent reduction is often ambiguous. Phylogenomic inferences in the Funariaceae, which hold the model taxon Physcomitrium patens, revealed that several such shifts in sporophyte complexity occurred, and mostly within the Entosthodon‐Physcomitrium complex. Here, we report the rediscovery of the monospecific, Himalayan endemic genera Brachymeniopsis and Clavitheca, after nearly 100 years and 40 years since their respective descriptions. The genera are characterized by, among other traits, their short sporophytes lacking the sporangial peristome teeth controlling spore dispersal. Phylogenomic inferences reveal that Brachymeniopsis gymnostoma arose within the clade of Entosthodon s.str., a genus with typically long‐exserted capsules. We therefore propose to transfer B. gymnostoma to the genus Entosthodon, as E. gymnostomus comb. nov. Furthermore, Clavitheca poeltii, the sole species of the genus, is morphologically highly similar to E. gymnostomus, and should also be transferred to Entosthodon, but is retained as a distinct taxon, E. poeltii comb. nov., until additional populations allow for testing the robustness of the observed divergence in costa and seta length between the Nepalese and Chinese populations.

Relationships among sporophytic and gametophytic traits of 27 subtropical montane moss species.

Moss sporophytes differ strongly in size and biomass partitioning, potentially reflecting reproductive and dispersal strategies. Understanding how sporophyte traits are coordinated is essential for understanding moss functioning and evolution. This study aimed to answer: (1) how the size and proportions of the sporophyte differ between moss species with and without a prominent central strand in the seta, (2) how anatomical and morphological traits of the seta are related, and (3) how sporophytic biomass relates to gametophytic biomass and nutrient concentrations. We studied the relationships between seta anatomical and morphological traits, the biomass of seta, capsule, and gametophyte, and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations of 27 subtropical montane moss species. (1) Moss species with a prominent central strand in the seta had larger setae and heavier capsules than those without a prominent strand. (2) With increasing seta length, setae became thicker and more rounded for both groups, while in species with a prominent central strand, the ratio of transport-cell area to epidermal area decreased. (3) In both groups, mosses with greater gametophytic biomass tended to have heavier sporophytes, but nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the gametophyte were unrelated to sporophytic traits. Our study highlights that the central strand in the seta may have an important functional role and affect the allometry of moss sporophytes. The coordinated variations in sporophyte morphological and anatomical traits follow basic biomechanical principles of cylinder-like structures, and these traits relate only weakly to the gametophytic nutrient concentrations. Research on moss sporophyte functional traits and their relationships to gametophytes is still in its infancy but could provide important insights into their adaptative strategies.

New Scheloribates (Topobates) (Acari, Oribatida, Scheloribatidae) from Mexico

The subgenus Scheloribates (Topobates) (Oribatida, Scheloribatidae) is recorded in Mexico for the first time. Two new species of the subgenus—S. (T.) moskovchenkoi sp. nov. and S. (T.) paramoskovchenkoi sp. nov.—are described, based on adults collected from leaf litter from the karst pits in the secondary semi-evergreen tropical forest. Scheloribates (T.) moskovchenkoi is similar to S. (T.) tibetensis in the presence of heterotridactylous legs and long bothridial seta with elongate, lanceolate head having setiform apex, but it differs from the latter by the number of notogastral setae, the different length of notogastral setae, in having sparse small foveolae in dorsoanterior and dorsocentral parts of notogaster, the position of saccule Sa, the presence of tubercle-like process on the trochanter IV, and the absence of translamella. Scheloribates (T.) paramoskovchenkoi is similar to S. (T.) moskovchenkoi in the presence of bothridial seta with elongate, lanceolate head having setiform apex and 13 pairs of notogastral setae, but it differs from the latter in having monodactylous legs and five pairs of notogastral sacculi, strongly reduced pteromorph, the presence of tooth-like process on the trochanter IV, the presence of two longitudinal dorsodistal carinae and concavity between them on the leg tarsi I, II, and in the absence of foveolae on the notogaster and ventrobasal tooth on the leg tibiae I, II.

Redescription of three species of Aponychus from China with ontogenetic development and morphological variations of A. corpuzae (Acariformes: Tetranychidae).

Ontogenetic development of leg chaetotaxy, stylophore and striae of the dorsal integument, and variations of leg setal counts and length of idiosomal setae in Aponychus corpuzae are discussed. The following changes were observed during the ontogenetic development of A. corpuzae: the depth of the depression in stylophore increases; the dorsal striae gradually reduce in number and prominence; the length of dorsal setae sc1, c12, d12 and e1 reduce in size; adult dorsal setae much thicker than those of immature stages. There are a significant number of setae suppressed in A. corpuzae, often resulting in unique patterns and sexual dimorphism. The adult males and females of Aponychus firmianae and A. taishanicus from mainland China are redecribed, and a key to all Aponychus from mainland China is provided.

Two new species of Atopobathynella (Parabathynellidae, Bathynellacea) from the Pilbara region, Australia

Fifteen species of the Gondwanan genus Atopobathynella have been described so far from four countries. The position of the genus within the family Parabathynellidae and its species relationships are controversial due to the different characters and species considered by different authors, however most of the phylogenetic reconstructions are based solely on morphological characters. In the past few decades, the arid zones of Western Australia, including the Pilbara region, have been recognized as a hotspot for subterranean fauna. Material is constantly collected to produce Environmental Impact Assessments to protect and manage the subterranean environment. In 2009 the Cleaverville Iron Formation, in the Pilbara region, northern Western Australia, was proposed to be mined, therefore subterranean fauna sampling was conducted as per legislation. Preliminary molecular studies of stygofauna identified two distinct Parabathynellidae lineages from two ridges, however no morphological descriptions were carried out at that time. In this study, we describe two new species from Yarrie and Callawa ridges, respectively: Atopobathynella yarriensis sp. nov. and A. degreyensis sp. nov.. The new species show differences in male antennal organ, ventral tooth of mandible, number of teeth on distal endite of maxillula, absence or presence of epipod of thoracopod I, number of setae on article 4 of thoracopod II, length of distal external seta of exopod of all thoracopods, outer lobe of male thoracopod VIII, number of spines on uropodal sympod and furcal rami, length of the external dorsal plumose seta of the furcal rami. Additionally, we integrated the morphological data with sequences of three genetic loci, Cytochrome Oxidase c Subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA (12S), and nuclear 18S rRNA (18S), calculating p-distances and constructing a multigene molecular phylogeny to support morphology, and explore the monophyletic status of the genus and the relationship amongst its species. The two new species were well supported in our phylogeny, however they appear distantly related. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:2D8DA822-6C08-45B5-B707-6F63A1B69DE2

Resurrection of the genus Micherdzinskiiobovella Hirschmann, 1989, with the description of M. petofii sp. n. from Singapore (Acari: Mesostigmata: Urodinychidae

The genus Micherdzinskiiobovella Hirschmann, 1989 (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Uropodi­nychidae) is resurrected for species of the Uroobovella micherdzinskii-group. This genus differs from the other taxa of the Uroobovella sensu lato based on the shape of body, the first gnathosomal setae, the peritreme and the number of the ventral setae. All species from the Uroobovella micherdzinskii-group are moved to the genus Micherdzinskiiobovella, as M. japonica (Hiramatsu et Hirschmann, 1977) comb. n., M. levigata (Hirschmann et Hiramatsu, 1990) comb. n., M. ma­kilingensis (Hirschmann et Hiramatsu, 1990) comb. n., M. mitakensis (Hiramatsu et Hirschmann, 1977) comb. n., M. pauxilla (Hiramatsu, 1981) comb. n., M. pauxillaoides (Hirschmann, 1981) comb. n., M. similimitakensis (Hirschmann, 1981) comb. n., M. topali (Hirschmann, 1981) comb. n., and M. multisetosa (Kontschán et Starý, 2011) comb. n. A new species (M. petofii sp. n.) is described, based on one female and four males collected from Singapore. The new species differs from the congeners in the length and shape of the ventral setae.

MORPHOLOGY OF THE DECAPODITE STAGES OF <i>ARGIS</i> <i>LAR</i> (OWEN 1839) (CARIDEA, CRANGONIDAE) FROM THE KRONOTSKY BAY, EASTERN KAMCHATKA

Two decapodite stages of the shrimp, Argis lar, family Crangonidae, from the plankton off the Kronotsky Bay, northwestern Pacific, eastern Kamchatka, are described. Сomparison of The available larvae were morphologically compared with decapodites of other species of this family with a shortened development. The first and second decapodite stages were similar in size and structural features of the pleon, carapace, antennae, mandibles, maxillae, pereiopods, and pleopods. Significant differences were found in the morphology of the telson, maxilliped, and antennules in the first and second decapodite stages of A. lar. In the second decapodite stage, the posterior median spine shifted to the middle of the carapace, the number of antennular and maxilliped endopod segments were increased, the epipodite appeared in the third maxilliped, the shape of the telson changed, the terminal spines in the telson disappeared, and the relative length of the angular setae were decreased. Kuro shrimps are thought to have three to five larval stages.

Taxonomic contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Schalleria (Acari, Oribatida, Microzetidae), with description of a new species from Cuba

A new species of Schalleria (Oribatida, Microzetidae)—S. (Paraschalleria) engelbrechti sp. nov.—is described from leaf litter of mixed forest in Cuba; it is similar to S. (P.) forceps in presence of bacilliform basal prodorsal apophysis, but differs by smaller body size, the morphology of the first lobed structure, lamella, bothridial seta, epimeral setae 3c, 4c, distal part of prodorsal apophysis, and the length and morphology of interlamellar seta. A new generic diagnosis of Schalleria is presented. An identification key to known species of the genus is provided.

Spider mites (Acariformes, Tetranychidae) of the Massane Nature Reserve (France)

We present results of the inventory of the spider mites of the Massane Forest Nature Reserve made during several field samplings from 2013 to 2017. Nineteen species have been recorded, which represents more than one third of the known spider mite fauna in France. Among them, three new species were disclosed and are described: Bryobia (Bryobia) alberensis sp. nov. collected on Phyteuma spicatum and Helichrysum stoechas, B. (Periplanobia) polymorpha sp. nov. on Genista pilosa and Tetranychus visigothus sp. nov., on Eryngium campestre, respectively. In addition, three spider mite species, Bryobia (Periplanobia) serifiotica, Eotetranychus aurantii and Eotetranychus fagi are recorded from France for the first time and three plant species are recorded as new host plants for tetranychid mites. The species delineation of B. (P.) polymorpha sp. nov., that presented large variation in dorsal setae length and shape, was investigated using a combination of morphological and molecular data. This approach allowed us to conclude that, despite such variations in a morphological key character, all the specimens observed belong to the same species.

Phylogenetic analyses of Ixodes rugicollis with notes on its morphology in comparison with Ixodes cornutus

BackgroundThe subgenus Pholeoixodes contains Ixodes species typically associated with birds that nest in cavities or with carnivorous mammals that are burrow-dwelling. Among ticks infesting the latter, Ixodes rugicollis is regarded as the rarest species in the western Palearctic. Despite the unique morphology of this species, its identification (especially of subadult stages) is difficult, and molecular-phylogenetic data to offer other diagnostic methods and a better understanding of its taxonomy are not available.MethodsIn this study, a female and a male of I. rugicollis were collected in Romania. The female was compared morphologically to another female of this species collected in France and to the lectotype of Ixodes cornutus (from Tajikistan), which has similar morphology and host association. Following DNA extraction, two mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I: cox1 and the 16S rRNA gene) and two nuclear genetic markers (18S and 28S rRNA genes) of I. rugicollis were amplified and analyzed in a phylogenetic context.ResultsFemales of I. rugicollis and I. cornutus differed in the shape of their palps, scutum and areae porosae and the size of peritremes, but they were similar in palpal setal length, dental formula and arrangement of anal setae. Measurements of two I. rugicollis females examined were not less different from each other than from I. cornutus. Phylogenetically, I. rugicollis clustered with other members of its subgenus. The topology of all trees showed the position of bat-associated tick species of the subgenus Eschatocephalus among Pholeoixodes species.ConclusionsFor the first time to our knowledge, this study provides high-resolution digital pictures of male and female I. rugicollis as well as corresponding molecular data. Morphological comparison of this species with I. cornutus could not resolve uncertainties in the validity of the latter species, which can only be accomplished after collecting new specimens of I. cornutus and consequent molecular comparisons. This study includes the first comprehensive molecular-phylogenetic analysis of western Palearctic Pholeoixodes species based on both nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers and including I. rugicollis. The results of these confirm the phylogenetic position of subgenus Eschatocephalus within Pholeoixodes, justifying the need to merge them to comply with the taxonomic criterion of monophyly.Graphical