Setae H1 Research Articles

Morphological ontogeny of Cerachipteria iturrondobeitiai sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Achipteriidae) from northern Spain, with comments on Cerachipteria Grandjean

The morphological ontogeny of Cerachipteria iturrondobeitiai sp. nov. from northern Spain is described and illustrated. The adult of this species has wide, long prodorsal lamellae, protruding beyond the rostrum, as in other genera of Achipteriidae. However, the lamellae are separated as in other species of Cerachipteria Grandjean, 1935. In C. iturrondobeitiai, the translamella can be present, incomplete or absent, whereas most congeners lacks the translamella, except for C. jugata Mihelčič, 1956, in which it is well-formed. The ovipositor of C. iturrondobeitiai is unusual because it bears seven pairs of coronal setae, instead of three pairs in other species of Achipteriidae.The adult of C. iturrondobeitiai is similar to C. digita Grandjean, 1935, but differs from it mainly by the location of porose areas A2 and A3 and seta lm on the notogaster and the shape of the bothridial seta. The juveniles of C. iturrondobeitiai are plicate, with most prodorsal setae minute, as in other species of Achipteriidae, and the larva lacks seta h3. In C. iturrondobeitiai, the gastronotal setae of c-series are also minute, whereas in other species these setae are longer and thicker, or at least c1. The leg claws of this species are smooth. The ontogeny of C. iturrondobeitiai is compared with some other species of Achipteriidae, and the adult is compared with congeners.

Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Aeroppia (Acari, Oribatida, Oppiidae).

Two new species of the genus Aeroppia (Oribatida, Oppiidae) are described from upper soil and leaf litter in the primary evergreen lowland rainforest in Peru. Aeroppia friedrichi sp. nov. differs from A. nasalis Mahunka, 1984 by the absence of striate ornamentation on the notogaster and notogastral setae h1, and the presence of setiform adanal setae ad1. Aeroppia longisensilla sp. nov. differs from A. adjacens Mahunka, 1985 by the smaller body size and long bothridial setae. The supplementary descriptions of Aeroppia consimilis (Banks, 1910) and A. magnipilosa (Ewing, 1909) are presented, based on material from U.S.A. A new generic diagnosis for Aeroppia is given. The taxonomic status of the subgenus Aeroppia (Paraeroppia) Sanyal, 2009 is discussed, resulting in the following taxonomic proposal: Aeroppia Hammer, 1961 (=Aeroppia (Paraeroppia) Sanyal, 2009 syn. nov.).

Two new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia(Acari: Trouessartiidae) from Asia.

Two new feather mite species of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini are described from birds captured in Meghalaya (India): Trouessartia longidenticulata Constantinescu sp. n. from Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes, Pycnonotidae) and Trouessartia dicruri Constantinescu sp. n. from Dicrurus aeneus (Vieillot) (Passeriformes, Dicruridae). In the genus Trouessartia, males of T. longidenticulata show a unique character state in having the lamellae of the opisthosomal lobes with long and sharp denticles. Both sexes of T. dicruri differ from closely related T. delicatula Gaud, 1952 by smaller body size (T. dicruri males are 420-452 long, females 500-532 long, vs. c. 575 and 595, respectively in T. delicatula); males have the adanal apodemes without apophyses and the terminal lamellae in a shape of a parallelogram (vs. the adanal apodemes have a pair of apophyses and the terminal lamellae are semi-ovate); the opisthosomal lobes do not touch each other at the inner margins (vs. the opisthosomal lobes touch each other at the inner margins, at the level of setae h3); in females, setae h1 are lanceolate (vs. spiculiform).

Morphological ontogeny of Sphaerozetes olympicus sp. nov. (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae) from Greece, with comments on Sphaerozetes

Abstract In this study we describe and illustrate the morphological ontogeny of a new ceratozetid oribatid mite, Sphaerozetes olympicus sp. nov. from moss on the rocky soil in a pine forest on the slope of Olympus Mtn. (Greece). The adult of S. olympicus is similar to that of Sphaerozetes orbicularis (C.L. Koch, 1835), but has a rostrum with two shallow incisions, a short lamellar cusp, most notogastral setae vestigial (alveolar) and seta p1 longer than others of the p-series; in S. orbicularis the rostrum has two deep incisions, the lamellar cusp is of medium size, most notogastral setae are distinguishable (though minute) and p1 is as short as other setae of the p-series. The juveniles of both species have most gastronotal setae short, but S. olympicus has seta h1 distinctly longer and thicker than other gastronotal setae, whereas in S. orbicularis this seta is short. Moreover, in S. olympicus the prodorsal seta le is thicker than in and blunt, whereas in S. orbicularis le is as thin as in and acuminate...

Two new species of the genus Trichoribates (Acari: Oribatida: Ceratozetidae) from Central Japan

The present paper deals with two species of oribatid mites of the genus Trichoribates Berlese, 1910 from the subalpine zone of high mountains in Central Japan. Trichoribates aokii n. sp. and Trichoribates hirauchiae n. sp. are proposed on the basis of adults. The first species is characterized by narrow lamellar cusps and translamella, and very closely situated notogastral setae h2 and h3. The second species is readily distinguishable from other closely related species by the specific structure of porose areas A1 and A2, the larger body size, the longer interlamellar and rostral setae, and anteriorly converging lamellae. A key to the Japanese species of Trichoribatesis provided along with data on their geographical distribution and habitat ecology.

<strong>Morphological ontogeny, distribution and ecology of <em>Damaeus torquisetosus</em> and <em>Epidamaeus puritanicus</em> (Acari: Oribatidae: Damaeidae)</strong>

Abstract The morphological ontogeny, distribution and ecology of Damaeus torquisetosus (Mihelcic, 1955) and Epidamaeus puritanicus (Banks, 1906) were investigated. In the juveniles of D. torquisetosus the legs are longer than the main body, especially leg IV, the prodorsal setae are of medium size, except for short seta in in nymphs, the dorsal setae on gastronotum are long or very long, except for distinctly shorter setae c3 and h2 in larva, seta h3 absent in larva, most gastronotal setae are curved, finely barbed, with flagellate distal part and inserted on apophyses, the cornicle is straight and situated between setal pair lm and epimeral setae are of different lengths. Juveniles of D. torquisetosus differ from the known juveniles of other Damaeus species in the following: absence of seta h3 in the larva, but present in other Dameus species, seta c3 in nymphs is of medium size whereas in most other species it is short. In the juveniles of E. puritanicus legs I, III and IV are as long or slightly longer...

Morphological ontogeny, distribution and ecology of Arthrodamaeus italicus and A. mongolicus (Acari: Oribatida: Gymnodamaeidae)

ABSTRACTThe morphological ontogeny of Arthrodamaeus italicus (Berlese, 1916) and A. mongolicus Bayartogtokh & Weigmann, 2005 is investigated for the first time. The juveniles of these species have long legs and are covered with granular cerotegument, which is typical of Gymnodamaeidae, but A. italicus has smooth cuticle on the gastronotum and setiform setae, whereas A. mongolicus has plicate cuticle and leaf-like setae. The larvae of both species lack seta h3, but the former species also lacks paraproctal setae. The nymphs of both species lack gastronotal setae la, lm and the d-series and carry the exuvial scalps of previous instars, which is typical of eupheredermous Brachypylina (Circumdehiscentiae). Arthrodamaeus italicus uses the long seta c3 and medium sized and curved setae c1, lp and h1 to protect these scalps against loss, whereas A. mongolicus uses the plicate cuticle. However, these four setae only weakly connect the exuvial scalps to the gastronotum of A. italicus, and the nymphs usually lose these scalps during extraction in alcohol, whereas the plicate cuticle firmly connect these scalps to the gastronotum of A. mongolicus and the nymphs bear them. The nymphs of these species have a well-developed posterior excrescence, with two pairs of setae (h1 and p1), also typical for Gymnodamaeidae, and probably is of defence importance. Arthrodamaeus italicus is a European centromeridional species, whereas A. mongolicus is known only from Mongolia. The former species is more abundant in cypress litter, but was also found in pine, yew and bush litter, whereas the latter species lives in moss and bush litter. In A. italicus, the juveniles usually dominated, whereas in A. mongolicus, the juveniles were as abundant as the adults.

A new feather mite of the genus Pteronyssoides Hull, 1931 (Astigmata: Pteronyssidae) from thrushes (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in the New World.

A new feather mite species, Pteronyssoides turdinus n. sp. (Acariformes: Pteronyssidae), is described from two species of thrushes, Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis (type-host) and T. leucomelas Vieillot (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species belongs to the parinus species group and most clearly differs from previously known species of this group by the following features: in both sexes of P. turdinus, setae c2 are anterior to the level of the sejugal furrow; in males, the anterior margin of the hysteronotal shield has a deep trapezoidal concavity, setae d1 are situated on the striated tegument, the adanal shield is represented by a narrow longitudinal sclerite, and tarsus and tibia of legs IV are subequal in length; in females, the opisthosomal sclerites are split into proper opisthosomal sclerites and pygidial fragments encompassing the bases of setae h2 and h3. This is the first description of a feather mite of the genus Pteronyssoides Hull, 1931 from birds of the family Turdidae.

A new record and descriptions of males of two Stigmaeus species from Turkey (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

Stigmaeus pulchellus Kuznetzov, 1978, reported for the first time from Turkey, is described and illustrated based on females. In addition to the male and nymphal stages of this species, the male of Stigmaeus kumalariensis Akyol and Koç, 2007 is also described and illustrated in this article for the first time. The males and females presented differences in chaetotaxy, notably the absence of seta h3 in the male of S. pulchellus.

A new record and descriptions of males of two Stigmaeus species from Turkey (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

Stigmaeus pulchellus Kuznetzov, 1978, reported for the first time from Turkey, is described and illustrated based on females. In addition to the male and nymphal stages of this species, the male of Stigmaeus kumalariensis Akyol and Koç, 2007 is also described and illustrated in this article for the first time. The males and females presented differences in chaetotaxy, notably the absence of seta h3 in the male of S. pulchellus.

Comparison of external morphology of tritonymphs in myobiid mites (Myobiidae) associated with marsupials (Marsupialia)

The external morphology of tritonymphs in myobiids of the subfamilies Archemyobiinae Fain, 1973 (Archemyobia Jameson, 1955, Caenolestomyobia Bochkov & OConnor, 2009, and Dromicimyobia Fain, 1973), Australomyobiinae Fain, 1973 (Australomyobia Fain, 1973, and Acrobatobia Fain & Lukoschus, 1976), and Xenomyobiinae Fain & Likoschus, 1977 (Xenomyobia Fain & Lukoschus, 1977) (Prostigmata: Myobioidea: Myobiidae) associated with marsupials (Marsupialia) is examined. Eleven from sixteen known species of the marsupial-associated myobiids belonging to all six known genera are examined. In tritonymphs of the subfamily Australomyobiinae, setae 4b are absent and palpal setae are present. This last state could be a symplesiomorphy or synapomorphy (reversion). Tritonymphs of the subfamily Xenomyobiinae are characterized by the following derived states: relatively short setae h1, absence of setae dTa and vTa, vʹ and vʺ of tibiae II and III, lʹ of trochanter I, 1c, 2b, and one-segmented legs IV without claws. Tritonymphs of the subfamily Archemyobiinae have no obvious unique synapomorphies. A generic key to tritonymphs of marsupial-associated myobiids is given for the first time.

Stibarokris annae n. sp. from Ciconia maguari (Gmelin) (Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae), a new species of quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) exhibiting dimorphism of females.

A new quill mite species having dimorphic females Stibarokris annae n. sp. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) is described from the maguari stork Ciconia maguari (Gmelin) (Ciconiiformes: Ciconiidae) from Uruguay. "S-form" females of S. annae differ from S. phoeniconaias Skoracki & OConnor, 2010 by the hysteronotal shield not reaching setal bases d1 (vs hysteronotal shield bearing setal bases d2 and d1 in S. phoeniconaias), the length ratio of setae ag1:ag2:ag3 1:1-1.4:2-2.4 (vs 1:1:1.2-1.3), the genital setae g1 2-2.5 times as long as g2 (vs g1 1.4-1.8× as long as g2), the fan-like setae of legs III-IV with 15-17 tines (vs with 6-8 tines) and the length of setae f2 (230-255 vs 295-370µm), h1 (25-30 vs 45-55µm), ag1(125-165 vs 245-285µm) and ag2(145-180 vs245-270µm). "C-form" females of S. annae are distinguishable from S. phoeniconaias ("C-form") by the longitudinal branch of the peritremes with 14-16 chambers (vs 12-13 chambers in S. phoeniconaias), the propodonotal shield weakly sclerotised and punctate along its lateral borders (vs well sclerotised and apunctate), the hysteronotal shield represented by an oval area covered by delicate striations (vs distinct hysteronotal shield), genital setae g1 1.5-1.8 times as long as g2 (vs g1 and g2 subequal in length), the fan-like setae p' and p" with 10 tines (vs with 5 tines) and the length of setae ve (120-130 vs 185-195µm), si (120-130 vs 220µm), se (180-200 vs 245-295µm), c1 (180-195 vs 270-285µm), d2 (180-205 vs 265-270µm), d1 (195-205 vs 255-285µm) and e2 (195-215 vs 285-320µm).

A new feather mite of the genus Dolichodectes (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) from Hippolais polyglotta (Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae) in Spain.

A new feather mite species, Dolichodectes hispanicus sp. n. (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae), is described from the Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta (Vieillot) (Passeriformes: Acrocephalidae) in Spain. The new species is closest to the type species of the genus, D. edwardsi (Trouessart, 1885) from the Grear Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linnaeus) (Acrocephalidae). Adults of D. hispanicus differ from those of D. edwardsi by dimensional characteristics, in particular, by having shorter aedeagus that does not extend to the anal suckers in males and shorter hysteronotal shield in females. Tritonymphs of D. hispanicus are much more distinctive and differ from those of D. edwardsi by having the prodorsal shield covering all the prodorsum, the hysteronotal shield occupying about three quarters of the hysterosoma, and idiosomal setae h3 being filiform. The morphological description of the new species is augmented by sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene fragment (COI).

Sexual dimorphism in Autogneta, with description of three new species from North America and new diagnosis of the genus (Acari, Oribatida, Autognetidae).

Species in the oribatid mite genus Autogneta are primarily Palaearctic, with a few, mainly unidentified records from North America. Strong sexual dimorphism is reported in the genus for the first time; it is expressed by a posterior porose region on the male notogaster that in some species is associated with modifications of notogastral setae h₁and p₁. Herein, I describe 3 new dimorphic Autogneta species from North America, based on adult specimens: A. aokii sp. nov. and A. schusteri sp. nov., from California, USA, and A. flaheyi sp. nov., from British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. New diagnoses for 2 other dimorphic species, the type species Autogneta longilamellata (Michael) and A. amnica Jacot, are presented that accommodate their previously unreported dimorphic males. Autogneta flumengalei Jacot is recombined as Conchogneta flumengalei (Jacot) comb. nov. Finally, I give a key to adults of Autogneta species known from North America.

Morphological and ecological differentiation of Eupelops and Propelops (Acari, Oribatida, Phenopelopidae)

In this study, the morphological and ecological differentiation of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 and Propelops Jacot, 1937 were investigated in the light of Eupelops strenzkei and Propelops canadensis. The juveniles of these species have plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short and thin setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, whereas the shape of marginal gastronotal setae differs in these species. The juveniles of P. canadensis have all these setae short and thin, except for setae lp and of h-series in the tritonymph, which are usually longer and thicker than other setae, whereas those of E. strenzkei have most marginal setae on the gastronotum longer and thicker than other setae, especially lp and h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs. Moreover, P. canadensis has short seta h3 in the larva, whereas in E. strenzkei only a vestige of this seta remains, as in other Eupelops species, and this morphological character has generic value. The deutonymph, tritonymph and adult of P. canadensis have solenidion φ on tibia IV, but lack seta d, whereas those of E. strenzkei have thick seta d on this segment, but lack solenidion φ, as in other Eupelops species, which have also generic value. The adults of both species have 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including c2, but in P. canadensis setae lp and h3 are inserted close to each other, with porose area A1 between them, as in some species of Eupelops, whereas in E. strenzkei these setae are separated, with porose area A1 adjacent to seta lp, as in other species of Eupelops. The adults of both species have ventrodistal apophysis on genu I, as in other species of Eupelops and Propelops. All instars of E. strenzkei have secondarily anarthric subcapitulum, as other Eupelops species, which are used to remove dead parenchymous tissue, whereas those of P. canadensis have diarthric subcapitulum and normal chelicerae, which crumble the litter.

Trachyibana sarawakiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a remarkable new genus and species from Malaysia (Acari: Uropodina: Trachyuropodidae).

A new genus Trachyibana gen. nov. is described and illustrated on the basis of Trachyibana sarawakiensis sp. nov. from Malaysia. The new genus belongs to the family Trachyuropodidae, on the basis of its fringed internal malae, the T-shaped dorsal setae and the position of hypostomal setae h3 (lateral to h1-h2-h4). The new genus differs from the other trachyuropodid genera and species by its lemon-shaped idiosoma, the presence of deep opisthogastric ventral furrows, and the absence of strongly sclerotised dorsal structures.

A new species of the feather mite genus Tyrannidectes Mironov, 2008 (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) from tapaculos (Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae) in Chile.

A new feather mite species, Tyrannidectes pteroptochi sp. n. (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae), is described from the Moustached Turca Pteroptochos megapodius Kittlitz, 1830 (Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae) in Chile. This is the first record of mites of the genus Tyrannidectes Mironov 2008 from this family of passerines. Tyrannidectes pteroptochi is clearly distinguished from all previously known Tyrannidectes species by having several unique features in females: whip-like hysteronotal macrosetae h2, hysteronotal setae h3 exceeding the length of the terminal appendages, and spiculiform pseudanal setae ps2 and ps3. A brief review of taxonomic works on the Tyrannidectes is provided.

Morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus and Eupelops plicatus (Acari, Oribatida, Phenopelopidae)

In this study, the morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus (Berlese, 1916) and E. plicatus (C. L. Koch, 1835) are investigated and morphological characters of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 are discussed. The juveniles of these species have plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short and thin setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, which is typical of Phenopelopidae, whereas the length of marginal gastronotal setae differs in these species. Eupelops curtipilus has these setae short, except for a long and thick posterior seta h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs, whereas Eupelops plicatus has them longer and thicker, especially setae lp and h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs. The adults of E. curtipilus and E. plicatus have long, phylliform seta in, 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including three pairs of p-series, and three pairs of adanal setae, which are typical of Eupelops, but differ by the length and location of some notogastral setae. Eupelops curtipilus has all these setae short, including h1, whereas E. plicatus has them longer, especially h1. The former species has setae lp and h3 inserted close to each other, with porose area A1 between them, whereas the latter species has setae lp and h3 separated and A1 at the insertion of seta lp. The adults of both species have ventrodistal apophysis on genu I, which may have generic value. The juveniles and adult of E. plicatus have more long and thick setae on the leg segments than those of E. curtipilus. Eupelops curtipilus is considered a Palaearctic species, whereas E. plicatus is Holarctic.

A new genus and species of Discozerconidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in New Zealand .

Berzercon ferdinandi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Discozerconidae) is described from carabid beetles in New Zealand. As in all Discozerconidae, Berzercon has large ventrally-directed opisthogastric suckers. However it is distinctive in its long marginal setae, tripartite gnathotectum, fused palp tibia and tarsus, the female's large dome-shaped genital shield and the male's highly modified hypostomal seta h1. This new species also represents the first Heterozerconina from an insect host.

Morphology of juvenile stages and ontogeny of three species and genera of Eremaeidae (Acari, Oribatida)

The morphology of juvenile stages of Eremaeus cordiformis Grandjean, 1934 is redescribed and illustrated, and those of Eueremaeus laticostulatus Bayartogtokh, 2003 and Proteremaeus punctulatus Bayartogtokh, 2000 are described and illustrated for the first time. The juveniles of these species differ from each other mainly by the presence of distinct prodorsal ridges in the central part of the prodorsum, shape and distribution of some setae, and number of adanal and anal setae. The larva of Er. cordiformis has these ridges, whereas other species lack them. Eueremaeus laticostulatus has relatively long and barbed prodorsal seta in in the larva and most gastronotal setae similarly ornamented in all juveniles, whereas other species have these setae short and smooth. The nymphs of Er. cordiformis and Eu. laticostulatus have three pairs of posterior gastronotal setae (p1, h1, h2), which are inserted close to each other in transverse row, whereas those of P. punctulatus have only two pairs (p1, h1) there, and seta h2 is inserted far from seta h1 and closer to seta p2. The nymphs of all species lose dorsal gastronotal setae of d-series and carry the exuvial scalps of previous instars directly on the glabrous gastronotum mainly due to lateral folds. The nymphs and adult of P. punctulatus have three pairs of adanal setae and two pairs of anal setae, whereas those of other species have at least five pairs of each series. The adult of Er. cordiformis has 11 pairs of notogastral setae, whereas other species investigated here have 10 pairs. The adults of all species have lamellar costulae on the prodorsum, but in P. punctulatus they are more widely separated than in other species. At present the systematic position of Proteremaeus is controversial in the literature, but the morphology of juveniles and adult of P. punctulatus investigated here confirms the membership of this genus in the Eremaeidae. A number of morphological characters support the separation of Er. hepaticus and Er. cordiformis and we provisionally reject their synonymy, until the type or topotypic material is compared.