Spiniform Setae Research Articles

Some Laelapine Mites (Acari: Laelapidae) Ectoparasitic on Small Mammals in the Galapagos Islands, Including a New Species of Gigantolaelaps From Aegialomys galapagoensis

A collection of laelapine mites from small mammals in the Galapagos Islands are identified and their host distributions reviewed. Two species of native rodents, Aegialomys galapagoensis and Nesoryzomys narboroughii, were infested only with laelapine species typical of Neotropical oryzomyine rodents; Rattus rattus was infested with Laelaps nuttalli, a host-specific ectoparasite endemic to Old World Rattus. A synopsis of Gigantolaelaps Fonseca is provided and we describe a new laelapine mite, Gigantolaelaps aegialomys n. sp., from the pelage of the rodent A. galapagoensis on Santa Fe Island. The new species has strong morphological affinities with a subgroup of Gigantolaelaps associated with a group of semiaquatic oryzomyine rodents ( Holochilus, Nectomys, Sooretamys, Pseudoryzomys , Oryzomys palustris). The other nominal species of this group, Gigantolaelaps mattogrossensis (Fonseca, 1935) and Gigantolaelaps goyanensis Fonseca, 1939 , are characterized by 10 setae on Tibia IV, large metapodal shields, and spiniform setae on Coxae I. Gigantolaelaps aegialomys is distinguished from these species by a lack of clearly spiniform setae on Coxa I, with setiform distal seta longer than the proximal; metapodal shields about the same size as the stigma; less than 100 µm separating the first pair of sternal setae.

A new species of Mesokalliapseudes Lang, 1956 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Kalliapseudidae) from Puerto Rico, with remarks on the genus

A new kalliapseudid species, Mesokalliapseudes quadriflagellata n. sp. from Puerto Rico is described and illustrated. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characteristics: 1) rounded rostrum, 2) pereonites lacking anterolateral apophyses, 3) fixed finger of cheliped two-thirds or more the length of the dactylus, and 4) serrate spiniform seta on the basis of pereopod 1. It is unique in having the inner flagellum of the antennule with 4 articles (all other congeners have 3 articles). Remarks on the genus Mesokalliapseudes are presented.

Two new species of Eucyclops Claus (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from the Chihuahuan Desert with a redescription of E. pseudoensifer Dussart

Two new species of the freshwater copepod genus Eucyclops are described from two sites in the Chihuahuan Desert (CHD), which includes parts of northern Mexico and southern United States. Eucyclops cuatrocienegas sp. nov. is distinguished by having a short inner spiniform seta on the fifth leg, relatively short caudal rami, and a partially naked spine of the fourth endopod, among other characters. The finding of E. cuatrocienegas in Cuatro Ciénegas, an area in the CHD that is known for harbouring the highest number of endemic aquatic species in North America, suggests that these habitats could yield other endemic forms. The other new species resembles the Neotropical E. pseudoensifer Dussart, 1984 but differs in having a shorter basipodal spine of the first leg, shorter outer terminal spiniform caudal seta, a different length ratio of inner/outer spines of leg 4 third endopodal segment, and a different pattern of the serra on the caudal rami. Eucyclops pseudoensifer, originally collected from a high altitude lake in the Andean system of western Venezuela, is here redescribed from female and male type specimens. The description of E. chihuahuensis sp. nov. recognizes both the subtle but consistent differences of this population and its environmental isolation in this arid region. The North American records of E. pseudoensifer should be revised in the light of these findings in order to determine the real distributional ranges of these species.

On the first swimming leg of Rhizothrix sejongi Nam & Lee, 2005 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Rhizothricidae), with an amended key to species of the genus Rhizothrix

Abstract Rhizothrix sejongi Nam & Lee, 2005 was originally described from a sandy beach at Sangju, south coast of Korea. Upon reexamination of the paratypes of the species, an error in the description of the first swimming leg was discovered. We redescribe this leg, which is clearly armed with an inner spiniform seta and amend the key to species of the genus Rhizothrix.

Larva of the leaf beetle Labidostomis longimana (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Clytrinae)

The first- and the last-instar larvae of the leaf-beetle Labidostomis longimana are described in detail for the first time. The last instar larva is morphologically close to L. sibirica larva and differs from it in the absence of a projection in the medial emargination of the labrum, in the presence of 7 spiniform setae on the tibiotarsus ventrally, 11–13 narrow simple setae on the tibiotarsus dorsally, and fine rugae on the larval case.

Phylogenetic inferences of Tisbe Lilljeborg, 1853 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) with Tisbe thailandensis sp. nov. from Thailand

Tisbe thailandensis sp. nov. is described in particular detail from a laboratory stock raised from individuals collected from Bangsaen Beach, Thailand. The description has revealed the following autapomorphic characters: the spiniform terminal seta of P1 Enp III bears a spinule row on anterior face; the innermost seta carries at the outer tip a tuft of spinules; the outermost seta has along its outer border short but stiff spinules; there are large surface spinules on the anterior face of female P5 exp and baseoendopod and male P5 exp. A phylogenetic inference study provides a most parsimonious hypothesis of relationships. The branching pattern indicates that Tisbe thailandensis sp. nov. is the most underived taxon compared to the remaining Tisbe species analyzed here. It confirms that T. furcata shares several characters with a number of species that justifies uniting them in a T. furcata group. According to the present analysis, the furcata group contains the following species: T. bocqueti, T. furcata, T. variana, T. carolinensis, and T. bulbisetosa. The male dimorphic maxilliped and the long spinule at the tip of the middle (terminal) spiniform seta of the male P5 exp are no longer constitutive for the furcata group of species since they are present also in other species.

Crustacea of the Cayman Islands, British West Indies II. Heteromysis (Olivemysis) ebanksae, a new species (Mysida: Mysidae) from Little Cayman and Grand Cayman Islands

ABSTRACT During a survey of the marine Crustacea of the Cayman Islands, Heteromysis ebanksae, new species was discovered in depths of 1–3 m adjacent to Little Cayman Island and from North Sound, Grand Cayman Island. The new species, which belongs to the subgenus Olivemysis Bacescu, 1968, collected from live bottom and sea grass habitats, is distinguished from other closely related species in the western Atlantic by differences in the setation of thoracic endopod 3, male pleopod 4 and the telson. Heteromysis ebanksae has 2–9 flagellated spiniform setae on male pleopod 4, 6–10 spinules along the anterior half of the telsonic cleft, and each apical lobe of the telson has a pair of spiniform setae, the outer 1.2 times longer than the inner. A diagnostic table separating the new species from H. actinae Clarke, 1955, H. bermudensis G. O. Sars, 1885 and H. floridensis Brattegard, 1969 is presented.

Two new species of Pamphobeteus Pocock 1901 (Araneae : Mygalomorphae : Theraphosidae) from Brazil, with a new type of stridulatory organ

Two new species of Pamphobeteus Pocock 1901 are described from Brazil: Pamphobeteus crassifemur sp. nov. and Pamphobeteus grandis sp. nov.; Pamphobeteus nigricolor, formerly described from Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia, is recorded from Brazil and its distribution in Ecuador and Bolivia is questioned. A new type of stridulatory organ is described from legs III and IV of P. crassifemur sp. nov. The structure consists of spiniform setae. Stridulation occurs when the spider moves the legs III and IV, sometimes while shedding urticating hairs.

A New Genus and Species of Ridgewayiidae (Copepoda: Calanoida) from Subterranean Waters of Northwestern Australia

A new ridgewayiid copepod, Stygoridgewayia trispinosa n. g. and n. sp., is described from continental ground waters of the Cape Range Peninsula and Pilbara regions of Western Australia, as the first occurrence of this family in fresh waters. The new genus can be distinguished from other ridgewayiid genera by a combination of characters that include three digitiform processes and striated membrane on each caudal ramus, fused ancestral segments II-IV and V-VI on the antennary exopod, leg 1 with a subterminal flagellum on the outer spiniform setae of the terminal exopodal segment, legs 3 and 4 with two outer spiniform setae on the terminal exopodal segment, and female leg 5 with reduced armature on the exopod, terminal exopodal segment inserted along the distal margin of the middle exopodal segment, and endopod absent. We postulate that this new ridgewayiid is a particle feeder living in close contact with the sediment surface, and originated in shallow coastal waters and secondarily colonized the freshwater hypogean environment.

The larva ofAeshna williamsoniana(Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae)

AbstractThe larva ofAeshna williamsonianaCalvert, 1905 is described in detail, illustrated, and compared with other larvae of the genus and family. It is distinguished from its congeners by its granular integument, body mostly lacking hairlike setae, cerci with a row of spiniform setae along the lateroexternal margins, and dorsomedial margin of female epiproct with a row of spiniform setae. It does not particularly resemble any other larva ofAeshnaor related genera described to date. The larval habitat is described for the first time.

Checklist and new species of the Coleophora salicorniae group from China (Lepidoptera: Coleophoridae)

Three new species of the Coleophora salicorniae group (Coleophoridae) are described: Coleophora parilis sp. n., Coleophora varisequens sp. n., and Coleophora innermongoliensis sp. n. All have very large spiniform setae on the first tergum of abdomen. Photographs of adults and genitalia of the new species are provided. A checklist and a distribution map of all known Chinese species of this group are given.

A new species of Hystrichopsylla Taschenberg (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae) from the Mexican transition zone

A new flea species, Hystrichopsylla cryptotis, is described from the Sierra Madre Oriental and Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico. The host of this new species is the shrew Cryptotis mexicana (Coues, 1877) (Mammalia: Soricidae). This flea species is easily recognized by its large size, seven genal combs, and the slender sternum IX, with 13 pairs of thick spiniform setae of different sizes. A key to the Mexican and Guatemalan species of Hystrichopsylla is given. The cladistic analysis indicates that Mexican species of Hystrichopsylla may be arranged in two different species groups: the H. orophila species group (H. orophila Barrera 1952 and H. cryptotis) and the H. dippiei species group (H. dippiei Rotshchild 1902, H. llorentei Ayala and Morales 1990, and H. kris Traub and Johnson 1952). The resolved area cladogram based on their phylogenetic relationships indicates the following relationships: (Sierra Madre Oriental, (Sierra Madre del Sur, Transmexican Volcanic Belt)).

Description of the larva ofTelebasis digiticollis(Odonata: Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae)

AbstractA detailed description and illustrations of the larva ofTelebasis digiticollisCalvert, 1902 are provided. A comparison with other larvae of the genus is made.Telebasis digiticollisis distinguished by 1 premental seta, 6–7 setae on the labial palp, a well-developed and convex ligula, 7–8 spiniform setae on the lateral margins of the prementum, and forceps-like male gonapophyses. The larva ofT. digiticollisis more like that ofT. boomsmaeGarrison, 1994 than like other larvae of the genus. Larvae were found living in a lagoon densely covered by aquatic phanerogams such asEichhorniasp. (Pontederiaceae) andTyphasp. (Typhaceae).

A new species of Eucyclops Claus (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Southeast Mexico with a key for the identification of the species recorded in Mexico

Eucyclops torresphilipi sp. nov. is described from samples collected in the state of Chiapas, on the southeastern Pacific coast of Mexico. It belongs to a group of species similar to the presumably cosmopolitan E. agilis (Koch, 1838). The new species is closest to the South American E. delachauxi (Kiefer, 1925); it can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters that include a fifth leg with a particularly slender inner spiniform seta that is as long as the outer seta, the caudal rami has spinules covering up to of the outer margin, caudal rami over 4 times longer than wide, the relative length of the dorsal seta, and the proportion of the terminal spines of the third exopodal segment of the fourth legs. Only nine other nominal species of Eucyclops have been recorded in Mexico; nearly half of them are known also from South America. The new species seems to have a restricted distributional range; however, it could be present also in Guatemala. Its morphological affinity with South American forms confirms the influence of the South American cyclopoid fauna in Mexico. A key for the identification of the species of Eucyclops recorded in Mexico is included.

The presence of Varipes Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) in Brazil, with the description of a new species

Varipes helenae, new species, (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is described based on nymphs collected from the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species is distinguished by setation of labrum, number of denticles in both mandibles, prostheca of right mandible bifid, not reduced, medial hump of maxilla with a spiniform seta, distomedial process of labial palp segment 2 rounded, relatively few setae on femora, and number of spines on the paraproct. This is the first report of the genus Varipes from Brazil.

Evolutionary Trends of External Morphology in the Marine Mite Genus Rhombognathides (Acari: Halacaridae: Rhombognathinae)

A morphology-based phylogenetic analysis of the eight species of Rhombognathides (Acari: Halacaridae) demonstrated some evolutionary tendencies of character transformation. In the course of the evolution of Rhombognathides, idiosomal plates increased in size or fused. Simple filiform setae transformed into spiniform or bipectinate setae. The number of tarsal claws, the length of median claw and leg chaetotaxy of telofemora and tibiae were reduced. The fusion or expansion of dorsal plates, transformation from filiform to other setal forms, and reduction of leg setae would have recurrently occurred in halacarid evolution. The claw structure most likely reflects adaptation to specific habitat.

Notes on the genus Iracema Pérez-Miles, 2000 with the first description of the male of I. horrida (Schmidt, 1994) (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

The formerly unknown male of Paraphysa horrida is described and the species transferred to the genus Iracema. This genus is rediagnosed and can be recognized by having the combination of the following characters: type IV of urticating hairs, bulb resting in a ventral distal excavation of the male palpal tibia, male metatarsus I touching both branches of tibial spur when flexed, labium with less than 20 labial cuspules, and presence of many spiniform setae on the prolateral and retrolateral sides of maxillae and coxae I-IV.

Tanapseudes gutui, a New Species of Apseudomorphan Tanaidacea (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the Caribbean Sea and the Taxonomic Status of the Family Tanapseudidae Băcescu

Tanapseudes gutui, n. sp., is described from depths of 3–34 m off San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 4– 5 m off Goat Island, Tobago. Tanapseudes sinensis Bamber from Hong Kong waters is re-examined and determined to represent a junior synonym of the type species T. ormuzana Băcescu which was originally collected in the Straights of Hormuz off Iran. Tanapseudes gutui can be distinguished from T. ormuzana by several characters including details of the mouth parts, the presence of a reduced spiniform seta on the distotergal margin of the propodus of pereopod 1, pereonites 3–6 with rounded anterior margins, and a pleotelson lacking a mid-lateral lobe. A neotype is established for T. ormuzana based on a specimen collected from near the original type locality, and its mouth parts and pereopod 1 are illustrated. Largely based on the absence of a palp on the maxillule and the presence of a bifurcate seta on the dactyl of pereopod 1, the family Tanapseudidae Băcescu is now considered a subfamily within the family Kalliapseudidae Lang sensu Gutu. The genus Paradoxapseudes Gutu, formerly within the family Tanapseudidae sensu Gutu, is tentatively transferred to the family Apseudidae Leach.

Saltipedis navassensis, a new species of apseudomorph tanaidacean (Crustacea: Peracarida: Parapseudidae) from the tropical north-western Atlantic

Saltipedis navassensis n. sp. is reported and described from a sand bottom at a depth of 24 m off Navassa Island in the northern Caribbean. The description of the new species includes the first known male for the genus along with the first record of Saltipedis from the northern Atlantic. Saltipedis navassensis can be distinguished from other females of the genus by having an antennule with a serrated inner peduncular margin and pereopod 2 with plumose setae on the basis and no spiniform seta on the merus. A key to the known species of Saltipedis is presented.

DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA OF REMARTINIA SECRETA AND NOTES ON THE LARVA OF REMARTINIA LUTEIPENNIS FLORIDA (ODONATA: AESHNIDAE)

AbstractA detailed description and illustrations of the larva of Remartinia secreta (Calvert) are provided. The main features that distinguish the larva of this species are dark brown coloration; prementum 0.25 times longer than its widest part, with a dorsal row of small spiniform setae close to the lateral margins; length of the lateral spine on abdominal segment six 0.4–0.5 mm; lateral valvae of female gonapophyses shorter than central ones; and female epiproct longer than cerci. Larvae were found living in a lagoon densely covered by aquatic phanerogams such as Eichhornia sp. (Pontedereaceae) and Typha sp. (Thyphaceae). Larva of R. secreta is compared to that of Remartinia luteipennis florida (Hagen), its only sympatric congener.