Autogneta flaheyi, Behan-Pelletier, Valerie M., 2015

Behan-Pelletier, Valerie M., 2015, Sexual dimorphism in Autogneta, with description of three new species from North America and new diagnosis of the genus (Acari, Oribatida, Autognetidae), Zootaxa 3946 (1), pp. 55-78 : 65-68

Autogneta flaheyi sp. nov.

Figs 23–30

Material Examined. Holotype: adult male, Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Heather Mountain Trail, 10 mi NW Caycuse, 48.893°N, 124.368°W, 8.viii.1975 (E. E. Lindquist) from bracket fungi on log; deposited in the CNC, type number 24202. Paratypes: 1 female, 6 males with same collection data as holotype; 1 female with same data as holotype, except from litter in ground level hollows of dead tree; Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park, 49.056°N, 113.926°W, 22–30.vii.1980 (E. E. Lindquist) 1 male from bracket fungi on log. Paratypes deposited in the CNC, USNM, and RNC.

Diagnosis. Adult. Apophyses posteriorly on prodorsum expressed as 1 pair of discrete tubercles overhanging dorsosejugal scissure. Bothridial seta clavate to fusiform, about 48; with minute spicules, except 6–10 longer spicules distally. Genital setae 6 pairs. Genua I and II with seta v’ present. In females, notogastral setae all long, thin acuminate, almost flagellate, 25–40 long with c shortest seta, about 25; mutual distance h1–h1 about 25, p1–p1 about 50. In male, notogastral setae other than p1 and h1, thin smooth acuminate, as in female, 22–72 long, with c shortest, 22–24. Setae p1 and h1 of male spatulate, 34–38, with small barbs bilaterally; all 4 setae nearly transversely aligned in terminal modification consisting of slightly concave porose area (49–53 wide) borne on weak projection between lyrifissures ips.

Description. Adults. Dimensions: Total length: male (n = 1) 320. Notogastral length: male (n = 1) 195. (Type material all slide mounted and slightly crushed other than single male ( Figs 23, 24 )).

Integument: Microtuberculate, except tubercles slightly larger on costula ( Fig. 26 ). Pleural region strongly tuberculate from base of pedotectum I to acetabulum IV ( Fig. 25 ). Microtubercles on trochanters III, IV and femora I–IV more evident than on other leg segments. Cluster of tubercles posterior of acetabulum IV. Posterior margin of epimere IV with several small depressions medially ( Fig. 24 ).

Prodorsum: Rostral incision about 20. Costula 62–84, with microtubercles ( Fig. 26 ); seta le borne anteriorly, 24–36 long, acuminate, weakly barbed. Enantiophysis E well developed lateral to proximal third of costula. Ridges present laterally on prodorsum ( Fig. 25 , arrow). Apophyses posteriorly on prodorsum expressed as 1 pair of discrete tubercles overhanging dorsosejugal scissure ( Figs 23 , 26 , arrow). Rostral, lamellar, interlamellar and exobothridial setae thin, smooth, acuminate; ro about 29, le 24–36, in about 27, ex about 18. Mutual distance ro–ro about 15, le–le about 19, in–in about 34. Humeral enantiophysis well-developed ( Fig. 26 ). Bothridial seta clavate to fusiform, about 48, head (20 long, 11 wide), with minute spicules, except for 6–10 longer spicules distally.

Notogaster: With U-shaped furrow well-developed, outlined by microtubercles. In females, notogastral setae all long, thin acuminate, almost flagellate, 25–40 long with c shortest, about 25; la,lm,lp, h3, h2, p2, p3 32–40; h1 and p 1 28–30. Setae p1 and h1 not transversely aligned, not positioned on porose area; mutual distance h1–h1 about 25, p1–p1 about 50 ( Fig. 27 ). In males, notogastral setae other than p1 and h1, thin, smooth acuminate, 22–72 long, with c shortest, 22–24; la, lm, lp 30–37; h3 59–64, h2 60–72, with h2 and p2 almost flagellate; p1 and h1 about 34–38; p2, p3 59–62 ( Fig. 23 ). Setae p1 and h1 spatulate, with small barbs bilaterally, positioned almost in transverse alignment, on porose area 49–53 wide; porose area slightly concave ( Figs 23 , 28–30 ). Porose area positioned between lyrifissures ips ( Figs 23 , 28 ). Mutual distance distance h1–h1 about 13; p1–p1 about 40.

Ventral Region: Epimeral setae 9–14 long, tapered, slightly roughened. Genital setae 6 pairs, about 10 long, acuminate, smooth; aggenital, and anal setae and ad3 about 18 long, smooth, acuminate, almost flagellate; in male, setae ad1 and ad2 33–36 long, acuminate, almost flagellate ( Fig. 24 ); in female ad1 and ad 2 24–30; iad on level with seta an 2 in both sexes. Posterior border of epimere IV with 4–5 pairs of foveae in transverse line medially.

Gnathosoma: As for genus.

Legs: Setation: leg I: 1-5-3(1)-4(2)-18(2); leg II: 1-5-3(1)-4(1)-15(2); leg III: 2-3-1(1)-3(1)-15; leg IV: 1-2-2- 3(1)-12. Femur I without tubercles positioned antiaxially and dorsally in proximal third. Seta v’ present on genua I and II.

Immatures: Unknown.

Etymology. This species is named in honour of my colleague Barry Flahey who through his artistic talents has contributed extensively to publications on Acari and Insecta.

Remarks. Both males and females of this species are easily recognized by the combination of 1 pair of discrete tubercles overhanging the dorsosejugal scissure and the long, acuminate to almost flagellate notogastral setae. Sexual dimorphism in this species consists of males with setae p1 and h1 spatulate, with small barbs bilaterally, positioned almost in transverse alignment on an oval porose area 49–53 wide.

Gravid females carry up to 2 large eggs. Gut contents are primarily lightly pigmented fungal hyphae and spores.

Figures

FIGURES 23, 24. Autogneta flaheyi sp. nov., adult male, 23, dorsal aspect, legs not illustrated, except for proximal segments of legs I – III; 24, ventral aspect. Scale bar = 50.

FIGURES 25 – 30. Autogneta flaheyi sp. nov., adults. Differential interference contrast microscope images: 25, female, prodorsum and anterior of notogaster, with arrow to ridge lateral of costula; 26, female, detail of posterior of prodorsum with arrow to posterior tubercles; 27, female, posterior of notogaster (3 layers combined); 28, male, posterior of notogaster (3 layers combined); 29, male, posterior of notogaster, in same focal plane as Fig. 27; 30, male, posterior of notogaster, showing porose area. Scale bar: 25, 26 = 20, 27 – 30 = 10.