Zerconopsis

Makarova, O. L., Marchenko, I. I. & Lindquist, E. E., 2024, Siberian mites of the genus Zerconopsis Hull, 1918 (Mesostigmata, Ascidae): description of a new species, re-description of Z. michaeli Evans & Hyatt, 1960, and key for species identification, Zootaxa 5496 (1), pp. 1-34 : 30

Key for Zerconopsis species dwelling in Siberia (females)

1. Dorsal shield with midlateral incisions, with three pairs of paddle-shaped setae (podonotal s 4, opisthonotal Z 3, Z 5)........ 2

- Dorsal shield without midlateral incisions, with two, four, or five pairs of paddle-shaped setae........................ 3

2. Setae st 5 normally situated on epigynal shield margin; sternal and epigynal shields intensively wrinkled, granular (sometimes sternal shield additionally reticulate); dorsal shield with a sigillar bulge located more anteriorly, between setae j 6 and J 1; 568–630 µm........................................ muestairi ( Schweizer, 1949) (Europe, West Siberia; polyzonal)

- Setae st 5 inserted on soft cuticle; sternal and epigynal shields with several ornamental lines, never wrinkled; dorsal shield with sigillar bulge located more posteriorly, behind setae J 2 or J 3; 552–672 µm............................................................................................. labradorensis Evans & Hyatt, 1960 (Holarctic, arctoboreal)

3. Dorsal shield with complicated ornamentation combining honeycomb-like depressions in anterolateral and lateral areas, stripe of angular tubercles in central region, and opisthonotal roundish contours formed by small pits ( Fig. 35 ), posterior shield margin with course indentation ( Fig. 37 ); dorsal shield with four pairs of paddle-shaped setae (podonotal s 4, s 5, and opisthonotal Z 3, Z 5); post-anal seta large, paddle-shaped; smaller mites, 410–504 µm.... michaeli Evans & Hyatt, 1960 (Holarctic, temperate)

- Dorsal shield with more or less homogenous ornamental pattern, pitted or reticulate ( Fig. 10 ); shield with two or five pairs of paddle-shaped setae; post-anal seta small, aciculate; larger mites, 500–650 µm..................................... 4

4. Dorsal and ventrianal shields pitted, sternal shield evenly reticulate; dorsal shield with five pairs of paddle-shaped setae (podonotal s 4, s 5, and opisthonotal Z 3, Z 4, Z 5); ventrianal shield with four pairs of opisthogastric setae; larger mites, 570–650 µm................................................... decemremiger Evans & Hyatt, 1960 (Holarctic, temperate)

- Dorsal and ventrianal shields reticulate, sternal shield ornamented by several lines; dorsal shield with two pairs of paddle-shaped setae (opisthonotal Z 3, Z 5); ventrianal shield with five pairs of opisthogastric setae; smaller mites, 500–588 µm............................................................ sibiricus sp. nov. (Siberia, Russian Far East, arctoboreal)

Figures

FIGURES 35–41. Zerconopsis michaeli Evans et Hyatt, 1960, female. 35, 37. idiosomal dorsum; 36. variations of dorsal shield seta j1; 38. subcapitulum and proximal palpal segments; 39. palpal femur and genu; 40. gnathotectum; 41. some dorsal shield setae. Scale: 35, 37 50 μm; 36, 39 20 μm; 38, 40, 41 25 μm.

FIGURES 10–15. Zerconopsis sibiricus sp. nov. 10–14. female; 15. male. 10. dorsal shield; 11. epigynal shield; 12. cheliceral digits, paraxial view; 13. peritrematal shield; 14. ventrianal shield; 15. anterior part of sternitigenital shield. Scale: 10, 13, 14 50 μm; 11, 12, 15 25 μm.