Mimicalges neopelmae, Hernandes, 2013

Hernandes, Fabio Akashi, 2013, Three new proctophyllodine feather mites (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from passerines in Brazil (Aves: Passeriformes), Journal of Natural History (J. Nat. Hist.) 48 (3 - 4), pp. 185-202 : 191-195

Mimicalges neopelmae sp. nov.

Type host

Neopelma pallescens (Lafresnaye, 1853) (Pipridae) , the Pale-bellied Tyrant-Manakin.

Type locality

Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Type material

Male holotype ex Neopelma pallescens , “Mata da Escola Agrícola de Jundiaí-UFRN” (5 ◦ 53 ′ S, 35 ◦ 23 ′ W), Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, 20April 2012, col. H.M. Silva. Paratypes: 11 males and 11 females from the same locality, 19 June 2012, 1 male 10 June 2012, 1 female 20 June 2012. Holotype male, 9 male and 9 female paratypes at DZUnesp-RC; a pair of male and female paratypes in each of DZSJRP, BMOC and ZISP .

Diagnosis

The new species differs from M. pteronyssoides by the relatively shorter length of aedeagus, not reaching the body terminus; in M. pteronyssoides the aedeagus extends well beyond the body terminus, almost reaching the level of tarsus IV.

Male ( Figures 4–6 ) (holotype, measurements for five paratypes in parentheses). Idiosoma, length × width, 329 (308–321) × 153 (140–152). Prodorsal shield: narrow, with a transverse band of striae at level of scapular setae, setae ve present as microsetae, posterior margin with median angle, total length of shield along mid-line 84 (80–88), width 38 (33–37) at widest part posterior to scapular setae; scapular setae se 87 (85–120) in length, those setae separated by 24 (22–24), setae si separated by 12 (8–11) ( Figure 4A ). Scapular shields present, humeral shields present, reduced, a pair of metapodosomal shields present at level of femora III. Setae cp situated dorsally on soft tegument, posterolateral to setae c2. Setae c2 situated on humeral shields. Subhumeral setae c3 lanceolate, 37 (35–39) × 4 (3–4), setae cp 224 (213–242) in length. Distance between prodorsal and hysteronotal shields 55 (46–55). Hysteronotal shield: greatest length 195 (187–201), width in anterior region 86 (76–81), anterior margin concave, surface uniformly punctuate, median longitudinal groove running from bases of setae h1 to level of setae d2. Opisthosomal lobes weakly expressed by shallow convex extensions. Supranal concavity present ( Figure 4A ). Setae h1 situated at posterior level of supranal concavity; setae f2 very short and thin, barely perceptible in some specimens, situated slightly anterior to bases of h2 and at the same level as ps2. Setae h3 long, setiform, 158 (200–248) long; setae ps2 18 (15–22) long; setae h2 289 (284–328) long; setae ps1 minute, c. 3 long. Distance between dorsal setae: si: c1 70 (62–69), c1: c2 39 (32–44), c1: d1 32 (29–37), d1: d2 44 (39–45), h3: h3 36 (33–37).

Epimerites I fused into a sternum ( Figure 4B ). Coxal fields I and II without sclerotized areas. Rudimentary sclerite rEpIIa absent. Coxal fields I–IV open. Epimerites IIIa with sclerotized areas around their tips. Inner tips of epimerites IVa, paragenital apodemes and genital shield fused together forming an ovate sclerotized structure completely surrounding genital arch. Aedeagus length (from anterior bend to apex) 120 (116–122). Setae g situated on posterior end of ovate sclerotized structure (area corresponding to genital shield). Adanal sclerites split in two longitudinal pairs, reduced inner piece bearing setae ps3. Anal suckers 9 (9–11) in diameter, corolla with indentations, distance between centres of discs 11 (12–15). Distance between ventral setae: 3a: 4a 50 (46–49), 4a: g 37 (34–37), g: ps3 20 (18–21), ps3: ps3 9 (9–11).

Femora I–II without crests or processes ( Figure 5 ). Solenidion σ 1 of genu I approximately the same length as that of genu and tibia combined, situated at midlevel of segment. Genual seta cG I and II, and mG I and II, setiform. Solenidia ω1 of tarsi II approximately three times the length of ω1 of tarsus I. Tarsus I with small spine near base of setae e. Legs IV longer and thicker than legs III. Tarsus IV 64 (59–63) long, a small spine near bases of seae r and w; setae d and e button-like ( Figure 6B ).

Female ( Figure 7 ) (range of six paratypes). Idiosoma, length × width, 344–363 × 126–134. Prodorsal shield: 78–85 × 89–94, posterior margin sinuous, surface uniformly punctate; setae se 104–162 long, those setae separated by 54–58, si separated by 36–41. Humeral shields present, bearing setae c2 on its anterior margins. Setae cp situated ventrally, on soft tegument. Setae c3 thin, lanceolate, 16–22 × 2–3. Distance between prodorsal and hysteronotal shields 12–18. Anterior hysteronotal shield greatest length 179–192, width at anterior margin 95–103, anterior margin slightly concave, posterior margin with small projection at midlength, surface uniformly punctate ( Figure 7A ). Pair of small oval pale patches between setae e1 and e2. Length of lobar region 67–82, greatest width 68–76. Terminal cleft inverted U-shape, 50–60 long, wider at level posterior to setae ps1. Setae h1 inserted on transverse area of tegument between anterior hysteronotal and lobar shields. Setae h2 setiform 116–136 long, 4–6 wide. Setae ps1 equidistant from bases of h2 and h3, bases of setae ps1 and h3 arranged in a trapezium. Setae h3 setiform, 72–99 long. Distance between dorsal setae: si: c1 50–59, c1: c2 20–26, c1: d1 31–36, d1: d2 22–41, d2: e1 56–61, e1: h1 42–52, h1: h1 22–26, h3: h3 34–40.

Epimerites I faintly connected as a V. Coxal fields II as in male ( Figure 7B ). Epimerites IVa present. Epigynum horseshoe-shaped, greatest width 52–58, length 47–52. Primary spermaduct with portion near head of spermatheca more sclerotized, other areas poorly visible; secondary spermaducts short ( Figure 7C ); copulatory opening situated ventrally, posterior to anal opening. Pseudanal setae ps2 and ps3 setiform; distances between ventral setae: 1a: 3a 36–45, 3a: g 20–27, g: 4a 76–80, 4a: ps3 63–70, ps2: ps3 15–20, ps2: ps2 34–40, ps3: ps3 14–17.

Three distal segments of legs I and II as in male; femur I with small ventral crest, femur II without crests or processes. Solenidion σ 1 of genu I approximately one and a half times the length of solenidion ω3 of corresponding tarsus. Solenidion ω 1 inserted on basal half of segment on tarsus, and medially on tarsus II. Genual seta cG I and II, and mG I and II, setiform. Solenidia ω1 of tarsi I and II subequal in length. Genu II, IV with small longitudinal dorsal crest.

Etymology

The specific epithet is taken from the generic name of the host, and is a noun in the genitive case.

Figures

Figure 4. Mimicalges neopelmae sp. nov., male: dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views. s.c. = supranal concavity.

Figure 5. Mimicalges neopelmae sp. nov., male legs I (A) and II (B).

Figure 6. Mimicalges neopelmae sp. nov., male legs III (A) and IV (B).

Figure 7. Mimicalges neopelmae sp. nov., female: dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views, spermatheca (C).