Analges Nitzsch, 1818

Pedroso, Luiz Gustavo A. & Hernandes, Fabio Akashi, 2018, Two new feather mite species of the family Analgidae (Acariformes: Analgoidea) from the Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis (Müller, 1776) (Passeriformes: Passerellidae), Zootaxa 4461 (2), pp. 233-244 : 234-237

Genus Analges Nitzsch, 1818

Type species: Acarus passerinus Linnaeus, 1758 , by subsequent designation ( Von Heyden, 1826).

Analges is the oldest feather mite genus with a quite complicate taxonomy. The main reason is that males of this genus exhibit strong polymorphism, especially in the structure of legs III, and only the heteromorphic males can be used for reliable morphological species identification ( Gaud 1973; Mironov 1985). To date, approximately 55 species have been described, many of which badly need a redescription ( Gaud 1973; Mironov 1985; Sohn 1995; Mironov 1996; Mironov & Kopij 1996; Su et al. 2013).

The genus Analges is presently divided into three subgenera, Analges s. str., Analgopsis Trouessart, 1919 and Plesialges Trouessart, 1919 . The two latter subgenera were originally established as full genera and curiously declared as new taxa twice, in the works of Trouessart (1919) and Trouessart & Berlese (1919). Gaud (1973) included Analgopsis into the genus Analges as a subgenus but did not outline clear diagnostic features for its subgenera. Mironov (1985) properly indicated differences between them: males of Analges s. str. lack a finger-like process on the inner margin of tarsus III, whereas those of Analgopsis have a prominent finger-like process bearing seta w. The monotypic Plesialges was included into Analges as a subgenus by Gaud & Atyeo (1996) but this taxon still lacks a reliable modern diagnosis that reinforces the appeal to revise the genus.

Analges (Analges) ticotico Pedroso & Hernandes sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–3 )

Type material. Holotype: 1 heteromorphic male; paratypes: 12 heteromorphic males, 8 homeomorphic males, 9 females and 1 tritonymph ex Zonotrichia capensis (Müller, 1776) ( Passeriformes : Passerellidae ), BRAZIL, São Paulo State, Campinas, 03.VI.2009, D.V. Boas-Filho col. (#492); 4 heteromorphic males, 7 females and 4 tritonymphs, same host species, locality and collector, 22º57’S 47º12’W, 18.VII.2009, (#525).

Type depositories. Holotype (#4170) and paratypes (#4171–4207)—DZUnesp-RC; remaining paratypes— ZISP and MGAB.

Description. Heteromorphic male (holotype, range for 6 paratypes in parentheses) ( Figs. 1 , 3A–D ). Length of idiosoma 363 (363–384), width at the level of setae c3 231 (233–254). Prodorsal shield: length 73 (72–79); width at posterior margin 70 (76–79); distance between centers of external scapular setae se 62 (65–71); posterior processes shield short triangular, with acute tip, 14 (12–16) in length, 10 (8–12) in width. Distance between prodorsal and hysteronotal shields 66 (68–75). Hysteronotal shield: greatest length 218 (204–228), width of anterior part 139 (131–151), anterior margin slightly sinuous, surface with a distinct pattern of longitudinally striated ornamentation most pronounced in central area of this shield ( Fig. 1A ). Dorsal macrosetae d2 and e2 approximately equal in size, situated in anterior angles of hysteronotal shield approximately at same transverse level, distance between setae e2 127 (121–139). Humeral spur absent. Terminal lamella a short plate with rounded posterior margin, 12 (7–10) in length, 22 (16–22) in width.

Epimerites I fused as a Y, posterior tip of sternum with triangular incision. Posterior tips of epimerites II with sinuous margin ( Fig. 1B ). Epiandrum arch-like, 24 (24–28) in length, 32 (31–33) in width, without posterior processes. Length of genital arch 35 (31–38). Anterior margin of adanal shield shallowly convex in medial part, posterior branches of shield extending to base of terminal lamellae. Length of adanal shield along medial line 61 (56–63), width at anterior part 94 (89–103). Posterior angle of coxal field IV without processes. Length of setae: c3 76 (75–87), vi 66 (54–83). Genual setae cG II bifurcated, 90 (77–90) long. Femur II without lateral apophysis. Femur III enlarged, with distal part slightly wider than apical part, with three small rounded spines on inner margin ( Fig. 1C ). Tibia III with small and rounded ventral extension bearing seta kT. Inner margin of tarsus III with small truncate projection carrying seta w ( Fig. 3C ). Length of leg III equal to or slightly longer than idiosoma length, with distal spur-like extension on femur III surpassing the level of adanal suckers. Leg III dorsal surface length (432) 390–446.

Homeomorphic male (range for 8 paratypes). Smaller, but generally similar to heteromorphic males. Femur III without small spines on inner margin. Length of leg III slightly lesser than idiosoma length, with the distal part of femur III extending to level of adanal suckers. Idiosoma, length × width, 3 07–325 × 170–192. Leg III length 250– 305.

Female (range for 8 paratypes) ( Figs. 2 , 3E–H ). Form of idiosoma and disposition of idiosomal setae typical for Analges females. Length of idiosoma 385–407, width of idiosoma 187–235. Prodorsal shield as in male, 82–92 in length, 83–90 in width, posterior processes of this shield triangular with acute tip, 12–15 in length, 9–12 in width. Distance between external scapular setae se 69–76. Distance between idiosomal setae: c2: d2 77–86, d2: e2 91–100, e2: h2 87–107, h3–h3 61–66. Length of idiosomal setae: c2 108–143, d2 124–151, e2 142–200, f 2 17–22. Tips of epimerites II acute. Epigynum bow-like, 15–21 in length, 44–48 in width. Primary spermaduct with ampuliform enlargement at spermathecal head, secondary spermaducts short ( Fig. 2C ). Femur II with small lateral apophysis.

Differential diagnosis. Analges (A.) ticotico sp. nov. is most similar to A. (A.) opistostriatus Mironov, 1985 , described from the Eurasian reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804) (Acrocephalidae) . In addition to their general similarity in having a relatively narrow body shape, heteromorphic males of both species have moderately-sized spines on the posterior margin of the prodorsal shield, the rectangular terminal lamella, and the anterior margin of the adanal shield strongly convex. Heteromorphic males of A. (A.) ticotico differ from those of A. opistostriatus in having the anterior margin of hysteronotal shield straight or slightly sinuous, setae d1 inserted at the level of subhumeral setae c3, the posterior branches of adanal shield reaching the end of opisthosoma; and three small blunt spines on the inner margin of the femur III. In A. (A.) opistostriatus , the anterior margin of the hysteronotal shield is concave; setae d1 are situated at the level of humeral setae cp; the posterior branches of the adanal shield do not reach the end of the opisthosoma; and the femur III has two blunt spines. Heteromorphic males of A. ticotico also resemble generally A. (A.) odontothyrus Gaud, 1973 , especially by the legs III lacking large spine-like projections, and by the adanal shield reaching the end of opisthosoma. Analges (A.) ticotico differs from the latter by the convex anterior margin of the adanal shield (vs. concave in A. odontothyrus ) and by dorsal setae e1 inserted anterior to the levels of the hysteronotal gland openings gl and cupules im (vs. at the same level or posterior to those glands in A. odontothyrus ). Since females of this genus are seldom illustrated, comparing and distinguishing of them is quite difficult at present.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the common name of Z. capensis in Brazil: tico-tico.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Analges ticotico sp. nov., heteromorphic male. A—dorsal view, B—ventral view, C—detail of femur III, dorsal view.

FIGURE 2. Analges ticotico sp. nov., female. A—dorsal view, B—ventral view, C—spermatheca. Abbreviations: edexternal copulatory duct, hs—head of spermathecal, pd—primary duct, sd—secondary ducts.

FIGURE 3. Analges ticotico sp. nov., legs. A, B—legs I and II of heteromorphic male, C, D—tibia and tarsus III and IV of heteromorphic male, E, H—genua, tibiae and tarsi I–IV of female, respectively.