Zelandostygolimnochares curtipalpis, SmitK & PešićK, 2024

SmitK, Harry & PešićK, Vladimir, 2024, New records of rare water mites from New Zealand, with the description of a new genus (Acari: Hydrachnidia), Acarologia 64 (2), pp. 602-611 : 604

Zelandostygolimnochares curtipalpis n. sp.

Zoobank: 46EE3BC0-8088-4206-97F2-C2420A7EA9A3

Figure 1

Material examined — Holotype female, South Island , Simpson Creek , interstitial, crossing Haupiri Road, Moana, 42°32.852′ S 171°39.594′ E, 259 m asl, 15.ii.2023 ( NMNZ).

Diagnosis — As given for the genus.

Description — Female — Body soft and greatly elongated ( Figure 1A ), idiosoma 1060 long and 506 wide, eye pigment reduced, integument lineated; elongated medial plate with the postocularia 206 long, with a short anterior and a long posterior extension, with two pairs of setae as illustrated in Figure 1B . Postocularia probably located on the anterior extension of the frontal plate. Dorsum with three pairs of symmetrically arranged elongated dorsal platelets, anterior pair of platelets 213 long, second pair of platelets 147 long, posterior pair of platelets 128 long. Coxae confined to anterior part of the body, anterior coxal groups 189 long, well separated from the posterior group, a pair of narrow sclerites extending posteriorly from posterolateral corners of Cx-II ( Figure 1E ); posterior coxal group 358 long; coxae in each group touching but separated ( Figure 1F ); a pair of narrow sclerites extending posteriorly from Cx-IV; coxal setae reduced in number, Cx-I with four setae, Cx-II with two pairs; Cx-III with two pairs, Cx-IV with three pairs. Genital field 188 long and 119 wide, located between Cx-IV; acetabula on two pairs of genital platelets, anterior platelets with 13–15 acetabula on each side, posterior platelets with 13–14 acetabula on each side ( Figure 1F ). Excretory pore sclerotized.

Palp as illustrated in Figure 1C : dorsal length/height (ratio given in parentheses): P1, 18/30 (0.62); P2, 46/36 (1.28); P3, 31/39 (0.8); P4, 38/36 (0.98); P5, 42/27 (1.55); P2 with two heavy ventral and two serrated dorsodistal setae; P3 with a strong pinnate ventrodistal seta and a long hair-like dorsodistal seta; P4 with a strongly serrated ventrodistal seta, a long hair-like dorsodistal seta and two stout pinnate lateral setae; P5 stout, ending with several relatively long setae ( Figures 1 C-D). Gnathosoma 142 long and 103 wide. Dorsal lengths of I–leg-2-5: 61, 50, 56, 67, 106; I–leg-6 greatly expanded distally, maximum height 63; dorsal length of IV–leg-2-6: 80, 61, 84, 99, 133.

Etymology — Named for its stocky P5.

Distribution — Known from the type locality only on South Island.

Figures

Figure 1 Zelandostygolimnochares curtipalpisn. sp., holotype female, Simpson Creek. A – idiosoma, dorsal view (inset: glandularium, 2x enlarged); B – frontal plate; C – palp; D – terminal palp segments (P-4 and P5); E – gnathosoma and anterior coxal group; F – posterior coxal group, genital field and excretory sclerite; G – I-leg-4-6. Scale bars = 100 μm.