Kohlsia zyanya Acosta, Salceda-Sánchez & Ponce-Ulloa, 2009

Acosta, Roxana, Salceda-Sánchez, Beatriz & Ponce-Ulloa, Hugo E., 2009, Two new species of fleas of the genus Kohlsia Traub, 1950 (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) from Mexico, Zootaxa 2224, pp. 60-68 : 61-64

Kohlsia zyanya Acosta, Salceda-Sánchez & Ponce-Ulloa new species

Figures 1–2 , 5–9

Type specimens – HOLOTYPE Male, ex Peromyscus melanocarpus , MEXICO, Oaxaca, Sierra de Juárez km 87 Carr. Tuxtepec–Oaxaca, El Suspiro 10-VII-1987, (MZFC-S: 03786) PARATYPES: 9 female, 8 males same data as the holotype (MZFC-S: 2723, 3769 – 3780, 3784, 3785, 3791, 3792); 1-IV-1987, 1 female (MZFC-S: 2731); 4-XI-1987, 2 females (MZFC-S: 2716, 2717); 6-XII-1987, 5 females (MZFC-S: 2437, 2725 – 2729).

Additional specimens examined – ex Peromyscus melanocarpus , MEXICO, Oaxaca, Sierra de Juarez, km 91 Carr. Tuxtepec-Oaxaca “Camino lodoso” 2000m BMM 17°26’37’’ 96°30’00’’, 12-VII-1987, 16 females, 15 males (MZFC-S: 3787 – 3790, 3793 – 3809, 3811 – 3820), ex P. mexicanus , 2-XI-1987, 2 females (MZFC-S: 2461, 2463): ex Peromyscus , Oaxaca: Sierra de Juárez, Santiago Comaltepec, Km 87 Carr. Tuxtepec-Oaxaca “El Suspiro” 2000, BMM, 17°36’18’ 96°28’38’’ 10-VII-1987, 3 females (MZFC-S: 3781, 3783): ex P. melanocarpus , Oaxaca: Sierra de Juárez, La Esperanza km 79, 1750m, BMM, 17°38’21’’ 96°22’32’’ 3-XII-1987, 2 females (MZFC-S: 2719, 2722), ex P. mexicanus , 20/IV/1987 1 female, 1 male (MZFC-S: 2497 – 2498); ex Peromyscus , 7-XII-1987, 2 females, 1 male (MZFC-S: 2499 – 2501): ex P. melanocarpus Oaxaca: San Juan Atepec, Carr. Tuxtepec-Oaxaca Km 91, Camino a San Isidro, 2000m BBM, 17°26’37’’ 96°30’00’ 22-IV-1987, 1 female (MZFC-S: 2459), 3-XI-1987, 1 female (MZFC-S: 2458), 12-VII-1987, 3 females (MZFC-S: 2478, 2480, 2482), ex P. mexicanus , 2-XI-1987, 4 females (MZFC-S: 2442 – 2445).

The male holotype, paratypes, and other specimens are deposited in the Museo de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias UNAM. One female and one male paratypes are deposited in the Colección de Artrópodos con Importancia Médica ( CAIM, Indre, SS).

Diagnosis. Distinctive in the great development of movable process of clasper with three stout bristles on the middle.

Description. Head ( Figs. 1 , 5 ) in male: Frontoclypeal margin rounded, acute tubercle near midpoint, micropunctations scattered above and in front of first row of setae on both pre- and postantenal regions. Preantennal area with four complete rows of setae, the first two irregular in number and arrangement. These rows arranged approximately as follows (from front to rear): in males, 5–8; 5–7; 4–5; 3, in females, 6–7; 4–6; 4–5; 3. One seta inserted near to the maxillary border or just anterior to eye. Eye distinct, well pigmented but rather small, about as long as broad, subovate. Genal process broad, somewhat pointed. Maxillary lobe extending slightly beyond apex of third segment of maxillary palpus. Maxillary palpus four-segmented; labial palpus five-segmented, extending about the middle length of forecoxa. First antennal segment about three times as long as broad; with marginal row of small setae and few proximal and dorsomarginal setae; second antennal segment with a fringe of short setae which are about one and a half times as the length of the segment. A row of small setae bordering dorsal margin of antennal fossa. Postantennal region with four rows of setae, arranged in male approximately 3–5; 2–4; 5–6; 5–6; in female 3–5; 3–6; 3–6; 5–8, in both sexes intercalary small setae between base of last row, usually absent, or in some specimens, very small; ventralmost seta of last two rows longer than others in row.

Thorax ( Figs. 1 , 5 ): Pronotum with one row of five setae with five or six small intercalaries; ventral-most seta longest, with two small intercalaries above ventral-most seta; with one intercalary between others in row; with comb of 12 (males) and 13 (females) well-developed spines each side. Mesonotum with three rows of bristles (6; 5–7; 5) those in last row longest and with small intercalaries; flange of mesonotum with one or two mesal pseudosetae per side. Mesepisternum usually with three medium-sized setae, two of which are caudomarginal, preceded by two or three smaller lateromedial setae. Mesepimere usually with three setae. Metanotum with three rows of setae, with arrangement 7–9; 7; 5. Metanotal flange usually with one subdorsal apical spinelet; those of posterior row longest and with intercalaries. Lateral metanotal area distinct; with caudal margin lateral to it and extending over much of pleural arch; with one or three setae that in dorsocaudal angle are longer. Metepisternum with two long, submedial setae inserted at level of the apical part. Metepimere with eight bristles, arranged 3; 1; 3; 1; spiracle roughly and broadly sagitate, but with apex rounded.

Legs ( Fig. 1 ): Forecoxa with many lateral setae scattered over entire length of segment. Mid- and hindcoxa with few submarginal or subapical setae. Profemur with a dorsomarginal row of small setae, with a long seta at dorsocaudal angle; with two or three subapical and two or three submarginal setae. Midfemur essentially similar, but with a pair of setae at dorsocaudal angle, frequently with one small apical mesal seta. Hind- and midfemur with four or five small submarginal dorsal setae; with one or two small setae near the large one at anteroventral angle. Hind tibia with 9 notches in caudal margin, bearing large bristles as follows (from base to apex): 2;1;1-2;2;2;1;1;1;1-2 (excluding the apical 3). Fore- and mid tibia with subapical setae extending to or beyond apex of first tarsal segment. Each fifth tarsal segment with five lateral pairs of setae; the proximal pair slightly displaced on plantar surface. Blade of unguis about twice length of thickened recurved basal portion.

Abdomen ( Fig. 1 , 6 ): Tergites typically with two rows of setae, both rows extending slightly below level of rounded spiracle, second row with longer setae and small intercalaries. Tergites I–IV usually with one or two apical teeth per side, arranged as 2;2;2;1. Basal sternum with one ventromarginal seta. Unmodified sternites usually with one row of three setae in males, and four in females. Male with two antesensilial setae, upper-most about three times longer than ventral-most and a tiny one near to the upper-most ( Fig. 6 ). Female with three antesensilial setae, the middle one nearly twice the length of the upper-most and the lower-most bristle somewhat shorter than the middle one ( Fig. 2 ).

Modified Abdominal Segments. Male ( Fig. 6 ): Tergum VIII not evident, with three subdorsal setae, the two posteriormost longest. Sternum VIII pencil-like, long, with one stout apical seta. Clasper as in other species of the genus. Dorsal margin of fixed process higher than the movable process, with three small apical setae and two long acetabular bristle; dorsolateral margin straight, inserted on ventral convexity of posterior margin of fixed process. Movable process extending near apex of fixed process; somewhat more than one and a half times longer than broad; anterior margin almost straight, posterior margin very convex; apex broadly rounded; with three very stout long submarginal setae; the lowermost inserted at level of dorsal margin of acetabulum, and small thin apical mesal setae, a similar one above and below ventral subspiniform setae and two along anterior margin; with three very small setae on the apex and two thin setae on the anterior margin. Tergal apodeme of ninth segment about equal in length to that of manubrium. Sternum IX with proximal arm about as long as distal arm, parallel borders until triangular lobe with rounded apex. Proximal arm broadened apically and arched like a bent finger. Distal arm of sternite IX wide in the middle and rounded at the apex, prominent convexity on caudal margin, near middle, this lobe bearing four marginal subspiniform setae. Distal arm narrow with apical lobe, with two or three short fairly stout apical or subapical setae and one anteromarginal setae; with a patch of 11 or 12 scattered thin lateromedial setae extending down to level of lobe. Distal arm with a dorsal sclerotized portion which extends distal as a mesal elongate, acuminate projection almost reaching apex of arm.

Aedeagus: Aedeagal apodeme wide, with convex margins about twice length of aedeagus proper, more than four times longer than broad; dorsal margin slightly sinuate. Proximal spur well developed. A somewhat similar accessory spur at base of aedeagus. Median dorsal lobe curved and expanded slightly apically. Lateral lobes well developed, sinuate, and extending dorsally. A prominent acuminate spur extending distally on each side of apex of inner tube. Crochet of aedeagus large, pale, and triangular-like, dorsal margin lightly sclerotized ( Fig. 7 ). Inner tube heavily armoured, apex curved dorsally. Armature of inner tube apparent as an acuminate anteriorly-directed projection at its apex; another portion of this armature represented as a lateral sclerotization, flanking the caudal portion of the vertical tube; apical portion of inner tube on each flanked by a long sclerite which terminates in an elongate acuminate projection. Apodemal strut well developed, as is its lateral ventral lobe; crescent sclerite conspicuous; penis rod strongly recurved but not coiled. Tenth abdominal segment conspicuous; sensilium flat; dorsal lobe of proctiger with few lateromedian setae; apical setae longest; ventral lobe of proctiger about twice as long as broad; with a few subapical and long apical setae.

Modified abdominal segments, female ( Figs. 2 , 9 ): Contour of the caudal margin of sternum VII with a sinus resulting in a dorsal lobe narrow and subacute; ventral lobe broadly rounded with a row of about five to seven setae. Tergum VIII with six short setae dorsal to spiracle, two long setae ventral to sensillium, five long or fairly long lateromedial setae. Sternum VIII slightly longer than broad, lightly sclerotized. Dorsal anal lobe of proctiger with marginal setae and nine or ten scattered lateromedian ones, in addition to four or five marginal setae below anal stylet. Anal stylet about two and a half times longer than broad at base, with a long apical setae three times longer than ventromarginal one; with one vestigial subapical. Ventral anal lobe angulate, short, with long thin subapical setae; with two or three smaller ones at angle; with six or seven submarginal setae. Spermatheca ( Fig. 8 ) head, round to ovoid well sclerotized, about three-four times as broad as long; dorsal margin slightly convex, ventral margin almost straight; tail curved upward forming a “C”. Bursa copulatrix sigmoidal; with dorsal end dilated; lightly sclerotized; the duct slightly arched proximal to head.

Etymology. The specific name zyanya is a noun in apposition, which in the indigenous language of zapoteco means “always” and it is dedicated to the daughter of the third author.

Remarks. A total of 88 specimens were collected; 58 were found on P. melanocarpus and 16 on P. mexicanus . As in other species of the genus, the host preference is peromyscine rodents. The geographical distribution of the species cannot be accurately inferred with the existing data, because it only has been colleted in the state of Oaxaca.

Figures

FIGURE 1 – 4. 1, 2. Kohlsia zyanya sp. nov.: 1. Male, 2. Female. 3, 4. Kohlsia ahuacatlan sp. nov.: 3. Male, 4. Female.

FIGURE 5 – 9. Kohlsia zyanya sp. nov.: 5. Head and thorax male, 6. Final segments male, 7. Crochet male, 8. Spermatheca and bursa copulatrix female, 9. Sternite VII female.