Nothrus monolongisetosus, Ermilov, Sergey G. & Hugo-Coetzee, Elizabeth A., 2012

Ermilov, Sergey G. & Hugo-Coetzee, Elizabeth A., 2012, The oribatid mite genus Nothrus Koch, 1836 (Acari: Oribatida: Nothridae) of South Africa, including a key to African species, Zootaxa 3243, pp. 29-51 : 35-48

Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov.

( Figs. 30–65 )

Diagnosis. Body length 843–898 × 415–464; dorsal side and anogenital region of body alveolate (diameter of alveoli up to 12 on prodorsum and 16 on notogaster); rostral setae bacilliform; lamellar, interlamellar and exobothridial setae and also anogenital and epimeral setae covered with phylliform cerotegument; interlamellar setae longer than lamellar and rostral setae; sensilli 192–213, rod-like, barbed; setae h 2 (381–415) setiform, other setae covered with phylliform cerotegument; distance between setae c 1– c 2 shorter than between c 2– c 3; epimeral setal formula 7–4–5–6; hypostomal setae h (rarely also m 2) covered with phylliform cerotegument, others setae (m 1, m 2, a) setiform; adoral setae or 1 simple, slightly thickened, or 2 bifurcate; tarsi with three claws.

Description. Adult.

Measurements. Body length 851 (holotype, female), 843–898 (mean 872; n = 10); body width 420 (holotype), 415–464 (mean 427; n = 10).

Integument. Body color yellow-brownish to brown. Dorsal side and anogenital region of body alveolate (diameter of alveoli up to 12 on prodorsum and 16 on notogaster), epimeres with dense microfoveolae.

Prodorsum ( Figs 30 , 33–38). Rostrum broadly rounded, with short medial indentation in dorsal view; ro 24– 32, bacilliform, slightly barbed, le (36–45), in (61–65) and ex (12–16) covered with broad, phylliform cerotegument, set on small tubercles. Sensilli longest setae on prodorsum (192–213), rod-like, barbed.

Notogaster ( Figs 30, 32 , 39–46). Weakly convex in dorso-central and dorso-lateral part and with circummarginal furrow between them (visible only in dorso-lateral and dorso-caudal views). Sixteen pairs of notogastral setae set on tubercles. Setae h 2 (381–415) setiform, covered with thin layer of cerotegument in basal part. Other setae considerable shorter, covered with broad, phylliform cerotegument, slightly serrated: many of these 57–61, except c 2 22–26, f 2 57–65, h 1 73–82, p 1 86–98, p 2 49–53, p 3 20–24). Distance between setae c 1– c 2 shorter than between c 2– c 3. Lyrifissures ia and im not evident. Large opisthonotal gland opening present postero-lateriad f 2.

FIGURES 33–42. Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov., adult: 33—rostral seta; 34—lamellar seta; 35—interlamellar seta; 36— sensillus; 37—apical part of sensillus; 38—exobothridial seta; 39—microsculpture of notogaster between setae d 2; 40—notogastral seta c 1; 41—notogastral seta c 2; 42—notogastral seta f 2. Scale bars (33, 38) 10 μm, (34, 35, 37, 39–42) 20 μm, (36) 50 μm.

Anogenital region ( Figs 31, 32 , 47–50). Two pairs of anal (12–16), three pairs of adanal (ad 1 41–45, ad 2 and ad 3 20–24) and nine pairs of genital setae (12–16) covered with phylliform cerotegument, set on small tubercles. Lyrifissures ian and iad clearly visible, others (ih, ips and ip) not evident.

Epimeral region ( Figs 31 , 51). Epimeral setal formula 7–4–5–6. Setae short, 20–24 (only 1d longer, 24–32), covered with phylliform cerotegument, set on small tubercles.

Gnathosoma (Figs 52). Subcapitulum longer than wide (172–176 × 131–135). Hypostomal setae h 18–20, covered with phylliform cerotegument; other setae (m 1 20, m 2 8–12, a 36–41) setiform, slightly barbed. Sometimes m 2 also covered with phylliform cerotegument. Two pairs of smooth adoral setae (20–24): or 1 simple, slightly thickened; or 2 bifurcate. Palps 77–82, with setation 0–1–1–3–9(+1ω). Solenidion long, slightly thickened, blunt-ended, not coupled with acm. Chelicerae 164–172; cheliceral setae long, setiform, barbed; cha (61–65) longer, than chb (28–32). Trägårdh’s organ clearly visible.

Legs (Figs 53, 54). Tarsi with three smooth claws; median claw stronger than lateral claws. Formulae of leg setation and solenidia: I (1–9–5–6–27) [1–2–3], II (1–8–5–5–25) [1–1–1], III (4–5–5–5–22) [1–1–0], IV (2–6–5– 5–22) [1–1–0]; homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 2 . Many setae simple, thickened, barbed; some lateral and ventral setae on tibiae, genua, femora and trochanters covered with phylliform cerotegument. Famulus short, setiform, pointed. All solenidia rod-like, blunt-ended.

Leg I

Larva – d, bv'' d σ, (l) d φ 1, (l1), v' (ft), pl1', (tc), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv), e, ω 1 Deutonymph – d, ev' d σ, l', (v) d φ, l', (v) ft', (tc), (a), s, v 1'

Tritonymph v' (l1), v 1' l'' l'' (l1), v 1'', v 2'

Adult l' l2'' – – (l2), v 2'', v 3'

See Table 1 for explanations. Setae are listed only for the instar in which they first appear.

Juvenile instars. Dimensions. Length: larva 265–381 (mean 328; n = 5), protonymph 415–481 (mean 449; n = 5), deutonymph 581–680 (mean 630; n = 5), tritonymph 796–863 (mean 836; n = 3). Width: larva 132–166 (mean 149; n = 5), protonymph 182–215 (mean 202; n = 5), deutonymph 249–332 (mean 285; n = 5), tritonymph 398–431 (mean 409; n = 3).

FIGURES 43–54. Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov., adult: 43—notogastral seta h 2; 44—notogastral seta p 1; 45—notogastral seta p 2; 46—notogastral seta p 3; 47—anal seta an 2; 48—adanal seta ad 1; 49—adanal seta ad 3; 50—genital seta g 5; 51—epimeral seta 1a; 52—left lip with adoral setae; 53—leg I, left, paraxial view; 54—leg IV, left, paraxial view. See Figs. 28, 29 for explanations of setae and solenidia. Scale bars (43, 53, 54) 50 μm, (44, 45) 20 μm, (46–52) 10 μm.

Integument ( Figs. 55–65 ). General body cuticle colourless to grey-yellowish. Legs, gnathosoma and epimeres more weakly brownish in nymphs. Cuticle of prodorsum with several lines in larva and with mesh ornament in nymphs. Cuticle of gastronotic and ano-genital region with tubercles. Cuticle of sternal region with longitudinal folds. Cuticle of epimeres microfoveolate.

Prodorsum ( Figs. 55, 57 ). Relatively short, about 2/3 the length of the gastronotic region in lateral view. Rostrum broadly rounded, with small medial indentation. Rostral and lameral setae short, covered with broad, phylliform cerotegument; exobothridial setae covered with narrow phylliform cerotegument. Larval interlamellar setae, bothridia and sensilli rudimentary, setiform. Nymphal interlamellar setae covered with broad, phylliform cerotegument; bothridia well developed; sensilli long, rod-like, blunt-ended, weakly barbed, longer in protonymph and shorter in deuto- and tritonymph.

Gastronotic region ( Figs. 55–59 ) with more or less parallel lateral margins. Larva concave medio-caudally and with one pair of lateral apophyses, having gastronotic setae h 1. Nymphs with ledge medially, having weakly developed central concave and gastronotic setae p 1. One pair of small lateral apophyses also present in nymphs, but having gastronotic setae h 2. Larva with 12 pairs and nymphs with 16 pairs of gastronotic setae. Larval gastronotic setae h1 and nymphal setae h 2 very long (not shorter than length of gastronotic region), setiform, smooth, covered with colourless cerotegument basally. Larval setae h 2 thickened, longer than others (except h 1), covered with narrow phylliform cerotegument. All other gastronotic setae in larva and nymphs covered with broad, phylliform cerotegument, set on small tubercles. Nymphal setae h 1, p 1 longer and h 3, p 2 shorter than others; setae c 2 and p 3 shortest; other setae similar in length. Setae p 1 in protonymph always not visible in dorsal view, however these setae visible in dorsal view in deuto- and tritonymph. Cupules ia and im not evident among tubercles of gastronotic region. Opisthonotal gland opening clearly visible.

Anogenital region ( Figs. 63–65 ). Ontogenetic genital, aggenital, adanal and anal formulae: larva, protonymph, deutonymph, tritonymph 0–1–4–7, 0–0–0–0, 0–0–3–3, 0–0–0–2, respectively. All setae short and smooth. Anal and genital setae with weakly covered narrow, phylliform cerotegument (visible under high magnification). Adanal setae covered with phylliform cerotegument, ad 1 longer than ad 2 and ad 3. Cupules ih, ips, iad and ip poorly visible (only cupules located near anal valves and ian in tritonymph well visible), appearing in normal ontogenetic pattern.

Epimeral region ( Figs. 60–62 ). Setal formulae for epimeres: larva 3–1–2 (third setae of the first epimere form protective scales over Claparède’s organ); protonymph 3–2–3–0; deutonymph 5–3–3–3; tritonymph 6–3–4–5. All setae short (except one pair of longer setae near subcapitulum) covered with phylliform cerotegument, smooth.

Gnathosoma . Morphology of subcapitular, palpal and cheliceral setae as in adult. Seta m 2 added in deutonymph. Palp setal formula 0–1–1–3–9+1ω in all juvenile instars.

Legs. Morphology of setae and solenidia as in adult. Leg formulae: larva: I (0– 2 –3–4–15) [1–1–1], II (0– 2 –3– 3–13) [1–1–1], III (0– 2 –2–3–12) [1–1–0]; protonymph: I (0– 5 –5–5–15) [1–1–1], II (0– 5 –5–4–13) [1–1–1], III (1– 3–4–4–12) [1–1–0], IV (0–0–0–0–7) [0–0–0]; deutonymph: I (1–7–5–6–19) [1–2–2], II (1–7–5–5–17) [1–1–1], III (2–3–5–5–14) [1–1–0], IV (0– 2 –4–4–14) [1–1–0]; tritonymph: I (1–8–5–6–23) [1–2–3], II (1–8–5–5–21) [1–1–1], III (3–4–5–5–18) [1–1–0], IV (1–5–5–5–18) [1–1–0]. Ontogeny of leg setae and solenidia given in Table 2 .

Remarks. Comparison with other species Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov. can be included in the Nothrus species group with one pair of long (not shorter than half of notogaster) notogastral caudal setae: N. akitaensis Fujikawa, 1999 from Japan (see Fujikawa 1999), N. asiaticus Aoki & Ohnishi, 1974 from the Palearctic region (see Aoki & Ohnishi 1974), N. becki Balogh & Mahunka, 1981 from the Neotropical region (see Balogh & Mahunka 1981), N. crassisetus Mahunka, 1982 from Ethiopia (see Mahunka 1982), N. espinarensis Beck, 1962 from Peru (see Beck 1962), N. flagellum Csiszár, 1961 (see Csiszár 1961) from Java, N. hauseri Mahunka, 1973 (see Mahunka 1973) from Zimbabwe, N. ifeensis Badejo, Woas & Beck, 2002 from Nigeria (see Badejo, Woas & Beck 2002), N. incavatus Badejo, Woas & Beck, 2002 from Nigeria (see Badejo, Woas & Beck 2002), N. lasebikani Badejo, Woas & Beck, 2002 from Nigeria (see Badejo, Woas & Beck 2002), N. monticola Hammer, 1961 from the Neotropical region and Himalayas (see Hammer 1961), N. mystax Mahunka, 1986 from Tanzania (see Mahunka 1986), N. palustris Koch, 1839 from the Holarctic region and Santa Helena Island (see Olszanowski 1996), N. peruensis Hammer, 1961 from the Neotropical region and USA (see Hammer 1961), N. senegalensis Mahunka, 1992 from Senegal (see Mahunka 1992), N. shapensis Krivolutsky, 1998 from Vietnam (see Krivolutsky 1998) and N. suramericanus Hammer, 1958 from the Neotropical region (see Hammer 1958). However, N. monolongisetosus sp. nov. clearly differs from all species in this group as follows:

— from N. akitaensis by the smaller body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 942 × 557 in N. akitaensis ), distance between notogastral setae c 1– c 2 shorter than between c 2– c 3 (longer in N. akitaensis ), interlamellar setae longer than lamellar setae (shorter in N. akitaensis ), lamellar setae smooth and covered with phylliform cerotegument (bacilliform and barbed in N. akitaensis ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. akitaensis );

— from N. asiaticus by the smaller body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 1070–1190 × 660–727 in N. asiaticus ), distance between notogastral setae c 1– c 2 shorter than between c 2– c 3 (longer in N. asiaticus ), interlamellar setae longer than lamellar setae (not longer in N. asiaticus ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. asiaticus );

— from N. becki by the larger body width (415–464 vs. 410 in N. becki ), notogastral setae h 2 longer (381–415) (shorter, 340–360, in N. becki ), epimeral formula 7–4–5–6 (4–3– 3–4 in N. becki );

— from N. crassisetus by the larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 824–842 × 418–436 in N. crassisetus ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. crassisetus ), all notogastral setae without external dense minute barbs (with dense minute barbs, except h 2, in N. crassisetus ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. crassisetus );

— from N. espinarensis by the smaller body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 900–950 × 490–570 in N. espinarensis ), lamellar setae covered with phylliform cerotegument (bacilliform in N. espinarensis ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. espinarensis );

— from N. flagellum by the larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 695 × 337 in N. flagellum ), sensilli shorter than prodorsum (longer in N. flagellum ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. flagellum ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. flagellum );

— from N. hauseri by the larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 761–835 × 405–446 in N. hauseri ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. hauseri ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. hauseri );

— from N. ifeensis by the larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 559–571 × 297–309 in N. ifeensis ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. ifeensis ), rostral setae bacilliform (covered with phylliform cerotegument in N. ifeensis ), notogastral setae h 2 longer than sensilli (not longer in N. ifeensis ), epimeral formula 7–4–5–6 (7–5–6– 5 in N. ifeensis );

— from N. incavatus by the larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 476–607 × 136–219 in N. incavatus ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. incavatus ), rostral setae bacilliform (covered with phylliform cerotegument in N. incavatus ), two pairs of subcapitular setae m (three pairs in N. incavatus ), epimeral formula 7–4– 5–6 (7–5–6– 5 in N. incavatus );

— from N. lasebikani larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 514–623 × 169–215 in N. lasebikani ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. lasebikani ), rostral setae bacilliform (covered with phylliform cerotegument in N. lasebikani ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. lasebikani ), two pairs of subcapitular setae m (three pairs in N. lasebikani ), epimeral formula 7–4–5–6 (7–5–6– 5 in N. lasebikani ), aggenital setae absent (present in N. lasebikani );

— from N. monticola larger body length (843–898 vs. 770 in N. monticola ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. monticola ), lamellar setae set on apophyses (lamellar apophyses absent in N. monticola ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. monticola );

— from N. mystax by the smaller body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 1090 × 574 in N. mystax ), sensilli shorter (192–213) and barbed (longer, 262, and apical part smooth in N. mystax ), tips of notogastral setae d 1 not reaching insertion of setae d 2 (reaching in N. mystax ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. mystax ); notogastral setae h 2 longer (381–415) (shorter, 260–370, in N. mystax );

— from N. palustris by the smaller body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 990–1400 × 500–760 in N. palustris ), distance between notogastral setae c 1– c 2 shorter than between c 2– c 3 (longer in N. palustris );

— from N. peruensis by the larger body length (843–898 vs. 800 in N. peruensis ), sensilli relatively short, only 3 to 4 times longer than interlamellar setae (relatively long, 5 to 6 times longer than interlamellar setae in N. peruensis );

— from N. senegalensis by the larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 688–720 × 322–348 in N. senegalensis ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. senegalensis ), rostral setae bacilliform (covered with phylliform cerotegument in N. senegalensis ), sensilli shorter (192–213) (longer, 240, in N. senegalensis ), notogastral setae h 2 longer (381–415) (shorter, 275, in N. senegalensis ), epimeral formula 7–4–5–6 (5–4– 4–6 in N. senegalensis );

— from N. shapensis by the larger body size (843–898 × 415–464 vs. 703–764 × 330–426 in N. shapensis ), leg tarsi with three claws (with one claw in N. shapensis ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. shapensis );

— from N. suramericanus by the larger body length (843–898 vs. 800 in N. suramericanus ), sensilli rod-like (with weakly dilated head in N. suramericanus ), dorsal notogastral setae covered with phylliform cerotegument (setiform in N. suramericanus ), notogastral setae p 1 longer than h 1 (not longer in N. suramericanus ).

Note on juvenile instars. At present, the morphology of all juvenile instars of Nothrus was studied in detail only for a few species: N. anauniensis Canestrini & Fanzago, 1876 ( Seniczak & Norton 1993; Ermilov, pers. coll.), cosmopolitan; N. borussicus Sellnick, 1928 (Seniczak 1992; Ermilov, pers. coll.) from the Holarctic region; N. glaesarius Kuty, 2007 ( Kuty 2007) from Ecuador; N. palustris Koch, 1839 ( Shaldybina 1984; Seniczak 1992; Ermilov, pers. coll.) from the Holarctic region and Santa Helena Island; N. pratensis Sellnick, 1928 ( Seniczak & Żelazna 1992; Ermilov, pers. coll.) from the Holarctic region; N. quadripilus Ewing, 1909 ( Seniczak & Norton 1993) from eastern USA; N. silvestris Nicolet, 1855 ( Seniczak & Żelazna 1992; Ermilov, pers. coll.) from the Holarctic and Australian regions; N. silvicus Jacot, 1937 ( Seniczak & Norton 1993) from eastern USA; N. springsmythi Sheals, 1965 from Nepal.

The juvenile instars of Nothrus are similar in appearance, in particular: 1) body form (more or less parallel lateral sides of body; larvae with one pair latero-caudal apophyses, having seta h 1; nymphs with one or two small latero-caudal apophyses, having seta h 2 and p 1), 2) cuticle with mesh ornamentation in nymphs on prodorsum and tuberculate on gastronotum, 3) rostrum with medial indentation, 4) sensilli and often also interlamellar setae rudimentary in larvae (developed in all nymphs), 5) body setal formulae, larva to tritonymph (gastronotic 12–16–16– 16, genital 0–1–4–7, anal 0–0–0–2, adanal 0–0–3–3, aggenital setae absent), 6) morphology of gnathosoma (subcapitulum stenarthric; cheliceral setae long, ch a longer than chb), 7) chaetome of legs (number of solenidia, see Table 2 ; specific localization of solenidia on tarsi I), 8) location of opisthonotal gland opening and cupules, 9) cupules ian present in tritonymphs.

However, juvenile instars of different Nothrus species can be distinguished by the following main characters: 1) body size, 2) morphology of prodorsal, gastronotic, anogenital and gnathosomal setae, 3) length of body setae, 4) epimeral formula. Juvenile instars of Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov. can clearly be distinguished from N. anauniensis , N. borussicus , N. glaesarius , N. pratensis , N. quadripilus , N. silvestris , N. silvicus and N. springsmythi by the one pair of very long (not shorter than length of gastronotum) gastronotic setae h 1 in the larva and h 2 in the nymphs (versus shorter, not longer than half of gastronotum in others species). Juvenile instars of Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov. are similar to N. palustris in the presence of one pair of very long gastronotic setae, however N. monolongisetosus is distinguished from N. palustris by the dorsal gastronotic setae with covered phylliform cerotegument in larva (versus densely barbed and c2 setiform in larva of N. palustris ), interlamellar setae with covered phylliform cerotegument and longer than lamellar setae in nymphs (versus thickened, tapered and shorter than lamellar setae in nymphs of N. palustris ).

Type material and type deposition. The holotype (1744.1.1) and 10 paratypes (1744.1) have the following collection data: South Africa, Free State, near Heilbron, 27º17‘S, 28º03‘E, in humid soil and decomposed plant material, collected by C.M. Engelbrecht, 18 January 1982.

The holotype and three paratypes are deposited in the National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Five paratypes are deposited in the collection of Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia. Two paratypes are in the personal collection of the first author.

Other material. Known distribution of N. monolongisetosus sp. nov. is indicated by filled circles on the map of South Africa Fig. 88 . Golden Gate Highlands National Park FS (28º32’S, 28º35E, moist organic rich soil under acorn and Leucosidea sericea trees in grasslands); Frankfort FS (27º17’S, 28º27’E, moist soil and decomposed grass under shrubs); Leliehoek, Ladybrand FS (29º11’S, 27º27’E, dry pine needles, humid soil and decomposed plant material under indigenous shrubs); Phuthaditjhaba District FS (28º28’S, 28º49’E, slopes of Drakensberg, moist organic rich soil under Leucosidea sericea ); Howick District KZN (29º27’S, 30º10’E, soil and decomposed plant debris under indigenous trees and pine plantations); 20 km from Merrivale KZN (29º30’S, 30º13’E, wet moss between pine needles); between Greytown and Kranskop KZN (29º01’S, 30º47’E, moist soil and decomposed plant material between grass under trees); Bulwer District KZN (30º32’S, 29º50’E, moist soil and decomposed plant debris); Umzimkulu District KZN (30º15’S, 29º58’E, moist soil and decomposed plant debris under dense indigenous shrubs); between Franklin and Kokstad KZN (30º23’S, 29º27’E, moist soil and decomposed plant debris); Royal Natal National Park KZN (28º39’S, 29º03’E, moist soil and decomposed leaves); Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve KZN (30º17’S, 30º36’E, soil and leaves under shrubs); Hillcrest District KZN (29º43’S, 30º33’E, moist soil with ferns); Montrose MP (25º27‘S, 30º42‘E, dry red loam soil with decomposed leaf litter under indigenous trees); Nelspruit MP (25º28’S, 30º58’E, grassland vegetation); Sabie MP (25º06‘S, 30º46‘E, moist soil in dense indigenous forest); Blydepoort-resort LP (24º36‘S, 30º53‘E, humid soil and leaves under indigenous trees); Baviaanskloof, Tsitsikamma mountains WC (33º36’S, 23º37’E, moist soil and decomposed plant material in indigenous forest).

Etymology. The specific name “ monolongisetosus ” refers to the one long pair of notogastral setae (h 2).

Nothrus anauniensis Canestrini & Fanzago, 1876 (= Nothrus pseudoborussicus Mahunka, 1978 1) ( Figs. 66 –87)

Diagnosis. Body length 796–879 × 398–464; dorsal side and anogenital region of body alveolate (diameter of alveoli up to 10 on prodorsum and 12 on notogaster); prodorsal setae covered with phylliform cerotegument; sensilli rod-like, barbed; interlamellar setae little longer than lamellar setae; notogastral setae covered with broad phylliform cerotegument, setae h 2 (73–77) and p 1 (73–77) longer than other setae; anogenital and epimeral setae covered with narrow phylliform cerotegument; epimeral setal formula 7–4–5–6; hypostomal setae h (also sometimes m 2) covered with phylliform cerotegument, other setae setiform; adoral setae or 1 simple, slightly thickened, and or 2 modified, expanded distally; leg tarsi with three claws.

Additional description. Adult.

Measurements. Body length 796–879 (mean 838; n = 6); body width 398–464 (mean 431; n = 6).

Integument. Body color yellow-brownish to brown. Dorsal side and anogenital region of body alveolate (diameter of alveoli up to 10 on prodorsum and 12 on notogaster). Epimeres with dense microfoveolae. Genital plates slightly folded.

Prodorsum ( Figs 66 , 69–74). Rostrum broadly rounded, with short medial indentation in dorsal view. Setae ro (24), le (53–61), in (57–65), ex (10–12) covered with phylliform cerotegument, set on small tubercles. Sensilli longest setae on prodorsum (196–209), rod-like, barbed.

Notogaster ( Figs 66, 68 , 75–80). Weakly convex in dorso-central and dorso-lateral part and with circummarginal furrow between them (visible only in dorso-lateral and dorso-caudal views). All sixteen pairs of notogastral setae covered with broad phylliform cerotegument. Setae h 2 (73–77) and p 1 (73–77) longer than others (53–61, except c 2 32–36, p 2 49–53, p 3 24–32). Distance between setae c 1– c 2 shorter than between c 2– c 3. Lyrifissures ia and im not evident. Large opisthonotal gland opening present postero-lateriad f 2.

Anogenital region ( Figs 67, 68 , 81–84). Two pairs of anal (12–14), three pairs of adanal (ad 1 20, ad 2 and ad 3 16) and nine pairs of genital setae (12–14, sometimes anterior pair longer, 16) covered with narrow phylliform cerotegument, set on small tubercles. Lyrifissures ian and iad clearly visible, others (ih, ips and ip) not evident.

Epimeral region ( Figs 67 , 85). Epimeral setal formula 7–4–5–6. Setae short, 12–16, covered with narrow phylliform cerotegument, set on small tubercles.

Gnathosoma . Subcapitulum longer than wide (164–172 × 131–135). Hypostomal setae h 20–24, covered with phylliform cerotegument; other setae (m 1 16–20, m 2 6, a 28–32) setiform, slightly barbed. Sometimes m 2 also covered with phylliform cerotegument. Two pairs of smooth adoral setae (16–20): or 1 simple, slightly thickened; or 2 modified, expanded distally. Palps 61–69, with setation 0–1–1–3–9(+1ω). Solenidion long, slightly thickened, blunt-ended, not coupled with acm. Chelicerae 168; cheliceral setae long, setiform, barbed; cha (57) longer, than chb (32). Trägårdh’s organ clearly visible.

Legs (Figs 86, 87). Tarsi with three smooth claws; median claw stronger than lateral claws. Formulae of leg setation and solenidia: I (1–9–5–6–27) [1–2–3], II (1–8–5–5–25) [1–1–1], III (4(3)– 5–5–5–22) [1–1–0], IV (2–6– 5–5–22) [1–1–0]; homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Setae covered with broad, phylliform cerotegument (except setiform p, tc, u, a, s, pv, v 1– v 3 on tarsi, setae d on tibiae and genua and some ventral setae on tibiae, genua, femora). Famulus short, setiform, pointed. All solenidia rod-like, blunt-ended.

1. We agree with opinion of Subías (2004) who has proposed this synonymy.

FIGURES 69–77. Nothrus anauniensis , adult: 69—rostral seta; 70—lamellar seta; 71—interlamellar seta; 72—sensillus; 73— apical part of sensillus; 74—exobothridial seta; 75—microsculpture of notogaster between setae d 2; 76—notogastral seta c 1; 77—notogastral seta c 2. Scale bars (69, 73–75, 77) 10 μm, (70, 71, 76) 20 μm, (72) 50 μm.

Material examined. The six specimens (1779.8) examined have the following collection data: South Africa, Free State,Golden Gate Highlands National Park, 28º32’S, 28º35E, in humid soil and decomposed leaf material under acorn trees, collected by C.M. Engelbrecht, 25 January 1982.

Other material. The known distribution of N. anauniensis is indicated by filled squares on the map of South Africa Fig. 88 . Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens FS (29º04’S, 26º04’E, soil with little organic material); Winburg FS (28º31’S, 27º00’E, wet moss); Winterton KZN (28º48’S, 29º32’E, moist soil and decomposed grass under indigenous Acacia trees); Stanger District KZN (29º24’S, 31º08’E, moist soil and decomposed plant debris); Middelburg, Krugerdam MP (25º47’S, 29º28’E, moist black loam soil and roots under dense indigenous shrubs); Betty’s Bay WC (34º21’S, 18º56’E, decomposed plant debris amongst shrubs); Koeël Bay WC (33º57’S, 18º21’E, moist soil and decomposed plant debris near beach).

FIGURES 78–87. Nothrus anauniensis , adult: 78—notogastral seta h 2; 79—notogastral seta p 1; 80—notogastral seta p 2; 81— anal seta an 2; 82—adanal seta ad 1; 83—adanal seta ad 3; 84—genital seta g 5; 85—epimeral seta 1a; 86—leg I, without trochanters, left, antiaxial view; 87—leg IV, left, antiaxial view. See Figs. 28, 29 for explanations of setae and solenidia. Scale bars (78– 80) 20 μm, (81–85) 10 μm, (86, 87) 50 μm.

Figures

FIGURE 88. Known localities of Nothrus bilongisetosus sp. nov. (filled triangles), N. monolongisetosus sp. nov. (filled circles) and N. anauniensis Canestrini & Fanzago (filled squares) in South Africa.

FIGURES 30 – 32. Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov., adult: 30 — dorsal view; 31 — ventral view, subcapitular setae, palps and legs (except trochanters) not shown; 32 — posterior part of notogaster, lateral view. Scale bars (30, 31) 200 μm, (32) 100 μm.

FIGURES 55 – 59. Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov., juvenile instars: 55 — larva, dorsal view; 56 — anal region of larva; 57 — protonymph, dorsal view; 58 — larva, posterior part of notogaster, lateral view; 59 — protonymph, posterior part of notogaster, lateral view;. Scale bars (55, 56, 58, 59) 50 μm, (57) 100 μm.

FIGURES 60 – 65. Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov., juvenile instars: 60 — epimeral region of protonymph; 61 — epimeral region of deutonymph; 62 — epimeral region of tritonymph; 63 — anogenital region of protonymph; 64 — anogenital region of deutonymph; 65 — anogenital region of tritonymph. Scale bars (60, 63, 64) 50 μm, scale bars (61, 62, 65) 100 μm.

FIGURES 24 – 29. Nothrus bilongisetosus sp. nov., adult: 24 — left half of subcapitulum; 25 — right lip with adoral setae; 26 — palp; 27 — anterior part of chelicera, lateral view; 28 — leg I, left, paraxial view; 29 — leg IV, right, antiaxial view. Scale bars (24, 28, 29) 50 μm, (25) 10 μm, (26, 27) 20 μm.

FIGURES 66 – 68. Nothrus anauniensis, adult: 66 — dorsal view; 67 — ventral view, subcapitular setae, palps and legs (except trochanters) not shown; 68 — posterior part of notogaster, lateral view. Scale bars (66, 67) 200 μm, (68) 100 μm.

Tables

TABLE 2. Leg setation and solenidia of juvenile instars and adult Nothrus monolongisetosus sp. nov. Trochanter Femur Genu Tibia Tarsus

Protonymph	–	(l 1), v 1 ''	(v)	v''	–
Deutonymph	v'	(l 2)	–	φ 2, l 2 ''	(l 1), (v 1), ω 2
Tritonymph	–	v 2 ''	–	–	(l 2), (v 2), ω 3
Adult	–	v 3 ''	–	–	(l 3), (v 3)
Leg II
Larva	–	d, bv''	d σ, (l)	d φ, l', v'	(ft), (tc), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv), ω 1
Protonymph	–	(l 1), v 1 ''	(v)	v''	–
Deutonymph	v'	(l 2)	–	l''	(l 1), (v 1)
Tritonymph	–	v 2 ''	–	–	(l 2), (v 2)
Adult	–	–	–	–	(l 3), (v 3)
Leg III
Larva	–	d, ev'	d σ, l'	d φ, l', v'	(ft), (tc), (p), (u), (a), s, pv'
Protonymph	v'	l'	(v)	v''	–
Deutonymph	l 1 '	–	l''	l''	pv'', v 1 '
Tritonymph	l 2 '	l''	–	–	(l 1), v 1 '', v 2 '
Adult	l 3 '	v'	–	–	(l 2), v 2 '', v 3 '
Leg IV
Protonymph	–	–	–	–	ft'', (p), (u), (pv)