Australiseiulus laterisetus, G. J. De Moraes, A. R. Oliveira & I. D. Zannou, 2001

G. J. De Moraes, A. R. Oliveira & I. D. Zannou, 2001, New phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from tropical Africa, Zootaxa 8, pp. 1-10 : 6-8

Australiseiulus laterisetus n. sp. ( Fig. 4 )

DIAGNOSIS – This species belongs to the tribe Paraseiulini Wainstein, characterized mostly by having 13 pairs of setae on the proscutum, including seta z6 ( Chant & McMurtry, 1994). It mostly resembles species in the genera Australiseiulus Muma and Kuzinellus Wainstein , by having ventrianal shield not sole­shaped and having 4 pairs of preanal setae. However, the fact that it has seta z6 inserted much closer to s6 than to j6 (typical of the former) and that it does not have seta Z1 (typical of the latter) does not allow its immediate placement in either of the 2 genera. Unfortunately, the chelicerae of both specimens collected in this study could not be observed. Cheliceral dentition would help in determining its most appropriate generic placement. The large ventrianal shield most closely resembles that of Australiseiulus angophorae (Schicha, 1981) (see redescription of Chant & Yoshida­Shaul, 1984), and thus this new species is provisionally assigned to the genus Australiseiulus .

FEMALE – (2 specimens measured)

Dorsum – Dorsal shield rugose, 283 (279­287) long and 176 (174­178) wide at widest level of the proscutum. Setae j1 14, j3 20 (19­20), j4 14 (13­14), j5 17 (16­17), j6 19 (18­ 19), J2 21 (20­21), J5 11 (10­11), z2 17, z3 18, z4 19, z5 18 (17­18), z6 18, Z4 33 (32­33), Z5 48 (47­48), s4 20, s6 24 (23­24), S2 24, S4 25 (24­26), S5 17 (16­18), r3 16 (15­16), R1 17. Dorsal shield setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5 which are serrate; seta Z5 knobbed.

Peritreme – Extending forward beyond level of insertion of j1.

Venter – All shields distinct and smooth. Sternal shield with 3 pairs of setae and 2 pairs of lyrifissures. Distances between setae ST1­ST3 54 (52­55), ST2­ST2 56 (53­58), ST5­ST5 57. With 2 pairs of metapodal shields. Ventrianal shield subquadrate, 91 long and 95 wide at level of ZV2 and 89 wide at level of anus, with 4 pairs of preanal setae and a pair of large pores slightly posteromesad to JV2. Ventral setae sharp­tipped, except JV5 which is knob­tipped.

Spermatheca – Calyx cup­shaped, 10 long; atrium distinct.

Legs – With distinct, knobbed macrosetae on leg IV: Sti IV 15 and St IV 22 (21­22); legs I­III without macrosetae; knobbed setae slightly shorter than other setae on genua III 9 (8­9) and IV 10, inserted in usual position of macrosetae. Chaetotaxy of genu II 2 ­(2,2)/ 0­1; genu III 1­2 /1,2/0­1.

MALE – Unknown.

TYPE MATERIAL – Holotype female and 1 paratype female from Citrus sp, 12 km S. Obala, Cameroon, 5­II­1991, coll. L. Louis.

ETYMOLOGY – The epithet laterisetus refers to the lateral position of seta z 6 in this new species.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Australiseiulus laterisetus Moraes, Oliveira & Zannou, n. sp. (female): A. Dorsal shield; B. Ventral surface; C. Spermatheca; D. Leg IV.