Amphialycus (A.) adustus, Uusitalo & Ueckermann & Theron, 2020

Uusitalo, Matti, Ueckermann, Edward A. & Theron, Pieter D., 2020, A review of the family Alycidae (Acari, Acariformes) from South Africa, Zootaxa 4858 (3), pp. 301-340 : 315

Amphialycus (A.) adustus sp. nov.

( Figs. 48–62 )

Description. Dorsum ( Figs. 48, 49, 50 ). Length 400 μm; dorsal setal pattern neotrichous, many additional setae on ventral side; sclerotized crista from naso to sensillar area, distances between counterparts of setae vi, sensilla ve and setae in subequal in width, setae vi on separate microplates, striated naso evenly tapering to a blunt end, setae exp very small, sparsely barbed, medial to anterior pair of lateral eye spots, setae in long, pubescent.

Venter ( Figs. 51 , 54 ). Genital valves each with 19–22 genital setae; 9–10 anal setae per valve.

Gnathosoma ( Figs. 48, 52, 53 ). Pair of smooth cheliceral setae abaxially; rutella with a pointed process, 1 pair of adoral setae; 5 microtrichous palpal eupathids, separate from each other.

Legs ( Figs. 55, 56, 57 ). Solenidial formula for tarsi, tibiae, genua and femora on legs I, II, III and IV, respectively: 2-2-0-0, 2-2-2-0, 3-2-2-1, 2-0-0-0, solenidion ω2 well removed anteriorly from adaxial end of lyrifissure, famulus II (arrow) ventrodistally.

Larva (n=3, Figs. 61, 62 )

Dorsum. Holotrichous; sensillae filamentous, non-swollen.

Venter. Genital valves absent.

Gnathosoma . One pair of palpal eupathids; subcapitulum with 2 pairs of setae.

Legs. Solenidial formula for tarsi, tibiae, genua and femora on legs I, II and III, respectively: 1-1-0, 2-2-2, 3- 2-2, 1-0-0.

Other life stages:

Protonymph (n=5, Fig. 60 ), 1 genital seta per valve.

Deutonymph (n=5, Fig. 59 ), 6 genital setae per valve.

Tritonymph (n=5, Fig. 58 ), 12–15 genital setae per valve.

Adult male (n=5, Fig. 54 ), 19–22 genital setae per valve, 10 pairs of eugenital setae.

Adult female (n=8, Fig. 51 ), 19–22 genital setae per valve, 1 pair of eugenital setae.

Type material. Holotype female and 7 paratype females, 5 paratype males, 5 paratype tritonymphs, 5 paratype deutonymphs, 5 paratype protonymphs and 3 paratype larvae from Acacia karroo -biotope, Potchefstroom, NORTH-WEST PROVINCE, 7 February 1969, P.D. Theron. Deposited at ARC-Plant Health and Protection, Pretoria, South Africa.

Additional material. 2 females, 6 tritonymphs, 3 deutonymphs and 8 protonymphs from Acacia karroo, Potchefstroom, NORTH-WEST PROVINCE, 7 February 1969, P.D. Theron.

Differential diagnosis. This species can be easily differentiated from the holotrichous species and from the other neotrichous species of the genus by having an evenly tapering, cone-like and striated naso ( Fig. 48 ), one pair of well-developed adoral setae and the solenidial formula.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the weather-beaten conditions on the collection site.

Figures

FIGURES 48−53. Amphialycus (Amphialycus) adustus sp. nov. 48—Prodorsum, sclerotized crista, tapering naso, distance between counterparts of setae vi and sensilla ve subequal; 49—Nasal area in lateral view; 50—Dorsal habitus, neotrichy; 51—Ventral habitus, 21–22 genital setae per valve, 9–10 anal setae per valve; 52—Subcapitulum, rutella with broad shaft, ventrodistal lobes and an apical point,1 pair of adorals; 53—Palp tarsus with 5 barbed eupathids.

FIGURES 54−59. Amphialycus (Amphialycus) adustus sp. nov. 54—Genital valve of male with 19 genital setae, 10 (pairs of) eugenital setae; 55—Tarsus I (2 solenidia); 56—Tarsus II (2 solenidia), famulus II (arrow); 57—2 slightly bent claws and densely setulated, claw-like empodium; 58—Tritonymph, venter, 12–15 genital setae per valve; 59—Deutonymph, venter, 6 genital setae per valve.

FIGURES 60−62. Amphialycus (Amphialycus) adustus sp. nov. 60—Protonymph, venter, genital setae 1 per valve; 61—Larva, venter, genital valves absent; 62—Larva, dorsal habitus, holotrichy. 48−62 from RSA, near Potchefstroom.