Tetra pinnatifidae sp. nov.

(Fig. 2)

Description

FEMALE: (n = 5) Body fusiform, 230 (223–232) long, 80 (78–83) wide, 73 (71–75) thick; light yellow. Gnathosoma 20 (19–21), projecting obliquely down. Prodorsal shield 43 (41–44) long, 68 (65–70) wide; subtriangular; frontal lobe broad; median, admedian and submedian lines present. Scapular tubercles on rear margin, 32 (31–32) apart, scapular setae (sc) 13 (11–15) projecting posterior. Coxal area with short lines; anterolateral setae on coxisternum (1b) 6 (6–7), proximal setae on coxisternum (1a) 25 (22–27), proximal setae on coxisternum (2a) 32 (30–34). Prosternal apodeme present. Legs with usual series of setae. Legs 33 (31–35), femur 9 (9–10), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 8 (8–9); genu 5 (4–5), antaxial genual setae (l'') 20 (18–21); tibia 9 (8–9), paraxial tibial setae (l') 4 (4–5), setae located 1/3 from dorsal base; tarsus 6 (5–6); tarsal empodium simple, 4­rayed, tarsal solenidion slightly knobbed. Legs 29 (27–31), femur 8 (7–8), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 9 (8–10); genu 4 (4–5), antaxial genual setae (l'') 6 (5–7); tibia 7 (6–7); tarsus 6 (5–6); tarsal empodium simple, 4­rayed, tarsal solenidion slightly knobbed. Opisthosoma: dorsal opisthosoma with 29 (27–31) annuli, with filament microtubercles, ventrally with 42 (40–45) microtuberculate annuli. Setae c2 18 (16–19) on ventral annulus 7 (7–8); setae d 50 (45–52) on ventral annulus 15 (14–16); setae e 17 (15–18) on ventral annulus 25 (24–26), setae f 26 (24–28) on 5th ventral annulus from rear. Setae h1 3 (2–3). Female genitalia 15 (14–15) long, 24 (23–24) wide, coverflap with 6 longitudinal ridges, proximal setae on coxisternum (3a) 24 (22–25).

MALE: (n = 6) 178 (175–181) long, 65 (63–66) wide; genitalia 5 (5–6), 20 (19–22) wide, proximal setae on coxisternum III (3a) 11 (10–13).

Types

Holotype, female, China: Shaanxi Province, Mei County, Taibai Mountain, 34°01.51’N, 107°48.36’E. September 1, 2004, from Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge (Rosaceae), coll. Xue, Xiao­Feng & Song, Zi­Wei. Paratypes, 4 females and 6 males, with the same data as holotype.

Relation to host

Mites are vagrant on leaf surface, causing no apparent damage.

Remarks

This species is similar to Tetra intermedia Huang, 2001, but can be differentiated by opisthosoma with filament microtubercles on dorsal annuli (smooth in T. intermedia), coxal area with short lines (smooth in T. intermedia), setae h1 present (absent in T. intermedia) and paraxial tibial setae (l') present (absent in T. intermedia).