Colobostema hoffmannae sp. nov.

(Figs. 1–8)

Type material. HOLOTYPE male, labeled: MEXICO, Yucatan, Ria Lagartos Reserve, Municipio Tizimin, 4.2 km S Biological Station El Cuyo “Zac-bo”(21º 28’ 58” N, 87º 42’ 02” W), forest, 19-III-1996, Malaise trap, HH, PMS, RPR, cols. Specimen dissected and mounted on microscopic slide, deposited in CAIM.

Description. Male. Head (Fig. 1): Eyes with interfacet pubescence; head height including mouthparts 0.38 mm. Antennae brown, with abundant sensilla; distal flagellomere club-shaped, length 0.10 mm; flagellomeres 1–8 length 0.55 mm (Fig. 2). Maxillary palpus brown, with a rounded and moderately deep sensory pit at apex, length 0.06 mm (Fig. 3). Thorax: Brown, scutum sparsely covered with short setae; 5 supraalar setae; anterior spiracular sclerite with 13 setae (Fig. 4); anepisternum with 4 anterior setae and some lateral setae; 3 katepisternals setae. Legs pale brown, with sparse setae; femora lengths (anterior-hind): 0.33 mm; 0.36 mm and 0.46 mm. Tibiae lengths (anterior-hind): 0.29 mm; 0.32 mm and 0.48 mm. Hind tibia with faint pale annulation in median portion. All tarsi pale brown and claws strongly curved; empodia present. Wing length 1.43 mm, width 0.61 mm; membrane densely micropilose on whole surface. Veins R1 and R4+5 (Rs) with irregularly arranged rows of short setae on dorsal surface; C length 1.0 mm, as long as 0.7 the wing length; Sc faint, incomplete; r-m short; fork of M symmetrical; M1 and M2 complete; false vein present; CuA1 complete; CuA2 curved at middle (Fig. 5). Halter pale brown. Abdomen: Segment 7 covered with small setae; sternite 7 length 0.13 mm, width 0.40 mm, the posterior margin regular and concave (Fig. 6); tergite 7 length 0.14 mm, width 0.30 mm, the posterior margin with two triangular lobes separated by a rounded concavity (Fig. 7). Genital capsule massive (Fig. 8); gonocoxite short and robust, with pointed apex, length, 0.11 mm, width, 0.05 mm; parameres triangular with pointed apex; penis elongate and curved, length 0.16 mm; tergite 9 triangular, its apex narrowly rounded and with strong sculpture, length 0.14 mm, width at base 0.18 mm.

Female: unknown.

Comments. Colobostema hoffmannae sp. nov., closely resembles Colobostema variatum Cook. Nevertheless, C. hoffmannae sp. nov., has the tergite 9 triangular, with its apex narrow and strong sculptured, the parameres triangular and apically pointed, and the tergite 7 with developed pointed lobes, whereas C. variatum Cook, has the tergite 9 comparatively broad with its apex apparently smooth, the parameres elongate-oval with rounded apex, and tergite 7 with small rounded lobes separated by a shallow regular concavity.

Distribution. Mexico (Yucatan).

Etymology. This species is named in honor of the late Dr. Anita Hoffmann Mendizabal (1919–2007), her instruction and friendship was determinant in our academic formation. She was an important contributor to Acarology and Entomology, being a pioneer in the study of mites and ticks in Mexico.