Reductholaspis analis (Hyatt & Emberson) Hyatt & Emberson, 2010

Emberson, Rowan M., 2010, A reappraisal of some basal lineages of the family Macrochelidae, with the description of a new genus (Acarina: Mesostigmata), Zootaxa 2501, pp. 37-53 : 46

Reductholaspis analis (Hyatt & Emberson) , new combination

Macrocheles analis Hyatt & Emberson, 1988: 96 , 100, fig. 13, plt. 5B.

With the characters of the genus. The dorsal shield leaves the posterior lateral regions of the dorsum unsclerotised and has 27 pairs of pilose setae and small lateral swellings posteriorly ( Fig. 11 ). Setae j1 are longer than the surrounding setae, but are not laterally expanded. Setae j6 and J5 appear to be absent or displaced, but the setal pattern of the opisthonotal region is so distorted that in the absence of known juveniles, it prevents positive identification of individual setae. The sternal shield has a fine granular texture and distinct reticulations posteriorly. The metasternal plates are small and round, barely larger than the setal bases. The metasternal pores are on the unsclerotised membrane. The epigynal shield is reduced; it is almost semicircular posteriorly and has a porous surface without reticulations. The latigynal sclerites are poorly developed and the epigynal pores are on unsclerotised membrane. The sternal, epigynal and posterior ventral setae are pilose. There are two pairs of lightly sclerotised post-epigynal platelets in the opisthogastric membrane between the epigynal shield and the oval anal shield. The post-anal seta is pilose and the para-anal setae are longer and aciculate, with the para-anal extensions of the cribrum almost reaching the level of the para-anal setae ( Fig. 14 ). The fixed chela has a median tooth and an offset subterminal tooth, while the movable chela is also bidentate ( Fig. 12 ). The hypognathal groove has five rows of denticles, the posterior two of which are strongly developed ( Fig. 15 ). All setae on coxa and tarsus I are simple, while all other leg segments have mainly pilose setae. The sacculus is not visible in the material examined, but elongate tubuli are apparent.

Material examined. Holotype female, England, Berkshire; non-type material, 1 female, USA, Kentucky, Lexington; 5 females, Iran, Kerman.

Notes. This species, though apparently rare in collections, is evidently widespread across the Holarctic. There does not appear to be any significant morphological difference between specimens examined from three continents.

Figures

FIGURES 8 – 11. 8 – 9. Longicheles hortorum (Berlese), female. 8. Dorsum, showing posterior displacement of setae j 5; 9. Anterior dorsal region, showing position and characters of setae j 1, j 2 and z 1. 10. Longicheles longulus (Berlese) comb. nov., female, anterior dorsal region, showing position and characters of setae j 1, j 2 and z 1. 11. Reductholaspis analis (Hyatt & Emberson) comb. nov., female, dorsal shield.

FIGURES 12 – 17. 12 – 15. Reductholaspis analis (Hyatt & Emberson) comb. nov., female. 12. Chelicera; 13. Epistome; 14. Anal shield; 15. gnathosoma venter, showing position of hypostomal setae. 16. Nothrholaspis carinatus (Koch), epistome. 17. Macrholaspis opacus (Koch), epistome.