Ueckermannseius danhomeensis Moraes, Zannou & Oliveira

De Moraes, G. J., Zannou, I. D., Oliveira, A. R., Yaninek, J. S. & Hanna, R., 2006, Phytoseiid mites of the subtribes Typhlodromalina and Euseiina (Acari: Phytoseiidae: Euseiini) from sub­Saharan Africa, Zootaxa 1114, pp. 1-52 : 28-29

Ueckermannseius danhomeensis Moraes, Zannou & Oliveira , sp. nov. ( Fig. 15 )

DIAGNOSIS — This species is different from the other Ueckermannseius species by having funnel­shaped calyx of spermatheca.

FEMALE — (3 specimens measured).

Dorsum — Dorsal shield smooth, with few striae along lateral margins of proscutum, 359(353–368) long and 238(228–243) wide. Setae j1 30, j3 33(33–35), j4 9(8–10), j5 9(8– 10), j6 9(8–10), J2 12(11–13) J5 8, z2 13, z4 10(10–11), z5 9(8–10), Z1 12(11–13), Z4 13, Z5 51(50–53), s4 15 (15–16), S2 13 S4 13, S5 12 (11–13), r3 15(14–15), R1 10(10–11). All setae smooth, except Z5 which is lightly serrate.

Peritreme — Extending almost to j1.

Venter — Distances between St1–St3 58(56–60), St2–St2 78(75–80), St5–St5 80. Ventrianal shield 117(117–118) long, 56(55–56) wide at level of Zv2 and 67(67–68) wide at level of anus, with a pair of elliptical pores slightly posteromesad of Jv2. Two pairs of metapodal shields; caudoventral setae smooth and sharp­tipped.

Chelicera — Movable digit 35 long, with 4 teeth; fixed digit 32(30–33) long, with 10 teeth and a distinguishable pilus dentilis.

Spermatheca — Calyx funnel­shaped, 24(23–24) long; atrium distinctly bulbous.

Legs — Macrosetae sharp­tipped; Sge I 27 (25–29), Sge II 35, Sge III 45 (43–48), Sti III 33 (32–35), Sge IV 68 (65–73), Sti IV 49 (46–50), St IV 98 (96–100). Chaetotaxy of genu III: 1­2/0,2/1­1.

MALE — (1 specimen measured).

Dorsum — Dorsal shield pattern as in female, 255 long and 170 wide. Setae j1 23, j3 48, j4 8, j5 5, J2 8, J5 5, z2 10, z4 8, z5 8, Z1 8, Z4 8, s4 13, S2 10, S4 10, S5 8, r3 10 (setae j6, Z5 and R1 broken in available specimen). All setae smooth, except Z5 which is lightly serrate.

Peritreme — Extending to level between j1 and j3.

Venter — Ventrianal shield subtriangular, with a small contriction at anus level and transversal striae anteriorly; 105 long, 148 wide at the anterior corners; with 3 pairs of preanal setae, 4 pairs of lyrifissures (1 anterior to Jv1 and 3 anterolateral) and a pair of elliptical pores slightly posteromesad of Jv2.

Spermatodactyl — Shaft 28 long.

Legs — Macrosetae sharp­tipped; Sge I 23, Sge II 25, Sge III 35, Sti III 28, Sge IV 50, Sti IV 40 and St IV 75. Chaetotaxy of genu III same as in female.

LOCALITY AND TYPE MATERIAL — Holotype female, allotype male and 2 paratypes females from Albizia adianthifolia, Agbotagon , Benin; 18­XI­1991, A. Onzo, deposited at ESALQ­USP.

ETYMOLOGY — The epithet danhomeensis refers to the name of the former most powerful kingdom of the region presently known as Benin, where the types of this new species were collected.

REMARKS — The spermatheca of this new species does not fit the types of spermathecae mentioned by Chant & McMurtry (2005a) as typical for the genus.

Ueckermannseius aequidens , Ueckermannseius munsteriensis (Van der Merwe, 1965) and Ueckermannseius ultimus ( Chant & Baker 1965) resemble this new species, but differ by having calyx of spermatheca longer and tubular. Ueckermannseius saltus (Matthysse & Denamrk) is also close to this new species, but it differs by having shorter Z5 and calyx bulged near atrium, slender medially and flared distally.

Figures

FIGURE 15. Ueckermannseius danhomeensis Moraes, Zannou & Oliveira, sp. nov.: A. Female dorsal shield; B. Female ventral surface; C. Spermatheca; D. Female chelicera; E. Female leg IV; F. Male ventrianal shield.