Trachyuropoda extremica, Kontschán & Starý, 2013

Kontschán, Jenő & Starý, Josef, 2013, Three new Trachyuropoda (Acari: Uropodina: Trachyuropodidae) species from the Neotropical region, Turkish Journal of Zoology 37 (1), pp. 7-14 : 12-13

3.1.1.3. Trachyuropoda extremica sp. nov.

Material examined: Holotype: Female. Colombia, near Rio Claro, from lichens and moss, 5 May 1984, leg. J. Balogh ( HNHM) . Paratypes: 2 males, locality and date same as in holotype (1 paratype in ISB, 1 in HNHM) .

Description: Female. Length of idiosoma 990 µm, width 710 µm (n = 1). Shape oval, anterior margin with 1 central neck-like and 2 lateral wing-like outlines, posterior margin rounded.

Dorsal idiosoma ( Figure 7a ): Marginal and dorsal shields completely separated. Central area of dorsal shield elevated from other parts of dorsum, elevated area divided into a larger anterior and a smaller posterior part, these 2 parts separated by a deep, transversal furrow bordered by strongly sclerotized margins, which bear short and needle-like setae. Central part of elevated anterior area bearing an oval and strongly sclerotized groove, posterior elevated area bearing a U-like, strongly sclerotized groove with spine-like setae on its caudal region. Other setae on dorsal shield long (ca. 91–99 µm), smooth, and spine-like. Elevated areas covered by oval pits, other parts of dorsum without pattern. Marginal shield without ornamentation, marginal setae (ca. 59–80 µm) basally serrate ( Figures 7b and 7c ).

Ventral idiosoma ( Figure 7d ): Surface of sternal shield smooth; several T-shaped sternal setae can be observed. Ventral shield without ornamentation, each ventral setae smooth and spine-like. First pair of ventral setae short (ca. 18 µm), other setae on ventral area long (ca. 69–79 µm), except the shorter (ca. 40 µm) postanal seta. A shallow transversal furrow situated anterior to anal opening ( Figure 7e ). Stigmata situated between coxae II and III, peritremes long, anterior part hook-like, posterior part L-shaped. Genital shield linguliform, its surface smooth in central area, but covered by oval pits near its anterior and lateral margins. Apical process absent. Base of tritosternum narrow, tritosternal laciniae divided into 4 smooth branches ( Figure 7f ). Pedofossae deep and their surface smooth; separated furrows for tarsi IV absent.

Gnathosoma ( Figure 7f ): Corniculi horn-like, internal malae divided into several marginally pilose branches. Hypostomal setae are as follows: h1 (ca. 45 µm) smooth and situated near the anterior margin of gnathosoma; h2 (ca. 63 µm), h3 (ca. 79 µm), and h4 (ca. 82 µm) long and marginally serrate. Epistome subtriangular and marginally pilose ( Figure 7g ). Chelicerae without internal sclerotized node, movable digit shorter than fixed digit. Movable digit with 1 tooth, fixed digit bearing 2 teeth. Trochanter of palps bearing a short and smooth and a long and marginally serrate seta; other setae on palps smooth.

Male. Length of idiosoma 920–930 µm, width 660–680 µm (n = 2). Shape of idiosoma similar to that of female.

Dorsal side: Well-sclerotized ridges and bulges as in female.

Ventral side: Sternal region of hologastric shield strongly sclerotized near anterior margin of genital opening. All sternal setae short (ca. 30–40 µm), smooth, and spine-like. Sternal shield covered by oval pits near its anterior margin and posterior to genital opening, other areas smooth ( Figure 7h ). Ventrianal area of hologastric shield similar to that of female.

Nymphs and larvae are unknown.

Etymology: The name of the new species refers to the extremely long, spine-like setae of the dorsal shield.

Notes: On the basis of the deep transversal furrows on the dorsal shield, the new species belongs to the Trachyuropoda bostocki -group ( Hirschmann, 1976). This group consists of 8 species, but the long, smooth, and spine-like setae on the dorsal shield are unique characters in this species group.

Figures

Figure 7. Trachyuropoda extremica sp.nov. female:a) dorsal view; b-c) marginal setae; d) ventral view; e) anal region and ventral setae; f) tritosternum and ventral view of gnathosoma; g) epistome; h) intercoxal area of male.