Pseudofeltria aemiliana, Gerecke, 2014

Gerecke, R., 2014, Pseudofeltria (Acariformes: Pionidae) In Europe: Three Previously Described Taxa, A Species New To Science From The Northern Apennines, And A Redefinition Of Foreliinae, Acarologia 54 (1), pp. 57-67 : 63-66

Pseudofeltria aemiliana n. sp.

Pseudofeltria sp. Gerecke and Benfatti 2013

( Figure 4-5 )

Type series — Holotype male, MTSN, in Koenike’s fluid, undissected; Italy, Emilia Romagna, EBERs 15 Emilia Romagna, Corniglio (PA), Sorgente elocrena Lago Scuro ; 1534 m, 10°2’56.534” E, 44°22’41.151 N, 31.07.2011, Cantonati et al. leg.; paratypes: same dates as holotype, (3/4/0) in Koenike’s fluid, (2/2/0), slide-mounted; EBERs 16, Emilia Romagna, Fornovo di Taro (PA), Sorgente Capanne Lago Scuro ; 1547,5 m, 10°2’54.256” E, 44°22’40.381” N, 31.07.2011, Cantonati et al. leg. (0/1/0).

Material examined — MCSNV, coll. Benfatti: I benf 126, 15.04.1991, Passo del Cerreto (RE), ca. 150 m dalla sorgente, 1300 m, Benfatti leg. (1/2/0).

Diagnosis — Both sexes: Genital field with 9-13 pairs of Ac, these often round, maximum diameter 15 – 19 µm. Male with one large dorsal shield, female dorsum with five plates - a pair of pentangular frontal plates including postocular setae, posterolaterally flanked by a pair of minor, roundish platelets, in posterior part an unpaired transverse plate bearing a pair of dorsoglandularia. P-4 with a pair of strong dorsal setae.

Description:

Both sexes — Integument structure, as well as shape and setation of palps and legs (including male IV-L) as described for P. scourfieldi. Colour in preserved specimens brownish-yellow.

Males — Idiosoma length/width 465 – 550/470 – 500 (ratio 1.10 – 1.13); dorsal shield length/width 400 – 510/280 – 330 (ratio 1.4 – 1.5); coxal shield length/width of Cx-III, 350 – 392/365 – 405 (ratio about 0.9); gonopore length 80 – 90. Length/height IV-L-2, 75/58 – 63, ratio 1.2 – 1.3; IV-L-3, 90/58 – 64, ratio 1.4 – 1.6; IV-L-4, 100 – 108/63 – 68, ratio 1.6; IV-L-5, 173 – 178/73 – 78, ratio 2.2 – 2.5; IV- L-6, 185 – 190/basal 45 – 48, central 25, distal 45 – 48. Length ratio IV-L-4/5, 0.58 – 0.61; IV-L-4/6, 0,53 – 0,58; IV-L-5/6, 0.91 – 0.96. Gnathosoma length 170, chelicera length 193, basal segment/claw ratio 2.3, length/height 3.0. Palp total length 315 – 318; length/height (ratio, % total length) P-1, 40/41 – 43 (0.94 – 0.97, 13 %); P-2, 98 – 100/70 (1.39 – 1.43, 31 – 32 %); P-3, 50 – 53/49 – 50 (1.03 – 1.05, 16 – 17 %); P-4, 88 / 43 – 45 (1.84 – 1.94, 28 %); P-5, 38 – 40 / 21 – 25 (1.60 – 1,76, 12 – 13 %). Length ratio P-2/P-3, 1. 86 – 2.00; P-2/P-4, 1.11 – 1.14; P-3/P-4, 0.57 – 0.60.

Females — Idiosoma length/width 500 – 660/470 – 570 (ratio 1.06 – 1.22); dorsum with paired anterior plates (length/width 140 – 205/100 – 120, ratio 1.4 – 1.7), paired lateral platelets (length/width 85 – 120/65 – 85, ratio 1.3 – 1.6), and unpaired posterior plate (length/width 210 – 280/220 – 290, ratio 0.9 – 1.1); coxal shield length/width of Cx-III, 360 – 420/420 – 510 (ratio 0.82 – 0.90); gonopore length 140 – 200; genital plate length/width 80 – 110/140 – 160. IV-L without particular characteristics. Gnathosoma length 175 – 185, chelicera length 195, basal segment/claw ratio 2.1 – 2.3, length/height 3.0 – 3.3. Palp total length 336 – 338, more slender than in males (in particular P-4): length/height (ratio, % total length): P-1, 43 – 45/44 – 48 (0.89 – 1.03, 13 %); P-2, 98 – 100/65 – 68 (1.44 – 1.54, 29 – 30 %); P-3, 55 – 58/50 – 51 (1.07 – 1.15, 16 – 17 %); P-4, 98/45 – 48 (2.05 – 2.17, 29 %); P-5, 40 – 41/20 (2.00 – 2.06, 12 %). Length ratio P- 2/P-3, 1.74 – 1.77; P-2/P-4, 1.00 – 1.03; P-3/P-4, 0.56 – 0,59.

Discussion — Pseudofeltria aemiliana agrees with P. scourfieldi, and differs from the third species known from Europe, P. quadriscutata , in a relatively low number of Ac and the presence of a pair of strong dorsal setae on P-4. Also shape and setation of the male IV-L, still unknown for P. quadriscutata , are in good agreement in P. aemiliana and P. scourfieldi. In addition to the presence of a dorsal shield instead of five separate dorsal plates in females, both sexes of P. scourfieldi differ from the new species in major-sized Ac (maximum diameter> 20 µm) and the generally more slender shape of idiosoma (length/width ratio 1.20 – 1.28) and coxal field (length/width ratio 0.95 – 1.03).

Figures

FIGURE 4: Pseudofeltria aemiliana, paratype female: A – venter; B – dorsum; C – gnathosoma and right palp medially; D – right palp laterally. Bars = 100 µm.

FIGURE 5: Pseudofeltria aemiliana, paratype male: A – venter; B – dorsum; C-D, IV-L-3-6; C – anterior; D – posterior view. Bars = 100 µm.