Atropacarus (Atropacarus) primus, Niedbała & Starý, 2015

Niedbała, Wojciech & Starý, Josef, 2015, New species of the superfamily Phthiracaroidea (Acari, Oribatida) from the Afrotropical Region, African Invertebrates 56 (1), pp. 39-39 : 46-49

Atropacarus (Atropacarus) primus sp. n.

Figs 32–41

Etymology: From the Latin primus (first), referring to the first find of species of the subgenus Atropacarus in the Afrotropical Region.

Description:

Measurements (holotype). Prodorsum: length 520, width 328, height 252, setae: ss 172, in 169, le 101, ro 51, ex 63; notogaster: length 1030, width 606, height 616, notogastral seta c 1 and h 1 233, c 1 /c 1 - d 1 =1.1, ps 1 164; genitoaggenital region 253×215, anoadanal region 367×215.

Integument. Colour yellow. Body surface punctated with feeble cavities on borders of body and on ventral plates.

Prodorsum ( Figs 32, 33 ). Median crista prominent. Lateral carinae reach sinus. Posterior furrows distinct. Median sigillar field long, narrow, slightlY broader anteriorlY, longer than laterals. Sensilli long, filiform, rough, without head. Interlamellar and lamellar setae long, robust, covered with small spines at distal end, similar in shape to notogastral setae. Rostral setae short, spiniform, rough, directed inward. Exobothridial setae of medium length.

Notogaster ( Figs 37–39 ). Two median cristae along the dorsal part; 15 pairs notogastral setae of medium length (c 1> c 1 -d 1), robust, covered with small spines at distal end, only shortest setae c 3 are wholly ciliated, setae c 1 located far from anterior border, setae c 2 remote, setae c 3 near the border. Vestigial setae f 1 posterior of setae h 1. Two pairs of lYrifissures ia and im present.

Ventral region ( Figs 34–36 ). Arrangement of genital setae: 4:5. Anoadanal plate with five pairs of rough setae, four pairs arranged at paraxial border of plate and small setae ad 3 remote from border, setae ad 2 thickest and longest.

Legs ( Figs 40–41 ). Chaetome of legs complete. Setae d on femora I slightly remote from distal end of article.

Holotype: MADAGASCAR: Ranomafana National Park , Vatoharanana, 4.x.2012, evergreen rain forest, 21°17'33.6"S 47°25'57.6"E, 1163 m, leaf litter sifting sample, Winkler apparatus extraction, leg. L.S. Rahanitriniaina, MAG-209 ( DATE).

Paratype: MADAGASCAR: Ranomafana National Park , 1.x.2012, evergreen rain forest, 21°15'10.3"S 47°25'01.2"E, 1077 m, leaf litter sifting sample, Winkler apparatus extraction, leg. L.S. Rahanitriniaina, MAG-207 ( ISB) .

Remarks: Specimens of this species are relativelY large. This is the first species of the subgenus Atropacarus found in the Afrotropical Region. This species is unique among its consubgeners by the two median cristae of the notogaster and also by the shortest setae c 3, which are wholly ciliated, while the other longer setae are covered with small spines only in the distal end.

Figures

Figs 32–41.Atropacarus(Atropacarus)primus sp.n.holotYpe:(32) prodorsum,dorsal view;(33) prodorsum, lateral view;(34) right genitoaggenital plate;(35) right anoadanal plate; (36) mentum of subcapitulum; (37) lateral view of opisthosoma; (38) seta c3; (39) median cristae of notogaster; (40) trochanter and femur of leg I; (41) tibia of leg IV.