Ulyxes sisyphus ( Domrow, 1981 ) Shaw, 2014

Shaw, Matthew D., 2014, Ulyxes, a new Australopapuan mite genus associated with arboreal nests (Acari: Laelapidae), Zootaxa 3878 (3), pp. 261-290 : 281

Ulyxes sisyphus ( Domrow, 1981) new combination

( Figs 55 , 59 )

Haemolaelaps sisyphus Domrow, 1981: 222 .

Androlaelaps sisyphus . — Halliday, 1998: 123.

Remarks. The description of this species appears in a journal issue intended for 1979 and stated therein to be published 1980 but the actual publication date is 1981 ( Domrow, 1988; Halliday, 1998).

Ulyxes sisyphus is recorded from the intranasal passages of southeastern New South Wales populations of Trichosurus vulpecula , the Common Brushtail Possum. In one specimen peritematal and exopodal IV plates are narrowly fused ( QMS 58771). Even though it has moderately strong chelicerae ( Table 3 ), these are dissimilar to those of predatory forms, and it is assumed to be a parasite based on its highly specialised habitat and derived morphology .

Figures

FIGURES 52–57. Male chelicerae. 52, Ulyxes telemachus, Kioloa, NSW;53, U. penelope, Boho, Victoria; 54, U. ulixes Bauple SF, Queensland; 55, U. sisyphus, Timbillica; 56, U. euryclea; 57, U. laertes, Mt Clunie, NSW. All to same scale bar = 100 µm.

FIGURES 58–59. 58, Ulyxes calypso genu IV, Bairnsdale, Victoria, QM S58980, scale = 100 µm; 59, U. sisyphus genu IV, Timbillica, female paratype, QM S58771, scale = 50 µm.