Thoracophoracarus, K. Viets, 1914

Gerecke, Reinhard, 2009, Revisional studies on Thoracophoracarus K. Viets, 1914 (Arachnida, Acari, Hydrachnidia, Arrenuridae), Zoosystema 31 (1), pp. 127-145 : 134-135

Thoracophoracarus (s.s.) whartoni Cook, 1966 ( Fig. 5 )

Thoracophoracarus whartoni Cook, 1966: 246 , figs 856, 859.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: Liberia, Bomi Hills road, lx. stream, 18.XII.1957, leg. Cook, 88, ♂ ( FMC).

Paratypes:same site and date as holotype, 2 ♂♂ ( CNC).—

Liberia, Near Suehn, ex. pond near stream bed, 21.II.1957, leg. Cook, 44, 1 ♂ ( CNC).

DESCRIPTION

Male ( Fig. 5 , female unknown): idiosoma elongated, dorsally with characteristically pointed anterior humps, symmetrically-arranged humps in other parts of dorsum rather flat. Posterior half of body gradually narrowed and with a pair of pointed tips flanking an inversely U-shaped mediocaudal indentation. Excretory pore at the deepest point of this indentation. A deep, rounded pit (diameter 56- 62) immediately anterior to the caudal indentation. Centre of this pit elevated, immediately anterior to the pit a pair of large glandularia. Legs as described for T. arrhenuroides . Gonopore further from coxal field than from posterior idiosoma margin, located posterior to the acetabular field on the level of the dorsal pit. Acetabular field forming a transverse strip extending to the dorsal idiosoma surface. Palp stout, P-2 with 2 or 3 mediodistal setae, P-4 shortened, ventrodistal extension bluntly pointed. Measurements: idiosoma L/W 506-576/358-384; palp L/H P-1 19-23/20, P-2 44-45/40, P-3 31- 33/35, P-4 48-50/32-37, P-5 22-24/17.

REMARKS

As pointed out by Cook (1966), this species agrees with T. arrhenuroides and T. petioluriger in the presence of prominent extensions associated with the anterior antenniform setae. It differs from males of both species in the deep caudal indentation and the presence of a dorsocaudal pit in the area where they bear a variously-shaped extension. From T. arrhenuroides it differs furthermore in the less projecting humps on the dorsal and caudal idiosoma and absence of a male caudal petiole. The formation of the caudal area (deeply indented, with a dorsocaudal pit) resembles T. kuehnei . This species differs in the indentation being more narrow, the pit flatter, and the presence of a seta on P-1.

Figures

FIG. 5. — Thoracophoracarus whartoni Cook,1966:A, paratype ♂ (CNC),ventral idiosoma;B, C, holotype ♂ (FMC);B, dorsal idiosoma, C, palp. Scale bars: 100 μm.