Ramusella alejnicovae ( Krivolutsky and Gatilova, 1974 )

Ivan, Otilia, 2018, New and known records of Oppiidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Romania, Acarologia 58 (8), pp. 61-71 : 67

Ramusella alejnicovae ( Krivolutsky and Gatilova, 1974) ( Figure 4 )

Literature — Krivolutsky and Gatilova 1974 [ Oppia alejnicovae ]; Golosova 1975 [ Oppia alejnicovae ]; Mahunka 1979 [ Oppia alejnicovae ].

Measurements — Body length 270-277, body width 180-186 (5 specimens).

Description of Romanian specimens — Light brown or chestnut in color, cuticle smooth excepting lateral part of podosoma. Rostrum widely rounded, in the shape of bent beak in lateral view ( Figure 4 B ). Rostral setae long (36), uniformly curved and ciliated, inserting on small tubercles. In front of ro a transversal line can be observed. Lamellar (27) and especially interlamellar (48) setae long and finely barbed. Exobothridial seta shorter (20), also finely barbed. Thus, relation between lengths of prodorsal setae is the following: ex<le<ro<in. Lamellar lines present, bordered laterally by a series of large foveolae. Three pairs of spots are visible between insertions of in setae. At the basis of prodorsum, a wide chitinous bridge present transversally, surrounding bothridial cups. Sensillus long (66) with characteristic shape: distal part fusiform-clavate and bipectinate, with 7-8 branches different in length ( Figure 4 A, B ).

Notogaster oval with 9 pairs of setae long (35-38), thin and finely barbed; seta c present as alveoli. Ventral side with characteristic configuration ( Figure 4 C ). Epimeral setae simple and thin, placed according to the formula 3:1:3:3; lateral setae twice as long as median ones (20-23, respectively 10). Genito-anal region with the usual setal formula 5:1:2:3. All setae simple and thin, ad longer (23) than ag and an (18). Lyrifissure iad in paraanal position.

Distribution and ecology — Southern Palaearctic ( Subías 2004, updated 2018). Ramusella alejnicovae was described from Volga territory in Russian Federation, and later reported in Southern Siberia, Mongolia and Caucasus ( Bayartogtokh 2010, Shtanchaeva and Subías

2010). In terms of ecology it is considered a typical inhabitant of grassland soil in steppes ( Bayartogtokh 2010). This is the first record of R. alejnicovae in Romania; it was found in the soil of tomato crops in solaria at Spătăreşti , Suceava county (47°25’39”N, 26°17’59”E, 11.06.2008, unpublished data), being not yet recorded in natural habitats .

Figures

Figure 4 Ramusella alejnicovae: A – dorsal view; B – prodorsum in lateral view (detail); C – ventral view (A, C – scale bar 100 μm)