Torrenticola nigroalba Habeeb, 1955

Fisher, J. Ray, Fisher, Danielle M., Skvarla, Michael J., Nelson, Whitney A. & Dowling, Ashley P. G., 2017, Revision of torrent mites (Parasitengona, Torrenticolidae, Torrenticola) of the United States and Canada: 90 descriptions, molecular phylogenetics, and a key to species, ZooKeys 701, pp. 1-496 : 1

Torrenticola nigroalba Habeeb, 1955

Torrenticola nigroalba Habeeb, 1955: 2.

Material examined.

HOLOTYPE (♀): from Canada, New Brunswick, Victoria County, Salmon River, 21 Jun 1953, by H Habeeb, HH530075.

PARATYPES (0 ♀; 1 ♂): New Brunswick, Canada: 1 ♂ (ALLOTYPE) from Victoria County, Salmon River, 21 Jun 1953, by H Habeeb, HH530075.

OTHER MATERIAL (83 ♀; 80 ♂): Alabama, USA: 2 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Clay County, beside Forest Route 649, 0.8 kilometers northeast of road from Forest Route 600 to Campbell Springs, Talladega Creek, 2 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900075A • 1 ♂ from Cleburne County, beside Route 431, 3.3 kilometers southeast of Calhoun, Jackson Creek (33°36'N, 85°42'W), 2 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900074 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from DeKalb County, Desoto State Park, beside Trail Y, West Fork of Little River (34°29'N, 85°32'W), by IM Smith, IMS920053A • Georgia, USA: 1 ♂ from Chattooga County, Cloudland, beside Route 48, East Fork Little River (34°31'25"N, 85°30'23"W), 29 Sep 2005, by IM Smith, IMS050110A • 1 ♂ from Floyd County, beside road from Everett Springs to Villanow, 1.8 kilometers south of The Pocket campground, Johns Creek, 4 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900076 • Kentucky, USA: 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Bell County, Middlesboro, Sugar Run (36°38'N, 83°39'W), 9 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900084 • Maine, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Aroostook County, Ashland, beside Route 11 at bridge, Aroostook River (46°38'N, 68°24'W), 4 Jul 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890067 • 1 ♂ from Aroostook County, beside Route 2A, 7 miles northeast of Macwahoc, Wytopitlock Stream, 5 Sep 1968, by DR Cook, DRC680063 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Aroostook County, Monticello, North Branch Meduxnekeag River, 28 Aug 1964, by DR Cook, DRC640042 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Franklin County, smalls Falls Picnic Area, beside Route 4, Sandy River (44°52'N, 70°31'W), 5 Jul 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890069 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Piscataquis County, Baxter State Park, Trout Brook, 25 Jul 1980, by IM Smith, IMS800125A • 4 ♀ from Washington County, Old Stream, off Route 9, 5.5 km west of Route 192, 6 Jun 2012, by IM Smith, IMS120012 • Michigan, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Cheboygan County, Pigeon River, 23 Jun 1952, by DR Cook, DRC520023 • New Brunswick, Canada: 1 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Charlotte County, Rollingham, Digdegaush River, beside Highway 770, 30 Jun 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890053 • 8 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Charlotte County, Rollingham, Digdegaush River, beside Highway 770, 3 Oct 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110118 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Northumberland County, beside Highway 108, Renous River, 18 Jul 1980, by IM Smith, IMS800111 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Restigouche County, Mount Carleton Provincial Park, Nictau River, 16 Jul 1980, by IM Smith, IMS800109 • 2 ♂ from Victoria County, near Limestone, small stream, 26 Aug 1964, by DR Cook, DRC640036 • 2 ♀ and 3 ♂ from York County, beside Highway 3, just east of Thomaston Corners, Magaguadavic River, 1 Jul 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890055A • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from York County, beside Highway 8, 1.7 kilometers north of Durham Bridge Road, Nashwaak River, 2 Jul 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890058 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from York County, beside Highway 107, 27.3 kilometers west of Road J-19, North Branch of Southwest Miramichi River, 22 Jul 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810092B • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from York County, beside Road J-19, 6.3 kilometers north of Nashwaak Experimental Watershed headquarters, Napadogan Brook, 23 Jul 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810095A • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from York County, Nashwaak Experimental Watershed, Narrow Mountain Brook, 21 Jul 1980, by IM Smith, IMS800120A • New Hampshire, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Coos County, White Mountain National Forest, Zealand Picnic Area, Ammonoosuc River, 29 Jul 1980, by IM Smith, IMS800130 • New Jersey, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Sussex County, beside Flatbrook Road, 2.6 kilometers north of Route 206 at Tuttles Corner, Big Flat Brook, 23 Jun 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900053 • New York, USA: 3 ♂ from Essex County, beside Route 28N, 13.8 kilometers northwest of Morse Memorial Parkway at Minerva, Boreas River, 21 Jun 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900050A • North Carolina, USA: 3 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Haywood County, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Big Creek (35°45'3.92"N, 83°6'31.67"W), 15 Sep 2009, by AJ Radwell, AJR090008A • 2 ♂ from Swain County, Oconaluftee River (35°32'34.76"N, 83°18'14.13"W), 6 Aug 2008, by AJ Radwell, AJR080019A • 1 ♂ from Yancey County, Lost Cove Picnic Area on Forest Route 472, 2.8 kilometers south of Route 80, South Toe River, 28 Jun 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900065A • Nova Scotia, Canada: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Antigonish County, Antigonish, West River, 1 Jul 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810050 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Cape Brenton Highlands National Park, beside Cabot Trail, south of Neils Harbour, Halfway Brook, 4 Jul 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810058 • 5 ♀ and 3 ♂ from Cape Brenton Highlands National Park, picnic area above Mary Ann Falls, Mar Ann Brook, 5 Jul 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810060 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Cape Brenton Island, Victoria County, Ingonish, beside Cabot Trail, Dundas Brook, 11 Jul 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810074 • 2 ♀ from Inverness, Cheticamp River, 10 Sep 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110071 • 1 ♂ from Luneburg County, New Germany, LaHave River, beside Highway 10, 23 Sep 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110098 • 1 ♀ from Colchester County, Wentworth, picnic area beside Highway 104, tributary of Wallace River, 19 Jul 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810085 • Ontario, Canada: 1 ♂ from Algoma District, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Agawa River, 28 Aug, 1965, by DR Cook, DRC650001 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Grey County, Durham, beside County Road 27, near Durnham Conservation Area, Saugeen River, 9 Jun 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890028A • 2 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Hastings County, Madawaska, beside Highway 60, Opeongo River, 29 Aug 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810033A • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Hastings County, Maple Leaf, Papineau Creek, east of Davis Road before Highway 62, 18 Aug 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110053 • 2 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Lanark County, beside Lanark Road #12, between Lanark and Fallbrook, Mississippi River, 6 October 1983, by IM Smith & CJ Hill, IMS830094A & IMS830094B • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Muskoka District, Huntsville, East River Xing road to Dyer Memorial, 26 Aug 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810032A • 2 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Nipissing District, Algonquin Provincial Park, at Highway 60, near Lake of Two Rivers, Madawaska River, 15 May 1980, by IM Smith & CJ Hill, IMS800004B & IMS800004C • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Peterborough County, crossing Highway 28 at picnic area just north of Woodview, Eels Creek, 13 Jun 1981, by IM Smith, IMS810018A • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Thunder Bay District, Rossport, Rossport Provincial Campground, off Highway 17, McLeans Creek, 3 Aug 1988, by IM Smith, IMS880065 • Pennsylvania, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Fayette County, Dunbar Creek (39°56'16"N, 79°35'3.70"W), 10 Aug 2014, by MJ Skvarla, MS 14-0810-002 • 1 ♀ from Fayette County, off Meadow Run Road, Laurel Run (39°50'58"N, 79°30'51"W), 10 Aug 2014, by MJ Skvarla, MS 14-0810-005 • Quebec, Canada: 1 ♂ from Stanstead County, Tompkin Stream, Tomifobia River (45°0'31"N, 72°7'6"W), 20 Aug 1996, by IM Smith & M MacKenzie, IMS960056 • Tennessee, USA: 2 ♀ from Blount County, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Cades Cove, Abrams River (35°35'31"N, 83°51'21"W), 17 Sep 2010, IMS100141 • 2 ♀ and 6 ♂ from Monroe County, Turkey Creek at confluence with Tellico River, 12 Sep 2009, by AJ Radwell, AJR090004 • 2 ♂ from Sevier County, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, middle prong Little Pigeon River (35°43'32"N, 83°24'2"W), 2 Sep 2009, by IM Smith, IMS090093 • Vermont, USA: 2 ♀ from Addison County, beside road from Lincoln to Ripton, Middlebury River (44°0'N, 73°1'W), 6 Jul 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890075 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Addison County, Lincoln, beside US Forest Service Road #54, Haven River (44°6'N, 72°59'W), 6 Jul 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890074 • Virginia, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Alleghany County, Covington, beside Route 18, 0.5 kilometers north of Route 657, Potts Creek, 13 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900091A • 1 ♀ from Amherst County, Upper Otter Creek Overlook beside Blue Ridge, Otter Creek (37°36'57"N, 79°19'27"W), 7 Sep 2007, by IM Smith, IMS070056A • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Bath County, beside Route 287, 2.4 kilometers south of Bacova, Cowardin Run, 15 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900097 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Bath County, beside Forest Route 1843, 3.5 kilometers south of Route 220, Jackson River, 16 Jul 1990, IMS900100 • 1 ♀ from Giles County, Mechanicsburg, beside Dismal Creek Road, Standrock Brook (37°11'38"N, 80°53'26"W), 9 Sep 2005, by IM Smith, IMS050066 • 3 ♂ from Highland County, 4.8 kilometers northwest of McDowell, Crab Run, 23 Jul 1964, by DR Cook, DRC640013 • 1 ♀ from Montgomery County, Blacksburg, beside Route 321 at Caldwell, Craig Creek (37°20'N, 80°20'W), 12 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900089A • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Page County, beside Route 730, 0.2 kilometers west of Route 675, Passage Creek, 25 Jun 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900059 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Washington County, Damascus, beside Route 58 near boundary of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Laurel River, 10 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900085A • West Virginia, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Randolph County, Laurel Fork Campground, off Forest Route 14, south of Wymer, Laurel Fork of Cheat River, 17 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900102.

Diagnosis.

Torrenticola nigroalba are similar to other members of the Nigroalba Group ( T. flangipalpa , T. solisorta , T. dentirostra ) in being small, slightly elongate, having purple dorsal coloration restricted posteriorly, and having distinct yet poorly-defined hind coxal margins. T. nigroalba can be differentiated from T. flangipalpa in having tuberculate pedipalp femoral extension (flange-like and anteriorly-directed in T. flangipalpa ); a shorter anterior venter (200-223 in T. nigroalba , 235-265 in T. flangipalpa ); and more elongate pedipalpal tibiae (length/ width ♀ = 5.38-5.83 in T. nigroalba , 4.79-5.00 in T. flangipalpa ; ♂ = 5.08-5.33 in T. nigroalba , 4.40-4.86 in T. flangipalpa ). T. nigroalba can be differentiated from T. dentirostra by having a smooth rostrum ( T. dentirostra has a dentate bump midway on the dorsal edge of the rostrum) and by having more elongate pedipalpal tibiae (length/width ♀ = 5.3-5.9 in T. nigroalba , 4.5-5.0 in T. dentirostra ; ♂ = 5.0-5.4 in T. nigroalba , 4.5-4.7 in T. dentirostra ). T. nigroalba can be differentiated from T. solisorta by lacking orangish coloration immediately anterior to the purple dorsal coloration, although rarely specimens have been found with this coloration. Female T. nigroalba are also slightly larger (500-530 in T. nigroalba , 475-500 in T. solisorta ); have a thinner gnathosomal bay (length/width = 1.25-1.55 in T. nigroalba , 1.3-1.5 in T. solisorta ); and have a slightly thicker subcapitulum (3.00-3.14 in T. nigroalba , 3.14-3.30 in T. solisorta ). Male T. nigroalba also have a longer medial suture with respect to the anterior venter (anterior venter/medial suture = 2.54-2.77 in T. nigroalba , 2.87-3.26 in T. solisorta ) and a thinner dorsum (290-300 in T. nigroalba , 305-320 in T. solisorta ). Other Torrenticola with purple dorsal coloration restricted posteriorly can be confused with T. nigroalba , such as T. tahoei and T. oregonensis . Both of these species are larger (dorsum length ♀ = 500-530 in T. nigroalba , 600-810 in others; ♂ = 440-455 in T. nigroalba , 560-820 in others) and distributed in the west ( T. nigroalba is eastern).

Type deposition.

Holotype (♀) and allotype (♂) deposited in the CNC.

Re-description.

Female (Figure 165) (n = 6) (holotype measurements in parentheses when available) with characters of the genus with following specifications.

Dorsum - (500-530 (510) long; 330-365 (350) wide) ovoid with bluish-purple to purple coloration restricted posteriorly (rarely with faint orange at the anterior edge of the purple, especially medially). Anterio-medial platelets (105-112.5 (105) long; 40-47.5 (40) wide). Anterio-lateral platelets (145-160 (157.5) long; 46.25-52.5 (50) wide) free from dorsal plate. Dgl-4 closer to the edge of the dorsum than to the muscle scars (distance between Dgl-4 230-260 (245)). Dorsal plate proportions: dorsum length/width 1.42-1.53 (1.46); dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 1.33-1.46 (1.43); anterio-medial platelet length/width 2.32-2.65 (2.63); anterio-lateral platelet length/width 2.90-3.26 (3.15); anterio-lateral/anterio-medial length 1.29-1.51 (1.50).

Gnathosoma - Subcapitulum (280-298 long (ventral); 197.5-220 long (dorsal); 92.5-97.5 tall) elongate and colorless. Rostrum (102.5-112.5 long; 35-40 wide). Chelicerae (273-287 long) with curved fangs (40-53 long). Subcapitular proportions: ventral length/height 3.03-3.14; rostrum length/width 2.81-3.10. Pedipalps elongate (especially tibiae) with tuberculate ventral extensions on femora and genua ending broadly and dentate. Palpomeres: trochanter (30-35 (32.5) long); femur (90-95 (95) long); genu (55-57.5 (57.5) long); tibia (85-92.5 (87.5) long; 15-16.25 (13.75) wide); tarsus (12.5-15 (12.5) long). Palpomere proportions: femur/genu 1.64-1.73 (1.65); tibia/femur 0.92-0.97 (0.92); tibia length/width 5.38-5.83 (5.38).

Venter - (620-660 (640) long; 340-430 (430) wide) with faint bluish purple or purple coloration. Gnathosomal bay (110-120 (110) long; 72.5-82.5 (82.5) wide). Cxgl-4 far from apex. Medial suture (50-55 (55) long). Genital plates (135-142.5 (137.5) long; 122.5-132.5 (123.75) wide). Additional measurements: Cx-1 (243-250 (250) long (total); 98-140 (140) long (medial)); Cx-3 (239-285 (285) wide); anterior venter (200-212.5 (203.75) long). Ventral proportions: gnathosomal bay length/width 1.33-1.55 (1.33); anterior venter/genital field length 1.42-1.53 (1.48); anterior venter length/genital field width 1.51-1.68 (1.65); anterior venter/medial suture 3.70-4.25 (3.70).

Male (Figure 166) (n = 6) (allotypic measurements in parentheses when available) with characters of the genus with following specifications.

Dorsum - (440-455 (455) long; 290-300 (295) wide) ovoid with bluish-purple to purple coloration restricted posteriorly. Anterio-medial platelets (92.5-100 (97.5) long; 35-42.5 (35) wide). Anterio-lateral platelets (137.5-150 (142.5) long; 40-47.5 (47.5) wide) free from dorsal plate. Dgl-4 closer to the edge of the dorsum than to the muscle scars (distance between Dgl-4 205-225 (225)). Dorsal plate proportions: dorsum length/width 1.50-1.55 (1.54); dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 1.31-1.41 (1.31); anterio-medial platelet length/width 2.26-2.86 (2.79); anterio-lateral platelet length/width 3.00-3.63 (3.00); anterio-lateral/anterio-medial length 1.38-1.58 (1.46).

Gnathosoma - Subcapitulum (247.5-260 (250) long (ventral); 181-188.75 (188.75) long (dorsal); 77.5-82.5 (82.5) tall) elongate and colorless. Rostrum (92.5-97.5 (97.5) long; 32.5-35 (32.5) wide). Chelicerae (225-237.5 (237.5) long) with curved fangs (35-40 (40) long). Subcapitular proportions: ventral length/height 3.03-3.23 (3.03); rostrum length/width 2.79-3.00 (3.00). Pedipalps elongate (especially tibiae) with tuberculate ventral extensions on femora and genua ending broadly and dentate. Palpomeres: trochanter (25-30 (25) long); femur (77.5-82.5 (78.75) long); genu (50-55 (50) long); tibia (76.25-83.75 (80) long; 15-16.25 (15) wide); tarsus (15-17.5 (17.5) long). Palpomere proportions: femur/genu 1.50-1.65 (1.58); tibia/femur 0.95-1.05 (1.02); tibia length/width 5.08-5.33 (5.33).

Venter - (550-570 (550) long; 313-380 (370) wide) with faint bluish purple or purple coloration. Gnathosomal bay (100-107.5 (102.5) long; 60-70 (67.5) wide). Cxgl-4 far from apex. Medial suture (77.5-87.5 (80) long). Genital plates (105-118.75 (118.75) long; 85-92.5 (90) wide). Additional measurements: Cx-1 (216-237 (235) long (total); 97-135 (127.5) long (medial)); Cx-3 (230-263 (255) wide); anterior venter (212.5-222.5 (215) long). Ventral proportions: gnathosomal bay length/width 1.43-1.75 (1.52); anterior venter/genital field length 1.81-2.12 (1.81); anterior venter length/genital field width 2.32-2.51 (2.39); anterior venter/medial suture 2.54-2.77 (2.69).

Immatures unknown.

Etymology.

Habeeb (1955) did not specify an etymology for the specific epithet ( nigroalba ). However, surely this name refers to the dorsal coloration being half pigmented (purple) and half unpigmented (yellow), although Habeeb (1955) identified these colors as black and white (niger, L. black; albus, L. white).

Distribution.

Northeastern and southward throughout the Appalachians (Figure 164). T. nigroalba was previously known only from Albert County, New Brunswick; we extend its distribution throughout the Appalachians and into Ottawa.

Remarks.

Torrenticola nigroalba groups with other members of the Raptor Complex with high support in all analyses and specimens are less than 1% different in COI sequence from each other. In all analyses, T. nigroalba groups with two other morphologically similar species: T. flangipalpa and T. solisorta . These three species are greater than 12% different from each other in COI sequence. That clade of three species corresponds to an identification group, the Nigroalba Group, the members of which are easily differentiated by their size, coloration, long medial suture in females, and overall appearance.

This species hypothesis is supported by low COI divergence within the species (0-2%) and high divergence between species (3-15%), and by the morphological characters outlined in the diagnosis.