Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834)

Andre, H. M., 2011, DUG ¨ S’ CAUDATUS IS A TENUIPALPIDAE AND NOT A TYDEIDAE (ACARI) Henri M. A, Acarologia 51 (1), pp. 69-85 : 76-77

Redescription of Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834)

Habitus as in Fig. 2A , opisthosoma with a clear constriction at the level of trochanter III and the "tail" mentioned by DugŁs (1834b) ( Fig. 2D ). Shape of setae variable ( Fig. 3 ), from minute setae, flagelliform, squamous, lanceolate, or foliaceous, thin and long, to serrate or plumose organs.

Prodorsal shield ( Fig. 2A, C ) with longitudinal cells on a median crest except for a small posterior portion with irregular and transverse cells, lateral part with transverse striae and minute pores, anterolateral shield with two ocelli, posterolateral corners of prodorsum angulate. Prodorsal setae, (v2) and (s1) minute, slightly serrate; s2 on a small tubercle behind a anterolateral projection and broadly lanceolate.

Opisthoma with a strong median crest prolonged anteriorly by another crescent-like crest. Cells on the crest with well-defined borders and rounded contours, with more or less transverse striae along the median crest. A second projection over trochanter III. A pair of opisthosomal pores distinct, (po). Setae minute (e1, d3), or foliaceous (c1, d1, c3), "tail" composed of four pairs of foliaceous setae (e2, f1, f2 and h1) plus one pair of flagelliform setae (h2).

Epimeral formula: 3-2-2-1, 3a being central ( Fig. 2E ). Genital opening transverse in females, with transverse striae ( Fig. 2B ). Genital formula: two pairs of genitals, (g1) and (g2), and one pairs of aggenitals, (ag1). Anal lips with longitudinal striae and flanked by pseudanals, (ps).

Whip-like chelicerae (ch) as in the superfamily, bordered by an adoral seta, (ad1), and likely to protrude as in Figure 4A . Two-segmented palp with 1 flagelliform dorsal seta on the proximal segment and 2 small setae (probably eupathidial) on the distal one ( Fig. 4B, C ).

Leg formula ( Fig. 4E–G ):

I (8(1)-4-3-4-1), ventrals on tibia serrate, ventrals on femur and seta on trochanter very thin, most other setae squamous or foliaceous

II (8(1)-4-3-4-1), idem

III (5-3-1-2-2) ventral setae on trochanter, femur and tibia thin, the other foliaceous,

IV (5-3-0-2-1), idem.

Tarsi III and IV ( Fig. 5 ) with an antixial dorsal flagelliform seta arising from a tubercle, ft, two serrate prorals arising also from tubercles, (p), and two plumose ventral setae (u). Tarsi I and II with a paraxial dorsal flagelliform seta arising from a tubercle, ft’, this elbowed element seems to form a pair with a squamous seta arising from a tubercle, ft". Under this dorsal pair, also arising from their own tubercle, a pair of typical eupathidia, (p). Between the prorals, the solenidion ω, also on a tubercle. Last, the two pairs of setae, (tc) and (u). All the apoteles with 3 bifid elements (ol’, om and ol") equipped with tenent hairs ( Fig. 4D ).

Figures

FIGURE 2: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). (A) – Dorsal view, (B) – Genital area (C) – Partial view of prodorsum, (D) – "Tail" explain-

FIGURE 3: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). Shape of setae. (A) – Simple as 1a on epimeron, (B) – Serrate as p’ on leg III, (C) – Foliaceous as se, (D) – Thin as trI, (E) – Minute as vi (Scale bars: 10 µm – Specimens collected in Montpellier).

FIGURE 4: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). (A) – Protruded chelicerae and first epimera in ventral view, (B) – Palp in dorsal views, (C) - Palp in lateral views, (D) – Tenent hairs and tarsus IV in lateral view, (E) – Legs I in dorsal view, (F) Leg II in dorsal view, (G) Legs III and IV in dorsal view. (Scale bars: A – D: 20 µm; E – G: 50 µm – Specimens collected in Montpellier).

FIGURE 5: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). Tarsus I: (A) – dorsal view, (B) – ventro-lateral views. Tarsus II: (C) – dorsal view, (D) – ventral view. Tarsus IV: (E) – dorsal view, (F) – ventral view. (Scale bars: A: 30 µm; B: 20 µm; C – F: 30 µm – Specimens collected in Montpellier).