Arpthicarus sculptilis

Niedbała, W., 2017, Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Madagascar and neighbouring islands, Acarologia 57 (1), pp. 3-205 : 88-92

Arpthicarus sculptilis

( Niedbała, 1988)

( Figs 57 , 58 )

Hoplophthiracarus sculptilis Niedbała 1988 Hoplophthiracarus magnus Mahunka 1988 syn. by Niedbała 2001

Arpthiracarus sculptilis: Niedbała 2001

Diagnosis — Measurements of paratype: prodorsum: length 318, width 222, height 131; notogaster: length 666, width 418, height 425.

Rather large-sized species; colour brown; body surface covered with deep concavities. Median and lateral fields, lateral carinae and posterior furrows of prodorsum absent; sensilli enlarged towards distal end, rounded distally; interlamellar setae long, thick, erect, covered with small spines in distal half; rostral setae robust, directed inwards, rough; lamellar setae vestigial; exobothridial setae minute. Notogaster with fairly short (c 1 / c 1 - d 1 =0,9), pointed distally setae, covered with spines in distal half; setae c 3 located near anterior border, setae c 1 and c 2 remote from border, setae c 2 more than c 1; vestigial setae f 1 posterior of h l setae; 4 pairs of lyrifissures ia, im, ip, ips present. Ventral region; setae h of mentum longer than distance between them; formula of genital setae: 6(4+2): 3; setae ad 2 the longest and thickest, setae ad 2 and ad 3 located near paraxial margin. Leg chaetome reduced, setae a’ on tarsi I are missing; setae d of femora I remote from anterior margin of article.

Remarks — In sample MAG-281 I noticed two populations of this species, both with considerable variability in body size. Apart from that, they differ only in the image of body surface. The one which I tentatively called "A" in accordance with the holotype from MohØli ( Comoros) has body surface covered with deep concavities, on genitoaggenital and anoadanal plates inclusive ( Figure 58H ). Surface of the second population "B" is rugged, only posterior part of notogaster on the height setae h 1, ps 1, ps 2 have feeble foveoles ( Figure 58C ). Also vestigial setae f 1 are not visible.

Measurements of one of specimens "A" from MAG-281: prodorsum: length 293, width 202, height 101 setae: ss 66, in 111, ro 76, le 15; notogaster: length 566, width 404, height 394, setae: c 1 106, c 1 / c 1 - d 1 =0.8, h 1 111, ps 1 53; genitoaggenital region 152×121; anoadanal region 202×152. Measurements of another specimen "A": prodorsum: length 323, height 141; notogaster: length 717, height 495; setae: c 1 114, c 1 / c 1 - d 1 =0.7, h 1 and ps 1 127. Measurements of specimen "B": prodorsum: length 374, height 167; notogaster: length 798, height 505.

Localities in Madagascar (eastern part), Comoros and Reunion: Mahunka 1988a, Niedbała 1988, 2001, 2008a.

Distribution — Afrotropical, central and eastern parts of islands.

Figures

FIGURE 57: Arpthiracarus sculptilis (Niedbała, 1988) (holotype): A – prodorsum, dorsal view; B – prodorsum, lateral view; C – opisthosoma, lateral view; D – left genitoaggenital plate; E – right anoadanal plate; F – trochanter and femur of leg I.

FIGURE 58: Arpthiracarus sculptilis (Niedbała, 1988) (specimens from MAG-281). A-G – form B; H – form A: A – prodorsum, dorsal view; B – prodorsum, lateral view; C – opisthosoma, lateral view; D – mentum of subcapitulum; E – right genitoaggenital plate; F – right anoadanal plate; G – trochanter and femur of leg I; H – anterior half of opisthosoma, lateral view.