Typhlodromips neoshi Moraes, Zannou & Oliveira, 2007

De Moraes, Gilberto J., Zannou, Ignace D., Ueckermann, Eddie A., Oliveira, Anibal R., Hanna, Rachid & Yaninek, John S., 2007, Species of the subtribes Arrenoseiina and Proprioseiopsina (Tribe Amblyseiini) and the tribe Typhlodromipsini (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from sub-Saharan Africa, Zootaxa 1448 (1), pp. 1-39 : 29-30

Typhlodromips neoshi Moraes, Zannou & Oliveira , n. sp.

( Fig. 18 )

Diagnosis. This species is characterized by having dorsal shield reticulate, ventrianal shield lightly striate anteriorly to preanal pores and reticulate posteriorly to those, ca. 90% as wide as long, fixed cheliceral digit with 8 teeth and calyx of spermatheca dish-shaped, without a distinct tubular section next to atrium.

Female. (2 specimens measured).

Dorsum. Dorsal shield reticulate anteriorly to Z4, and mostly smooth, with few transverse striae posteriorly, 366(355–376) long and 226(226–227) wide. Setae j1 18, j3 22, j4 14, j5 14, j6 16, J2 19, J5 9(8–10), z2 18(18–19), z4 19, z5 15(14–16), Z1 18(18–19), Z4 37, Z5 72, s4 31 (30–32), S2 16, S4 12 (11–13), S5 10 (10– 11), r3 20(19–21), R1 17(16–18). Setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5 which are serrate.

Venter. Sternal shield smooth, posterior margin slightly concave; distances between St1-St3 54, St2-St2 64. Genital shield smooth; distance between, St5-St5 64(62–66). Ventrianal shield pentagonal, lightly striate anteriorly to preanal pores and reticulate posteriorly to those; with or without lateral constriction, anterior margin convex, 118(117–118) long, 108(104–112) wide at level of Zv2 and 93 wide at level of anus, elliptical preanal pores slightly posteromesad to Jv2. Two pairs of metapodal shields. Ventral setae smooth.

Chelicera. Movable digit 30 long, with 3 teeth; fixed digit 27 long, with 8 teeth and a pilus dentilis.

Spermatheca. Calyx dish-shaped, 2 long, 15 in diameter; atrium kidney-shaped.

Legs. Tip of macrosetae of genua I–IV and of tarsus IV with tiny knobs; tip of other macrosetae blunt; Sge I 27, Sge II 24, Sge III 27(26–29), Sti III 22(21–22), Sge IV 42, Sti IV 32, St IV 54(53–56). Chaetotaxy: genu: II 2-2/0,2/0-1; genu III: 1–2/1,2/0–1.

Male. (1 specimen measured).

Dorsum. Dorsal shield pattern as in female, 272 long and 197 wide. Setae j1 16, j3 22, j4 11, j5 11, j6 13, J2 16, J5 5, z2 13, z4 16, z5 10, Z1 14, Z4 32, Z5 54, s4 26, S2 11, S4 8, S5 8, r3 18, R1 11. Setae smooth, except Z4 and Z5 which are serrate .

Venter. Ventrianal shield subtriangular, reticulate anteriorly to preanal pores, 130 long, 160 wide at the anterior corners, with 3 pairs of preanal setae, 5 pairs of lyrifissures (1 directly anterior to Jv1, 2 anterolaterad to Jv1, 1 anterolaterad to Zv2 and 1 posterolaterad to Zv2), elliptical preanal pores mesad and slightly posterior to Jv2.

Spermatodactyl. Shaft 20 long.

Legs. Tip of macrosetae of genua I–IV and of tarsus IV with tiny knobs; tip of other macrosetae blunt; Sge I 16, Sge II 19, Sge III 19, Sti III 16, Sge IV 29, Sti IV 24 and St IV 40. Chaetotaxy of genua II and III as in female.

Locality and type material. Holotype female, 1 paratype female and 1 allotype male from Citrus sp. , Kigali, ISAR-Karama Station , Rwanda, 09-XII-1989, J.S. Yaninek, deposited at ESALQ-USP.

Etymology. The epithet neoshi refers to the similarity between this species and Typhlodromips shi (Pritchard & Baker) .

Remarks. Typhlodromips shi ( Pritchard & Baker, 1962) has generally shorter dorsal setae, ventrianal shield narrower and smooth or with few and light striae anteriorly to preanal pores. Typhlodromips ibadanensis ( Ueckermann & Loots, 1988) differs from this new species by having ventrianal shield reticulate anteriorly to preanal pores compared to lightly striate anteriorly to preanal pores and reticulate posteriorly to those in T. neoshi , and calyx of spermatheca dome-shaped.

Figures

FIGURE 18. Typhlodromips neoshi Moraes, Zannou & Oliveira, n. sp.: A. Female dorsal shield; B. Female ventral surface; C. Spermatheca; D. Female leg IV; E. Spermatodactyl; F. Male ventrianal shield.