Protolichus ornatus, Mironov, Sergey V., Ehrnsberger, Rainer & Dabert, Jacek, 2014

Mironov, Sergey V., Ehrnsberger, Rainer & Dabert, Jacek, 2014, New species of the feather mite genus Protolichus Trouessart, 1884 (Astigmata, Pterolichidae) from lories and lorikeets (Aves: Psittaciformes), Zootaxa 3774 (2), pp. 131-151 : 133-136

Protolichus ornatus sp. n.

( Figs. 1–3 , 4 A, B)

Type material. Heteromorph male holotype, 1 heteromorph male, 1 homeomorph male and 6 female paratypes (AMU 01751) from Trichoglossus ornatus (Linnaeus, 1758) , Indonesia, Sulawesi, no other data.

Type depository. Holotype and all paratypes—AMU.

Description. Heteromorph male (holotype, measurements for 1 paratype in parentheses). Idiosoma, length × width, 596 (594) × 300 (295). Subcapitulum with posterior margin convex, widest part crossed by strong bowshaped transverse fold, central part with several faint transverse striae, bases of setae subc outlined posteriorly by small bow-shaped folds ( Fig. 3 A). Prodorsal shield with posterior margin slightly concave, length 158 (165), surface monotonously punctate. Transverse band at level of scapular setae poorly sclerotized. Setae si spiculiform, 41 (44) long. Distance between scapular setae: se:se 68 (65), si:si 38 (35). Hysterosoma 438 (435) long. Length of hysteronotal shield: 422 (425), greatest width 220 (232), anterior margin slightly convex, surface monotonously punctate. Opisthosomal lobes acute, postero-lateral margin (from base of seta h2 to lobar apex) oblique, dorsal surface of lobes without transverse crests ( Figs. 1 A, 4A). Terminal cleft as a narrow inverted U, 94 (96) long, 20 (24) in width at level of setae e1. Setae c2 spiculiform, 37 (35) long; setae d2 filiform, 18 (24) long; setae e2 thick, represented by macrosetae 148 (150) long, extending slightly beyond lobar apices, terminal part thick. Setae e1 filiform, situated on margin of terminal cleft, posterior to level of macrosetae h2 bases. Setae f2 spatuliform, with oblique bidentate apex ( Fig. 4 A). Distance between dorsal setae: c2:d2 132 (136), d2:e2 150 (160), e2:h3 110 (114), e2:e2 153 (156), h2:h2 86 (90), h3:h3 52 (54), ps1:ps1 44 (46), e2:h2 65 (70), h2:h3 40 (45), h2: e1 10(12) ps1:h3 24 (26).

Genital apparatus 34 (20) × 32 (19), its base at midlevel of trochanters IV. Paragenital apodemes with anterior ends free from inner tips of epimerites IIa and IIIa, middle parts of them (between level of setae 4a and anal field) connected by wide but poorly sclerotized transverse bridge ( Fig. 1 B). Distance between ventral setae: 3b:3a 5 (10), 3a:g 18 (16), g:4a 67 (64), 4a:ps3 116 (120). Diameter of anal suckers 25 (24).

Legs II approximately 1.5 times longer than legs I. Tarsus I with crest-like ventral extension stretching along whole segment, proximal end of this extension acute ( Figs. 3 B, C). Tibia I without ventral apophysis, dorsal side of this segment strongly convex. Genua I, II and femora I, II without any apophyses. Tarsus II with small ventral extension bearing seta s. Tibiae II with short and rounded apico-ventral apophysis, ventral surface of segment verrucous, solenidion φ verrucous in basal part ( Fig. 3 D). Genu II with verrucous ventral surface; seta cG II strongly thickened, verrucous, approximately 2.5 times longer than segment. Setae d, e of tarsus IV short spiculiform, with distinct basal rings ( Fig. 3 E).

Homeomorph male (1 paratype). Only measurements and features differing from those in heteromorph male are listed. Subcapitulum with posterior margin strongly convex, median part with several transverse striae without transverse bow-shaped fold ( Fig. 3 F). Terminal cleft between opisthosomal lobes very narrow, slit-like, median margins almost touching in posterior part ( Fig. 4 B). Transverse bridge between middle parts of paragenital apodemes not developed.

Legs II about 1.2 times longer than legs I. Tarsi and tibiae I, II with small ventral tubercles ( Fig. 3 G). Setae cG of genua II thickened, smooth, approximately 1.4 times longer than segment ( Fig. 3 H). Other segments of legs I, II not modified.

Measurements: Idiosoma, length × width, 513 × 265. Prodorsal shield: length 135. Setae si most likely spiculiform (lost in specimen). Distance between scapular setae: se:se 65, si:si 35. Hysterosoma 375 long. Hysteronotal shield: greatest length 357, greatest width 200, length of terminal cleft 65, greatest width in anterior part 7, margins of posterior part nearly touching. Lateral setae c2 24 long; setae d2 11 long; setae e2 thick macrosetae, 96 long. Distances between dorsal setae: c2:d2 120, d2:e2 143, e2:h3 83, e2: e1 60, e2:e2 130, h2:h2 62, h3:h3 40, ps1:ps1 28, e2:h2 60, h2:h3 30, h2: e1 11, ps1:h3 16. Genital apparatus 25 × 15. Distance between ventral setae: 3b:3a 8, 3a:g 14, g:4a 60, 4a:ps3 103. Diameter of anal suckers 22.

Female (6 paratypes measured). Gnathosoma as in homeomorph male. Idiosoma, length × width, 475–490 × 255–278. Posterior margin of prodorsal shield straight, length along midline 130–135, surface monotonously punctate except transverse band at level of scapular setae. Setae si setiform, 11–12 long. Distance between scapular setae se:se 84–86, si:si 51–54. Hysterosoma 340–358 long. Length of hysteronotal shield 325–340, width 216–222, anterior margin straight, surface monotonously punctate; subtegumental sclerotized bars in postero-lateral parts of opisthosoma extending to cupules and ip ( Fig. 2 A). Sclerotized area surrounding copulatory opening horseshoeshaped. Setae c2, d2 filiform, short; setae e2 flattened, saber-shaped, 12–14 in width; setae e1 situated between levels of openings gl and cupules im; setae ps1 long, about half the width of the hysterosoma, with narrow membranous enlargement in basal part; setae f2 and ps2 with narrow membranous enlargement, setae f 2 in most specimens without additional subapical spine ( Fig. 2 B). Length of hysteronotal setae: c 2 12–14, d 2 15–17, e2 86 – 106, f2 48–54, ps2:ps2 50–58. Distance between setae: c2:d2 134–138, d2:e2 136–142, e2:h3 67–74, e2:e2 148– 160, h2:h2 80–94, ps1:ps 1 25–34. Epigynum short bow-shaped, 16–18 × 47–53. Setae mG of genua I, II thin spiculiform ( Figs. 4 D, E).

Differential diagnosis. The new species belongs to the brachiatus species group and is most similar to P. brachiatus Trouessart, 1884 living on parrots of the genus Lorius Vigors, 1825 in having a similar structure of ventral crest on tarsi I, the general shape of the terminal cleft and also by the absence of a dorsal crest-like process on genu II in heteromorph males. The new species differs from P. brachiatus by the following features. In both forms of males, setae e2 are relatively short (140–150 in heteromorphs and about 100 in homeomorphs), thick without a filiform apex, and extend slightly beyond the level of the lobar apices; in heteromorph males, tibia I is strongly convex dorsally, the central area of the subcapitulum bearing setae subc is not outlined, and the ventral surfaces of tibia and genu II are verrucous; in females, setae f2 are without an additional spine near the apex. In both forms of males of P. brachiatus , setae e2 are very long (300–330), filiform apically, and extend far beyond the lobar apices; in heteromorph males, tibia I has a flat dorsal side, the central area of the subcapitulum with setae subc is not clearly outlined, and the ventral surfaces of tibia and genu II are smooth; in females, setae f2 have a well developed additional subapical spine.

Etymology. The specific epithet was taken from the specific name of the type host.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Protolichus ornatus sp. n., heteromorph male. A—dorsal view, B—ventral view.

FIGURE 2. Protolichus ornatus sp. n., female. A—dorsal view, B— ventral view.

FIGURE 3. Protolichus ornatus sp. n., details of male. A—subcapitulum of heteromorph male, ventral view, B—leg I of heteromorph male, dorsal view, C—leg I of heteromorph male, ventral view, D—leg II of heteromorph male, dorsal view, Etarsus IV of heteromorph male, dorsal view, F—subcapitulum of homeomorph male, ventral view, G—leg I of homeomorph male, dorsal view, H—leg II of homeomorph male, dorsal view

FIGURE 4. Dorsal view of male opisthosoma of Protolichus ornatus sp. n. (A, B) and Protolichus placentis sp. n. (C, D). A, C—heteromorph males, B, D—homeomorph males.