Desectophis anthuriumsetis, Rueda-Ramirez, Diana, Castilho, Raphael C. & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2013

Rueda-Ramirez, Diana, Castilho, Raphael C. & De Moraes, Gilberto J., 2013, Mites of the superfamily Rhodacaroidea (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Colombia, with a key for the world species of Desectophis Karg (Ologamasidae), Zootaxa 3734 (5), pp. 521-535 : 522-525

Desectophis anthuriumsetis n. sp.

Diagnosis of adults. Dorsal idiosomal setae slightly pilose and distally expanded, except z 1, z 2, s 1– s 3, r 4– r 6 and R 1 aciculate and smooth. Podonotal shield with 22 pairs of setae including r 3– r 6; r 1 and r 2 absent. Opisthonotal shield with 21 pairs of setae including R 1– R 5 and UR 3; seta UR 5 inserted next to line of fusion between ventri-anal and opisthonotal shields, visible ventrally on mounted specimens; with five pairs of J setae; setae J and Z not reaching bases of subsequent setae, except J 4, reaching base of J 5. Ventri-anal shield smooth anteriorly with numerous tiny shallow pits in its posterior two-thirds.

Adult female ( Figs 1–7 )—Four specimens measured.

Gnathosoma. Fixed digit of chelicera 106 (99–114) long, with seven teeth in addition to apical tooth and setiform pilus dentilis ( Fig. 1 ); movable digit of chelicera 100 (92–108) long, with three teeth in addition to apical tooth; antiaxial and dorsal lyrifissures distinct; dorsal cheliceral seta not distinct; arthrodial process with a short coronet-like fringe. Epistome with a single acuminate anteromedian process; base of the process and remaining anterior margin of epistome denticulate; dorsal surface of epistome with two arched denticulate dorsal lines, the anterior continuous and the posterior medially interrupted ( Fig. 2 ). Numbers of setae on palp trochanter – tarsus: 2- 5-6-14 -15. Seta al 1 of palp genu three-tined, with central tine much larger than others and capitate ( Fig. 3 a). Deutosternum with eight roughly transverse lines of denticles, each with 4–28 denticles between deutosternal lateral delimiting lines, which are constricted along 2–3 most basal rows; and three pairs of rows of denticles laterad of lateral line (between lines 5–6, next to line 7 and next to line 8); each of these lines with 5–11 denticles ( Fig. 3 b). Internal malae distinctly separated from each other, lateral margins fimbriate. Corniculus horn-like, about twice as long as its basal width. Seta h 3 about in longitudinal line with h 1 and posterior to and mediad of h 2. Measurements of setae: h 1 60 (57–62), h 2 38, h 3 59 (58–60), sc 39 (37–40); all setae aciculate and smooth.

Dorsal idiosoma ( Fig. 4 ). Idiosoma 630 (605–650) long and 428 (400–465) wide at widest level. Podonotal and opisthonotal shields separated. Podonotal shield 331 (315–340) long and 418 (400–441) wide at widest level, extending to margin of dorsal surface of idiosoma, except for a small lateral triangular area of unsclerotised cuticle next to each posterior corner; smooth; with 22 pairs of setae (including r 3– r 6; r 1 and r 2 absent), four pairs of lyrifissures (posterolaterad of z 1, anteromesad of s 1, anterior to and about in longitudinal line with z 3, posterior to and about in longitudinal line with r 4) and four pairs of pores (anterolaterad of j 4, posterolaterad of j 4, posteromesad of z 5, anterolaterad of j 6). Opisthonotal shield 299 (290–310) long and 428 (402–455) wide at widest level, extending to margin of dorsal surface of idiosoma, except for a small lateral triangular area next to each anterior corner; with numerous tiny shallow pits in the posterior two-thirds of the shield, smooth elsewhere; with 21 pairs of setae (including R 1– R 5 and UR 3), and five pairs of lyrifissures (anteromesad of Z 1, anterolaterad of J 1, posterolaterad of J 2, anteromesad of Z 3, posteromesad of Z 4). Measurements of setae: j 1 41 (39–44), j 2 43 (40– 45), j 3 44 (43–44), j 4 43 (42–43), j 5 38 (36–40), j 6 43 (43–44), z 1 25 (20–30), z 2 25 (23–27), z 3 51 (50–53), z 4 41 (40–41), z 5 41 (40–41), z 6 46 (45–47), s 1 28 (25–31), s 2 35 (31–37), s 3 50, s 4 38 (37–38), s 5 46 (45–47), s 6 52 (50–57), r 3 73 (67–78), r 4 58 (50–66), r 5 66 (57–89), r 6 59 (51–75), J 1 31, J 2 32 (30–33), J 3 40 (37–45), J 4 43 (38–50), J 5 42 (37–45), Z 1 47 (44–50), Z 2 51 (48–55), Z 3 44 (41–50), Z 4 42 (38–46), Z 5 60 (55–65), S 1 46 (42– 50), S 2 50 (47–55), S 3 55 (50–61), S 4 50 (46–57), S 5 49 (43–54), R 1 63 (50–80), R 2 42 (40–45), R 3 42 (39–45), R 4 57 (51–64), R 5 59 (51–67), UR 3 43 (43–44). All dorsal idiosomal setae slightly pilose and distally expanded, except z 1, z 2, s 1– s 3, r 4– r 6 and R 1, aciculate and smooth.

Ventral idiosoma ( Figs 5 , 6 ). Almost totally sclerotised, except for a very narrow transverse strip of unsclerotised cuticle between podosoma and opisthosoma and a pair of narrow unsclerotised mediolateral strips. Base of tritosternum 40 (37–41) long and 20 (19–21) wide proximally; laciniae 74 (71–77), separated for about 85% of their total length, pilose. Two pairs of presternal plates present, the anterior much smaller than the posterior. Sternal shield smooth; approximately 112 (108–115) long at mid–line and 102 (97–105) wide at widest level; posterior margin concave, enclosing most of the genital shield; with four pairs of setae and four pairs of lyrifissures. Endopodal shield fused with and distinctly more sclerotised than sternal shield. Genital shield smooth; lateral margins distinctly more sclerotised than remainder of the shield; posterior margin truncate and about in line with posterior margin of coxa IV; approximately 111 (105–117) long and 101 (98–105) wide at widest level; distance between st 5– st 5 88 (78–93). Ventri-anal shield with numerous tiny shallow pits in the posterior two-thirds of the shield, smooth elsewhere; very large, about 445 (405–475) long at mid–line and 302 (290–320) wide at widest level, fused with opisthonotal shield; with eight pairs of setae (Jv 1– Jv 3, Jv 5, Zv 1– Zv 3 and UR 5) in addition to circum-anal setae, one pair of distinguishable lyrifissures (anterolaterad of Zv 1) and one pair of pores (laterad of and about in transverse line with Jv 5); median region of anterior margin distinctly more sclerotised than remainder of the shield. Peritreme extending anteriorly to level of z 1. Peritrematic shield broad, fused anteriorly to dorsal shield at level of r 4; widening progressively posteriorly, fused with posterior portion of exopodal shield beside coxa IV ( Fig. 6 ); posterior margin truncate; with two pairs of lyrifissures posterior and next to stigma. Exopodal shield distinctly more sclerotised than surrounding shields, fragmented into three parts: a triangular platelet between coxae I and II, an elongate platelet extending from mid region of coxa II to mid region of coxa IV and an arched platelet fused with peritrematic shield around posterior half of coxa IV; with a pore (gv 2) posterior to coxa IV ( Figs 5 and 6 ). Metapodal platelet indistinct. Measurements of setae: st 1 30, st 2 27, st 3 28 (25–30), st 4 22 (20– 23), st 5 22 (20–23), Jv 1 22, Jv 2 24 (24–25), Jv 3 42 (40–45), Jv 5 46 (43–50), Zv 1 22, Zv 2 29 (28–30), Zv 3 36 (35– 37), UR 5 40 (39–42), para-anal 20, post-anal 32 (30–34). All ventral idiosoma setae aciculate and smooth, except Jv 3– Jv 5, Zv 2, Zv 3, UR 5 and post-anal setae, slightly pilose and distally expanded.

Spermathecal apparatus. Not visible.

Legs. Lengths: I: 537 (503–560); II: 444 (420–465); III: 415 (390–430); IV: 541 (520–556). Numbers of setae on legs I–IV: coxae: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanters: 6, 5, 5, 5; femora: 13, 11, 6, 6; genua: 13, 11, 9, 10; tibiae: 14, 10, 8, 10; tarsi: I not counted, then 18, 18, 18. Chaetotaxy as reported by Evans (1963) for the “ Rhodacarus -group” of Rhodacaridae . Dorsal setae of genua III–IV, tibiae III–IV, pd 3 and ad 3 of tarsus III and pd 3, ad 3 and pd 2 of tarsus IV pilose and distally expanded, similar to most dorsal idiosomal setae, but more slender ( Fig. 7 a, b). All dorsal setae of femur and genu of leg IV and of femur, genu and tibia of other legs similar to each other in lengths. All legs with pretarsi, each with three rounded pulvillar lobes, elongate ambulacral stalk and a pair of strongly sclerotised claws; pretarsus I about half as long as other pretarsi.

Adult male ( Figs 8–11 )—One specimen measured.

Gnathosoma. Fixed and movable digit of chelicera 83 and 74 long respectively; teeth and pilus dentilis not clearly visible due to position of chelicera; spermatodactyl 65 long, tapering slightly distally; dorsal cheliceral seta and dorsal lyrifissure distinct, antiaxial lyrifissure not visible because of position of chelicera ( Fig. 8 ). Arthrodial process of chelicera, palp chaetotaxy, apotele, epistome, deutosternum and position of hypostomal setae as in adult female. Measurements of setae: h 1 42, h 2 30, h 3 51, sc 33. Shape of setae as in adult female.

Dorsal idiosoma ( Fig. 9 ). Idiosoma 570 long and 375 wide at widest level; podonotal shield 300 long and 370 wide at widest level; opisthonotal shield 269 long and 375 wide at widest level; other features similar to those of adult female. Measurements of setae: j 1 36, j 2 40, j 3 broken, j 4 40, j 5 35, j 6 43, z 1 22, z 2 21, z 3 53, z 4 44, z 5 39, z 6 44, s 1, s 2 and s 3 broken, s 4 39, s 5 46, s 6 54, r 3 72, r 4 67, r 5 75, r 6 71, J 1, J 2 and J 3 broken, J 4 47, J 5 40, Z 1 47, Z 2 50, Z 3 47, Z 4 41, Z 5 61, S 1 44, S 2 51, S 3 61, S 4 52, S5 51, R 1 74, R 2 44, R 3 38, R 4 60, R 5 60, UR 3 39. Shape of dorsal idiosomal setae as in adult female.

Ventral idiosoma ( Fig. 10 ). Sternogenital, endopodal, ventri-anal and peritrematic shields, and section of exopodal shield beside coxa IV all fused, extending over whole ventral surface of idiosoma. Base of tritosternum 39 long and 21 wide; laciniae 82, separated for about 85% of their total length, pilose. Two pairs of presternal plates present, the anterior much smaller than the posterior. Sternogenital region smooth; with five pairs of setae and four pairs of lyrifissures; distance between st 5- st 5 78–93; genital opening on anterior margin. Ventri-anal region with numerous tiny shallow pits in the posterior two thirds, smooth elsewhere; shield fused with opisthonotal shield; with eight pairs of setae (Jv 1- Jv 3, Jv 5, Zv 1- Zv 3 and UR 5) in addition to circum-anal setae, without distinguishable lyrifissures and with one pair of pores (mesad of and about in transverse line with Jv 5); UR 5 on line of fusion between ventrianal and opisthonotal shields, visible ventrally in mounted specimen. Other characters similar to those of adult female. Measurements of setae: st 1 20, st 2 21, st 3 21, st 4 22, st 5 18, Jv 1 and Jv 2 broken, Jv 3 40, Jv 5 45, Zv 1 broken, Zv 2 28, Zv 3 35, UR 5 37, para-anal 19, post-anal 31. Shape of ventral idiosomal setae as in adult female.

Legs: Lengths: I: 500; II: 387; III: 379; IV: 483. Numbers of setae of leg segments similar to those of adult female. Shape of setae as in adult female, except for a spur-like ventral process on each femur (the longest), genu and tibia II ( Fig. 11 ). All legs with pretarsi, similar to those of adult female.

Material examined. Holotype female, three paratype females and one paratype male from soil in a fragment of secondary alpine forest ( pH 4.0–5.0; organic matter 30–100%; humidity 35–80%) at “Setor San José” (04°39’ N; 73°51’ W), “Vereda Mundo Nuevo”, municipality of “La Calera”, Departamento de Cundinamarca, Colombia, February and December 2010. All types collected by D. Rueda-Ramirez and deposited at Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Etymology. The term anthuriumsetis is derived from Anthurium (genus of a flowering plant of the family Araceae , whose flowers vaguely resemble the expanded idiosomal setae of the new species here described) + setis, meaning setae.

Remarks. Desectophis anthuriumsetis is most similar to D. pulcher Karg, 2003 a, but the latter has setae z 1 and z 2 distally expanded, opisthonotal shield with 20 pairs of setae (UR absent), ventri-anal shield ornamented with subparallel undulate and transverse lines. The presence of four pairs of lyrifissures on the sternal (female) or sternogenital (male) shield of D. anthuriumsetis is uncommon among the Ologamasidae , but our examination of the holotype of D. pulcher , type species of the genus, showed that it also has four pairs of lyrifissures on the sternal shield. Descriptions of other species of Desectophis do not refer to this characteristic. In any case, this characteristic is not exclusive to this genus, as it was also reported for 23 other ologamasid species (Castilho et al., 2012c).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 5. Desectophis anthuriumsetis n. sp. Female. 1. Chelicera; 2. Epistome; 3 a. Palp genu; 3 b. Hypostome and basal palp segments; 4. Dorsal idiosoma; 5. Ventral idiosoma. Base of setae are represented by black circles; pores are represented by open circles; and lyrifissures are represented by circles or ovals encloseing a dot. Lyrifissures and pores enlarged for improved visibility.

FIGURE 6 – 7. Desectophis anthuriumsetis n. sp. Female. 6. Peritrematic shield fused with exopodal shield; 7 a. Leg III; 7 b. Leg IV.

FIGURES 8 – 11. Desectophis anthuriumsetis n. sp. Male. 8. Chelicera; 9. Dorsal idiosoma; 10. Ventral idiosoma; 11. Leg IV. Base of setae are represented by black circles; pores are represented by open circles; and lyrifissures are represented by circles or ovals enclosing a dot. Lyrifissures and pores enlarged for improved visibility.