Loricaseius

Plumari, Massimo & Mašán, Peter, 2014, Loricaseius lepontinus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new genus and species of eviphidid mite from the Italian Alps (Acari: Mesostigmata), with an updated key to European genera of the family Eviphididae, Zootaxa 3802 (1), pp. 1-22 : 19-21

Key to the European genera of the family Eviphididae

The key to the European genera of the family, presented by Mašán & Halliday (2010), is modified here to accommodate the new genus Loricaseius .

Females

1. Palpgenu with five setae; dorsal shield bearing strongly reduced number of 11–17 pairs of setae; sternal shield absent, reduced or fragmented into well sclerotized anterior platelet and marginal endopodal components; at least one pair of sternal setae (st3) inserted on striated soft integument; anterior margin of epistome with at least five anteriorly directed points............................................................................................... Thinoseius Halbert, 1920

- Palpgenu with six setae; dorsal shield bearing 27–33 pairs of setae, or dorsal shield weakly defined or absent; sternal shield entire, well sclerotized or hyaline, with three pairs of sternal setae, sternal setae sometimes inserted on lightly sclerotized areas of shield but never in striated integument; anterior margin of epistome mostly with one or three points................. 2

2. Dorsal shield extensively expanded laterally, covering wide lateral strips of ventral idiosoma, and capturing three pairs of ventral setae in opisthogastric region; opisthogastric soft integument otherwise hypotrichous, with three pairs of setae; central projection of epistome trifurcate............................................ Rafaphis Skorupski & Błaszak, 1997

- Dorsal shield never expanded onto ventrolateral margins of idiosoma, all opisthogastric setae inserted on soft integument or on sclerotized area of skin that surrounds the anal shield; opisthogastric soft integument with more than three pairs of setae or only with two pairs of setae (Jv1 and Zv2) if anal shield is surrounded by sclerotized area of skin; central projection of epistome undivided.................................................................................. 3

3. Idiosomal integument very lightly and evenly sclerotized, so most of dorsal and ventral shields weakly outlined and apparently absent (dorsal, endopodal, peritrematal and anal shields); anterior margin of epistome with several large spines on each side of central projection; pulvillus of legs II–IV with elongated and pointed lateral lobes, projecting well beyond claws........ 4

- Idiosomal integument well sclerotized, so dorsal and ventral shields clearly defined; anterior margin of epistome with one robust spine on each side of central projection, or laterally smooth, or at most with a rows of small denticles; pulvillus of legs II–IV mostly with short and regularly rounded lateral lobes, not or slightly projecting beyond claws.................... 5

4. Sternal setae st1 and st2 well separated and inserted in flat sternal integument; metasternal setae st4 inserted in small oval platelets; genital setae st5 situated on epigynal shield; lateral and opisthogastric integument with ten pairs of setae; genu I and tibia I with three ventral setae, tibia II and genu II with one anterolateral seta................... Crassicheles Karg, 1963

- Sternal setae st1 and st2 adjacent and inserted in massive protuberance between coxae II; metasternal setae st4 inserted in soft integument; genital setae st5 situated outside epigynal shield; lateral and opisthogastric integument with nine pairs of setae; genu I and tibia I with two ventral setae, tibia II and genu II with two anterolateral setae.................................................................................................. Neocrassicheles Mašán & Halliday, 2010

5. Peritremes wide and short, never reaching beyond anterior margin of coxae II; peritrematal shields reduced, without poststigmatic extensions; dorsal shield hypotrichous, never with full set of 30 pairs of setae............ Scamaphis Karg, 1976

- Peritremes narrow, long enough to extend anteriorly beyond coxae I; peritrematal shields well developed, with poststigmatic extensions; dorsal shield with full set of 30 pairs of setae..................................................... 6

6. Post-stigmatic section of peritrematal shields expanded and elongated, with tip reaching beyond level of posterior margin of epigynal shield...................................................................................... 7

- Post-stigmatic section of peritrematal shields short, reaching at most as far as posterior margin of coxae IV............. 9

7. Coxae II–IV on left side close to those on right side; sternal and epigynal shields anteriorly constricted; strips of soft integument between epigynal, peritrematal and anal shields very narrow; exopodal platelets II and III well developed; metapodal platelets and exopodals IV usually closely adjacent................................. Evimirus Karg, 1963

- Coxae II–IV on left side well separated from those on right side; sternal and epigynal shields not constricted; epigynal, peritrematal and anal shields separated by wide strips of integument; exopodal platelets II and III absent; metapodals and exopodals IV well separated........................................................................... 8

8. Idiosoma highly domed, almost hemispherical; vertical setae j1 minute and needle-like; posterior ends of peritrematal shields greatly enlarged; metapodal platelets completely or partly fused with peritrematal shields, occasionally unfused but enclosed within an indentation in peritrematal shield and only very narrowly separated from it; hypertrophied post-stigmatic pores situated about half-way between stigmata and posterior end of peritrematal shields; trochanter I with five setae, genu III with

seven setae, sacculus foemineus well developed and sclerotized............................... Eviphis Berlese, 1903 - Idiosoma dorsoventrally flattened; vertical setae j1 stout and lance-like; posterior ends of peritrematal shields less enlarged; metapodal platelets widely separated from peritrematal shields by a strip of soft integument; hypertrophied post-stigmatic pores situated close to posterior end of peritrematal shields; trochanter I with six setae, genu III with eight setae; sacculus foemineus not strongly sclerotized..................................................... Copriphis Berlese, 1910

9. Coxae I and II with at least one ventral seta modified into flat oval disk-like protuberance; genital setae inserted outside epigynal shield............................................................... Scarabaspis Womersley, 1956

- Coxae I and II with normal needle-like setae; genital setae inserted on epigynal shield............................. 10

10. Soft integument with granular incrustation, at least on surface adjacent to dorsal shield; highly domed forms with some dorsal shield setae apically rounded; dorsal shield not completely covering dorsum; anterior hyaline margin of epigynal shield subtriangular and mostly pointed, anteriorly reaching beyond posterior margin of sternal shield; presternal platelets absent..................................................................................................... 11

- Soft integument striated, without additional granular incrustation; dorsoventrally flattened forms with all dorsal shield setae pointed; dorsal shield almost completely or completely covering dorsum; anterior hyaline margin of epigynal shield straight or rounded (except Loricaseius ); presternal platelets usually present............................................. 13

11. Vertical setae j1 elongated and pointed, lanceolate; idiosoma widely oval, with regularly rounded caudal surface; most dorsal setae thickened, stick- or rod-shaped, with blunt or rounded tip; dorsolateral and opisthogastric integument with 14 pairs of setae; epistome with one point......................................................... Uroiphis Berlese, 1903

- Vertical setae j1 shortened and rounded, columnar; idiosoma lemon-shaped, with a caudal projection bearing a pair of marginal setae; most dorsal setae pointed, needle-like; dorsolateral and opisthogastric integument with ten pairs of setae; epistome with three points........................................................................................ 12

12. Dorsal shield with medial protuberance, suboval, sometimes slightly constricted medially, widest in anterior part, and with punctate-reticulate sculpture; anterior extension of dorsal shield expanded onto ventral surface beyond vertex, fused to anterior parts of peritrematal shields to form a ventral arch-shaped shield structure; setae j1 and z1 displaced ventrally; endopodal platelets II-III fused to sternal shield; each metasternal seta st4 and associated pore inserted together on small metasternal platelet.................................................................. Alloseius Mašán & Halliday, 2009

- Dorsal shield flat, rectangular, with parallel lateral margins, widest in posterior part, with coarse rugose-verrucose sculpture; anterior end of dorsal shield not expanded ventrally beyond vertex, anterior sections of peritrematal shields not fused into conspicuous ventral arch-shaped shield structure; setae j1 and z 1 in normal dorsal positions; endopodal platelets II-III well separated from sternal shield; metasternal seta st4 and associated pore inserted on soft integument.............................................................................................. Halolaspis Mašán & Halliday, 2009

13. Dorsal shield with punctate-reticulate sculpture; anterior extension of dorsal shield overlapping onto ventral surface beyond vertex, fused to anterior parts of peritrematal shields to form a ventral arch-shaped shield structure; setae j1 and z1 displaced ventrally; movable digit of chelicera bidentate............................................................ 14

- Dorsal shield with smooth or finely reticulated surface; anterior end of dorsal shield not expanded ventrally beyond vertex, anterior sections of peritrematal shields not fused into conspicuous ventral arch-shaped shield structure; setae j1 and z 1 in normal dorsal position; movable digit of chelicera with one robust subdistal tooth................................ 15

14. Peritrematal shields moderately expanded laterally, narrower than diameter of coxae, reaching to posterior margin of coxae IV, well separate from metapodal platelets; legs II–IV inserted almost anteromedially, with well separated coxae forming normal intercoxal area, and their better part (including distalmost femur, genu, tibia and tarsus) protruding beyond lateral margins of idiosoma; gnathosoma inserted close to anterior margin of idiosoma, reaching well beyond anterior margin of idiosoma at its maximal protruding; idiosomal vertex moderately wide and truncate, with dorsal setae j2 inserted more medially than setae j3; endopodal platelets II-III almost free, fused to sternal shield only at their narrow anterior ends; anal shield surrounded by soft integument.......................................................... Pseudoalliphis Mašán & Halliday, 2009

- Peritrematal shields extensively expanded laterally and posteriorly, wider than diameter of coxae, exceeding beyond posterior margin of coxae IV close to metapodal platelets; legs II–IV inserted submedially, with coxae adjacent and forming narrow intercoxal area, and with only their distalmost segments (including tibia and tarsus) protruding beyond lateral margins of idiosoma; gnathosoma in more posterior position, deeply retractile, with all components fully covered by idiosoma (also at its maximal protruding); idiosomal vertex distinctly wide and truncate, with dorsal setae j2 inserted more laterally than setae j3; endopodal platelets II-III largely fused to sternal shield; anal shield surrounded by a large area of secondary sclerotization resembling a ventri-anal shield (in freshly moulted specimens anal shield surrounded by soft integument)................................................................................................... Loricaseius gen. nov.

15. Dorsal shield setae with extreme variation in length, longest setae about ten times as long as shortest setae, S5 usually several times as long as Z5 ................................................................ Pelethiphis Berlese, 1911

- Dorsal shield setae without such extreme variation in length, longest setae at most three times as long as shortest setae, Z5 and S5 subequal in length................................................................................ 16

16. Peritrematal shield developed along whole length of peritreme; anterior section of peritrematal shield wide and completely fused to dorsal shield; setae j1 and z1 positioned dorsally; posterior dorsal shield setae subequal or only moderately varying in length; exopodal platelets I and II present................................................. Alliphis Halbert, 1923

- Peritrematal shield not reaching the anterior tip of peritremes; peritrematal shields or peritremes not connected to dorsal shield; setae j1 and z1 usually displaced ventrally; posterior marginal setae on dorsal shield (S1, S3–S5, Z1 and Z3–Z5) conspicuously longer than medial setae J1–J3 and J5; exopodal platelets I and II absent................. Scarabacariphis Mašán, 1994

Males

1. Palpgenu with five setae; femur II with one anterolateral seta (al 2 absent); femur III with seven setae (1-3/2-1); sterno-genital shield with four pairs of setae................................................................... Thinoseius

- Palpgenu with six setae; femur II with two anterolateral setae (al 2 present); femur III with six setae (1-3/1-1); sternogenital shield with four or five pairs of setae..................................................................... 2

2. Coxa I and II each with at least one ventral seta modified into flat oval disk-like protuberance............... Scarabaspis

- Coxae I and II with normal setiform or spinose setae........................................................ 3

3. Palptarsus with two closely associated parallel macroeupathidia; post-stigmatic section of peritrematal shields strongly expanded and elongated, with tips reaching far beyond posterior margins of coxae IV; ventral region often with small platelet or shield abutting posterior margin of sterno-genital shield.................................................... 4

- Palptarsus without paired macroeupathidia; post-stigmatic section of peritrematal shields short or moderately expanded, reaching to or slightly beyond posterior margins of coxae IV; opisthogaster immediately behind sterno-genital shield never with platelet or shield, but two or four inconspicuous sclerites may be present.................................... 6

4. Sclerotized plates behind sterno-genital shield reduced to small subrectangular platelet or sometimes absent, never bearing a pair of ventral setae; all leg segments with typical chaetotaxy: trochanter I with six setae, femur I with four ventral setae, genu III with two ventral setae; idiosoma dorsoventrally flattened; vertical setae j1 stout and lance-like............. Copriphis

- Sclerotized plates behind sterno-genital shield well developed and expanded to form a ventral shield, usually bearing at least one pair of ventral setae; some leg segments with reduced number of setae: trochanter I with five setae, femur I with three ventral setae, genu III with one ventral seta; idiosoma highly domed, almost hemispherical; vertical setae j1 minute and needle-like......................................................................................... 5

5. Ventral shield usually with two pairs of ventral setae; most leg segments with typical chaetotaxy: genu I and tibia I with three ventral setae, tibia I with five dorsal setae, genu II with eleven setae (2-5/2-2), tibia II with ten setae (2-4/2-2)...... Eviphis

- Ventral shield usually with one pair of ventral setae (rarely fragmented, without ventral setae); most leg segments with reduced chaetotaxy: genu I and tibia I with two ventral setae, tibia I with four dorsal setae, genu II with nine setae (1-5/1-2), tibia II with eight setae (1-3/2-2)........................................................................ Evimirus

6. Dorsal idiosoma strongly domed, with wide marginal strip of dorsal shield expanded ventrally; vertical setae j1 short and attenuate; genu I and tibia I with two ventral seta............................................... Neocrassicheles

- Dorsal idiosoma dorsoventrally flattened or with barely pronounced hump at the level of the posterior third, no part of dorsal shield expanded ventrally; vertical setae j1 long and thickened; genu I and tibia I with three ventral setae............... 7

7. Ventral opisthosoma with seven pairs of setae (excluding st5); sterno-genital shield with four or five pairs of setae; endopodal platelets III-IV may be fused to sterno-genital shield or free.................................................. 8

- Ventral opisthosoma with at least eight pairs of setae; sterno-genital shield with five pairs of setae (st1–st5), endopodal platelets III-IV never free from sterno-genital shield......................................................... 9

8. Endopodal platelets III-IV completely free from sterno-genital shield; anterolateral margins of epistome strongly spinose; genu II with one anterolateral seta; sterno-genital shield with four pairs of setae and reticulate pattern over whole surface.................................................................................................. Crassicheles

- Endopodal platelets III-IV partly or completely fused to sterno-genital shield; anterolateral margins of epistome straight and smooth, without large spines; genu II with two anterolateral setae; sternogenital shield with four or five setae, without distinct reticulation on surface.......................................................................... Uroiphis

9. Dorsal shield setae with extreme variation in length, longest setae about ten times as long as shortest setae..... Pelethiphis

- Dorsal shield setae without such extreme variation in length, longest setae at most three times as long as shortest setae... 10

10. Dorsolateral and opisthogastric integument with eight pairs of setae (not including setae st5), Zv3 absent......... Alloseius

- Dorsolateral and opisthogastric integument with at least nine pairs of setae (not including st5), Zv3 present............ 11

11. Peritrematal shields not reaching anterior end of peritremes; peritrematal shields or peritremes not fused to dorsal shield............................................................................................ Scarabacariphis

- Peritrematal shields developed along whole length of peritremes; anterior section of peritrematal shields completely fused to dorsal shield....................................................................................... 12

12. Setae j1 and z1 displaced ventrally; first pair of sternal pores straight and transverse to body axis; peritrematal shields extensively expanded laterally, wider than leg coxae, fused anteriorly to form a ventral arch-shaped shield structure beyond vertex; anal shield subcircular.......................................................... Loricaseius gen. nov.

- Setae j1 and z 1 in normal dorsal positions; first pair of sternal pores curved and oblique to body axis (at about 45°); peritrematal shields moderately expanded laterally, narrower than leg coxae, not fused anteriorly into conspicuous ventral archshaped shield structure; anal shield subtriangular...................................................... Alliphis