Eriophyes georgeae, Xue & Zhang, 2008

Xue, Xiao-Feng & Zhang, Zhi-Qiang, 2008, New Zealand Eriophyoidea (Acari: Prostigmata): an update with descriptions of one new genus and six new species, Zootaxa 1962 (1), pp. 1-32 : 14-17

Eriophyes georgeae sp. nov.

( Figs 8–9 )

Description. FEMALE: (n = 5) Body vermiform, 228 (210–228), 41 (39–41) wide, 42 (39–43) thick; light yellow. Gnathosoma 20 (19–21), projecting obliquely down, pedipalp coxal seta (ep) 3 (3–4), dorsal pedipalp genual seta (d) 5 (4–5), cheliceral stylets 18 (18–19). Prodorsal shield semicircular, 26 (25–26), 25 (25–27) wide; with granules laterally; anterior shield lobe absent; median line present, forming an “arrow” pointing toward posterior end, admedian lines complete, parallel with median lines, submedian lines incomplete, parallel with admedian lines. Scapular tubercles near rear margin, 19 (19–20) apart, scapular setae (sc) 24 (24–25) projecting forward. Coxal plates with granules; anterolateral setae on coxisternum І (1b) 6 (5–6), 8 (8–9) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum І (1a) 16 (15–16), 6 (5–6) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum І (2a) 42 (38–44), 19 (18–20) apart. Prosternal apodeme 6 (5–6). Legs with usual series of setae. Legs І 29 (27–31), femur 8 (7–8), basiventral femoral seta (bv) 7 (6–7); genu 5 (4–5), antaxial genual seta (l'') 22 (22–23); tibia 7 (6–7), paraxial tibial seta (l') 5 (5–6), setae located at center; tarsus 5 (5–6), seta ft'' as long as seta ft', seta u' short; tarsal empodium (em) 4 (4–5), simple, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 5 (4–5), knobbed. Legs І 23 (21–25), femur 6 (5–6), basiventral femoral seta (bv) 6 (5–6); genu 4 (3–4), antaxial genual seta (l'') 12 (12–13); tibia 5 (4–5); tarsus 5 (5–6), seta ft'' as long as seta ft', seta u' short; tarsal empodium (em) 4 (4–5), simple, 5-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 4 (4–5), knobbed. Opisthosoma: opisthosoma dorsally with 77 (77–87) annuli, with round microtubercles, ventrally with 86 (82–88) annuli, with round microtubercles. Setae c2 21 (21–26) on ventral annulus 12 (12–14); setae d 33 (33–36) on ventral annulus 31 (29–31), 30 (29–30) apart; setae e 15 (15–16) on ventral annulus 54 (52–55), 13 (10–13) apart, setae f 18 (18–26) on 9th ventral annulus from rear, 15 (15–16) apart. Setae h1 absent. Female genitalia 13 (13–14), 22 (20–22) wide, coverflap with 10 longitudinal ridges, proximal setae on coxisternum ІІ (3a) 8 (8–10), 15 (15–16) apart.

MALE: Unknown.

Type material. Holotype, female (marked H), from Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia (Asteraceae) , Summit Track, Mount Taranaki, Taranaki, New Zealand, 9 April 2007, coll. N.A. Martin. Paratypes, 4 females, with the same data as holotype. Specimens deposited in NZAC.

Additional plant specimen was found at Dobson Nature Walk , Arthur’s Pass, Canterbury, New Zealand, 18 January 2004 and 11 May 2005, coll. N.A. Martin (deposited in NZAC) .

Relation to host. Witches broom.

Etymology. This species is named after Dr Sherly George (Plant Health & Environment Laboratory, Investigation and Diagnostic Centre, MAF Biosecurity, Auckland, New Zealand).

Differential diagnosis. This species is similar to E. planchonellus Manson, 1984 , but can be differentiated from the latter by the following: 1) tarsal empodium 5-rayed (tarsal empodium 6-rayed in E. planchonellus ), 2) coxal plates I with granules (coxal plates I smooth in E. planchonellus ), and 3) dorsal and ventral annuli with round microtubercles (dorsal and ventral annuli with elongate microtubercles in E. planchonellus ).

Figures

FIGURE 8. Eriophyes georgeae sp. nov. D, dorsal view of female; CG, coxae and female genitalia; em, empodium.

FIGURE 9. Eriophyes georgeae sp. nov. L, lateral view of female; LO, lateral microtubercles; L1, leg І; L2, leg І.