Tetra smilaxis, Xue, Xiao-Feng, Song, Zi-Wei & Hong, Xiao-Yue, 2006

Xue, Xiao-Feng, Song, Zi-Wei & Hong, Xiao-Yue, 2006, A taxonomic study of the genus Te t r a Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae: Phyllocoptinae: Anthocoptini) from Shaanxi Province, China with descriptions of nine new species, Zootaxa 1249, pp. 1-22 : 11-12

Tetra smilaxis sp. nov.

( Fig. 5 )

Description

FEMALE: (n = 6) Body fusiform, 189 (165–200) long, 50 (48–52) wide, 63 (64–65) thick; light yellow. Gnathosoma 25 (23–26), projecting obliquely down. Prodorsal shield 38 (35–40) long, 43 (41–45) wide; subtriangular; frontal lobe present; median line connected with admedian lines at basal 1/3, admedian lines connected by a transverse line at basal 2/3, admedian and submedian lines connected and form network. Scapular tubercles on rear margin, 35 (34–35) apart, scapular setae (sc) 6 (5–6) projecting posterior. Coxal area smooth; anterolateral setae on coxisternum (1b) 6 (5–6), proximal setae on coxisternum (1a) 12 (10–15), proximal setae on coxisternum (2a) 32 (30–35). Prosternal apodeme present. Legs with usual series of setae. Legs 34 (32–36), femur 10 (10–11), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 11 (8–11); genu 5 (5–6), antaxial genual setae (l'') 20 (19–22); tibia 10 (9–10), paraxial tibial setae (l') 4 (3–4), setae located 1/4 from dorsal base; tarsus 5 (5–6); tarsal empodium simple, 4­rayed, tarsal solenidion knobbed. Legs 29 (27–31), femur 8 (8–9), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 7 (6–8); genu 5 (4–5), antaxial genual setae (l'') 6 (5–7); tibia 7 (6–7); tarsus 5 (5–6); tarsal empodium simple, 4­rayed, tarsal solenidion knobbed. Opisthosoma: dorsal opisthosoma with 28 (27–30) annuli, lateral with filament microtubercles, ventrally with 61 (58–63) microtuberculate annuli. Setae c2 23 (22–24) on ventral annulus 11 (10–13); setae d 45 (42–46) on ventral annulus 21 (20–21); setae e 22 (20–25) on ventral annulus 40 (38–42), setae f 25 (23–26) on 5th ventral annulus from rear. Setae h1 3 (3–4). Female genitalia 13 (13–14) long, 20 (19–20) wide, coverflap with 12 longitudinal ridges, proximal setae on coxisternum (3a) 15 (14–16).

MALE: (n = 2) 156–160 long, 56–57 wide; genitalia 5–6, 18–19 wide, proximal setae on coxisternum III (3a) 12–13.

Types

Holotype, female, China : Shaanxi Province, Foping County, 33°30.48’N, 107°58.52’E. September 5, 2004, from Smilax china L. ( Liliaceae ), coll. Xue, Xiao­Feng & Song, Zi­Wei. Paratypes, 5 females and 2 males, with the same data as holotype.

Relation to host

Mites are vagrant on leaf surface, causing no apparent damage.

Etymology

The specific designation s milaxis is from the genetic name of host plant, Smilax .

Remarks

This species is similar to Tetra clerodendri Wei, Chen & Xie, 2003 , but can be differentiated by prodorsal shield design with admedian lines connected at basal 1/3 and 2/ 3, admedian and submedian lines connected (admedian lines connected at basal 1/3, admedian and submedian lines separate in T. clerodendri ), dorsal opisthosoma with filament microtubercles laterally (smooth in T. clerodendri ).

Figures

FIGURE 5. Tetra smilaxis sp. nov. A, dorsal view of female; B, coxae and female genitalia; C, legs and; D, lateral microtubercles; E, empodium; F, male genitalia.