Erythraeus (Zaracarus) lancifer Southcott, 1995

Hakimitabar, Masoud, Rahiminejad, Vahid, Nadimi, Ahmad & Fadaei, Elnaz, 2022, New host and the second record of Erythraeus (Zaracarus) lancifer (Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae), Persian Journal of Acarology 11 (2), pp. 361-364 : 362-364

Erythraeus (Zaracarus) lancifer Southcott, 1995

Diagnosis (based on original description and new larval materials)

fn BFe I-III 3-3-3; fn Ti I-III 14-15-15; AL swollen near bases; AL ~120–279 (in holotype and one paratype 120–145, in two other paratypes 260–279 and in Iranian specimens 260–272; Ti III> 300, ASens <30. Additional biometric data are provided in Table 1. Corrected data compared with original description

Leg setal formulae are not stated in original description; here they are provided as follows: Leg setal formula: Leg I: Ta- 1 , 1 , 2 , 1 z, 26n; Ti- 2φ, 1 z, 1 , 14n; Ge- 1 , 1 , 8n; TFe- 5n; BFe- 3n; Tr- 1n; Cx- 1n. Leg II: Ta- 1 , 1 , 2 , 1 z, 23n; Ti- 2φ, 15n; Ge- 1 , 8n; TFe- 5n; BFe- 3n; Tr- 1n; Cx- 1n. Leg III: Ta- 1 , 24n; Ti- 1φ, 15n; Ge- 8n; TFe- 5n; BFe- 3n; Tr- 1n; Cx- 1n.

Gnathosoma with two hypostomalae but in original paper cited one hypostomala. Number of palptarsal setae including solenidion and eupathidium 8 (fPp = 0-B-B-BBB 2 -NNNNNω z ζ) but in original paper stated 7.

The result of this study showed that Erythraeus (Zaracarus) species are distributed in different regions of the world. Most species were collected from aphids and other Hemiptera . Hence, we consider it important to further study this subgenus across other regions to gain a better understanding on host spectrum and their geographic distribution. Erythraeus (Z.) lancifer surely can be found in additional regions, as it has already been collected from Spain, and here from Iran. The family Formicidae is recorded as a new host for this species. It is interesting to note that neither host species belong to Hemiptera ; this is the second record of E. (Z.) lancifer to the world, so it is expected to uncover more records of this species in at least the Palearctic region. Also, comparison of E. (Z.) lancifer and E. (Z.) hainanensis Xu, Yi, Guo & Jin, 2019 shows that differential diagnosis between them is not enough to distinguish these two species. Differences cited in Xu et al. (2019) are interpreted as within the range of species variations so we suggest re-examination of the type species of E. (Z.) hainanensis .

REFERENCES

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Khanjani, M., Miromayedi, A.N., Rezai Nahad, A. & Asali Fayaz, B. (2010) Two new larval species of Erythraeus (Zaracarus) (Acari: Erythraeidae) from western Iran. Zootaxa, 2537: 19–32.

Mąkol, J. & Wohltmann, A. (2012) An annotated checklist of terrestrial Parasitengona (Actinotrichida: Prostigmata) of the world, excluding Trombiculidae and Walchiidae. Annales Zoologici, 62 (3): 359–562. DOI: 10.3161/000345412X656671

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Saboori, A., Khaustov, A.A., Hakimitabar, M. & Hajiqanbar, H. (2009) A new genus and species of larval Erythraeinae (Acari: Prostigmata: Erythraeidae) from Ukraine and the taxonomic state of Zhangiella. Zootaxa, 2203: 22–30. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.2203.1.2

Southcott, R.V. (1995) A new larval erythraeine mite (Acarina: Erythraeidae) from Spain. Acarologia, 36 (3): 223–228.

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Wohltmann, A., Gabryś, G. & Mąkol, J. (2006) Terrestrial Parasitengona inhabiting transient bio- topes. In: Gerecke, R. (Ed.), Subwasserfauna Mitteleuropas, Vol. 7/2–1, Chelicerata, Acari I. (2007) Spektrum Elsevier, München, pp. 158–240.

Xu, S.-Y., Yi, T.C., Guo, J.J. & Jin, D.C. (2019) The genus Erythraeus (Acari: Erythraeidae) from China with descriptions of two new species and a key to larval species of the genus worldwide. Zootaxa, 4647 (1): 54–82. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4647.1.7