Prozercon achaeanus, Ujvári, Zsolt, 2011

Ujvári, Zsolt, 2011, Six new species of Prozercon Sellnick, 1943 (Acari, Mesostigmata, Zerconidae) from Greece, with remarks on the genus, Zootaxa 2785, pp. 1-31 : 9-14

Prozercon achaeanus sp. nov.

( Figs 8–11 , 37 )

Material examined. Holotype: Female: E-1979, Greece, Thesprotia county, Petrovitsa, gorge near the village, N39°33’28.5” E20°28’07.8”, 314 m a.s.l., moss, 12.05.2006, leg. Dányi, L., Kontschán, J., Murányi, D. Paratypes: Locality and date as for the holotype (1 male); E-1983, Greece, Ioannina county, east of Metsovo, ”Metzoboy 1987” spring, N39°45’16.6” E21°08’56.4”, 1027 m a.s.l., leaf litter, 13.05.2006, leg. Dányi, L., Kontschán, J., Murányi, D. (1 male).

Diagnosis. Peritrematal shield with posterolateral tips reaching level of R6-7. Podonotal central and submarginal setae smooth except j1. Marginal setae of opisthonotum smooth, thorn-like. Setae Z5, S3-5, and JV5 brushlike, plumose. Setae J1 not reaching insertions of J2. Setae S2 smooth, needle-like, half as long as Z1, situated on line connecting S1 and Z1 equidistantly. Glands gdZ3 (Po3) situated on line connecting Z3 and S4. Surface between J-series covered by relatively large alveolar pits.

Description. Female. Length of idiosoma: 338 μm; width: 257 μm (n = 1).

Dorsal idiosoma ( Fig. 8 ). Podonotum with 20 pairs of setae, j1-6, z2-6, s1-6, r2 and r4-5 inserted dorsally, setae r1 and r3 inserted ventrally, on peritrematal shields. Podonotal setae j2-5, z2, z4-6, s1 and s4-5 short, smooth and needle-like, s2 short, finely barbed, j1, z3, r2, r4-5, s3 and s6 elongate, feathered. Glands gds1 (po1) situated posterolaterally to insertions of s1; gdj4 (po2) situated below line connecting j4 and z4; gds4 (po3) medially to line connecting s4 and s5. Podonotal shield covered by reticulate pattern, posterior surface with distinct alveolar pits. Opisthonotum with 22 pairs of setae (J1-5, Z1-5, S1-5, R1-7). Setae J1 delicately barbed, reaching approximately half the distance to setae J2. Setae J2-5 and Z2-4 similar in shape and length, medium-sized, feathered. J5 not reaching margin of opisthonotum. Z1 similar in shape and length to J1. Z5 elongate, densely pilose. Setae S2 smooth, pointed, needle-like, situated on line connecting S1 and Z1, equidistantly. S3–5 elongate, distally pilose, extending beyond margin of idiosoma. S1 and R-setae short, smooth and thorn-like. Bases of central opisthonotal setae small to medium-sized. Length of opisthonotal setae and distances between their insertions as in Table 2. Glands gdZ1 (Po1) situated anteromedially to insertions of Z1; gdS2 (Po2) situated on line connecting S2 and Z2; gdZ3 (Po3) on line connecting Z3 and S4; gdS5 (Po4) anteriorly to S5. Surface of opisthonotal shield covered by relatively large alveolar pits between J-series, the quadrangle formed by setae J1-J4-Z4-Z1 with small, distinct spots and fine reticulation, anterolateral surface with tile-like pattern. Dorsal cavities uniform, moderately sclerotised.

Ventral idiosoma ( Fig. 9 ). Posterolateral tips of peritrematal shield reaching level of R6-7. Peritremes slightly bent anteriorly. Chaetotaxy and poroidotaxy of ventral shields typical for genus Prozercon . Sternal shield well sclerotised, 55 μm long and 37 μm wide at the level of setae st2, with straight posterior margin and reticulate ornamentation. Ventrianal shield with short, smooth and needle-like preanal and adanal setae, setae ZV1 absent on anterior margin of the shield. Postanal seta twice as long as preanal and adanal setae, smooth, setae JV5 elongate, densely pilose. Anal valves with vestigial euanal setae. Glands gv3 situated laterally to adanal setae. Anterior surface of ventrianal shield covered by squamous pattern to level of JV3-ZV3-ZV4.

Male ( Figs 10–11 ). Length of idiosoma: 266–274μm (270 μm); width: 220–224 μm (222 µm) (n = 2). Chaetotaxy, poroidotaxy and sculptural pattern of dorsal, ventrianal and peritrematal shields similar to those of female. Setae J1 and Z1 smooth. Length of opisthonotal setae and distances between their insertions as in Table 2. Dorsal cavities weakly sclerotised. Sternigenital shield well-sclerotised, bearing four pairs of setae. Shape of peritrematal shield similar to that of female, its posterolateral tips reaching level of R7.

Etymology. The species is named after one of the major tribes of ancient Greece, the Achaeans.

Remarks. The new species is closely related to P. carpathicus Balan & Sergienko, 1990 on the basis of the similar position and length of homologous dorsal setae, shape and extension of peritrematal shield, and general appearance of the sculptural pattern. Distingushing characters of the two species are presented in Table 3 . However the shape of anterior opisthonotal setae (especially J1 and Z1) shows gradual variation in some species—for example Mašán & Fenďa (2004) drew attention to this phenomenon in P. carsticus , supporting the junior synonym status of P. ukrainicus . The other characters listed confirm that specimens from Pindus Mts. are different from P. carpathicus . After examination of P. carpathicus specimens from several locations of the Carpathian basin and the Carpathians it seems that the characters on the basis of which I distinguish the two species are constant and do not show variation, neither at the level of individuals, nor populations.

Ƥ 3 Ƥ 3 Ƥ 3 J 1 23 18 Z 1 24 18 S 1 7 8 J1-J2 42 35 Z1-Z 2 36 24 S1- S 2 23 18 J 2 25 19 Z 2 23 18 S 2 12 11 J2-J 3 26 23 Z2-Z 3 26 19 S2- S 3 25 19 J 3 26 21 Z 3 24 21 S 3 31 26 J3-J 4 25 19 Z3-Z 4 25 23 S3- S4 42 32 J 4 25 22 Z 4 24 23 S 4 31 26 J4-J 5 27 10 Z4-Z 5 71 53 S 4-5 42 36 J 5 20 17 Z 5 35 28 S 5 33 29 Material examined. Holotype. Female: E-1426: Greece, Macedonia county, near Thessaloniki Askos, 23.05.1995, leg. Orosz, A. Paratypes. E-1111: Greece, Pella, excavation site, 04.12.1983, leg. Sin, K. (1 female, 1 male); E- 1427, Greece, Macedonia county, Thessaloniki, Mavrouda, 23.05.1995, leg. Orosz, A. (1 female, 2ales); E-1428: Greece, Macedonia county, Halkidiki, Paliokastro, 22.05.1995, leg. Orosz, A. (3 females).

Diagnosis. Peritrematal shield with posterolateral tips reaching level of R1-2. Dorsal podonotal setae pilose except j5 smooth. Setae S1 and marginal R-setae smooth, thorn-like, other opisthonotal setae pilose. Setae S2 inserted near Z1, in posterolateral position. Glands gdS2 (Po2) situated laterally to line connecting S2 and Z2, gdZ3 (Po3) laterally to line connecting Z3 and Z4. None of J-setae reaching bases of the following setae. J-setae, Z1-4 and S1 inserted on enlarged setal bases.

Description. Female. Length of idiosoma: 326–350 μm (342 μm); width: 241–252 μm (246 µm) (n = 6). Holotype: length: 344 µm; width: 248 µm.

Dorsal idiosoma ( Fig. 12 ). Podonotum with 20 pairs of setae, j1-6, z2-6, s1-6, r2 and r4-5 inserted dorsally, r1 and r3 inserted ventrally, on peritrematal shields. Podonotal setae densely plumose except j5 short, smooth and needle-like. Setae j2-6, s1, s4-5, z2, z4-6 pointed, j1, z3, s2-3, s6, r2, r4-5 brush-like. Setae s2 and r2 markedly shorter than other brush-like marginal setae. Glands gds1 (po1) situated posteriorly to insertions of s1; gdj4 (po2) situated anteromedially to z4; gds4 (po3) on line connecting s4 and s5. Podonotal shield covered by reticulate pattern.

Opisthonotum with 20–22 pairs of setae, J1-5, Z1-5, S1-5, marginal R-series with five to seven pairs of setae, six pairs in majority of specimens. All J-setae, Z1-4 and S1 situated on enlarged setal bases. J-, Z-setae and S2-5 densely pilose, S1 and setae of R-series short, smooth and thorn-like. Among pilose setae, J1-5, Z1-4 and S2 narrow, pointed, Z5 and S3-5 apically broadening, brush-like. None of J- and Z-setae reaching bases of the following setae in the series. Setae J5 reaching insertions of Z5. Setae S3-5 reaching beyond margin of opisthonotum. Setae S2 situated near Z1, in posterolateral position. Length of opisthonotal setae and distances between their insertions as in Table 4. Glands gdZ1 (Po1) situated anteromedially to insertions of Z1; gdS2 (Po2) laterally to line connecting S2 and Z2; gdZ3 (Po3) laterally to line connecting Z3 and Z4; gdS5 (Po4) medially to S5. Whole opisthonotal shield covered by relatively large, distinct, irregular pits. Dorsal cavities uniform, weakly developed.

Ƥ 3 Ƥ 3 Ƥ 3 J 1 20 15 Z 1 20 14 S 1 6 6 J1-J 2 33 26 Z1-Z 2 35 28 S1- S 2 37 27 J 2 21 20 Z 2 20 16 S 2 19 15 J2-J 3 34 26 Z2-Z 3 31 24 S2- S 3 31 27 J 3 23 18 Z 3 22 18 S 3 27 24 J3-J 4 31 25 Z3-Z 4 34 25 S3- S4 37 33 J 4 22 16 Z 4 17 17 S 4 28 24 J4-J 5 29 17 Z4-Z 5 62 48 S 4-5 44 32 J 5 17 16 Z 5 22 25 S 5 30 25 Ventral idiosoma ( Fig. 13 ). Peritrematal shield separated by a narrow membranous slit from dorsal shields, with posterolateral tips reaching level of R1-2, covered by fine reticulation. Peritremes straight. Chaetotaxy and poroidotaxy of ventral shields typical for genus Prozercon . Sternal shield well sclerotised, 60 μm long and 45 μm wide at the level of setae st2, with arcuate posterior margin and reticulate ornamentation. Ventrianal shield with short, smooth and needle-like preanal and adanal setae, setae ZV1 absent on anterior margin of the shield. Postanal seta longer than preanal and adanal setae, distally serrate, setae JV5 brush-like, plumose. Anal valves with vestigial euanal setae. Glands gv3 situated laterally to adanal setae. Anterior surface of ventrianal shield covered by squamous pattern to level of JV3-ZV3-ZV4.

Male ( Figs 14–15 ). Length of idiosoma: 280–287 μm (285 μm); width: 200–205 μm (202 µm) (n = 3). Chaetotaxy, poroidotaxy and sculptural pattern of dorsal, ventrianal and peritrematal shields similar to those of the female. Enlarged setal bases of central opisthonotal setae smaller in proportion than in female. Length of opisthonotal setae and distances between their insertions as in Table 4. Sternigenital shield well-sclerotised, bearing four pairs of setae. Shape of peritrematal shield similar to that of female, its posterolateral tips reaching level of R2.

Etymology. The species name ‘ bulbiferus ’ (= bulbi-bearing) refers to the enlarged, bulblike setal bases observed on opisthonotum.

Remarks. The new species is closely related to Prozercon rekae Ujvári, 2008 and Prozercon verruciger Mašán & Fenďa, 2004 . These three species bear enlarged opisthonotal setal bases and smooth marginal setae (S1 and Rsetae) on opisthonotum, and can be distinguished by the characters listed in Table 5 .

Figures

FIGURES 8 – 11. Prozercon achaeanus sp. nov. 8. Dorsal view of female. 9. Ventral view of female. 10. Dorsal view of male. 11. Ventral view of male.

FIGURES 36 – 39. New occurences of Prozercon species found in Greece.

FIGURES 12 – 15. Prozercon bulbiferus sp. nov. 12. Dorsal view of female. 13. Ventral view of female. 14. Dorsal view of male. 15. Ventral view of male.

Tables

TABLE 3. Distinguishing characters of Prozercon achaeanus sp. nov. and P. carpathicus Balan & Sergienko, 1990.

	P. achaeanus sp. nov.	P. carpathicus
shape of setae j2, z6 and s5	smooth, needle-like	pilose
shape of setae J1 and Z1	signficantly less pilose than J2-5, smooth in males	plumose, similar in shape to J2-5
position of setae J5	not reaching margin of opisthonotum	reaching beyond margin of opisthonotum
surface of opisthonotum between J-series	flat on level of J2, with a wider slit of large alveolar pits	crinkled on level of J2 (setae J2 often situated close to each other), with a narrow slit of medium-sized alveo- lar pits
Prozercon bulbiferus sp. (Figs 12–15, 36)	nov.

TABLE 5. Distinguishing characters of Prozercon bulbiferus sp. nov., Prozercon rekae Ujvári, 2008 and Prozercon verruciger Mašán & Fenďa, 2004.

	P. bulbiferus sp. nov.	P. rekae	P. verruciger
expansion of peritrematal shield	posterolateral tips reaching level of R2	posterolateral tips reaching level of R3	posterolateral tips reaching level of R45
shape of central and submar- ginal podonotal setae	plumose	smooth	smooth
shape of elongate dorsal setae	brush-like, densely plumose	brush-like, densely plumose	distally feathered, with short pili
position of gds1 (po1)	posterior to s1	posterior to s1	anteromedial to s1
shape of J1, Z1 and S2	plumose	smooth	finely pilose
position of S2	posterolateral to Z1	lateral to Z1	anterolateral to Z1
length of J-setae	17-23 μm	11-17 μm	21-25 μm
setal bases of J1-6, Z1-4 and S2	each enlarged, expanding pos- teriorly	setae Z1, Z4 and S1 with nor- mal bases, others enlarged	setae S1 with normal bases, others extremely large
appearance of dorsal cavities	small, weakly sclerotised	large, strongly sclerotised	small, weakly sclerotised
opisthonotal ornamentation	medium-sized alveolar pits	medium-sized alveolar pits	small alveolar pits