Kunstidamaeus tenuipes

Miko, L., 2010, Taxonomy of European Damaeidae (Acari: Oribatida) III. Species of the Kunstidamaeus tenuipes (Michael, 1885) group, with a description of Kunstidamaeus fraterculus n. sp. from East Slovakia, Zootaxa 2327, pp. 51-64 : 52-53

Kunstidamaeus tenuipes (Michael, 1885) Figs. 1-2

Synonymy. Damaeus tenuipes Michael , 1885. Syn.: Damaeus (Spatiodamaeus) tenuipes (Bulanova-Zachvatkina 1957). Spatiodamaeus tenuipes (Bulanova-Zachvatkina 1967; Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1975). Epidamaeus tenuipes (Luxton, 1989)

Diagnosis. Kunstidamaeus with almost absent propodolateral apophysis P, developed only as indistinct angle. Sensillus relatively short and slightly broadened, with dense short spinuli on its head. Spinae adnatae only slightly bent outwards. Prodorsal and notogastral setae smooth, legs gracile and long.

Material examined. 2 mounted individuals (adults, females) from Strenzke Collection (Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt am Main), labelled: " Belba tenuipes (Mich) . SMF 14 182 ; Coll. Strenzke; Holstein 1949; Nr. 870 " and " Belba tenuipes (Mich) . SMF 14 180 ; Coll. Strenzke; Holstein 1949; Nr. 876 ". The specimens are in good condition. Immatures were not available.

Redescription of adult. Body of medium size (666-703 µm), light brown, covered by filamentous and granular cerotegument.

Prodorsum triangular, with propodolateral apophysis P developed as indistinct angle or almost absent (Fig. 1A). Sensillus relatively short (125-131 µm), with slightly broadened head covered by dense short spinuli (Fig. 2A). Interlamellar setae in about three times shorter than sensillus (less than 50 µm). Lamellar and rostral setae quite long, about as long as sensillus or longer. Exobothridial setae short, curved (Fig. 2A). Prodorsal tubercles Ba and La well developed, distinct. Parastigmatic apophyses Sa and Sp similar in size and shape, almost perpendicular to body.

Notogaster (Fig. 1A) oval to broadly oval, without significant granulation. Spinae adnatae relatively short, bent slightly outwards. Notogastral setae smooth, darker than body, lighter or almost transparent close to the insertion, arranged in two more-less parallel rows (c1-hp). Seta c1 about 90 µm long 1), more posterior setae slightly shortening. Setae ps1-ps3 of about the same length, shorter and thinner than the rest.

Ventral side (Fig. 1B) with characteristic set of tubercles, ventrosejugal tubercle Va developed as distinct, but relatively blunt and broad tubercle. Vb present as slightly protruding flat and blunt tubercle, E2a and E2p developed as irregular sclerotised laths with few indistinct tubercles. Anterior tectum of podocephalic fossa (tpf, Fig 1B) without lamellae, laterally with simple angle without sharp tip. Medial pit cp on coxisternum I present. Standard numbers of medium long ventral setae present (g6, ag1, an2, ad3, epimeral setal formula 3- 1-3-4).

Legs (Figs. 2B-D) gracile, long (leg I 925 µm, leg IV 1175 µm), setation as usual in Kunstidamaeus species (see Miko & Mourek, 2008).

Remarks. The findings in Holstein are the only ones from continental Europe which I had opportunity to check; otherwise the species is described and known from British Isles. Krivolutsky (1995) recorded the species from European Russia. According to Subias (2008), the species has holarctic distribution, with presence in Greenland, Far East of Palearctic region and Kuril Islands.

1) Lengths of setae and sensillus in mounted individuals of all studied species are given as they appeared in dorsal view, real size may therefore slightly differ, taking into account that the setae may not be in optimal position for measurements in mounted individuals.