A new quill mite (Acari: Syringophilidae) from the Blackbird

This article describes a new species of quill mite, Torotrogla merulae sp. n., of the family Syringophilidae Lavoipierre, 1953, that lives on the Blackbird Turdus merula (Turdidae: Passeriformes) from Poland.Es wird die neue Vogelfedermilbe Torotrogla merulae sp. n. aus der Familie Syringophilidae Lavoipierre, 1953 aus Polen beschrieben, die auf der Amsel Turdus merula (Turdiidae: Passeriformes) lebt. Für die bisher beschriebenen Milben der Gattung Torotrogla wird ein Bestimmungsschlüssel aufgestellt

Cox1 barcoding versus multilocus species delimitation: validation of two mite species with contrasting effective population sizes

Abstract Background The cox1-barcoding approach is currently extensively used for high-throughput species delimitation and discovery. However, this method has several limitations, particularly when organisms have large effective population sizes. Paradoxically, most common, abundant, and widely distributed species may be misclassified by this technique. Results We conducted species delimitation analyses for two host-specific lineages of scab mites of the genus Caparinia, having small population sizes. Cox1 divergence between these lineages was high (7.4–7.8%) while that of nuclear genes was low (0.06–0.53%). This system was contrasted with the medically important American house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae, a globally distributed species with very large population size. This species has two distinct, sympatric cox1 lineages with 4.2% divergence. We tested several species delimitation algorithms PTP, GMYC, ABGD, BPP, STACEY and PHRAPL, which inferred different species boundaries for these entities. Notably, STACEY recovered the Caparinia lineages as two species and D. farinae as a single species. BPP agreed with these results when the prior on ancestral effective population sizes was set to expected values, although delimitation of Caparinia was still equivocal. No other cox1 species delimitation algorithms inferred D. farinae as a single species, despite the fact that the nuclear CPW2 gene shows some evidence for introgression between the cox1 groups. This indicates that the cox1-barcoding approach may result in excessive species splitting. Conclusions Our research highlights the importance of using nuclear genes and demographic characteristics to infer species boundaries rather than relying on a single-gene barcoding approach, particularly for putative species having large effective population sizes.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146770/1/13071_2018_Article_3242.pd

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Syringophiloidus delichonum Bochkov 2001

<i>Syringophiloidus delichonum</i> Bochkov, 2001 <p>(Figs. 46 and 47)</p> <p> <i>Syringophiloidus delichonum</i> Bochkov, 2001: 151, fig. 2.</p> <p> Type host: <i>Delichon urbicum</i> (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae). Type locality: Russia.</p> <p> FEMALE (3 paratypes). Total body length 675–700. <i>Gnathosoma</i>. Infracapitulum and stylophore apunctate. Each medial branch of peritremes with 2–3 chambers, each lateral branch with 8–9 chambers. Length of stylophore and movable cheliceral digit 180 and 135 respectively. <i>Idiosoma</i>. Propodonotal shield apunctate. Length ratio of setae <i>vi</i>: <i>ve</i>: <i>si</i> 1:1.4:3.4. Setae <i>vi</i>, <i>ve</i> and <i>si</i> thin and smooth. Hysteronotal shield fused to pygidial shield, apunctate. Setae <i>d2</i> and <i>e2</i> subequal in length. Setae <i>h1</i> and <i>f1</i> subequal in length. Length ratio of setae <i>ag1</i>: <i>ag2</i>: <i>ag3</i> 1.2:1:1.4. Setae <i>ps2</i> slightly (1.2–1.4 times) longer than <i>ps1</i>. Both pairs of genital setae subequal in length. Genital plate absent. All coxal fields sparsely punctate. Setae <i>3c</i> twice as long as <i>3b</i>. <i>Legs</i>. Setae <i>p’</i> and <i>p”</i> of legs III and IV with 8–9 tines. Length ratio of setae <i>tc’III–IV</i>: <i>tc”III–IV</i> 1:2. <i>Lengths of setae</i>: <i>vi</i> 60, <i>ve</i> 85, <i>si</i> 205, <i>se</i> 235–265, <i>c1</i> 240, <i>c2</i> 225–240, <i>d1</i> 195–240, <i>d2</i> 215, <i>e2</i> 185–190, <i>f1</i> 35–40, <i>f2</i> 340–370, <i>h1</i> 35–40, <i>h2</i> 405–415, <i>ps1</i> 25, <i>ps2</i> 30–35, <i>g1</i> and <i>g2</i> 40– 45, <i>ag1</i> 200–210, <i>ag2</i> 170, <i>ag3</i> 230–240, <i>tc’III–IV</i> 35–45, <i>tc”III–IV</i> 80–90, <i>3b</i> 75, <i>3c</i> 140, <i>l’RIII</i> 50, <i>l’RIV</i> 35–40.</p> <p> MALE (1 paratype). Total body length 505. <i>Gnathosoma</i>. Infracapitulum and stylophore apunctate. Each medial branch of peritremes with 2–3 chambers, each lateral branch with 9–10 chambers. Length of stylophore and movable cheliceral digit 150 and 135 respectively. <i>Idiosoma</i>. Propodonotal shield weakly sclerotized, apunctate, bearing bases of setae <i>vi</i>, <i>ve</i>, <i>si</i>, <i>se</i> and <i>c1</i>. Length ratio of setae <i>vi</i>: <i>ve</i>: <i>si</i> 1:2:3.5. Hysteronotal shield present, not fused to pygidial shield, weakly sclerotized, apunctate. Pygidial shield restricted only to genito-anal region. Setae <i>d2</i> 1.8 times longer than <i>d1</i> and <i>e2</i>. Both pairs of pseudanal setae subequal in length. Genital setae <i>g1</i> situated anterior to level of setae <i>g2</i>, both subequal in length. Aggenital setae <i>ag1</i> about twice as long as <i>ag2</i>. All coxal fields sparsely punctate. Setae <i>3c</i> 3 times longer than <i>3b</i>. <i>Legs</i>. Fan-like setae <i>p’</i> and <i>p”</i> of legs III and IV with 7–8 tines. <i>Lengths of setae</i>: <i>vi</i> 30, <i>ve</i> 65, <i>si</i> 105, <i>se</i> 145, <i>c2</i> 105, <i>d1</i> 20, <i>d2</i> 35, <i>e2</i> 20, <i>f2</i> 25, <i>ag1</i> 115, <i>ag2</i> 60, <i>3b</i> 25, <i>3c</i> 75.</p> <p> <b>Type material examined.</b> <i>Delichon urbicum</i> (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae): 3 female and 1 male paratypes (AVB 05–0715 – 037); RUSSIA, Kaliningrad Prov., Kurish spit, Rybachiy village (5°09'15"N, 20°51'14"E), 12 June 1957, coll. V. Jugis.</p> <p> <b>Type material deposition.</b> All material deposited in the ZISP.</p> <p> <b>Non-type material examined.</b> Type host species: 3 females (AMU –SYR.64) (sec.); POLAND, Lubuskie, Slonsk, May 1999, coll. J. Dabert. Material deposited in the AMU.</p> <p> <b>Host range and habitat.</b> Monoxenous species inhabiting quills of secondary feathers of <i>Delichon urbicum</i>.</p> <p> <b>Distribution.</b> Poland and Russia.</p>Published as part of <i>Skoracki, Maciej, 2011, Quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) of the Palaearctic region 2840, pp. 1-414 in Zootaxa 2840 (1)</i> on page 69, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2840.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5289205">http://zenodo.org/record/5289205</a&gt

Picobia chloris Bochkov, Mironov and Kravtsova 2000

Picobia chloris Bochkov, Mironov and Kravtsova, 2000 (Figs. 277–279) Picobia chloris Bochkov et al., 2000: 352, figs. 1–10. Type host: Carduelis chloris (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Fringillidae). Type locality: Kirghizia. NON-PHYSOGASTRIC FEMALE (holotype). Total body length 596. Gnathosoma. Hypostomal apex rounded, with shoulders. Length of stylophore 175. Peritremes V-shaped. Each medial branch with 2–3 chambers, each lateral branch with 8 chambers. Idiosoma. Propodonotal shield divided into 2 narrow lateral shields, bearing bases of setae ve, si and se. Length ratio of setae vi:ve:si is 1:1.1:1.3. Bases of setae vi situated slightly posterior to level of setae ve. Setae vi, ve and sci lightly beaded. Setae se situated posterior to level of setae c1. Hysteronotal and pygidial shields absent. Length ratio of setae d2:d1: e2 1:1.3:1.6. Setae f2 1.3 times longer than f1. Setae h2 slightly (1.2 times) longer than h1. Setae h1 5 times longer than f1. Alveoles of setae 3a–3a not coalesced. Aggenital setae ag1 situated anterior to level of setae ag2. Length ratio of setae ag1: ag2: ag3 1:1:1.7. Genital setae hair-like. Genital lobes absent. All coxal fields well sclerotized, apunctate. Legs. Dorsal setae of legs I and II smooth. Antaxial and paraxial members of claws unequal in size. Setae tc’ and tc” of legs III and IV subequal in length. Lengths of setae: vi 100, ve 105, si 125, se 170, c1 190, c2 150, d1 120, d2 150, e2 95, f1 55, f2 70, h1 205, h2 230, ag1 45, ag2 45, ag3 70, g1 45, ps1 30, ps2 30. MALE. Total body length 385–405 in 2 paratypes. Gnathosoma. Hypostomal apex smooth. Peritremes Vshaped. Each medial branch with 3 chambers, each lateral branch with 8–9 chambers. Lengths of stylophore 90–95. Idiosoma. Propodonotal shield divided into 2 wide lateral shields, bearing bases of setae ve, si and se. Length ratio of setae vi:ve:si are 1:1:1. Bases of setae ve situated slightly anterior to level of vi. Setae c1 situated anterior to level of setae se. Hysteronotal shield well developed, not divided longitudinally, bearing bases of setae d1 and e2. Setae d2 about 4 times longer than d1. Setae h2 11.6 times longer than f2. Alveoles of setae 3a–3a not coalesced. Two aggenital plates bearing bases of setae ag1 present. Lengths of setae: vi 75, ve 75–80, si 75–85, se 120–135, c1 145, c2 120–135, d1 20, d2 85, e2 20, f2 12–15, h2 128, 3b 25, 3c 35, 1a 25–35, 3a 25–35, tc’III-IV and tc”III-IV 40–45, ag2 25. Type material examined. Carduelis chloris (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Fringillidae): female holotype (nonphysogastric form) and 2 male paratypes; KIRGHIZIA, Bishkek city, 28 March 1994, coll. N.T. Kravtsova. Type material deposition. All material deposited in the ZISP. Host range and habitat. Monoxenous species inhabiting quills of body feathers of Carduelis chloris. Distribution. Kirghizia.Published as part of Skoracki, Maciej, 2011, Quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) of the Palaearctic region 2840, pp. 1-414 in Zootaxa 2840 (1) on pages 369-372, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2840.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/528920

Neoaulobia mironovi Bochkov and Perez 2002

<i>Neoaulobia mironovi</i> Bochkov and Perez, 2002 <p> This species was described from <i>Amazona finschi</i> from Mexico (Sinaloa) (Bochkov & Perez 2002), and there have not been its further findings since the first description. In this study, I confirmed this mite on the type host species in the new locality in Mexico (Jalisco).</p> <p> <b>Material examined.</b> Seventeen females and 9 males from <i>Amazona finschi</i> (Sclater) (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), <b>MEXICO</b>: Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, 12 December 1981, coll. unknown; mite specimens deposited in FMNH.</p>Published as part of <i>Skoracki, Maciej, 2017, Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with birds of Mexico, pp. 179-191 in Zootaxa 4282 (1)</i> on page 181, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4282.1.11, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/818598">http://zenodo.org/record/818598</a&gt

Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with birds of Mexico

Skoracki, Maciej (2017): Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with birds of Mexico. Zootaxa 4282 (1): 179-191, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4282.1.1

Syringophilopsis nucifragus Skoracki 2011, sp. nov.

<i>Syringophilopsis nucifragus</i> sp. nov. <p>(Figs. 138 and 139)</p> <p> Type host: <i>Nucifraga caryocatactes</i> (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Corvidae). Type locality: Europe.</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> FEMALE (holotype). Total body length 1035 (1000–1180 in 7 paratypes). <i>Gnathosoma</i>. Infracapitulum apunctate. Hypostomal apex with 2 pairs of short protuberances. Each medial branch of peritremes with 3 chambers, each lateral branch with 11 chambers. Length of apunctate stylophore and movable cheliceral digit 270 (265–270) and 190 (190–195) respectively. <i>Idiosoma</i>. Propodonotal shield with concave anterior margin, punctate at lateral margins, bearing bases of setae <i>vi</i>, <i>ve</i>, <i>si</i> and <i>se</i>. Length ratio of setae <i>vi:ve:si</i> 1:1.5–1.7:2–3. Setae <i>se</i> situated slightly anterior to level of setae <i>c1</i>. Hysteronotal shields absent. Pygidial shield present, apunctate. Setae <i>f2</i> and <i>h2</i> 1.4–1.6 times longer than <i>f1</i> and <i>h1</i>. Genital setae <i>g1</i> and <i>g2</i> subequal in length, both shorter than aggenital setae <i>ag1</i> and <i>ag3</i>. Length ratio of setae <i>g1:ag2</i> 1:3.8. Setae <i>ag1</i> 1.3 times longer than <i>ag2</i>. Coxal fields I–IV apunctate. Setae <i>3c</i> 1.3–1.4 times longer than <i>3b. Legs</i>. Fan-like setae <i>p’</i> and <i>p”</i> of legs III and IV with 15–16 tines. Setae <i>tc’</i> and <i>tc”</i> of legs III and IV subequal in length. Apodemes I fused to apodemes II in middle part of apodemes II. <i>Lengths of setae</i>: <i>vi</i> 150 (150–200), <i>ve</i> 285 (290–320), <i>si</i> 435 (375–415), <i>se</i> 465 (410–450), <i>c1</i> 435 (410– 440), <i>c2</i> 465 (410–465), <i>d1</i> (430–440), <i>d2</i> (400–440), <i>e2</i> (410–440), <i>f1</i> 350 (350), <i>f2</i> 500 (470–500), <i>h1</i> 305 (300– 320), <i>h2</i> 520 (500–565), <i>ps1</i> and <i>ps2</i> 40 (40–45), <i>g1</i> and <i>g2</i> (80–90), <i>ag1</i> (345–350), <i>ag2</i> 330 (255–305), <i>ag3</i> 380 (370–385), <i>l’RIII</i> 90 (90–105), <i>l’RIV</i> (90–95), <i>tc’III–IV</i> and <i>tc”III–IV</i> 100 (95–115), <i>3b</i> 145 (125–145), <i>3c</i> (180).</p> <p>MALE. Unknown.</p> <p> <b>Type material.</b> <i>Nucifraga caryocatactes</i> (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Corviidae): female holotype and 8 female paratypes (AMU –SYR.179) (sec.); EUROPE, 1909, no other data. Host specimen deposited in the MNHW.</p> <p> <b>Material deposition.</b> Holotype and 6 female paratypes deposited in the AMU, 1 female paratype in the ZISP, 1 female paratype in the ZSM.</p> <p> <b>Host range and habitat.</b> Monoxenous species inhabiting quills of secondaries of <i>Nucifraga caryocatactes</i>.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The name <i>nucifragus</i> refers to the generic name of the host.</p> <p> <b>Diffrential diagnosis.</b> This new species is morphologically similar to <i>S. spinolettus</i>. In both species, females have the genital setae shorter than the aggenital setae; setae <i>c1</i> and <i>se</i> are situated at the same transverse level; the hysteronotal shields are absent. <i>S. nucifragus</i> is distinguished from <i>S. spinolettus</i> by the following characters: in females of <i>S. nucifragus</i>, the hypostomal apex is ornamented by 2 pairs of protuberances; each branch of the peritremes has 14 chambers; setae <i>f2</i> and <i>h2</i> 1.4–1.6 times longer than <i>f1</i> and <i>h1</i> and the coxal fields are apunctate. In females of <i>S. spinolettus</i>, the hypostomal apex is ornamented by 1 pair of protuberances; each branch of the peritremes has 19 chambers; setae <i>f1</i>, <i>f2</i>, <i>h1</i> and <i>h2</i> are subequal in the length, and the coxal fields are punctate.</p>Published as part of <i>Skoracki, Maciej, 2011, Quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) of the Palaearctic region 2840, pp. 1-414 in Zootaxa 2840 (1)</i> on page 188, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2840.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5289205">http://zenodo.org/record/5289205</a&gt

Neoaulonastus caligatus Skoracki 2011, sp. nov.

Neoaulonastus caligatus sp. nov. (Figs. 85 and 86) Type host: Iduna caligata (Lichtenstein) (Passeriformes: Sylviidae). Type locality: Europe. Description. FEMALE (holotype). Total body length 555 (530–570 in 2 paratypes). Gnathosoma. Infracapitulum apunctate. Each medial branch of peritremes with 2–3 chambers, each lateral branch with 7–8 chambers. Length of stylophore and movable cheliceral digit 135 (140–145) and 100 (100–105) respectively. Idiosoma. Propodonotal shield with concave anterior margin and indistinct posterior margin, apunctate. Length ratio of setae ve:si 1:1. Setae se situated slightly anterior to level of c1. Hysteronotal shield not fused to pygidial shield, apunctate, situated between bases of setae d1 and e2. Pygidial shield well sclerotized, punctate in posterior part. Length ratio of setae f1:f2 1:3. Length ratio of aggenital setae ag1:ag2:ag3 1:1:1.5. Pseudanal setae ps1 and ps2 subequal in length. Both pairs of genital setae subequal in length. All coxal fields densely punctate. Setae 3c about twice as long as 3b. Legs. Fan-like setae p’ and p” of legs III and IV with 6 tines. Setae tc” of legs III and IV 1.7–1.8 times longer than and tc’ III–IV. Lengths of setae: ve 40 (40–50), si 45 (45–65), se 205 (210–230), c1 230 (215–235), c2 190 (190– 200), d1 115 (105), d2 (75–85), e2 105 (105–120), f1 30 (30), f2 90 (90–95), h1 30 (30), h2 (295–305), ps1 and ps2 20 (20–25), g1 and g2 20 (20–25), ag1 65, ag2 70 (65), ag3 105 (100–105), tc’ III–IV 30 (30), tc” III–IV 55 (50– 55), 3b 20 (20–25), 3c 50 (45–50). MALE. Unknown. Type material. Iduna caligata (Lichtenstein) (Passeriformes: Sylviidae): female holotype and 3 female paratypes (AMU –SYR.240) (bod.); EUROPE, no other data. Host specimen deposited in the MNHW. Type deposition. All material deposited in the AMU. Host range and habitat. Monoxenous species inhabiting quills of body feathers of Iduna caligata. Distribution. Europe. Etymology. The name caligatus refers to the specific name of the host. Differential diagnosis. This new species is also morphologicaly similar to the newly described species N. aegithalos. In females of both species, setae f2 are no more than 3.5 times longer than f1; each lateral branch of the peritremes has 6–8 chambers and the fan-like setae of legs III and IV have 5–6 tines. N. caligatus differs from N. aegithalos by the presence of following characters: in females of N caligatus, aggenital setae ag1 and ag2 are subequal in the length; the hysteronotal shield is present; setae f2 are 3 times longer than f1; the lengths of setae ve and si are 40–50 and 45–65, respectively. In females of N. aegithalos, aggenital setae ag1 are 1.6–1.8 times longer than ag2; the hysteronotal shield is absent; setae f2 are 2–2.5 times longer than f1; the lengths of setae ve and si are 30– 35 and 30, respectively.Published as part of Skoracki, Maciej, 2011, Quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) of the Palaearctic region 2840, pp. 1-414 in Zootaxa 2840 (1) on page 120, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2840.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/528920