Pentamerismus wardo Seeman and Beard, sp. nov.

Abstract

<i>Pentamerismus wardo</i> Seeman and Beard sp. nov. <p>(Figs 82–87)</p> <p> <b>Type material examined.</b> Holotype female ex. <i>Allocasuarina scleroclada</i> (Casuarinaceae), <b>AUSTRALIA:</b> Western Australia, approx. 3 km N Coomberdale, along Moora-Watheroo Road, 30°24’17” S 116°02’29” E, 15 April 2009, coll. J.J. Beard (WAM) (BRI voucher, BRI [AQ814925]). Paratypes. 6 females, 3 pharate females, 2 males, 2 pharate males, 4 larvae, same data as holotype (WAM, QM, ANIC, USNM).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> Dorsal opisthosomal setae <i>f2</i> present. Palp setal formula 0-0-0-2-3(1), with palp tibial setae <i>l’PTi</i> and <i>l′′PTi</i> both present. Anterior margin of prodorsal shield with short notch. Dorsal shields with irregular weakly reticulate to rugose mosaic sculpturing; dorsal setae broadly lanceolate, barbed; lateral margins of opisthosoma with transverse to oblique folds or striae. Posterior ventral setae <i>ag</i> fine, barbed; setae <i>g1–2</i> fine, barbed; setae <i>ps1– 3</i> fine, <i>ps1</i> slightly thicker than <i>ps2–3</i>, <i>ps1–2</i> barbed, <i>ps3</i> smooth. Seta <i>1c</i> absent. Setae <i>d</i> on femora and genua I–II lanceolate; seta <i>ev ′</i> on femora III fine, smooth; setae <i>v ′, v′′</i> on tibiae III fine, smooth to weakly barbed.</p> <p> FEMALE (n = 7). <i>Dorsum.</i> (Fig. 82 a) Body measurements: distance between setae <i>v2 -h1</i> 220–260 [260], <i>sc2- sc2</i> 105–120 [110]; other measurements: <i>v2-v2</i> 40 –46 [45], <i>sc1-sc1</i> 77–86 [86], <i>c1-c1</i> 49–72 [51], <i>c2-c2</i> 110–135 [110], <i>c3-c3</i> 160–180 [160], <i>d1-d1</i> 33–38 [38], <i>d2-d2</i> 90–115 [98], <i>d3-d3</i> 130–150 [135], <i>e1- e1</i> 36–43 [41], <i>e2-e2</i> 120–140 [130], <i>e3-e3</i> 110–125 [115], <i>f2-f2</i> 96–110 [100], <i>f3-f3</i> 77–89 [80], <i>h1-h 1</i> 24–29 [24], <i>h2-h2</i> 54–63 [54].</p> <p> Anterior margin of prodorsal shield with 1 pair of small lobes forming short medial notch (internal depth 9–12). Prodorsal shield with irregular weakly reticulate to rugose mosaic of polygonal cells medially, with cells elongate anteriorly and laterally. Opisthosomal shield with similar pattern to prodorsal shield, except pattern less complete, especially laterally. Lateral cuticle surrounding prodorsal shield smooth to weakly rugose medially, with some weak folds posteriorly; lateral cuticle surrounding opisthosoma with transverse to oblique folds and striae. All dorsal setae barbed, lanceolate, becoming broader posteriorly. Setal lengths: <i>v 2</i> 22–27 [22], <i>sc 1</i> 24–27 [24], <i>sc 2</i> 26–31 [26], <i>c 1</i> 22–26 [22], <i>c 2</i> 25–26 [25], <i>c 3</i> 20–23 [20], <i>d 1</i> 16–17 [not measurable], <i>d 2</i> 16–20 [16], <i>d 3</i> 18–20 [18], <i>e 1</i> 15 –17 [not measurable], <i>e 2</i> 17 –19 [17], <i>e 3</i> 19 –21 [19], <i>f 2</i> 17–19 [17], <i>f 3</i> 17–19 [17], <i>h 1</i> 17–18 [17], <i>h 2</i> 18– 20 [18]. <i>Palps</i>. (Fig. 82 b) Setal formula 0, 0, 0, 2, 3(1s+2e). Tibial setae, dorsal 5–6 [6] long, ventral 7–9 [7] long; tarsal eupathidia 3–4 [3] long, 5 [5] long; solenidion 5–6 [5] long. <i>Venter.</i> (Fig. 83) Cuticle with transverse striae, becoming longitudinal just anterior to setae <i>ag</i>, becoming coarse around genital area. Circular thickening present in metapodal region, ca. 25 diameter, rugose. Setae <i>g1</i> inserted in more-or-less transverse line with <i>g2</i>, <i>g2</i> slightly anterior to <i>g1</i>. Genital shield punctate, margins irregular, 30–32 [32] long, 40–45 [43] wide; anal setae <i>ps1–3</i> inserted in longitudinal row on anal plates. Coxal setae fine, except <i>2c</i> thickened, barbed; setae <i>ag1</i> fine, barbed; <i>g1–2</i>, <i>ps1–2</i> fine, barbed; <i>ps3</i> fine, smooth. Setal lengths: <i>1a</i> 47–52 [47], <i>1b</i> 18–31 [17], <i>2b</i> 20–25 [20], <i>2c</i> 16–20 [17], <i>3a</i> 49–58 [49], <i>3b</i> 15–19 [19], <i>4a</i> 46–55 [46], <i>4b</i> 11–17 [15], <i>ag 1</i> 12–20 [19], <i>g 1</i> 18–24 [20], <i>g 2</i> 15–22 [15], <i>ps 1</i> 13–15 [13], <i>ps 2</i> 13–14 [13], <i>ps3</i> 7–8 [17]. <i>Spermatheca</i>. Spermathecal tube long, narrow, convoluted, <1 wide,> 70 long. Spermatheca vesicle obscured in all specimens. Genital opening between anal valves and posterior margin of genital shield. <i>Legs.</i> (Fig. 84) Setal formula for legs I–IV (coxae to tarsi) 1-1-3-3-4-9(1), 2-1-3-3-4-9(1), 1-2-2-1-3-5, 1-1-1-0-3-5. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion <i>ω"</i> (9–10 [9] long) and 2 eupathidia <i>pζ'-pζ"</i> (6–7 [7] long). Leg setation as in Table 1 except coxae I without <i>1c.</i></p> <p> MALE (n = 2). <i>Dorsum.</i> (Fig. 85) Body measurements: distance between setae <i>v2 -h1</i> 185–190, <i>sc2-sc2</i> 85–88; other measurements: <i>v2-v 2</i> 26–30, <i>sc1-sc1</i> 63–67, <i>c1-c1</i> 39–41, <i>c2-c2</i> 89–93, <i>c3-c3</i> 120–125, <i>d1-d 1</i> 20–22, <i>d2-d2</i> 70–74, <i>d3-d3</i> 93–97, <i>e1- e 1</i> 29–34, <i>e2- e2</i> 89–93, <i>e3- e3</i> 17, <i>f2-f2</i> 76–77, <i>f3-f3</i> 61–63, <i>h1-h 1</i> 13–14, <i>h2-h2</i> 15. Anterior margin of prodorsum with pair of small lobes forming a short medial notch (internal depth 3–4). Prodorsal, mesonotal and pygidial shields with sculpture and dorsal setae similar to female. Medial soft cuticle striated, lateral cuticle smooth, becoming festo1d posteriorly. Setal lengths: <i>v 2</i> 20–22, <i>sc1</i> 21, <i>sc 2</i> 21–22, <i>c1</i> 18, <i>c 2</i> 19–21, <i>c3</i> 17, <i>d 1</i> 11–13, <i>d2</i> 15, <i>d 3</i> 15–16, <i>e1</i> 12, <i>e2</i> 16, <i>e3</i> 17, <i>f2</i> 16, <i>f 3</i> 16–17, <i>h 1</i> 13–14, <i>h2</i> 15. <i>Palps</i>. (Fig. 85) Palps similar to female. Tibial setae, dorsal 6 long, ventral 7–8 long; tarsal eupathidia 3, 5–6 long; solenidion 4–5 long. <i>Venter.</i> (Fig. 86) Striae entirely transverse, becoming coarse behind cx IV. Posterior opisthosoma with 2 irregular, poorly defined, striated subcircular plates, ca. 30 in diameter; <i>g1–2</i>, <i>ps1–3</i> on weakly sclerotised anal valves; <i>ps1</i> modified, thickened. Coxal setae fine, except <i>2c</i> thickened, barbed. Seta <i>ag1</i> narrowly lanceolate, barbed; <i>g1</i> lanceolate; <i>g2</i>, <i>ps2, ps3</i> smooth; <i>ps1</i> spine-like, thickened. Setal lengths: <i>1a</i> 38–48, <i>1</i> b 26, <i>2</i> b 26, <i>2</i> c 13, <i>3a</i> 30–37, <i>3</i> b 18–19, <i>4</i> a 47, <i>4</i> b 20, <i>ag1</i> 13, <i>g1</i> 11, <i>g 2</i> 11–13, <i>ps 1</i> 11–14, <i>ps2</i> 7, <i>ps3</i> 6–7. <i>Aedeagus</i>. Narrow, sclerotised, tapering to a point, 66 long, curved. Membranous duct runs from inside aedeagus. <i>Legs.</i> (Fig. 85) Setal formula same as female. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion <i>ω"</i> (9–10 long) and 2 eupathidia <i>pζ'-pζ"</i> (about 6 long).</p> <p> LARVA (n = 2). <i>Dorsum.</i> (Fig. 87) Body measurements: distance between setae <i>v2 -h1</i> 130–140, <i>sc2-sc2</i> 54– 59; other measurements: <i>v2-v 2</i> 20–22, <i>sc1-sc1</i> 44–48, <i>c1-c 1</i> 17–20, <i>c2-c2</i> 61, <i>c3-c3</i> 87–89, <i>d1-d1</i> 13, <i>d2-d2</i> 51–52, <i>d3-d3</i> 72–76, <i>e1- e 1</i> 8–10, <i>e2- e2</i> 56–61, <i>e3- e3</i> 50–53, <i>f2-f2</i> 36–38, <i>f3-f 3</i> 24–31, <i>h1-h1</i> 4–6, <i>h2-h 2</i> 11–16. Anterior margin of prodorsum without medial notch. Prodorsal shield 54–57 long, 64 wide, defined by numerous longitudinal striations. Opisthosomal shield absent; coarse, irregular transverse striae, becoming obsolete between <i>d1-e1</i>. Setae similar in length to those of adult; setae narrowly lanceolate to thickened, barbed; setae <i>d1</i> and <i>e1</i> broadest; setae <i>v2, sc1, sc2, h2</i> narrowest. Setal lengths: <i>v 2</i> 14–19, <i>sc 1</i> 13–15, <i>sc 2</i> 14–17, <i>c 1</i> 19–20, <i>c2</i> 14, <i>c 3</i> 14– 15, <i>d 1</i> 19–20, <i>d 2</i> 17–18, <i>d 3</i> 17–20, <i>e 1</i> 21 –22, <i>e 2</i> 20 –21, <i>e 3</i> 20 –23, <i>f2</i> 20, <i>f 3</i> 24–26, <i>h 1</i> 24–25, <i>h2</i> 20. <i>Palps</i>. (Fig. 87) Palps similar to adult. Tibial setae, dorsal 4 long, ventral 5 long; tarsal eupathidia 3, 4 long; solenidion 3 long. <i>Vent er.</i> Cuticle with transverse striae to setae <i>3a</i>, oblique posterior to <i>3a,</i> transverse to midway between <i>3a</i> and <i>ps3</i>, then longitudinal anal area, slightly coarser around anal area. Anal setae <i>ps1–3</i> on weakly defined anal plates. Coxal setae fine. Setal lengths: <i>1a</i> 25–30, <i>1</i> b 15, <i>3a</i> 35–38, <i>ps1</i> 3–4, <i>ps2</i> 4–5, <i>ps3</i> 4–5. <i>Legs.</i> (Fig. 87) Setal formula for legs I–III (coxae to tarsi) 1-0-3-1-4-7(1), 0-0-3-1-4-7(1), 0-0-2-1-3-3. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion <i>ω"</i> (ta I 5 long, ta II 4 long) and 2 eupathidia <i>pζ'-pζ"</i> (about 4 long). Leg setation as in Table 1.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The specific name, <i>wardo</i>, is an Australian indigenous word meaning “a little bird” referring specifically to the Willy Wagtail (<i>Rhipidura leucophrys</i> Latham (Rhipiduridae)), and is the source of the town name Watheroo, near which this mite was collected.</p> <p> <b>Remarks.</b> <i>Pentamerismus wardo</i> is similar to <i>P. hicklingorum</i>, but can be separated by having two setae on the palp tibia (one seta on the palp tibia of <i>P. hicklingorum</i>) and the dorsal cuticle being weakly reticulate (with broadly rounded folds on <i>P. hicklingorum</i>).</p> <p>Individuals were found buried in the thick pubescence present on the tips of the needle-like stems and branchlets of the host.</p>Published as part of <i>Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. & Bauchan, Gary R., 2014, Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) from Casuarinaceae (Fagales), pp. 1-157 in Zootaxa 3778 (1)</i> on pages 97-104, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3778.1.1, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/251337">http://zenodo.org/record/251337</a&gt

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