Kongsbergia atkinsonae, Radwell & Smith, 2012

Radwell, Andrea J. & Smith, Ian M., 2012, North American members of the reticulata-like species group of the water mite genus Kongsbergia (Acari: Hydrachnidiae: Aturidae), Zootaxa 3540, pp. 1-49 : 26-28

Kongsbergia (s.s.) atkinsonae sp. nov.

( Figs. 43–47, 97, 98)

Description. Character states of the appalachiana subgroup. Male: Idiosoma in dorsal view elongate and ellipsoidal, usually widest near midlength. Dorsal shield ( Figs. 43, 97) with anterior edge nearly transverse or slightly convex and crenellate with a small depression medially at the base of a prominent nipple-shaped projection; with edge linear or slightly convex in area between eyes and humeral region and with a modest humeral angle; with reticulate sculpturing well developed and forming a series of subparallel arching lines in area posterior to postocular setae that end in a prominent angular knob at the apex of anteromedial hump just anterior to the postocular setae; reticulate sculpturing lacking in area between postocular setae and base of anteromedial nippleshaped projection; anteromedial hump well developed as described above, lateral ridges well developed and meeting lateral edges of shield near midlength, posterior depression moderately deep; ridge bearing excretory pore moderately well developed; bearing three pairs of slender setae on posterior edge; variable in color but usually yellowish with red or purple patches anteriorly and posteriorly. Ventral shield ( Fig. 45) with projections covering insertions of fourth legs moderately well developed; somewhat acuminate posteriorly and bearing three pairs of slender setae near posterior edge. Pedipalp ( Fig. 46) with femur enlarged and bearing three papillate projections proximoventrally. Fourth leg ( Fig. 47) with segments and setae as illustrated. Female: Dorsal shield ( Figs. 44, 98) similar in shape, sculpturing and color to that of male but with ridges relatively weakly developed. Ventral shield with projections covering insertions of fourth legs smaller than in male. Pedipalp with femur not enlarged and tibia proportionally longer than in male.

Measurements: Male (n=5): Length/width dorsal shield 340–362(356)/252–270(264), length/width ventral shield 362–390(384)/272–290(280). Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 20–23(20), Fe 74–98(80), Ge 26–29(27), Ti 82–93(82), Ta 30–34(30). Height pedipalp femur 68–95(78). Lengths leg segments: IGe 55–62(60), ITi 74–84(74), ITa 76–92(76); IIGe 59–64(60), IITi 75–83(79), IITa 84–88(84); IIIGe 71–77(76), IIITi 86–96(90), IIITa 90–98(90); IVTr 64–74(74), IVBFe 77–84(84), IVTFe 71–78(72), IVGe 74–80(72), IVTi 85–89(88), IVTa 90–100(90). Female (n=5): Length/width dorsal shield 328–364/250–298, length/width ventral shield 324–370/ 254–296. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 22–24, Fe 53–67, Ge 27–31, Ti 95–105, Ta 32–37. Lengths leg segments: IVTr 52–60, IVBFe 59–68, IVTFe 47–58, IVGe 65–74, IVTi 63–88, IVTa 74–93.

Types. Holotype: Male from Laurel River beside Rt. 58 near boundary of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area , Damascus , Washington Co., Virginia, USA, 10 July 1990 by IMS (slide) . Paratypes: USA: North Carolina: Avery Co.: Linville River beside Blue Ridge Parkway near Linville Falls Picnic Area , 19 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (slide), 2 females (GAW); 8 September 2007, IMS– 2 males (slides), 2 males (GAW). Macon Co. : Small stream beside Rt. 64, 0.8 km east of Van Hook Glade Campground , Highlands, 20 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (slide) . Tennessee: Blount Co.: Abrams Creek beside Abrams Falls Trail , Cades Cove , Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Blount Co. , Tennessee, 24 September 2005 –IMS and AJR, 8 males, 4 females (slides), 4 male (GAW); 31 July 2008, AJR– 1 male (slide). Middle Prong of Little Pigeon River beside Greenbriar Road, 2.2 km south of Rt. 321, Great Smoky Mountains National Park , 8 August 2008, IMS– 2 males, 4 females (GAW). Monroe Co. : Turkey Creek beside Forest Rt. 35, 2.0 km northeast of road from Rt. 165 to Miller Chapel Church, 5 July 1990, IMS– 1 male (slide). Sevier Co. : Little River beside Little River Road east of Metcalf Bottoms , Great Smoky Mountains National Park , 22 September 2005, IMS and AJR– 2 males, 2 females (slides). Little River at Metcalf Bottoms picnic area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park , 30 July 2008, AJR– 1 female (slide); 16 September 2009, AJR– 1 female (GAW) . Virginia: Page Co.: Stream beside Forest Road 65, 2 km south of Forest Road 375 near Catherine Furnace Cub Run , 26 September 1991, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides). Smyth Co. : Little Laurel Creek beside Rt. 600, 2.2 km north of Rt. 603, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area , 10 July 1990, IMS– 1 female (slide). Washington Co.: same data as holotype, 2 males, 3 females (slides), 8 males, 11 females (GAW); 10 September 2005, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides). Straight Branch Creek beside Rt. 58, 0.7 km west of Beartree Campground , Mount Rogers National Recreation Area , 24 September 1991, IMS– 6 males, 4 females (slides), 5 males, 16 females (GAW). Straight Branch Creek beside Forest Road 837 at Beartree Day Use Area , Mount Rogers National Recreation Area , 10 September 2005, IMS– 1 female (GAW) .

Etymology. Named for Mary Atkinson in recognition of her support for the Discovering Life in America initiative in Great Smoky Mountains National Park where numerous specimens of this species were collected.

Distribution. Southeastern North America (North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia).

Remarks. Adults of Kongsbergia atkinsonae sp. nov. differ from all other North American species of the genus in that the reticulate sculpturing anteriorly on the dorsal shield ends anteriorly at a prominent angular knob at the apex of the anteromedial hump immediately anterior to the postocular setae.