Diamphidaxona (Diamphidaxonella) brevitarsa, Smith, Ian M. & Cook, David R., 2006

Smith, Ian M. & Cook, David R., 2006, North American species of Diamphidaxona (Acari: Hydrachnida: Hygrobatidae), Zootaxa 1279, pp. 1-44 : 20

Diamphidaxona (Diamphidaxonella) brevitarsa sp. nov.

( Figs. 69–74 )

Description. Female with character states of Diamphidaxonella (male unknown). Dorsal edge of camerostome acutely rounded anteriorly ( Fig. 70 ). Pedipalps with tibia bearing one ventral seta ( Fig. 71 ). Dorsal shield with anterior plate of same width as posterior plate and weakly pointed anteriorly ( Fig. 69 ). Ventral shield with suture lines between third and fourth coxal plates with medial loops deeply arched and lateral loops U­shaped and open anteriorly ( Fig. 70 ). Projections covering insertions of fourth pair of legs with anterior extensions moderately long, sinuous and directed anterolaterally ( Fig. 70 ). Fourth pair of legs with tarsi short and stocky ( Fig. 74 ). Measurements of holotype: Female (n=1): Length/width anterior dorsal plate 162/252, length/width posterior dorsal plate 288/246, length/width ventral shield 414/300, width genital field ­. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 14, Fe 39, Ge 21, Ti 30, Ta 22. Lengths leg segments: ITr 40, IBFe 43, ITFe 39, IGe 43, ITi 48, ITa 60; IITr 43, IIBFe 44, IITFe 39, IIGe 46, IITi 51, IITa 61; IIITr 39, IIIBFe 46, IIITFe 42, IIIGe 49, IIITi 53, IIITa 64; IVTr 82, IVBFe 60, IVTFe 60, IVGe 65, IVTi 66, IVTa 60.

Types. Holotype: Female from West Clear Creek at Clear Creek Campground off Rt. 260 (formerly Forest Road 9) east of Camp Verde, Yavapai Co., Arizona on 19–22 July 1987 by IMS (slide, CNC)

Etymology. From the Latin brevis meaning “short” and the Greek tarsos meaning “tarsus”.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.

Remarks. The holotype of Diamphidaxona brevitarsa differs from adults of all other known North American species of the subgenus Diamphidaxonella in that the tarsus of the fourth pair of legs is shorter than those of the anterior pairs of legs.

Figures

FIGURES 69 – 74. Diamphidaxona (Diamphidaxonella) brevitarsa sp. nov., adult female. 69, dorsal shield; 70, ventral shield and genital field; 71, pedipalp; 72, gnathosoma, lateral view; 73, leg I; 74, distal segments of leg IV.