Myrsidea simplex Ansari, 1956

Kounek, Filip, Sychra, Oldrich, Capek, Miroslav & Literak, Ivan, 2013, Chewing lice of genus Myrsidea (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) from Turdidae (Passeriformes) of Costa Rica, with descriptions of seven new species, Zootaxa 3620 (2), pp. 201-222 : 214-220

Myrsidea simplex Ansari, 1956

Myrsidea simplex Ansari, 1956 : Pak. J. Health, 5: 168, Fig. 5 .

Type host: Catharus fuscater mentalis Sclater & Salvin, 1876 —Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush

Material studied. Two females, 3 males, ex Catharus fuscater , COSTA RICA: Tapanti National Park, Sector Tapanti (09°46’N, 83°47’W; 1200 m), 2–10 August 2009, Literak and Sychra leg. Deposited in INBio (O.Sychra CR211–212) and MMBC (O.Sychra CR213); 2 females and 2 males, ex Catharus aurantiirostris , COSTA RICA: Braulio Carrillo National Park, Sector Barva (10˚07’N, 84˚07’W; 2600 m), 2 August 2010, Sychra and Literak leg. Deposited in INBio (O.Sychra CR214–215); 1 male and 1 female ex Catharus aurantiirostris , COSTA RICA: Zona Protectora Las Tablas, La Amistad Lodge (8°54’N, 82°47’W; 1300 m), 21 August 2010, Sychra and Literak leg. Deposited in MMBC (O.Sychra CR216); 2 females, ex Catharus mexicanus , COSTA RICA: Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Sector Santa Maria, Sendero del Padre (10°46’N, 85°18’W; 800 m), 24 August 2009, Literak and Sychra leg. Deposited in INBio (O.Sychra CR217).

Remarks. This is the first record of chewing lice from Catharus aurantiirostris and the second species of Myrsidea from Catharus mexicanus . Our specimens differ from the redescription of M. simplex presented by Clay (1966) by setal counts and dimensions as follows [setal counts and dimensions mentioned by Clay (1966) are in parentheses]:

Female (n = 7). Length of DHS 10, 0.040–0.045; DHS 11, 0.100–0.110; ratio DHS 10/11, 0.36–0.45 (0.38–0.42). Metasternal plate with 6–7 setae.

Postspiracular setae extremely long, 0.45–0.48, on II, IV and VIII; long, 0.30, on I, and short, 0.11–0.20, on III, V, VI and VII. Sternites III–VII without medioanterior setae. Anal fringe formed by 35–39 dorsal and 34–37 ventral setae.

Male (n = 6). Length of DHS 10, 0.040–0.045; DHS 11, 0.090–0.100; ratio DHS 10/11, 0.40–0.50. Metasternal plate with 5–7 setae. With median gap in each tergal setal row. Postspiracular setae as for female. Sternites III–VII without medioanterior setae.

Comparisons of females from each host species:

ex Catharus fuscater (Lafresnaye, 1845) —Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush (n = 2)

As in Fig. 30 . Metanotum with 12–14 (16–18) marginal setae. Tergal setae: VII, 9–12 (8–11). Sternal setae: II, 7–8 (5) anterior; III, 25–28 (13–15); IV, 35–37 (24–30); V, 33–35 (22–29); VI, 30–31 (20–27); VII, 25 (8–12); VIII–IX, 27–29 (23–27) including 15–16 (12–15) setae on vulval margin. Dimensions: TW, 0.47–0.48 (0.45–0.47); PW, 0.28–0.29 (0.26–0.28); MW, 0.48–0.49 (0.42); AW, 0.54–0.59 (0.53); ANW, 0.22–0.23; TL, 1.47–1.49 (1.50).

ex Catharus aurantiirostris (Hartlaub, 1850) — Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (n = 3)

Metanotum with 14–15 (16–18) marginal setae. Tergal setae: III, 19–22 (22–24); IV, 21–23 (23–27); V, 19–20 (22–27); VII, 10–12 (8–11). Sternal setae: II, 10 (5) anterior; III, 19–20 (13–15); V, 27–31 (22–29); VII, 18–20 (8–12); VIII–IX, 22–24 (23–27) including 12–14 setae on deeply serrated vulval margin. Dimensions: TW, 0.43–0.44 (0.45–0.47); HL, 0.27–0.29 (0.29–0.30); PW, 0.25 (0.26–0.28); MW, 0.42–0.43 (0.42); AW, 0.50–0.53 (0.53); ANW, 0.21–0.22; TL, 1.37–1.41 (1.50).

ex Catharus mexicanus (Bonaparte, 1856) —Black-headed Nightingale-Thrush (n = 2)

Tergal setae: III, 18–20 (22–24); IV, 20–22 (23–27); V, 19 (22–27). Sternal setae: II, 19–20 (14–16) marginal setae between asters, 9–11 (5) anterior; III, 21–22 (13–15); IV, 30–33 (24–30); V, 29–33 (22–29); VII, 16–18 (8–12). Dimensions: TW, 0.44–0.45 (0.45–0.47); PW, 0.27–0.29 (0.26–0.28); MW, 0.43–0.44 (0.42); AW, 0.51–0.52 (0.53); ANW, 0.20–0.21; TL, 1.37–1.38 (1.50).

Comparisons of males from each host species:

ex Catharus fuscater (n = 3)

As in Fig. 34 . Metanotum with 11 (12) marginal setae. Tergal setae: I, 10–11 (10); II, 12–13 (15); III, 14–15 (17–18); IV, 15–16 (14); V, 13 (15); VI, 14 (11); VII, 8 (9). Sternal setae: II, 14 (15) marginal setae between asters, 7 (9) anterior; III, 22 (17); IV, 29–30 (27); V, 29–33 (26); VI, 27–28 (25); VII, 17–22 (15); VIII, 8–11 (8). Dimensions: TW, 0.40–0.43 (0.42); HL, 0.28–0.29 (0.27); PW, 0.26–0.27 (0.25); MW, 0.36–0.37 (0.32); AW, 0.44–0.45 (0.42); TL, 1.21–1.26 (1.22); GW, 0.10–0.11; GSL, 0.08.

ex Catharus aurantiirostris (n = 3)

Metanotum with 8–10 (12) setae on posterior margin. Tergal setae: I, 12 (10); II, 14–15 (15); III, 15–17 (17–18); IV, 13–15 (14); V 13–14 (15); VI 11–13 (11); VII, 8–9 (9); VIII, 6 (8). Sternal setae: II, 14–15 (15) marginal setae between asters, 6–8 (9) anterior; III, 15–19 (17); IV, 23–31 (27); V, 26–27 (26); VI, 25–26 (25); VII, 16–19 (15). Dimensions: TW, 0.38–0.39 (0.42); HL, 0.26–0.27 (0.27); PW, 0.24–0.25 (0.25); MW, 0.31–0.33 (0.32); AW, 0.40–0.41 (0.42); TL, 1.12–1.17 (1.22); GW, 0.10; GSL, 0.08.

Myrsidea tapanti Sychra and Kounek sp. nov. ( Figs 23–24 , 28 , 32 )

Type host: Catharus fuscater (Lafresnaye, 1845) – Slaty-backed Nightingale-Thrush

Female (n = 4). As in Fig. 28 . This species belongs to the thoracica species group sensu Clay (1966). Length of DHS 10, 0.035; DHS 11, 0.105–0.110; ratio DHS 10/11, 0.32–0.33. Gula 4–5 setae on each side. Metasternal plate with 6 setae, metanotum enlarged, with 18–23 marginal setae. Femur III with 14–17 setae in ventral setal brush.

Abdomen with tergite I enlarged. Tergites I–IV with medioposterior convexity ( Fig. 23 ); wide median gap in the rows of tergal setae presented on IV–VIII. Tergal setae: I, 25; II, 29–31; III, 31–33; IV, 31–33; V, 26–29; VI, 20; VII, 12; VIII, 8. Postspiracular setae extremely long (0.42–0.49) on II, IV and VIII; long (0.25–0.30) on I, III and VII; short (0.15) on V, and very short (0.08–0.10) on VI. Sternal setae: II, 4–5 in each aster, 19–20 marginal setae between asters, 4–5 anterior; III, 18–22; IV, 36; V, 33–35; VI, 27–31; VII, 25; VIII–IX, 26–28 including 14–16 setae on deeply serrated vulval margin; without medioanterior setae on sternites III–VII. Sternites V–VI strongly arched ( Fig. 23 ). Anal fringe formed by 35–40 dorsal and 33–35 ventral setae. Dimensions: TW, 0.46–0.50; HL, 0.29; PW, 0.28–0.29; MW, 0.49–0.51; AW, 0.59–0.60; ANW, 0.21; TL, 1.47–1.49.

Male (n = 4). As in Fig. 32 . Length of DHS 10, 0.030–0.035; DHS 11, 0.100–0.105; ratio DHS 10/11, 0.29–0.35. Gula with 5 setae on each side. Metasternal plate with 6–7 setae. Metanotum with 14–15 marginal setae.

Tergal setae: I, 16–17; II, 20; III, 19–21; IV, 17–19; V, 17; VI, 13–15; VII, 10; VIII, 8. Postspiracular setae: extremely long (0.45) on II and IV; long (0.19–0.25) on I and VII; and somewhat shorter (0.10–0.12) on V. Sternal setae: II, 4 in each aster, 16 marginal setae between asters, 7–11 anterior; III, 21–26; IV, 31–39; V, 32–37; VI, 30–31; VII, 23–24; VIII, 9–13; with medioanterior setae on sternites III, 1; IV, 2; V, 1; VI, 2. Genital sac sclerite short, with a relatively large subapical projection on each side, a concave posterior margin, and without medioposterior line ( Fig. 24 ). Dimensions: TW, 0.40–0.42; HL, 0.24–0.26; PW, 0.26; MW, 0.36; AW, 0.43–0.44; TL, 1.17–1.22; GW, 0.10–0.11; GSL, 0.07–0.08.

Type material. Female holotype and paratype male (O.Sychra CR218), ex Catharus fuscater , COSTA RICA: Tapanti National Park, Sector Tapanti (09°46’N, 83°47’W; 1200 m), 2–10 August 2009, Literak and Sychra leg. Paratypes: 3 females and 3 males with the same data as holotype. Deposited in INBio (O.Sychra CR218–221).

Remarks. This is the second species of Myrsidea from Catharus fuscater . The female of M. tapanti sp. nov. is clearly distinguished from those of other species belonging to the thoracica species group by the following characters: (1) enlarged metanotum, (2) unique shape of tergites I–II ( Fig. 23 ), (3) continuous rows of tergal setae on I–III.

The male of M. tapanti sp. nov. is well characterized by its genital sac sclerite ( Fig. 24 ), which places this species close to three species from Turdidae : M. rohi Ansari, 1956 , M. simplex Ansari, 1956 and M. varia Ansari, 1956 . However, the male of M. tapanti sp. nov. can be distinguished from the aforementioned species by its larger number of setae on tergites II–III (19–21 vs. 11–18); and on tergites II–V, together with 73–77 setae vs. 48–65.

Etymology. The species epithet derives from the name of the type locality of this new species: Tapanti National Park.

Myrsidea tapetapersi Sychra and Kounek sp. nov. ( Figs 25–26 , 29 , 33 )

Type host: Turdus nigrescens (Cabanis, 1861) — Sooty Thrush.

Female (n = 2). As in Fig. 29 . This species belongs to the thoracica species group sensu Clay (1966). Length of DHS 10, 0.075–0.085; DHS 11, 0.110–0.120; ratio DHS 10/11, 0.63–0.77. Gula with 5 setae on each side. Metasternal plate with 7 setae, metanotum not enlarged, with 13 marginal setae. Femur III with 18–22 setae in ventral setal brush.

Abdomen with tergite I not enlarged, with slightly convex posterior margin. Tergite II enlarged, with strongly convex and pointed posterior margin, tergites III and IV with concave lateral margins and straight medioposterior margins, tergite V only slightly convex ( Fig. 25 ). Tergal setae, with median gap in each row except in tergite I: I, 24; II, 23; III, 19; IV, 17; V, 20; VI, 21; VII, 16; VIII, 8. Postspiracular setae extremely long (0.50–0.56) on II, IV, VII and VIII; very long (0.38) on I; long (0.28) on III; and somewhat shorter (0.19–0.21) on V and VI. Sternal setae: II, 4 in each aster, 17 marginal setae between asters, 10 anterior; III, 23; IV, 31; V, 40; VI, 33; VII, 13; VIII–IX, 26 including 15–16 setae on deeply serrated vulval margin; without medioanterior setae on sternites III–VII. Sternite VI arched ( Fig. 25 ). Anal fringe formed by 48 dorsal and 38 ventral setae. Dimensions: TW, 0.53; HL, 0.33–0.34; PW, 0.31; MW, 0.49; AW, 0.59–0.63; ANW, 0.21–0.25; TL, 1.58–1.65.

Male (n = 4). As in Fig. 33 . Length of DHS 10, 0.070–0.075; DHS 11, 0.105–0.115; ratio DHS 10/11, 0.61–0.71. Gula with 4–5 setae on each side. Metasternal plate with 8 setae, metanotum with 11–12 marginal setae.

Tergal setae, with median gap in each row: I, 18; II, 17–18; III, 15–17; IV, 16–18; V, 17; VI, 15; VII, 11–12; VIII, 7–8. Postspiracular setae extremely long (0.50–0.52) on II, IV and VIII; very long (0.40) on VII; long (0.30) on I and III; and somewhat shorter (0.16–0.25) on V and VI. Sternal setae: II, 4 in each aster, 15 marginal setae between asters, 7–8 anterior; III, 18–21; IV, 27–28; V, 30–33; VI, 29; VII, 15–18; VIII, 7; without medioanterior setae. Genital sac sclerite with a large subapical projection on each side, a straight or slightly convex posterior margin and with short, dark medioposterior line ( Fig. 26 ). Dimensions: TW, 0.48–0.49; HL, 0.31–0.32; PW, 0.28–0.29; MW, 0.39–0.41; AW, 0.50; TL, 1.39–1.42; GW, 0.11–0.12; GSL, 0.08.

Type material. Holotype female and paratype male (O.Sychra CR222), 1 female and 3 males paratypes (O.Sychra CR223–224) ex Turdus nigrescens COSTA RICA: Tapanti National Park, Sector Cerro de la Muerte (9°33’N, 83°43’W; 3100 m), 12–14 August 2010, Sychra and Literak leg. Deposited in INBio (O.Sychra CR222–223) and MMBC (O.Sychra CR224).

Remarks. This is the first record of a chewing louse from Turdus nigrescens . The female of M. tapetapersi sp. nov. is clearly distinguished from those of other species belonging to the thoracica species group by the unique shape of its tergites ( Fig. 25 ).

The male of M. tapetapersi sp. nov. is characterized by the following features: (1) genital sac sclerite, (2) tergal chaetotaxy, and (3) sternites III–VII without anterior setae and quite large dimensions. These characters place M. tapetapersi sp. nov. close to M. keniensis Clay, 1966 from Turdus abyssinicus Gmelin, 1789 from Kenya. However, the male of M. tapetapersi sp. nov. can be distinguished by its larger number of setae on tergite I (18 vs. 12–13) and sternites IV–V (35–37 vs. 27–33).

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Oldrich Sychra Sr, father of the corresponding author, who is also known by his nickname TapeTapers.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 6. 1 – 2, Myrsidea assimilis: 1, female dorsoventral mesothorax, metathorax and abdomen. 2, male genital sac sclerite. 3 – 6, Myrsidea cerrodelamuertensis: 3, hypopharyngeal sclerites. 4, female dorsoventral mesothorax, methathorax and abdomen. 5, male genital sac sclerite. 6, male genital sac sclerite distorted. Scale bars = 0.5 mm for all figures.

FIGURES 27 – 30. 27 – 29, holotype females: 27, Myrsidea quinchoi. 28, Myrsidea tapanti. 29, Myrsidea tapetapersi. 30, female of Myrsidea simplex ex Catharus fuscater.

FIGURES 31 – 34. 31 – 33, paratype males: 31, Myrsidea quinchoi. 32, Myrsidea tapanti. 33, Myrsidea tapetapersi. 34, male of Myrsidea simplex ex Catharus fuscater.

FIGURES 23 – 26. 23 – 24, Myrsidea tapanti: 23, female dorsoventral mesothorax, methathorax and abdomen. 24, male genital sac sclerite. 25 – 26, Myrsidea tapetapersi: 25, female dorsoventral mesothorax, methathorax and abdomen. 26, male genital sac sclerite. Scale bars = 0.5 mm for all figures.