Rhopalozetes bisculpturatus, Mahunka, 2005

Mahunka, S., 2005, Oribatid Mites (Acari: Oribatida) From Venezuela, I. Microzetid Species, Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 51 (4), pp. 287-311 : 303-305

Rhopalozetes bisculpturatus sp. n.

( Figs 17–19 )

Diagnosis: Rostrum conical. Lamellae typical for the genus, large excepting the small interlamellar region covering the whole prodorsum. A weak translamella present. Rostral setae minute, arising on the rostrum, lamellar setae are set on the distal end of lamellae, while interlamellar setae on the lamellar surface. Sensillus capitate, its head with long bristles. Notogaster with short, vermiform secretion granules anteriorly, same pustuliform ones posteriorly. Two transversal band on the epimeral region, a few longitudinal lines on the ventral plate.

Material examined: Holotype: Venezuela, Estado Mérida, Parc Nacional Sierra Nevada. Andean montane rainforest dominated by Decussocarpus ( Podocarpaceae ) near the cable car station La Montaña. At 2460 m alt. Litter and mosses. 15. Febr. 1997. Coll. S. & T. PÓCS (No. 9712), 3 paratypes from the same sample. Holotype (1687-HO-05) and 2 paratypes (1687-PO-05): HNHM, 1 paratype: MHNG.

Measurements: Length of body: 197–210 µm, width of body: 137–146 µm.

Prodorsum: Conical, simple in dorsal view, beak-shaped in lateral view. Lamellae large, touching medially, a weak translamella between them present. True lamellar cusps absent, distal part serrate, lamellar seta arising on a short apophysis ( Fig. 17 ). Lamellar surface rugose, interlamellar setae very thin, located on it. Sensillus clavate, directed outwards, its head well spiculate.

Notogaster: Pteromorphae small, rounded in dorsal view. Dorsosejugal suture well visible, medially not interrupted. Notogastral surface with a distinct pattern, it consisiting of secretion granules. Their form is mostly S-shaped or curved anteriorly, simple pustuliform posteriorly. Nine pairs of notogastral setae present, all minute and simple, equal in length.

Lateral part of podosoma: Rostral setae minute, but spiniform, with some short cilia, arising on small tubercles. Tutorium spiniform, with long apex, reaching over the insertion of rostral setae ( Fig. 19 ). Pedotecta 1 very large, its surface covered by large pustules. Pedotecta 2–3 ornamented by transversal striae. Circumpedal carina reaching the margin of ventral plate.

Ventral regions: Infracapitulum large, setae h arising medially. Epimeral region with two wide transversal bands (bo. 2 and bo. 4), they are not connected by longitudinal parts. Epimeral and ventral surface covered by small granules. Epimeral setae simple and short, their position as shown in Fig. 18 . On the lateral part of bo. a characteristic formation visible, from here are running some lines, along the genital aperture posteriorly. Anogenital setal formula: 6 – 1 – 2 – 3. Anterior genital setae much longer than the others. Anal aperture framed a weak crest posteriorly.

Remarks: The new species is well characterised by the sculpture of the notogaster and that of pedotecta 1. Both are unique in this genus.

Etymology: Named after the sculpture of the notogaster.

Figures

Figs 17–19. Rhopalozetes bisculpturatus sp. n.: 17 = body in dorsal view, 18 = body in ventral view, 19 = podosoma in lateral view