Pterygosoma fragilis Fajfer, 2013

Fajfer, Monika, 2020, A systematic revision of the scale mite genus Pterygosoma Peters, 1849 (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae), Zootaxa 4805 (1), pp. 1-147 : 79-81

Pterygosoma fragilis Fajfer, 2013 ( Figs 66–68 )

Pterygosoma fragilis Fajfer, 2013: 260 figs 3− 5 Type host: Agama agama (Sauria: Agamidae ). Type locality: Kenya (Bura Tana).

Diagnosis. Gnathosoma . Chelicerae 180–185 long. Swollen cheliceral part always 2 times shorter than slender cheliceral part. Fixed cheliceral digit with spinous process. Setae dF slightly shorter than setae dG. Palpal tibia with short claw; palpal tarsi with 4 setae. Subcapitulum without setae n. Hypostome with several minute denticles at apex. Idiosoma 415–450 long and 1020–1065 wide. Dorsum with 3 groups of serrate setae: 57–65 pairs of antero-lateral setae; 1 pair of postero-lateral setae and 2 pairs of dorso-median setae dm1 and dm2. Peripheral series represented by 6–7 pairs of slightly apically expanded setae: 3 pairs located medially, 3–4 pairs laterally. Eyes absent. Venter. Setae vm1 filiform, vm2 and vm3 serrate. Genital slit situated dorsally. Genital series represented by 1 pair of conspicuous spine-like setae g1 and 1 pair of minute setae g2 (setae g2 may be absent). Pseudanal series represented by 4 pairs of paddle-shaped setae with minute spicules on apical margin. Legs chaetotaxy as in inermis group ( Tab. 1). Setation of tarsi I–IVas in group A ( Tab. 2). Setae tc’ of legs II–IV, setae a’, a”, u’, u” of legs I–IV and setae vs’ of legs I–II smooth, setae vs’ of legs III– IV slightly serrate.

MALE. Unknown.

Type material (examined). Female holotype and 1 female paratype from Agama agama (Linnaeus) (Sauria: Agamidae ) ( ZMUC no. R3669) [lateral surface], KENYA: Garissa County, Bura Tana, 20–24 October 1947, coll. Ahlefeldt and Jacobsen; 1 female paratype from same host species ( ZMUC no. 3667) and location .

Type material deposition. Holotype in the ZMUC, 1 female paratype in the AMU, 1 female paratype in the

ZISP.

Host and distribution. This species is known only from Agama agama from Kenya [Garissa County, Bura Tana] ( Fajfer 2013b) .

Remarks. In the original description of this species, setae a’ and a” of tarsi I are marked incorrectly as eupathidia and it’ and it” of tarsi I as simple setae ( Fajfer 2013b) whereas the re-examination of P. fragilis shows that setae a’ and a ” are simple, and setae it’ and it ” of tarsi I are represented by eupathidia. Also, this study shows that additional minute seta g3 (about 2 long) is present.

Figures

FIGURE 66. Pterygosoma fragilis Fajfer, 2013, female in dorsal view (after Fajfer 2013b).

FIGURE 67. Pterygosoma fragilis Fajfer, 2013, female in ventral view (after Fajfer 2013b).

FIGURE 68. Pterygosoma fragilis Fajfer, 2013, female. A, palps in dorsal view; B, tarsus I in ventro-lateral view; C, tarsus II in lateral view (after Fajfer 2013b, modified).