Typhlodromips cinchonai, Molla & Karmakar, 2021

Molla, Md. Iftiar Hossain & Karmakar, Krishna, 2021, Description of five new species of Amblyseiinae (Acari: Phytoseiidae) associated with medicinal plants from the Northern Himalayan Zone of West Bengal, India, Zootaxa 5057 (3), pp. 364-384 : 377-378

Typhlodromips cinchonai sp. nov.

( Figs 22–28 ; 47–51 )

Diagnosis. Dorsal shield smooth with light marks of sigilla on the podosomal area, and with seven pairs of solenostomes; both the setae r3 and R1 off shield. Setae j4, j5, j6, J2, J5, z2, z4, z5, Z1, S2, S4, S5, r3, and R1 minute, while setae j1, j3, s4, Z4 relatively long and smooth with pointed tip, Z5 longest dorsal setae which is weakly serrated. Peritreme extending beyond the bases of j1. Calyx of spermatheca disc-shaped connected with bean shaped atrium by a narrow tube. Sternal shield with three pairs of setae and posterior margin of sternal shield lightly wavy. Fixed digit of chelicera with nine teeth and movable digit with two backwardly-directed teeth. Ventrianal shield vaseshaped, widest at the anal level, with one pair of large elliptical pre-anal pores (gv3) situated immediately below setae JV2. Genu, tibia and tarsus of leg IV each with one macrosetae, and genu and tibia of leg III each with one macrosetae, while leg I and leg II each with one macrosetae on genu, genu II with seven setae.

Female (n = 15). Dorsum ( Fig. 22 ). Idiosomal setal pattern 10A: 9B/ JV -3: ZV.

Dorsal shield 380 (372–385) long and 238 (233–245) wide, smooth, with marks of sigilla mostly on prodorsal area, with seven pairs of solenostomes (gd1, gd2, gd4, gd5, gd6, gd8 and gd9); 17 pairs of setae on the dorsal shield and two pairs of setae on the unsclerotised cuticle: j1 28 (27–29), j3 38 (37–40), j4 7 (6–8), j5 7 (6–8), j6 6 (5–7), J2 7 (6–8), J5 6 (5–7), z2 11 (10–13), z4 11 (10–13), z5 7 (6–8), Z1 12 (11–13), Z4 48 (46–50), Z5 112 (109–116), s4 29 (27–31), S2 9 (8–10), S4 7 (6–8), S5 7 (6–8), r3 12 (11–14), R1 11 (10–12). All setae smooth with pointed tip except seta Z5 which is weakly serrated in anterior part; setae j1, j3, s4, Z4 long, and Z5 longest dorsal shield setae.

Peritreme ( Fig. 22 ). Extending beyond the bases of j1, with two parallel rows of micro tubercles within the peritreme.

Venter ( Fig. 23 ). All shields smooth. Sternal shield 64 (61–67) long and 70 (68–73) wide at level of setae ST1–ST3 and ST3–ST3 respectively, with three pairs of setae and two pairs of lyrifissures; one pair of setae ST4 19 (18–21) on metasternal plate; posterior margin of sternal shield lightly wavy and prominently visible in all specimens. Distances between ST1–ST1 59 (57–63), ST2–ST2 65 (63–68), ST5–ST5 70 (68–73). Genital shield smooth, broad at the base and with concave posterior margin, narrower towards genital opening with an irregular anterior margin of flap; setae ST5 25 (24–27) long. Ventrianal shield vase-shaped; 118 (115–120) long, 52 (50–54) wide at level of ZV2 and 72 (69–74) at anus level with three pairs of pre-anal setae JV1 25 (23–26), JV2 20 (18–21), ZV2 16 (14–17) and one pair of large elliptical pre-anal pores (gv3) situated immediately below setae JV2. Distance between pre-anal pores 21 (20–22). Membrane surrounding ventrianal shield with four pairs of setae ZV1 16 (14–17), ZV3 17 (16–19), JV4 16 (15–18) and JV5 46 (45–49), seta JV5 long, smooth with pointed tip. Two pairs of metapodal shields present, primary shield triangular, 18 (17–19) long and 5 (4–5) wide; secondary shield 15 (15–16) long.

Chelicera ( Fig. 24 ). Fixed digit 31 (29–32) long with nine teeth and a distinct pilus dentilis, movable digit 33 (32–35) long with two teeth.

Spermatheca ( Fig. 25 ). Calyx disc-shaped, 8 (7–10) long connected by a narrow tube with bean shaped atrium. Major and minor duct distinct.

Legs ( Fig. 26 ). All leg setae smooth with pointed tip. Length of macrosetae on legs: Sge IV 82 (79–85), Sti IV 62 (60–65), St IV 70 (68–74), Sge III 42 (40–43), Sti III 34 (34–36), Sge II 36 (35–37) and Sge I 42 (41–44). Chaetotactic formula of genu II: 2 2/0 2/0 1 and genu III: 1 2/0 2/1 1. Length of leg I 395 (391–398) leg II 322 (317–326), leg III 335 (332–339) and leg IV 415 (411–419).

Male (n = 4). A light sclerotised mite with 19 pairs of dorsal setae. Idiosomal setal pattern: 10A:9B/ JV -3,4: ZV - 1,3.

Dorsum. Dorsal shield 302 (300–306) long and 228 (226–232) wide, smooth, 19 pairs of setae on the dorsal shield: j1 29 (28–30), j3 44 (42–45), j4 8 (8–9), j5 8 (7–9), j6 8 (7–9), J2 11 (10–13), J5 7 (6–8), z2 12 (10–13), z4 12 (10–13), z5 7 (6–8), Z1 10 (9–12), Z4 41 (39–43), Z5 84 (81–87), s4 43 (41–46), S2 10 (9–11), S4 8 (7–9), S5 7 (6–8), r3 15 (13–16), R1 10 (9–12). All setae smooth with pointed tip and setae j1, j3, s4, Z4 long and Z5 longest dorsal shield setae.

Peritreme. Extending beyond the bases of j1.

Venter ( Fig. 27 ). Sternogenital shield with few lateral lines and anterior part of ventrianal shield striated. Sternogenital shield with three pairs of lyrifissures and five pairs of setae: ST1 18 (17–19), ST2 19 (18–20), ST3 19 (18–21), ST4 17 (16–18), ST5 16 (15–17). Distances between ST1–ST1 52 (50–54), ST2–ST2 58 (56–59), ST3–ST3 61 (58–63), ST4–ST4 43 (42–46), ST5–ST5 30 (28–32). Ventrianal shield 131 (128–136) long and 129 (126–132) wide at level of ZV2 setae, 68 (66–70) wide at the level of anus; with three pairs of pre-anal setae JV1 17 (15–18), JV2 16 (14–17), ZV2 16 (15–18) and one pairs of pre-anal pores (gv3) present. Unsclerotised membrane surrounding ventrianal shield with one pair of setae JV5 32 (30–34) at the level immediately below anal opening.

Chelicera ( Fig. 28 ). Spermatodactyl with an elongated shaft 19 (18–19) long terminating with a foot 9 (8–10) with distinct heel and toe. Fixed digit 28 (27–30) long with eight teeth and a distinct pilus dentilis, movable digit 25 (24–27) long unidentate.

Leg. All leg setae with pointed tip. Leg IV with three smooth distally pointed macrosetae of following lengths; genu 55 (53–57), tibia 48 (46–49), basitarsus 65 (63–69). Chaetotactic formula of genu II: 1 2/1 2/0 1 and genu III: 1 2/1 2/0 1. Length of leg I 342 (338–345), leg II 292 (289–295), leg III 288 (285–293) and leg IV 345 (341–349).

Type-specimens. Holotype: female (Acarol.lab/BCKV/8527/2021) deposited in the NZC, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, collected from Cinchona plant ( Cinchona officinalis L.: Rubiaceae ), at Ramdhura: 27 o 7’17”N, 88 o 34’1”E, 1514 m a.s.l., Kalimpong, West Bengal on 13 Nov 2020; eight paratype females (Acarol.lab/BCKV/8528– 8535/2021) deposited in the BCKV, with same collection data as holotype; four paratype females (Acarol.lab/ BCKV/8536–5839/2021), deposited in the NZC, collected from Chalta plant ( Dillenia indica L.: Dilleniaceae ) at Rishyap: 27 o 10’ 2”N 88 o 39’29”E, 2097 m a.s.l., Kalimpong, West Bengal on 14 Nov 2020; two paratype females (Acarol.lab/BCKV/8540–8541/2021), deposited in the BCKV, collected from Hasnuhana plant ( Cestrum nocturnum L.: Solanaceae ) at same locality on 15 Nov 2020; One paratype males (Acarol.lab/BCKV/8542/2021) deposited in the NZC, and three paratype male (Acarol.lab/BCKV/8543–8545/2021) deposited in the BCKV, with same collection data as holotype.

Etymology. The specific name cinchonai refers to the type host plant, Cinchona officinalis (L.) (a medicinal plant from which quinine is prepared) from where the new species were collected.

Remarks. Typhlodromips cinchonai belongs to cumulus species group for spermatheca with shallow dish shaped calyx ( Chant & McMurtry, 2005). The new species is unique among this group for smooth dorsal shield and vase shaped ventrianal shield. The new species is close to the T. ivolionae ( Blommers, 1974) , T. mangleae De Leon, 1967 and T. septentrionalis ( Karg, 1977) for shallow disc-shaped calyx and bean shaped atrium. However, the new species widely differs from the close species by the pattern of dorsal shield, length and shape of dorsal shield setae, shape of ventrianal shield, variation in leg macrosetae and denticles in chelicera. All the differences between the new species and the close species are given in Table 5 .

Figures

FIGURES 22–28. Typhlodromips cinchonai. 22. Dorsal view of idiosoma (female) 23. Ventral view of idiosoma (female); 24. Chelicera (female); 25. Spermatheca (female); 26. Genu, tibia and basitarsus of leg IV (female). 27. Ventral view of idiosoma (male), 28. Spermatodactyl (male).

FIGURES 42–51. 42–46. Okiseius ramdhuracus (female). 42. Dorsal view of idiosoma; 43. Chelicera; 44. Genu, tibia and basitarsus of leg IV; 45. Spermatheca; 46. Ventrianal shield; 47–51. Typhlodromips cinchonai. 47. Dorsal view of idiosoma (female); 48. Genu, tibia and basitarsus of leg IV (female); 49. Chelicera (female); 50. Ventral shields (male); 51. Spermatodactyl (male).