Valgothrombium takhtii Saberi-Riseh & Saboori, 2020

Saberi-Riseh, Nasir, Saboori, Alireza, Asadi, Mahdieh & Golpayegani, Azadeh Zahedi, 2020, The first record of Valgothrombium (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) from Iran with description of a new species, Acarological Studies 2 (2), pp. 119-125 : 119-120

Valgothrombium takhtii Saberi-Riseh & Saboori n. sp.

Diagnosis

Larva with following features: Dorsum of idiosoma with two shields; median ridge present on posterior part of the scutum. Scutum punctate and rectangle, and scutellum punctate; palp femur and palp genu without setae; fD = 4(+2)-6-6-6-4 = 26(+2); fV = 2-2u = 4; fnGe = 4-2-2; IP = 490–503.

Description (n = 3)

Colour in life red. Idiosoma oval, Metric data given in Table 1 .

Dorsal idiosoma ( Fig. 1 ) with a scutum, a scutellum; hysterosoma with 28 barbed setae, each placed on a large sclerite except c 1 on scutellum and terminal setae. Setal sclerites (largest bearing setae c 2 and d 1) sparsely punctated. Dorsal setae arranged in five rows (c 1–3, d 1–3, e 1–3, f 1– 3, h 1–2) ( Fig. 1 ). Setae f 3 and h 1 -h 2 are seen on the ventral side of idiosoma. Scutum rectangular in outline and distinctly longer than wide, with slight antero-medial protrusion and rounded anterolateral angles. Scutum with a posteriorly protruding ridge along its median axis ( Fig. 1 ); scutum with bearing 3 pairs of normal setae (AM, AL and PL) and 1 pair of trichobothria (S). AM and AL with setules and PL slightly thicker than AM and barbed. S filiform and smooth. Paired eyes at the level of posterior part of scutum, each pair composed of anterior and posterior lens (anterior 6–7 in diameter, posterior: 4–5), situated on a smooth oval sclerite. Scutellum wider than long, bearing one pair of barbed c 1 setae. Antero- and posteromedian parts of scutellum with distinct concavity, other parts of scutellum convex.

Ventral idiosoma ( Fig. 2 ) with smooth cuticle. Claparéde’s organs laterally between coxae I and II. Coxa I with 1a and 1b setae with one setula. Coxa II with antero-lateral seta 2b with one setula. Coxa III with single antero-lateral seta 3b, with one setula. fCx formula = BB-B-B. Idiosoma without intercoxal setae (3a) between coxae III, 2 pairs of ventral setae with distinct barbs and a uropore. Anal opening without sclerite. ƒ V formula = 2u-2. NDV = 28 (+ 2) + 4 = 30 (+ 2).

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 3 ) with hypostomal setae (bs) short, small spine-like, a pair of nude adoral setae (or). Cheliceral blade slightly curved, with small denticle in distal part of its inner edge. Palpal femur and genu without setae. Palp tibia with one long smooth seta and two shorter, thorn-like setae. Palpal tibial claw bifid. Palpal tarsus with one solenidion, one eupathidium, one very long nude setae and 3 very short nude setae. fPp =0-0-0-NNN 2 - NNNNωζ.

Leg segmentation formula: 6-6-6. Leg setal formula ( Figs 4-12 ): Leg I: Tr (1n) - Fe (6n) - Ge (4n, 2σ, 1Κ) - Ti (6n, 2φ, 1Κ) - Ta (17n, 2ζ, 1ω, 1ε). Leg II: Tr (1n) - Fe (5n) - Ge (2n, 1σ) - Ti (5n, 2φ) - Ta (14–15n, 1ζ, 1ω, 1ε). Leg III: Tr (1n) - Fe (4n) - Ge (2n, 1σ) - Ti (5n) - Ta (13n). Fe I with two and Fe II & III with one nude setae. Ta I & II with two falciform claws; Ta III with two falciform claws and a slender claw-like empodium. Each claw has a subterminal spur on each side ( Figs 6, 9, 12 ). Measurements given in Table 1 .

Type material

The holotype (ARS-20200528-1a ) and two paratypes ( ARS-20200528-1b, 1c ) were collected by Nasir Saberi-Riseh, 22 June 2018. Larvae were collected from soil under walnut tree, Riseh village (30° 19′ 00″ N, 55° 24′ 33″ E, 2498 m a.s.l), Shahre Babak city, Kerman Province, southern Iran . The holotype ( ARS-20200611-1a ) and one paratype ( ARS-20200611-1b ) are deposited in the Acarological Collection, Jalal Afshar Zoological Museum ( JAZM), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran . Other paratype ( ARS-20200611-1c ) are deposited in the Acarological Collection, Acarological Society of Iran, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Etymology

This species is named in memory of Gholamreza Takhti (August 27, 1930 – January 7, 1968) was an Iranian Olympic Gold-Medalist wrestler. Popularly nicknamed Jahān Pahlevān ("The World Champion") because of his chivalrous behavior and sportsmanship, he was the most popular athlete of Iran in the 20th century, although dozens of Iranian athletes have won more international medals than he did. Takhti is still a hero to many Iranians. He is listed in the FILA wrestling hall of fame.

Figures

Figure 1. Valgothrombium takhtii Saberi-Riseh & Saboori n. sp. (larva) - Dorsal view of idiosoma (AM = Anteromedian seta, AL = Anterolateral seta, PL = Posterolateral seta, S = Sensillary seta).

Figure 2. Valgothrombium takhtii Saberi-Riseh & Saboori n. sp. (larva) - Ventral view of idiosoma.

Figure 3. Valgothrombium takhtii Saberi-Riseh & Saboori n. sp. (larva) - Dorsal view (right) and ventral view (left) of gnathosoma.

Figures 4–12. Valgothrombium takhtii Saberi-Riseh & Saboori n. sp. (larva) – 4. Trochanter and femur I, 5. Genu and tibia I, 6. Tarsus I, 7. Trochanter and femur II, 8. Genu and tibia II, 9. Tarsus II, 10. Trochanter and femur III, 11. Genu and tibia III, 12. Tarsus III.