Pseudotorrenticola espinasseae, Wiles, 2005

Wiles, P. R., 2005, First collections of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from Honduras: descriptions of six new species, Journal of Natural History 39 (3), pp. 253-263 : 258-259

Pseudotorrenticola espinasseae n. sp.

( Figure 4 )

Male. Rosy red pigment on dorsal shield. Large species; dorsal shield length 743, width 608; ventral shield length 940, width 710. Dorsal plates 1+1 with anterior pair of platelets fused together and posterior platelets fused to large dorsal plate; D2 and D3 located on, and D4 located posterior to, dorsal plate. Ventral shield typical; length MS 51, Ib–Gp 279; V1 on ventral plate, V2–4 and excretory pore located posterior to ventral plate; infracapitular bay very shallow, tapering to point posteriorly, length 42, width apically 51. Length genital flap 186, width across both flaps 186. Ejaculatory complex with wide bulbous distal end. Infracapitulum extendable to 338; infracapitulum long, length 584, narrow with long thin rostrum, length 254; chelicera stylet-like, 351 long, claw 51 long; pedipalp P2 of similar length to P3, much reduced, P4:P3,0.5; length P1–5: 46, 111, 107, 31, 10. Legs typical.

Female. Similar to male but MS is longer. Dorsal shield length 727, width 634; ventral shield length 871, width 660; MS 102, Ib–Gp 271. Length genital flap 169, width across both flaps 148. Infracapitulum 525. Legs typical.

Material examined. HOLOTYPE: „. Honduras: ( Site 2) R. El Carago , small stream, near Cusuco National Park entrance, Merendon mountains, altitude 640 m, 13 February 2003. Slide H1 „, paratype 1 H 3♀.

Etymology. Named after Claire Espinasse, Glamorgan University who collected the specimens.

Discussion. The pattern of dorsal plate fusion (1+1) and the configuration of the palp segments are diagnostic of the new species. Pseudotorrenticola boettgeri K. O. Viets, 1977 from Guatemala, P. quinquescutata Lundblad, 1954 from Spain, P. mitchelli Cook, 1966 from Liberia and P. sharpae Wiles, 1997 from Thailand and Borneo, have a relatively much longer P4 and separate dorsal plates (1+4). The ejaculatory complex of P. espinasseae is of the type with a large, broad distal bulb, P. sharpae has a small distal bulb. Pseudotorrenticola chiricahua Smith, 1991 from Arizona, USA and P. africana K. O. Viets, 1981 have separate anterior platelets, and posterior platelets fused to the large dorsal plate (2+4); a pedipalp with reduced P4 (P4:P3.0.5), but not to the extent of P. espinasseae , and a shorter rostrum.

Figures

Figure 4. Pseudotorrenticola espinasseae n. sp. (a) Venter „, arrow to subapical epimeroglandularium 4; (b) lateral view infracapitulum; (c) pedipalp „?, inset ventral view of pedipalp; (d) ejaculatory complex of Pseudotorrenticola sharpae Wiles; (e) ejaculatory complex; (f) dorsum „; (g) venter ♀. Scale bar: 216 Mm (a, b, f, g); 41 Mm (c); 101 Mm (d, e).