Makwacarus petrodromi, Stekolnikov, 2018

Stekolnikov, Alexandr A., 2018, African chiggers (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) in the collection of Alex Fain, with a description of a new genus and three new species, Acarologia 58 (2), pp. 265-286 : 275-277

Makwacarus petrodromi n. sp. ( Figure 3 )

Zoobank: B86036E9-29DB-4F68-867B-E65139D64BC0

Diagnosis — SIF = 6B-B-3-2111.0000; fsp = 7.7.7; fCx = 1.1.1; fSt = 2.2; fPp = B/B/BBB; fSc: AL>= PL ≫ AM; Ip = 729 – 733; fD = 2H-8-6-6(9)-6(8)-7-…; DS = 42 – 45; VS = 42 – 45; NDV = 87. Standard measurements of holotype and paratype: AW 59, 57; PW 65 , 60 ; SB 22, 23; ASB 27, 26; PSB 16, 18; SD 43, 44; P-PL 22, 23; AP 18, 18; AM -, 29; AL 59, 59; PL 57, 54; S 27, 25; H 51, 50; D min 32, 32; D max 47, 46; V min 22, 18; V max 36, 31; pa 256, 261; pm 214, 214; pp 263, 254; Ip 733, 729; DS 42, 45; VS 45, 42; NDV 87, 87; TaIIIL 69, 70; TaIIIW 16, 15.

Description (larva)

Idiosoma — Eyes 2 + 2. One pair of humeral setae, 40 – 43 dorsal idiosomal setae arranged in holotype 8-6-6-6-7-4-3, in paratype 8-6-9-8-7-5; four sternal setae; 42 – 45 ventral setae; total number of idiosomal setae excluding coxal and sternal 87. All idiosomal setae covered by large protruding barbs, barbs of preanal ventral setae thinner.

Gnathosoma — Cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap; gnathobase with one pair of branched setae and sparse puncta; galeal setae with long branches; palpal claw with 3 prongs; palpal femoral, genual, and tibial setae with long branches; palpal tarsus with 6 branched setae and basal tarsala.

Scutum — Nearly pentagonal, wider than long, without puncta, with broadly rounded posterior margin; AM situated slightly posterior to level of ALs; SB situated clearly posterior to level of PLs (P-PL – PSB = 5 – 6); AL> PL ≫ AM; all scutal setae similar to dorsal idiosomal setae; sensilla globose, covered by small cilia.

Legs — All legs 7-segmented, with 1 pair of claws and claw-like empodium. Leg I: coxa with 1 non-specialized branched seta (1B); trochanter 1B; basifemur 1B; telofemur 5B; genu 4B, 2 genualae in distal half of segment, microgenuala at level of genualae; tibia 8B, 2 tibialae, microtibiala; tarsus 22B, tarsala 13 long, microtarsala near and slightly posterior to tarsala, subterminala, parasubterminala, pretarsala. Leg II: coxa 1B; trochanter 1B; basifemur 2B; telofemur 4B; genu 3B, genuala; tibia 6B, 2 tibialae in distal half of segment, not in tandem; tarsus 16B, tarsala 16 long, microtarsala behind tarsala, pretarsala. Leg III: coxa 1B; trochanter 1B; basifemur 2B; telofemur 3B; genu 3B, genuala; tibia 6B, tibiala; tarsus 15B.

Host — Petrodromus tetradactylus tordayi Thomas ( Macroscelidea : Macroscelididae ).

Type material — larva holotype ( IRSNB) from P. tetradactylus tordayi , DR CONGO, Makwa , 3°28′52′′S, 17°31′47′′E, collected by A. Fain ; larva paratype with same data .

1 st row (marginal); D – humeral seta; E – arrangement of ventral idiosomal setae; F – arrangement of dorsal idiosomal setae; G – dorsal aspect of gnathosoma; H – ventral aspect of gnathosoma; I – tarsus, tibia, and genu of leg I; J – tarsus, tibia, and genu of leg II; K – tarsus, tibia, and genu of leg III. Scale bars: A, I-K – 50 μm; B-D, G-H – 20 μm; E-F – 100 μm.

Etymology — Species epithet derives from generic name of the host.

Remarks — Date of collection is unknown. There are two populated places with the name Makwa in DR Congo, according to the database of US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, but the second one (4°16′20′′N, 28°07′00′′E) does not fall within the known distribution range of P. tetradactylus according the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species http(://dx.doi.org/10. 2305/IUCN. UK.2015-2.RLTS.T42679A21290893.en).

Figures

Figure 3 Makwacarus petrodromi n. gen., n. sp., larva: A – scutum and eyes; B – ventral preanal idiosomal seta; C – dorsal idiosomal seta of