Asetacus obscurus, Huang, Kun-Wei & Wang, Chin-Fah, 2009

Huang, Kun-Wei & Wang, Chin-Fah, 2009, Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) of Taiwan: thirty-seven species from Yangmingshan, including one new genus and twenty-two new species, Zootaxa 1986, pp. 1-50 : 45-48

Asetacus obscurus sp. nov. ( Fig. 22 )

Female: Body fusiform, 195 long, shield 38 long, 67 wide, shield lobe present, shield design with median line and admedian lines complete, admedian line converging to base; scapular tubercles set ahead of rear shield margin, setae (sc) absent, Dt-Dt 34 apart, Dt-Sr 8; leg segments normal, fore and hind femoral setae absent, fore tibial setae (1´) 6 long, set at half; coxal area smooth; 1st coxal tubercle and setae (1b) absent, 2nd coxal setae (1a) 18 long, Ct2-Ct2 16 apart, 3rd coxal setae (2a) 30 long, Ct3-Ct3 30 apart, Ct2\Ct3 26, Ct2-Ct3 13; claw ending as knob; empodium simple, 3-rayed.

Opisthosoma: dorsum with obscure broad midridge, dorsal annuli with about 72 rings, 1st 3 dorsal annuli 7 long, ventral annuli with about 76 microtuberculate rings; lateral setae (c2) 14 long, Lt-Lt 77 apart, Lt\Vt1 66, Lt-Vt1 31; 1st ventral setae (d) 23 long, Vt1-Vt1 45 apart, Vt1\Vt2 53, Vt1-Vt2 39; 2nd ventral setae (e) 10 long, Vt2-Vt2 26 apart, Vt2\Vt3 55, Vt2-Vt3 46; 3rd ventral setae (f) 31 long, Vt3-Vt3 33 apart; accessory setae (h1) absent.

Epigynium: 37 wide, 20 long, with about 24 short longitudinal ridges at base, genital setae (3a) 6 long, Gt-Gt 28 apart.

Male: not seen.

Type data: Holotype Ψ, Taipei: Yangmingshan (675m; N25°10´E121°34´), 18-Aug.-1999, Huang & Wang; ex Helicia formosana Hemsl. (Proteaceae) . (deposited at NMNS). Paratypes, 2Ψ, data same as for holotype.

Relation to host: A vagrant on the lower leaf surface. No apparent damage was observed. Remarks: This new species is close to A. schinae Kuang 1986 by the shield design with median line and admedian lines complete, and the coverflap with short longitudinal ridges at base. This new species differs from A. schinae by the following characters: the prodorsal shield design without granules, admedian line converging to base, dorsal opisthosoma with obscure ridge, and the 3-rayed empodium. This new species was found associated with Taicolopodacus primus gen. et sp. nov. on the same host plant.

Etymology: The specific name means “obscure” in reference to the dorsal opisthosoma with obscure midridges.

PLATE 7. Diptilomiopus aralioidus Huang, 2006 A, Dorsal view; B, Epigynium; Abacarus floritulus Huang, 2001 C, Dorsal view; Catarhinus palmifolies Huang, 2001 D, Dorsal view.

Figures

FIGURE 22. Asetacus obscurus sp. nov. (Ψ). A, Dorsal view; B, Legs and genital region, ventral view; C, Detail of some annuli in lateral view; D, Fore and hind legs. (scale A, B, C, D = 50 μm).