Bryobia (Allobia) syriensis, Barbar & Auger, 2020

Barbar, Ziad & Auger, Philippe, 2020, New records of the genusBryobia (Acari: Tetranychidae) from Syria with description of a new species, Acarologia 60 (2), pp. 268-288 : 269-281

Bryobia (Allobia) syriensis n. sp.

Zoobank: A423D4AA-D815-4BEF-94B8-47FD082F3ED3

Figures 1–10

Type material — Holotype (female), 23 female and 2 male paratypes on 10 microscopic preparations, from S. verbenaca, Attabiyyat , south-west of Latakia city, Syria (35°30’24”

N, 35°46’49” E), 23 April and 2 June, 2019, coll. Z. Barbar. The holotype and paratypes are deposited in the Arthropod Collection of the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Albaath University, Homs, Syria.

Diagnosis — This species belongs to Bryobia (Allobia) Livshitz and Mitrofanov (1971) which is characterized by the following: propodosomal lobes absent or poorly developed, if present, outer and inner lobes not separated by deep incision; distance between f 1 members longer than distance between f 2 members; f 1 and f 2 well separated laterally. It can be distinguished from others Byrobia species by a combination of the following characteristics: females with weakly developed median propodosomal lobes with small and shallow incision, outer lobes reduced to very small tubercles; setae v 2 about twice as long as setae v 1; dorsal body setae short, spatulate, serrate and inserted in small tubercles; peritreme ends in a tiny anastomosis consisting of 3–4 loges; tarsus III with tactile seta and solenidion subequal in length forming duplex; tarsus IV with solenidion well-separated from tactile, proximal, about 3/4 the length of tactile; leg I shorter than body length, empodial claws I-IV uncinate, each with one pair of tenent hairs; empodium I with one pair of tenent hairs and empodia II-IV with two rows of tenent hairs.

Female description — (n = 24). Relatively small, 548 (488–548) long excluding gnathosoma, 663 (575–663) including gnathosoma, and 384 (327–384) wide.

Dorsum – Prodorsum with four pairs of setae ( Figure 1A ); median propodosomal lobes weakly developed with fused base (variations in propodosomal lobes due to mounting are presented in Figure 2 A-C); outer propodosomal lobes reduced to small tubercles; setae v 2 about twice as long as setae v 1 ( Figure 2 ). Distance between members of first (v 1) and second v (2) pair of propodosomal setae insertions 10 (8–12) and 47 (45–50), respectively. Dorsal body setae short, spatulate and serrate, 12–17 width, subequal in length except for v 1 far smaller, inserted on small tubercles ( Figure 1B ). Measurements of dorsal setae: v 1 11 (10–11); v 2 23 (22–26); sc 1 21 (21–25); sc 2 23 (21–25); c 1 25 (23–29); c 2 23 (21–26); c 3 23 (21–25); d 1 23 (21–25); d 2 23 (21–25); d 3 23 (21–23); e 1 23 (21–23); e 2 23 (21–23); e 3 23 (21–23); f 1 23 (21–25); f 2 21 (21–23); h 1 18 (18–23). Distances between setae: sc 2 –sc 2 237 (202–237), c 1 – c 1 83 (64–83), d 1 – d 1 60 (55–64), e 1 – e 1 51 (41–51), f 1 – f 1 148 (126–148), f 2 – f 2 115 (110–115), h 1 – h 1 46 (40–50), c 1 – d 1 101 (81–101), d 1 – e 1 81 (69–81), v 2 – h 1 535 (470–535). Setae f 1 and f 2 lateral, distance between f 1 members larger than between f 2 members. Dorsal body surface granulated with longitudinal and irregular folds on propodosoma ( Figure 2D ) and with transverse spaced granulate striae on medial hysterosoma irregularly arched posteriorly ( Figure 1 ).

Gnathosoma – Stylophore slightly notched anteriorly, longer than wide ( Figure 3A ). Tibial claw of palpus bidentate. Palptarsus smaller than tibial claw, with three tactile setae, three eupathidia and one solenidion; eupathidia and solenidion subequal in length ( Figure 3B ). Peritreme ends in a tiny bulbous anastomosis (about 7 in diameter) consisting of 3–4 loges ( Figure 3C ).

Venter – Striation transverse, sparse and broken between 1a and 3a pairs of setae, irregularly longitudinal, sparse and broken between 3a and 4a pairs of setae, transverse and broken between 4a and aggenital ag () pairs of setae, irregular in the area anterior to genital flap and longitudinal between (ag) setae. Genitoanal region with two pairs of genitals g (1-2), three pairs of pseudanal (ps 1-3) and two pairs of ventrocaudal h (2-3) setae. Sacculus of spermatheca elongate, with smooth surface, seems constricted in its distal third, 15 (15–16) long, 7 (6–7) wide ( Figure 3D ).

Legs – ( Figures 4 , 5 , 6 ). Leg I shorter than body length, 389 (381–391) long, leg II 290 (253–290), leg III 290 (255–290), leg IV 306 (299–322). Length of segments of leg I as follows: trochanter 18 (18–24), femur 115 (108–115), genu 64 (57–69), tibia 74 (64–78), tarsus 69 (60–69). Leg setal counts as follows:

I: 2 – 1 – 14[15] – 8 – 13 + (1) – 18 + (3) + 2 duplexes

II: 1 – 1 – 10 – 5 – 9 – 15 + (1) + 1 duplex

III: 1 − 1 − 6 – 6 – 9 –14 + 1 duplex

IV: 1 – 1 – 5 – 6 – 9 − 14 + (1)

True claws uncinate, each with one pair of tenent hairs. Empodium I with one pair of tenent hairs, empodia II-IV each with two rows of tenent hairs ( Figure 6A, B ). Tarsus III associated tactile seta and solenidion forming duplex sub-equal in length ( Figure 6C ), on tarsus IV solenidion well-separated from tactile, proximal, about 3/4 the length of tactile ( Figure 6D ). Coxisternal setae 1b, 44, smooth about twice as long as setae 1c, 24, serrate ( Figure 6E ).

Male description — (n = 2). Small, 311–317 long excluding gnathosoma and 366–377 including gnathosoma, 207–210 wide.

Dorsum – Without prodorsal projections, setae v 1 and v 2 located on tiny tubercles ( Figure 7A ). Setae v 1 and v 2 short, subspatulate, serrate, v 2 twice as long as v 1 ( Figure 8A ). Distance between first (v 1) and second v (2) pair of propodosomal setae insertions 14–18 and 54–56, respectively. Other dorsal body setae subequal in length, elongate subspatulate, enlarged distally (setae c 1 less enlarged), serrate, all inserted on tiny tubercles ( Figure 7B, C ). Dorsocentral setae (c 1, d 1 and e 1) shorter than distances between consecutive setae. Measurements of dorsal setae: v 1 7; v 2 14–15; sc 1 28; sc 2 28–32; c 1 30–35; c 2 30–35; c 3 28; d 1 28–30; d 2 28–30; d 3 28; e 1 30–32; e 2 30 –32; e 3 28 –30; f 1 25–30; f 2 30; h 1 23. Distances between setae: sc 2 –sc 2 150–170, c 1 – c 1 55–60, d 1 – d 1 41–51, e 1 – e 1 23 –25, f 1 – f 1 64–68, f 2 – f 2 48–53, 64–68, h 1 – h 1 20, c 1 – d 1 44–48, d 1 – e 1 39 –46, v 2 – h 1 274–304. Dorsal body surface granulate with few longitudinal and irregular folds on propodosoma, with transverse spaced striae on medial hysterosoma, and with arched striae on the surface between d 1 – d 3 and e 1 – e 3 ( Figures 7A ).

Gnathosoma – Stylophore slightly notched anteriorly, longer than wide, as in female. Tibial claw of palpus bidentate. Palptarsus as in female with solenidion shorter than eupathidia ( Figure 8B ). Peritreme ends in small bulb with four pointed denticles at its distal margin ( Figure 8C ).

Aeadeagus – Without knob, bent dorsad near at right angle, weakly sigmoid, with tapering distal part and acute tip pointing caudad, shaft dorsal margin curved ( Figure 8D ).

Legs – ( Figures 9 , 10 ). Leg I longer than body length 451 long, leg II 290–304, leg III 260–281, leg IV 288–304. Length of segments of leg I as follows: trochanter 18–23, femur 133–150, genu 69–76, tibia 81, tarsus 81. Leg setal counts as follows:

I: 2 – 1 – 14[15] – 8 – 13 + (1) – 18 + (8) + 2 duplexes

II: 1 – 1 – 10[11] – 6[5] – 9 – 15 + (1) + 1 duplex

III: 1 – 1 – 7 – 6 – 9 – 14 + 1 duplex

IV: 1 − 1 − 5 – 6 – 9 – 14 + (1)

True claws uncinate. Claws I-IV each with one pair of tenent hairs. Empodia I-IV each with two rows of tenent hairs. Tarsus III associated tactile seta and solenidion forming duplex sub-equal in length; tarsus IV with solenidion well-separated from tactile, proximal, about 2/3 the length of tactile.

Etymology — This species was named after the country, Syria, where it was collected.

Remarks — Among the species that belong to the subgenus Bryobia (Allobia) (as defined by Livshitz and Mitrofanov, 1971) to which B. (A.) syriensis n. sp. also belongs, it is very close to B. (A.) livschitzi Mitrofanov and Strunkova, 1968 (Livshitz and Mitrofanov, 1971), B. (A.) ziziphorae Strunkova and Mitrofanov, 1983, B. (A.) tuttlei Smiley and Baker, 1995, B. (A.) reckiana Mitrofanov and Strunkova, 1968, B. (A.) strunkovae Mitrofanov, 1968 (Livshitz and Mitrofanov, 1971), B. (A.) montana Mitrofanov, 1973 and B. (A.) giannitensis Hatzinikolis and Panou, 1996. However B. (A.) syriensis differs from B. (A.) livschitzi by having dorsal body setae spatulate (vs. subsaptulate with pointed or rounded tip in B. (A.) livschitzi); by differences in femoral setal count 14[15] – 10 – 6 – 5 and 12 – (7-8) – 4 – 4 in B. (A.) syriensis and B. (A.) livschitzi, respectively; and by differences in tibial setal count on legs II-IV, 9 – 9 – 9 and 7 – 7 – 7 in B. (A.) syriensis and B. (A.) livschitzi, respectively.

Bryobia (A.) syriensis can be separated from B. (A.) ziziphorae by the following characters: the outer prodorsal lobes are more developed in B. (A.) ziziphorae and the shape of setae v 2 is also different; the distal end of the peritreme consists of a tiny anastomosis of 3–4 loges in B. (A.) syriensis whereas it is simple in B. (A.) ziziphorae; solenidion and tactile seta on tarsus IV are well–separated in B. (A.) syriensis vs. a duplex setae is present in B. (A.) ziziphorae; and the femoral, tibial and tarsal setal counts obviously differ between the two species.

The main differences between females of B. (A.) syriensis and B. (A.) tuttlei are the following: the outer propodosomal lobes are very reduced in B. (A.) syriensis but well developed in B. (A.) tuttlei; setae v 1 are about half the length of v 2 in B. (A.) syriensis whereas they are quite similar in size in B. (A.) tuttlei; the spermatheca has a smooth surface in B. (A.) syriensis vs. reticulate in B. (A.) tuttlei; obvious differences in leg setal counts are observed between the two species (with the exception of genu II and femur IV). In the male B of. (A.) syriensis dorsal body setae are elongated, subspatulate but in males of B. (A.) tuttlei they are spatulate (similar to those of female).

Bryobia (A.) syriensis clearly differs from B. (A.) reckiana by having spatulate, serrate and distally rounded dorsal body setae vs. lanceolate in B. (A.) reckiana; solenidion and tactile seta on tarsus IV are well-separated in B. (A.) syriensis vs. a duplex seta is present in B. (A.) reckiana; the empodium I of B. (A.) syriensis bears only one pair of tenent hairs whereas two rows of tenent hairs are present in B. (A.) reckiana; leg setal counts are very different between the two species.

Bryobia (A.) syriensis and B. (A.) strunkovae can be separated by: a smaller body width of B. (A.) syriensis , 327–384 vs. 572 in B. strunkovae ; the leg I length that is far shorter (381–391) than the body length in B. (A.) syriensis whereas it is about as long as the body length (640) in B. (A.) strunkovae ; the distal end of the peritreme is less developed B in. (A.) syriensis than in B. (A.) strunkovae ; solenidion and tactile seta on tarsus IV are well-separated in B. (A.) syriensis but a duplex seta is present in B. (A.) strunkovae ; finally, obvious differences between the setal counts of the two species are present.

Bryobia (A.) syriensis differs from B. (A.) montana by having one pair of tenent hairs on empodium I vs. two rows in B. (A.) montana; solenidion and tactile seta on tarsus IV are well–separated in B. (A.) syriensis vs. a duplex seta is present in B. (A.) montana; and by very different leg setal counts.

The main differences between B. (A.) syriensis and B. (A.) giannitensis are: a smaller body size of B. (A.) syriensis , 575–663 long and 327–384 wide vs. 789–809 and 650–559; a far shorter leg I in B. (A.) syriensis (381–391) compared to B. (A.) giannitensis (603–609); setae v 1 and v 2 are spatulate in B. (A.) syriensis but lanceolate in B. (A.) giannitensis; in B. (A.) syriensis one pair of tenent hairs is present on claws II-IV but each of them bears two pairs of tenent hairs in B. (A.) giannitensis; obvious differences in leg setal counts between the two species are also observed.

Figures

Figure 1 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., female: A – dorsal aspect; B – dorsal setac1. Scale bars = 100 µm (A), 10 µm (B).

Figure 2 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., female: A, B, C – variation in propodosomal lobes; D – detail of the prodorsal striation of the area immediately anterior to setae c1. Scale bars = 20 µm (A, B, C), 30 µm (D).

Figure 3 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., female: A – stylophore; B – palpal tibia and tarsus; C – peritreme; D – spermatheca. Scale bars = 50 µm (A), 10 µm (B, C), 15 µm (D).

Figure 4 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., female: A – tibia and tarsus I; B – femur and genu I; C – tibia and tarsus II; D – femur and genu II. Scale bar = 50 µm (A, B, C, D).

Figure 5 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., female: A – tibia and tarsus III; B – femur and genu III; C – tibia and tarsus IV; D – femur and genu IV. Scale bar = 50 µm (A, B, C, D).

Figure 6 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., female: A – claw and empodium I; B – claw and empodium II; C – duplex setae on tarsus III; D – solenidion and associated tactile seta on tarsus IV; E – coxisternal setae 1band1c. Scale bars = 10 µm (A, B), 20 µm (C, D), 25 µm (E).

Figure 7 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., male: A – dorsal aspect; B – dorsal setac1; C – dorsal setae1. Scale bars = 50 µm (A), 20 µm (B, C).

Figure 8 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., male: A – propodosomal lobes; B – palpal tibia and tarsus; C – peritreme; D – aeadeagus. Scale bars = 20 µm (A), 10 µm (B, C, D).

Figure 9 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., male: A – tibia and tarsus I; B – femur and genu I; C – tibia and tarsus II; D – femur and genu II. Scale bar = 50 µm (A, B, C, D).

Figure 10 Bryobia syriensisn. sp., male: A – tibia and tarsus III; B – femur and genu III; C – tibia and tarsus IV; D – femur and genu IV. Scale bar = 50 µm (A, B, C, D).