Torrenticola sierrensis (Marshall, 1943)

Fisher, J. Ray, Fisher, Danielle M., Skvarla, Michael J., Nelson, Whitney A. & Dowling, Ashley P. G., 2017, Revision of torrent mites (Parasitengona, Torrenticolidae, Torrenticola) of the United States and Canada: 90 descriptions, molecular phylogenetics, and a key to species, ZooKeys 701, pp. 1-496 : 1

Torrenticola sierrensis (Marshall, 1943)

Atractides sierrensis Marshall, 1943: 307.

Atractides mercedensis Marshall, 1943: 310.

Torrenticola sierrensis Mitchell, 1954: 40.

Material examined.

LECTOTYPE (1 ♀): USA, California, Santa Cruz County, Waddell Creek, 25-26 Aug 1932, by PR Needham, RM320007

PARALECTOTYPE (1 ♂): California, Santa Cruz County, Waddell Creek, 1 Dec 1932, by PR Needham, RM320008.

TOPOTYPES (1 ♀; 1 ♂): from USA, California, Santa Cruz County, Waddell Creek, 30-31 Aug 1933, by PR Needham, RM330016.

OTHER MATERIAL (54 ♀; 34 ♂): British Columbia, Canada: 3 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Ryan Rest Area off Highway 3, east of Yahk Moyie River, 15 Aug 2012, by IM Smith, IMS120071 • 1 ♀ from Vancouver Island, Lake Cowichan, Cowichan River, above Skutz Falls, 9 Jul 1979, by IM Smith, IMS790035 • California, USA: 1 ♀ from Del Norte County, Six Rivers National Forest, Middle Fork Smith River (41°51'20"N, 123°53'10"W), 15 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0815-002 • 1 ♀ from El Dorado County, Upper Truckee River (38°50'56"N, 120°1'39"W), 29 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0829-003 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from El Dorado County, Upper Truckee River (38°50'56"N, 120°1'39"W), 29 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0829-004 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Mariposa County, El Portal, Indian Flat campground, Merced River, 9-10 Jun 1976, by IM Smith, IMS760087 • 2 ♀ from Mariposa County, Yosemite Valley, East Fork of Merced River, 22 Aug 1933, by PR Needham, RM330012 • 1 ♀ from Mendocino County, Jackson Demonstration State Park, North Fork of Big River (39°20'46"N, 123°30'35"W), 22 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0822-002 • 1 ♀ from Mendocino County, Paul M. Dimmick Recreation Area, North Fork of Navarro River, beside Route 128, 4 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870127A • 1 ♂ from Mendocino County, Rancheria Creek, beside Route 128, 7.3 kilometers south of Boonville, 4 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870126A • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Monterey County, Big Sur River, beside Route 1 near Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park, 28-29 Jul 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870116A • 3 ♀ from Monterey County, Big Sur, Pfeiffer-Big Sure State Park, Big Sur Creek, 7 Jun 1976, by IM Smith, IMS760074 • 1 ♀ from Monterey County, Los Padres National Forest, Salmon Creek (35°48'57"N, 121°21'29"W), 6 Sep 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0906-003 • 1 ♀ from Monterey County, Pfeiffer State Park, Big Sur River (36°14'42"N, 121°46'43"W), 4 Sep 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0904-004 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Monterey County, Salmon Creek, beside Route 1, south of Gorda, 28 Jul 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870114A • 1 ♀ from Nevada County, beside Route 89, north of Hobart Mills, 13 Jun 1976, by IM Smith, IMS760109 • 1 ♀ from Nevada County, Tahoe National Forest, Sagehen Creek (39°26'2"N, 120°12'17"W), 26 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0826-006 • 2 ♀ from Trinity County, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Wilson Creek (40°25'17"N, 123°3'5"W), 20 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0820-003 • 1 ♂ from Shasta County, Battle Creek, beside Route 44, 5.6 kilometers west of Viola, 10 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870139A • 1 ♀ from Trinity County, South Fork of Trinity River, beside Route 36 at Forest Glen campground, 6 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870131 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Tulare County, Brush Creek, Brush Creek Flat, beside SM99 between Roads End Station & Johnsondale, 31 Jul 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870122 • 1 ♀ and 3 ♂ from Tulare County, Kern River, Brush Creek Flat, beside SM99 between Roads End Station & Johnsondale, 31 Jul 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870121 • 1 ♂ from Tulare County, Stony Creek, Stony Creek Picnic Area, east of Sequoia National Park, 1 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870124A • Idaho, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Custer County, Challis National Forest, Stanley Creek (44°15'12"N, 115°0'19"W), 30 Jul 2012, by JR Fisher, WA Nelson, & JC O’Neill, ROW 12-0730-005 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Custer County, Salmon River at picnic area, beside Route 93, north of Morgan Creek, 2 Jul 1985, by IM Smith, IMS850064 • 1 ♀ from Fremont County, Targhee National Forest, Rock Creek (44°6'44"N, 111°15'4"W), by JR Fisher, WA Nelson, & JC O’Neill, ROW 12-0725-001 • Montana, USA: 1 ♀ from Ravalli County, Bitterroot National Forest, West Fork Bitterroot River (45°54'38"N, 114°9'43"W), 6 Aug 2012, by JR Fisher, WA Nelson, & JC O’Neill, ROW 12-0806-003 • 1 ♀ from Ravalli County, Medicine Springs, Spring Gulch campground, East Fork of Bitterroot River, beside Route 93, 1 Jul 1985, by IM Smith, IMS850060 • Nevada, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Humboldt County, Paradise Valley, Cabin Creek beside road, 10.7 kilometers north of Hinkey Summit, 11 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870141A • 1 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Humboldt County, Paradise Valley, Dutch John Creek beside road, 8.3 kilometers north of Hinkey Summit, 11 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870142A • Oregon, USA: 1 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Coos County, Siskiyou National Forest, Road 33 between Powers & Agness, 2 Jul 1983, by IM Smith, IMS830015 • 2 ♀ from Curry County, Port Orford, Butler Bar campground, Elk River, 25 Jun 1976, by IM Smith, IMS760162 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Curry County, Port Orford, Humbug Mountain State Park Picnic Area, beside Route 1, Brush Creek, 1 Jul 1983, by IM Smith, IMS830012 • 1 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Curry County, Port Orford, Humbug Mountain State Park Picnic Area, Brush Creek, beside Route 1, 3 Jul 1983, by IM Smith, IMS830020B • 1 ♀ from Curry County, Quosatana Creek (42°29'21"N, 124°14'2"W), 14 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0814-003 • 1 ♀ from Curry County, Rogue River National Forest, Elk River (42°42'46"N, 124°18'41"W), 13 Aug 2013, by JR Fisher, JRF 13-0813-003 • 3 ♀ from Lane County, Gate Creek (44°8'48"N, 122°34'20"W), 11 Aug 2013, by JC O’Neill, & WA Nelson, JNOW 13-0811-001 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Curry County, Sixes, Sixes River, beside road at mouth of Edson Creek, 4 Jul 1983, by IM Smith, IMS830021B • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Lincoln County, Blackberry campground near Tidewater, Alsea River, 28 Jun 1983, by IM Smith, IMS830009 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Lincoln County, Blackberry campground near Tidewater, Alsea River, 29 Jun 1983, by IM Smith, IMS830010 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Lincoln County, Siuslaw National Forest, Five Rivers Creek (44°19'53"N, 123°50'59"W), 8 Aug 2013, by JC O’Neill, & WA Nelson, JNOW 13-0808-001 • Washington, USA: 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Cowlitz County (46°22'24"N, 122°34'45"W), 16 Jul 2013, by JC O’Neill, & WA Nelson, JNOW 13-0716-001 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Grays Harbor County, Stewarts Creek (47°15'49"N, 123°55'12"W), 25 Jul 2013, by JC O’Neill, & WA Nelson, JNOW 13-0725-001 • Wyoming, USA: 1 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Sublette County, Boulder Creek, beside Route 191, just north of Boulder, 15 Aug 1987, by IM Smith, IMS870151A & IMS870151B.

Type deposition.

Types (1 ♀; 1 ♂) deposited in the CNC.

Diagnosis.

Torrenticola sierrensis are similar to other members of the Tricolor Complex ( T. bittikoferae , T. hoosieri , T. larvata , T. pearsoni , T. olliei , T. tricolor , T. trimaculata , T. unimaculata , T. cardia , T. kringi , T. dimorpha , and T. mohawk ) in having a short, conical rostrum. T. sierrensis can be differentiated from most Tricolor Complex by being distributed in the west and having a wider genital field (♀ = 180-213 in T. sierrensis , 145-180 in others; ♂ = 135-175 in T. sierrensis , 92-120 in others), except for T. olliei (♀ = 190-203, ♂ = 130-138). T. sierrensis can be differentiated from T. olliei by having a more elongate rostrum (length/width = 1.95-2.14 in T. sierrensis , 1.56-1.81 in T. olliei ).

Re-description.

Female (Figure 241) (n = 9) (holotype measurements in parentheses when available) with characters of the genus with following specifications.

Dorsum - (700-880 (865) long; 550-740 (710) wide) circular with orange or reddish purple coloration separated into anterior and posterior portions with faint orange medially (occasionally colorless). Anterio-medial platelets (162.5-197.5 (187.5) long; 65-82.5 (81.25) wide). Anterio-lateral platelets (192.5-250 (225) long; 82.5-100 (92.5) wide) free from dorsal plate. Dgl-4 much closer to the edge of the dorsum than to the muscle scars (distance between Dgl-4 435-520 (500)). Dorsal plate proportions: dorsum length/width 1.19-1.27 (1.22); dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 1.22-1.43 (1.42); anterio-medial platelet length/width 2.10-2.50 (2.31); anterio-lateral platelet length/width 2.33-2.50 (2.43); anterio-lateral/anterio-medial length 1.18-1.27 (1.20).

Gnathosoma - Subcapitulum 320-365 (365) long (ventral); 227-265 (260) long (dorsal); 140-165 (152.5) tall) colorless. Rostrum (120-140 (140) long; 60-70 (70) wide) short and conical. Chelicerae (320-355 long) with curved fangs (61-77.5 long). Subcapitular proportions: ventral length/height 2.19-2.39 (2.39); rostrum length/width 1.96-2.08 (2.00). Pedipalps with tuberculate ventral extensions with dentate tips on femora and genua. Palpomeres: trochanter (45-55 (55) long); femur (115-135 (135) long); genu (80-92.5 (92.5) long); tibia (107.5-117.5 (117.5) long; 32.5-35 (35) wide); tarsus (21.25-35 32.5) long). Palpomere proportions: femur/genu 1.35-1.55 (1.46); tibia/femur 0.86-0.95 (0.87); tibia length/width 3.07-3.48 (3.36).

Venter - (775-1040 (1015) long; 619-820 (770) wide) colorless. Gnathosomal bay (155-205 (195) long; 95-112.5 (112.5) wide). Cxgl-4 subapical. Medial suture (17.5-37.5 (22.5) long). Genital plates (210-235 (222.5) long; 180-212.5 (212.5) wide). Additional measurements: Cx-1 (192.5-370 (370) long (total); 136-185 (172.5) long (medial)); Cx-3 (250-475 (475) wide); anterior venter (192.5-237.5 (212.5) long). Ventral proportions: gnathosomal bay length/width 1.50-1.91 (1.73); anterior venter/genital field length 0.90-1.06 (0.96); anterior venter length/genital field width 1.00-1.13 (1.00); anterior venter/medial suture 6.33-12.14 (9.44).

Male (Figure 242) (n = 7) (allotypic measurements in parentheses when available) with characters of the genus with following specifications.

Dorsum - (590-735 (715) long; 460-590 (580) wide) circular with orange or reddish purple coloration separated into anterior and posterior portions with faint orange medially (occasionally colorless). Anterio-medial platelets (137.5-172.5 (172.5) long; 60-75 (75) wide). Anterio-lateral platelets (185-222.5 (215) long; 72.5-95 (92.5) wide) free from dorsal plate. Dgl-4 much closer to the edge of the dorsum than to the muscle scars (distance between Dgl-4 355-460 (460)). Dorsal plate proportions: dorsum length/width 1.17-1.28 (1.23); dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 1.26-1.33 (1.26); anterio-medial platelet length/width 2.24-2.48 (2.30); anterio-lateral platelet length/width 2.12-2.55 (2.32); anterio-lateral/anterio-medial length 1.22-1.38 (1.25).

Gnathosoma - Subcapitulum (270-330 (325) long (ventral); 200-235 (235) long (dorsal); 118.75-140 (135) tall) colorless. Rostrum (100-122.5 (122.5) long; 50-60 (60) wide) short and conical. Chelicerae (262-317.5 (315) long) with curved fangs (50-67.5 (60) long). Subcapitular proportions: ventral length/height 2.23-2.46 (2.41); rostrum length/width 1.95-2.14 (2.04). Pedipalps with tuberculate ventral extensions with dentate tips on femora and genua. Palpomeres: trochanter (40-50 (50) long); femur (92.5-120 (120) long); genu (65-80 (78.75) long); tibia (82.5-107.5 (102.5) long; 27.5-32.5 (32.5) wide); tarsus (25-32.5 (32.5) long). Palpomere proportions: femur/genu 1.42-1.52 (1.52); tibia/femur 0.85-0.95 (0.85); tibia length/width 3.00-3.31 (3.15).

Venter - (690-895 (875) long; 538-667 (665) wide) colorless. Gnathosomal bay (112.5-180 (175) long; 80-100 (92.5) wide). Cxgl-4 subapical. Medial suture (72.5-92.5 (90) long). Genital plates (172.5-220 (217.5) long; 135-175 (175) wide). Additional measurements: Cx-1 (269-360 (360) long (total); 137-182.5 (182.5) long (medial)); Cx-3 (364-455 (455) wide); anterior venter (255-295 (290) long). Ventral proportions: gnathosomal bay length/width 1.41-1.89 (1.89); anterior venter/genital field length 1.32-1.51 (1.33); anterior venter length/genital field width 1.66-1.89 (1.66); anterior venter/medial suture 3.03-3.59 (3.22).

Immatures unknown.

Etymology.

Although Marshall (1943) did not specify an etymology for the specific epithet ( sierrensis ), surely it refers to the type locality of this species within the Sierra Nevada in California.

Distribution.

Western (Figure 240), but likely not found in the southwest. T. sierrensis was previously known only from a few localities in California; we extend the range in western North America, but not in the southwest.

Remarks.

Torrenticola sierrensis group with other members of the Tricolor Complex with high support in all analyses and group with T. olliei to form the western portion of this complex. Specimens within this complex are 0-4.5% different in COI sequence from each other and greater than 6% different from T. olliei . This is higher sequence variability in COI than in most species hypotheses presented herein. However, given the topology in the COI tree (Figure 10) and morphological similarity, it seems apparent that the variability represents a continuum across a large distribution, rather than isolated species. This species hypothesis is supported by phylogenetic affinity and by the morphological characters outlined in the diagnosis.

Upon examining the types of T. sierrensis and T. mercedensis (Marshall, 1943), all characters for both species overlap with members of only one clade in our analyses. Therefore, it is apparent that these represent the same species hypothesis and must be synonymized. As First Revisers (ICZN Article 24.2), we select " sierrensis " as the senior synonym over " mercedensis " due to its broader range implication (" mercedensis " refers to the Merced River), even though T. sierrensis is distributed more widely than just the Sierra Nevada ranges.