Hoplopleura tunneya Wang, Durden & Shao, 2022

Wang, Wei, Durden, Lance A. & Shao, Renfu, 2022, A new species of sucking louse (Psocodea: Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae) from the pale field rat, Rattus tunneyi (Rodentia: Muridae), in Australia, Zootaxa 5091 (3), pp. 477-486 : 480-485

Hoplopleura tunneya Wang, Durden & Shao , new species

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:70A88F01-392E-4B80-BA16-5197143BAA15

( Figs 2–3 )

Type host. Rattus tunneyi tunneyi Thomas, 1904 – pale field rat ( Rodentia : Muridae ).

Type locality. Katherine River (13°41’31.8”S, 133°02’22.8”E), Northern Territory, Australia .

Diagnosis. Hoplopleura tunneya can be identified by the following combination of characters: 1) the distal seta on the dorsal surface of antennal segment 3 is sexually dimorphic – stout and short in male, thin and long in female ( Fig. 2a, 2b , 3a ); 2) the dorsal marginal head setae are not aligned in a row, with 2 nd and 3 rd shifted medially ( Figs 2a , 3a ); 3) the shield-shaped thoracic sternal plate has short anterior and elongated posterior processes ( Figs 2c , 3b ); 4) a small seta is present on the centre of paratergal plate II ( Figs 2d , 3c ); 5) each of paratergal plates IV–VI has a large seta and a minute seta ( Figs 2d , 3c ); 6) each of paratergal plates III–V has two serrated posterior lobes ( Figs 2d , 3c ); 7) paratergal plate VI has two acuminate posterior lobes ( Figs 2d , 3c ); 8) one DLAS is adjacent to each side of tergites 6, 12, 15, 16 in females ( Fig. 3a ); 9) two DLAS are adjacent to each side of tergites 7, 9, 10, 13 in females ( Fig. 3a ).

Hoplopleura tunneya can be distinguished from other species of Australian Hoplopleura by the following features: The preantennal region of Hoplopleura tunneya is slightly pointed anterolaterally ( Figs 2a , 3a ), but it is truncated in H. uromydis , H. leporilludis , H. conilurudis and H. leggadinadis , and it is rounded in H. irritans , H. calabyi , H. macrurusa , H. pogonomydis and H. gracilicaudatusa . The distal seta on the third antennal segment is sexually dimorphic in H. tunneya ( Fig. 2b ), as in H. irritans and H. leporilludis , but not sexually dimorphic in other Australian Hoplopleura species. The 2 nd and 3 rd dorsal marginal head setae (DMHS) of H. tunneya are offset medially ( Figs 2a , 3a ), whereas the DMHS are aligned in a row in H. gyomydis , H. mastacomydis , H. leporilludis and H. melomydis . Hoplopleura tunneya has four DMHS on each side ( Figs 2a , 3a ), whereas H. notomydis and H. setosa each have three DMHS on each side, and H. zyzomydis has only two DMHS on each side. The sternal plate of H. tunneya is shield-shaped with a short rounded anterior process and an elongated posterior process ( Figs 2c , 3b ), but it is less rounded in H. uromydis and subhexagonal in H. leporilludis . Paratergal plate II of H. tunneya has a small central seta ( Figs 2d , 3c ), which is not present in H. bidentata , H. cornata , H. zyzomydis , H. notomydis or H. gracilicaudatusa . Paratergal plates IV–VI of H. tunneya each have one long and one minute posterior seta ( Figs 2d , 3c ), whereas those of H. villosissima , H. setosa , H. conilurudis , H. leggadinadis , H. leporilludis , H. macrurusa , H. pongonomydis , H. xeromydis and H. gracilicaudatusa each have one long posterior seta only, and no posterior seta is adjacent to these plates in H. zyzomydis . The paratergal plate VII of H. tunneya has no posterior lobe ( Figs 2d , 3c ), but one lobe is present in H. forrestima , H. setosa , H. melomydis , H. zyzomydis , H. mastacomydis , H. leggadinadis , H. mesembriomydis and H. gracilicaudatusa , and two posterior lobes are in H. mastacomydis and female H. calabyi . Hoplopleura tunneya has two setae on paratergal plate III ( Figs 2d , 3c ), whereas H. mastacomydis has one short, stout seta posteriorly. The spiracle on paratergal plate V of H. tunneya is medium in size (male =15.2, n=3; female =17.7, n=3), but is smaller than those of H. leporilludis (male =20.5, n=5; female =22.5, n=5), H. villosissima (male =18.4, n=9; female =20, n=12), H. conilurudis (male =25.1, n=6; female =27.6, n=3), H. uromydis (=34–37; male n=4, female n=4), H. bidentata (=25–28; male n=5, female n=5), H. melomydis (male =25, n=4; female =25.8, n=10), H. macrurusa (male =20.9, n=3; female =22.7, n=2), H. mesembriomydis (male =31.7, n=3; female =38.4, n=3) and H. xeromydis (male 23.5, female 26.6). The female of H. tunneya has one pair of dorsal lateral abdominal setae (DLAS) adjacent to each side of tergites 7, 9, 10 and 13, and one DLAS adjacent to each side of tergites 6, 12, 15 and 16 ( Figs 2a , 3a ), which distinguishes it from females of all other species of Australian Hoplopleura . The female of H. tunneya has three sternites on each of abdominal segments 3–6 ( Fig. 3a ), whereas H. bidentata has two sternites on each of these segments.

Description. Male (n = 10). As in Figs 2a–2e . Body length 861.8–922.2 (898.3). Head longer than wide with four apical head setae (ApHS) and four anterior marginal head setae (AnMHS) ( Fig. 2a ). Pre-antennal region short with pointed anterior margin. Antenna with five segments ( Fig. 2b ); 1 st segment large, slightly wider than long; 2 nd segment narrower, much longer than wide; 3 rd –5 th segments about as long as wide ( Fig. 2b ). Distal setae on 3 rd antennal segment stout and short in male ( Fig. 2b ). Antennal angle well developed ( Fig. 2a ). Dorsal head with four sutural head setae (SuHS), two small dorsal accessory head setae (DAcHS), two small dorsal anterior central head setae (DAnCHS), two small dorsal posterior central head setae (DPoCHS), two large dorsal principal head setae (DPHS) and eight DMHS ( Fig. 2a ). Four DMHS not aligned in row each side, 2 nd and 3 rd shifted medially ( Fig. 2a ). Head with two ventral principal head setae (VPHS) ( Fig. 2a ). Thorax wider than long, with one pair of dorsal principal thoracic setae (DPTS); DPTS length 62.4–79.8 (73.1) ( Fig. 2a ). Thoracic sternal plate shield-shaped with short anterior process and elongate posterior process ( Fig. 2c ). Mesothoracic spiracle is 12.3–15.4 (14.1) in diameter. Forelegs small, with small acuminate claws; mid-legs and hind legs progressively larger with correspondingly more robust tibio-tarsal claws ( Fig. 2a ). Abdomen wider than thorax ( Fig. 2a ). Dorsally, one tergite per segment, except for segment 3 with two tergites and segment 8 without tergites. Tergites 2–8 narrow. Tergite 1 with one pair of short tergal abdominal setae (TeAS) posterolaterally. Tergite 2 with two pairs of TeAS posterolaterally, lateral pair slightly shorter. Tergite 3 with two pairs of TeAS posterolaterally, with lateral setae much longer. Tergites 4–7 each with nine TeAS. Tergite 8 with three pairs of TeAS. One DLAS adjacent to each side of tergites 6–8 respectively ( Fig. 2a ). Ventrally, two sternites per segment except segment 3 with three sternites, segments 2 with one sternite, and segments 1 and 8 with no sternites. Sternite 1 extended laterally to articulate with paratergal plate II and with 4 pairs of sternal abdominal setae (StAS), of equal length. Sternite 2 extended laterally to articulate with paratergal plate III and with seven StAS, with two pairs of long and stout lateral setae and a third pair setae short, medial, StAS longer than 3 third pair. Sternites 3, 4, 6, 10 each with seven StAS. Sternites 5, 7 and 9 each with four pairs of StAS. Sternite 11 with two pairs of StAS. Sternite 12 with one pair of StAS. One ventral lateral abdominal seta (VLAS) adjacent to each side of sternites 6, 8–11 ( Fig. 2a ). Paratergal plates present on abdominal segments 1–8 ( Fig. 2d ). Paratergal plate I small and offset medially ( Fig. 2d ). Paratergal plate II with one minute central seta, two posterior setae and two acuminate posterior lobes ( Fig. 2d ). Paratergal plate III with two large posterior setae and two serrated posterior lobes ( Fig. 2d ). Paratergal plates IV and V each with one large and one minute seta, and two serrated posterior lobes ( Fig. 2d ). Paratergal plate VI with one large and one minute seta, and two acuminate posterior lobes ( Fig. 2d ). Paratergal plates VII and VIII each with two large setae and no posterior lobes ( Fig. 2d ). Paratergal plates I and II without spiracle ( Fig. 2d ). Spiracles on paratergal plate V are 13.3–17.4 (15.2) in diameter. Subgenital plate with narrow anterolateral extension on each side and 1 pair of lacunae ( Fig. 2a ). Genitalia as in Fig. 2e ; basal apodeme longer than parameres with a lateral acuminate posterior process on each side. Parameres uniformly sclerotized, with narrow pseudopenis tapering to a point extending beyond apices of parameres.

Female (n = 13). As in Figs 3a–3d . Body length 1195.5–1248.7 (1325.5). Head longer than wide with four ApHS and four AnMHS ( Fig. 3a ). Pre-antennal region short with pointed anterior margin. Antenna with five segments ( Fig. 3b ); 1 st segment large, slightly wider than long; 2 nd segment narrower, much longer than wide; 3 rd –5 th segments about as long as wide ( Fig. 3b ). Distal seta on 3 rd segment of antenna narrow and long ( Fig. 3b ). Antennal angle well developed ( Fig. 3a ). Dorsally, head with four SuHS, two small DAcHS, two small DAnCHS, two small DPoCHS, 2 large DPHS and eight DMHS. Four DMHS not aligned in row each side, 2 nd and 3 rd shifted medially ( Fig. 3a ). Ventrally, head with two VPHS ( Fig. 3a ). Thorax wider than long, with one pair of DPTS, DPTS length 100.3–104.4 (101.6) ( Fig. 3a ). Thoracic sternal plate shield-shaped with short, rounded anterior process, elongate posterior process and partly truncate posterior margin ( Fig. 3b ). Mesothoracic spiracle is 16.4–18.9 (17.6) in diameter. Forelegs small, with small acuminate claws; mid-legs and hind legs progressively larger with correspondingly more robust tibiotarsal claws ( Fig. 3a ). Abdomen wider than thorax ( Fig. 3a ). Dorsally, 18 tergites; three tergites per segment, except for segments 1, 2 and 8 each with one tergite. Tergite 1 with one pair of short TeAS posterolaterally. Tergite 2 with two pairs of long TeAS posterolaterally, the lateral pair slightly longer. Tergite 3 with two pairs of long TeAS, of equal length. Tergites 4 and 12 each with four pairs of TeAS. Tergites 5, 7 and 16 each with five TeAS. Tergite 6 with seven TeAS. Tergites 8–11 and 13–15 each with three pairs of TeAS. Tergites 17 and 18 each with two pairs of TeAS, tergite 18 broad. One DLAS adjacent to each side of tergites 6, 12, 15,16, and one pair of DLAS adjacent to each side of tergites 7, 9, 10 and 13 ( Fig. 3a ). Ventrally, 16 sternites; three sternites per segment except for segment 2 with one sternite, and segments 1 and 8 with no sternites. Sternite 1 extended laterally to articulate with paratergal plate II and with four pairs of StAS. Sternite 2 extended laterally to articulate with paratergal plate III and with seven StAS, two lateral pairs long and stout, third pair of StAS short, and medial StAS longer than third pair. Sternites 3 and 15 each with three pairs of StAS. Sternites 4, 7, 10 and 13 each with four pairs of StAS. Sternites 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, and 14 each with seven StAS. Sternite 9 with nine StAS. Sternite 16 with four pairs of StAS, lateral two pairs much longer than medial two pairs. One VLAS adjacent to each side of sternites 8, 9 and 11–15 ( Fig. 3a ). Paratergal plates present on abdominal segments 1–8 ( Fig. 3c ). Paratergal plate I small and offset medially ( Fig. 3c ). Paratergal plate II with one minute central seta, two posterior setae and two acuminate posterior lobes ( Fig. 3c ). Paratergal plate III with two large setae and two serrated posterior lobes ( Fig. 3c ). Paratergal plates IV and V each with one large seta and one minute seta, and two serrated posterior lobes ( Fig. 3c ). Paratergal plate VI with one large seta and one minute seta, and two acuminate posterior lobes ( Fig. 3c ). Paratergal plates VII and VIII each with two large setae and no posterior lobes ( Fig. 3c ). Paratergal plates I and II without spiracle ( Fig. 3c ). Spiracles on paratergal plate V are 16.9–18.9 (17.7) in diameter. Subgenital plate subtriangular with four small mediolateral setae, and gonopods VIII and IX as in Fig. 3d . Gonopods VIII with three posterior setae of various lengths, lateral seta longest and interior seta shortest; gonopods IX with one enlarged and stout genital seta medially ( Fig. 3d ). Vulvar fimbriae indistinct. Three small setae on each side medial to gonopods IX ( Fig. 3d ).

Type material: Holotype ♂ ex Rattus tunneyi tunneyi, Katherine River , Northern Territory, Australia (13°41’31.8”S, 133°02’22.8”E), 7 Jul. 1996 ( NTM I010853 ) . Paratypes: 6♂, 8♀, same data as for the holotype ( NTM I010854 – NTM I010867 ) .

Additional material examined (non-types)

Ex Rattus tunneyi tunneyi : 1♀ Centre Island, Sir Edward Pellew Group , Gulf of Carpentaria , Northern Territory (15°39’S, 136°45’E), 18 May 1988 ( NTM I010869 ); 1♂ Arnhem Land , Western Escarpment , Northern Territory (12°38'S, 133°26'E), 31 Aug. 1990 ( NTM I010868 ) .

Ex Rattus tunneyi culmorum : 1♀, Kilcoy Area , Queensland (26°57’00”S, 152°34’00”E), 7 Nov. 1971 ( T250935 ) ; 1♂, Wrattens Camp , via Widgee, Queensland (26°15'S, 152°22'E), 16 Jun. 1975 ( T250934 ) ; 1♀, Red Beach , 8 km S Cullen Point, Queensland (12°01'05"S, 141°53'55"E), 8 Sep. 1980 ( T250930 ) ; 1♀, Bindaree , 10 km ENE Miriam Vale, Queensland (24°16'S, 150°39'E), 6 Nov. 1981 ( T250931 ) ; 1♂, 1♀ Worthington Ck , Turkey Stn , via Miriam Vale, Queensland (24°09’S, 151°42’E), 7 Oct. 1983 ( T250932 – T250933 ) .

Etymology: The species epithet is a noun in apposition referring to the species name of the host.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Hoplopleura tunneya n. sp. 2a, male habitus, ventral and dorsal views. 2b, dorsal views of male and female antennae. 2c, male thoracic sternal plate. 2d, male paratergal plates. 2e, male genitalia.

FIGURE 3. Hoplopleura tunneya n. sp. Female. 3a, habitus, ventral and dorsal views. 3b, thoracic sternal plate. 3c, paratergal plates. 3d, terminalia, ventral view.