Narceoheterozercon Gerdeman & Klompen 2003

Klompen, Hans & Gerdeman, Beverly S., 2023, Genus-level revision of the Heterozerconoidea (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata), Zootaxa 5322 (1), pp. 1-66 : 27-29

Narceoheterozercon Gerdeman & Klompen 2003

Narceoheterozercon Gerdeman & Klompen 2003: 352

[type species: Narceoheterozercon ohioensis Gerdeman & Klompen 2003 , by original designation].

Diagnosis. Spermatodactyl long, recurved, and largely smooth (7, except in Narceoheterozercon ex Alabama-C); anterior dorsal setae j1 minute (<5 µm) (28.2); sternal lyrifissures iv 1 in adults absent (44); sclerotized areas near sternal setae st2 and st 3 in male completely fused (51.0); females with prominent, well sclerotized, solenostomes arching anteriorly from the antero-median corner of the ventral opisthosomal suckers (64, except in Narceoheterozercon ex Alabama-C); setae S 5 in adults minute (75), all marginal opisthosomal setae setiform (77, reversal); femora I seta pl2 absent (85), femora II seta pv in males setiform (108, reversal); remaining setae on legs II of male all setiform.

Remarks. The diagnosis of the genus by Gerdeman & Klompen (2003) included four characters: 1) female with prominent, well sclerotized, solenostomes arching anteriorly from the antero- median corner of the ventral opisthosomal suckers (64.2); 2) male with long, recurved, and largely smooth spermatodactyl (7.2); 3) male lacking prominent spines on legs II (107–110); 4) adults lacking spine-like marginal opisthosomal setae (77). Of these, characters 1and 2, while unique, are not shared by some taxa included in the genus in this study (e.g., population Alabama-C). As a result, the diagnosis (and support) for this genus is not strong. Data on additional species may help clarify the concept of this genus.

Most Narceoheterozercon species have secondary genital openings (solenostomes) in the female ( Gerdeman 2002). These are located at the antero-internal corners of the opisthogastral suckers and continue internally in the form of sclerotized tubes ( Fig. 61 , arrow). Evidence that these tubes serve as secondary genital openings includes the observation that these structures are limited to the females, and the observation of a broken-off spermatodactyl in one of the tubes ( Fig. 52 ).

Figures

FIGURES 61–62. Heterozerconidae, Narceoheterozercon ohioensis, idiosoma venter: 61, female; 62, male. Male redrawn from Gerdeman & Klompen (2003).

FIGURES 48–52. Heterozerconidae, details idiosoma: 48, Allozercon leytensis n. sp., female, hypertrichy of setae in j1 position (OSAL 053251); 49, same for male (OSAL 106780); 50, Allozercon leytensis n. sp., male, anterolateral spines (OSAL 106780); 50a, detail antero-lateral spines; 51, Heterozercon ex Cuba, female, venter (OSAL 125446); 52, Narceoheterozercon sp., broken off spermatodactyl (red arrow) in female secondary genital opening / sclerotized tube (OSAL 159712).