Pterygosoma Peters, 1849

Fajfer, Monika, 2019, Systematics of reptile-associated scale mites of the genus Pterygosoma (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae) derived from external morphology, Zootaxa 4603 (3), pp. 401-440 : 420-421

Genus Pterygosoma Peters, 1849 sensu nov.

Type species: Pterygosoma agamae Peters, 1849 (based on non-type specimens from type host species, Agama mossambica Peters from type locality—Mozambique).

Diagnosis. FEMALE. Gnathosoma . Movable cheliceral digit with basal spur. Palpal setation (femur-tarsus): 1–1–3–3 or 4 (in P. aegyptiaca Mostafa 1974 , 5 setae with solenidion ω), palpal femur and genu with simple and smooth setae dF and dG, respectively; palpal tibia with 3 long simple and smooth setae, palpal tarsus with 4 (ba, bp, lp, va) or 3 (ba, bp and va) simple and smooth setae. Peritremes situated dorsally. Idiosoma. Body always at least 1.1. wider than long. Dorsum with numerous ornamented setae that increase in length from anterior to posterior part of idiosoma. Setae situated antero-laterally and postero-laterally always present; setae in anteromedial part of idiosoma absent. Medial part with 1–5 pairs of dorso-median setae dm1–dm5. Venter. Genital series represented by 1–4 pairs of setae g1–g4; pseudanal series represented by 1–11 pairs of setae ps. Legs. Coxal setation: 1a, 1b, 2b, 3a, 3b arranged in formula 2–1–2–0; all setae filiform and situated on coxal fields. Setae of trochanters I–IV (1–1–1–1[0]), femora I–IV (3–1–1–1[0]), genua I–IV (3[2]–1[0]–1[0]–1[0]), tibiae I–IV (5–3–3– 3[2]). Setae d’FI–FIV with distinctive serration. Setation of tarsi I–14 I–IV: I 12 setae (ft, tc’, tc”, p’, p”, a’, a”, it’, it”, u’, u”, vs’) or 13 setae (ft, tc’, tc”, p’, p”, a’, a”, it’, it”, u’, u”, vs’, vs”) and solenidion ω1; II 9 setae (tc’, p’, p”, a’, a”, u’, u”, vs’, vs”) and ω1; III and IV with 9 setae each (tc’, p’, p”, a’, a”, u’, u”, vs’, vs”). Seta ft at least twice as long as solenidion ω1.

MALE. Characteristics as in female except: idiosoma smaller than in female; peripheral setae fewer in number and situated postero-laterally; genital cone equipped with 1–4 pairs of inconspicuous setae. Aedeagus directed forward.

Host range. This genus is exclusively associated with African and Asian lizards of the family Agamidae ( Squamata : Sauria).

Habitat. These mites were found under the host’s scales.

Species included. Currently 53 species and subspecies from Africa and Asia are included.