Euseius rotundus (Blommers)

Moraes, G. J. De, Ueckermann, E. A., Oliveira, A. R. & Yaninek, J. S., 2001, Phytoseiid mites of the genus Euseius (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Sub­Saharan Africa, Zootaxa 3, pp. 1-70 : 51-52

Euseius rotundus (Blommers) ( Fig. 35 )

Amblyseius (Amblyseius) rotundus Blommers, 1973: 111

Amblyseius (Amblyseius) brevipes Blommers, 1973: 112 (synonymy according to Ueckermann & Loots 1988).

FEMALE (Specimens measured – Cameroon: 1, Equatorial Guinea: 3, Madagascar: 3).

Dorsum ­ Dorsal shield with few lateral striae anterior to S2, 320(311­328) long, 220(209­228) wide, j1 33(30­34), j3 23(20­25), j4 8(8­9), j5 8(7­9), j6 9(8­10), J2 11(9­ 14), J5 7(6­8), z2 11(9­13), z4 13(10­18), z5 9(7­10), Z1 11(8­13), Z4 12(9­14), Z5 36(33­ 38), s4 22(19­27), S2 and S4 13(11­15), S5 12(10­14), r3 16(12­19), R1 11(9­13). Dorsal setae smooth, except Z5 which are serrate.

Peritreme ­ Almost reaching level of j3.

Venter ­ All ventral shields smooth. Distances between ST1­ST3 58(53­60), ST2­ST2 62(60­64) and ST5­ST5 68(65­75). With 1 pair of metapodal shields. Ventrianal shield 99(93­110) long, 58(50­73) wide at ZV2 level and 73(67­75) wide at anus level.

Chelicera ­ Movable digit 25(23­25 long; fixed digit 24(23­25) long.

Spermatheca ­ Calyx tubular, 27(25­30) long, inflate proximally and slender medially; atrium distinct, kidney­shaped.

Legs ­ Macrosetae sharp­tipped: SgeII 22(20­24), SgeIII 30(27­32), StiIII 26(23­29), SgeIV 47(44­52), StiIV 40(35­42), StIV 70(60­79).

MALE (Specimens measured – Equatorial Guinea: 1, Madagascar: 1).

Dorsum ­ Dorsal shield as in female, 252(248­255) long and 194(182­207) wide. Setae j1 26, j3 25, j4 9(8­9), j5 8(7­8), j6 9(8­10), J2 11(10­12), J5 6, z2 and z4 13(12­13), z5 8(7­9), Z1 10(9­11), Z4 11(9­12), Z5 40(37­42), s4 23(22­24), S2 12(11­12), S4 14(13­ 14), S5 13(12­14), r3 17, R1 10(9­11). Dorsal setae smooth, except Z5, which are serrate.

Peritreme ­ Reaching level between z2 and z4.

Chelicera ­ Shaft of spermatodactyl 22 long.

Venter ­ Ventrianal shield 110 long, 148(145­150) wide at anterior corners.

Legs ­ Macrosetae sharp­tipped: SgeII not possible to measure, SgeIII 19(18­19), StiIII 21(20­23), SgeIV and StiIV 34(33­35), StIV 56.

REMARKS: Ueckermann & Loots (1988) considered A. (A.) rotundus to be a junior synonym of A. (A.) brevipes . They kept however the latter as the valid name because of the homonymy between the former and Amblyseiulus rotundus Muma, 1961 , both then considered to belong to the genus Amblyseius . The epithet rotundus of Blommers is here revived, in accordance with the Third Edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Article 60d), because Blommers’ species is now considered to belong to Euseius .

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Cameroon: 10 km S. Bamenda, on cocoyam, 26­I­91, J.S. Yaninek. Equatorial Guinea: Annobon, on Manihot esculenta , 10­VI­90, F. Schulthess. Madagascar: Lac Alaotra, on M. esculenta , 3­V­90, P. Neuenschwander.

Figures

FIGURE 35. Euseius rotundus (Blommers) (female): A. Dorsal shield; B. Ventral surface; C. Spermatheca; D. Leg IV.