Chaudhripalpus creelae ( Smiley, Frost and Gerson, 1996 )

Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. & Bauchan, Gary R., 2014, Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) from Casuarinaceae (Fagales), Zootaxa 3778 (1), pp. 1-157 : 7-14

Chaudhripalpus creelae ( Smiley, Frost and Gerson, 1996)

( Figs 1–6 )

Crossipalpus creelae Smiley, Frost and Gerson, 1996: 176 , fig. 21. Chaudhripalpus creelae, Mesa et al. 2009: 57 , fig. 19.

Type material examined. Holotype female ex. Bull-Oak Allocasuarina luehmannii (Casuarinaceae) [feeding on bark of branchlets], AUSTRALIA: South Australia, 16 km E Mt Mary, 14 December1995, coll. W. Frost [on same slide as 2 paratypes of Ch. creelae and 2 specimens of Magdalenapalpus strandtmanni (Smiley, Frost and Gerson) ( WINC)]. Paratypes. 11 females, 4 protonymphs, 1 larva, same data as holotype except 28 February 1996 (6 slides; WINC); 4 females and 1 protonymph, same data as holotype (5 slides; only 1 female in good condition); 1 female, same data as holotype except 28 February 1996 (on same slide as 1 female of Ma. strandtmanni ; USNM); 1 female and 1 deutonymph, same data as holotype except 28 February 1996 (on same slide as 1 female of Ma. strandtmanni ; USNM).

Diagnosis. Prodorsal cuticle with coarse, longitudinally lineate sculpturing. Dorsal opisthosomal cuticle with longitudinal striate sculpturing posteriorly; longitudinal folding between setae c1-d1 and d1-e1; olique folds and striate sculpturing laterally. Dorsal setae concave. Ventral setae ps1–2 lanceolate, barbed, seta ps3 smooth. Trochanters I–IV 1-1 -1-0 (v ′ present on tr I–II, added in adult, v' absent on tr III–IV; l' present on tr III, added in protonymph).

FEMALE (n = 18). Dorsum. ( Figs 1 , 2 a, b) Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 235–280 [265]; sc2-sc2 86–100 [92]; other measurements: v2-v 2 27–35 [32], sc1-sc1 73–89 [84], c1-c 1 22–26 [26], c3-c3 105–120 [115], d1-d 1 16–26 [22], d3-d3 93–110 [96], e1- e 1 17–27 [22], e3- e3 98–109 [100], f3-f3 88–96 [96], h1-h 1 21–25 [25], h2-h2 57–69 [69]. Gnathosoma entirely or almost entirely concealed beneath anterior margin of prodorsum ( Figs 2 a, b). Cuticle between gnathosoma and prodorsum produced to form 1 pair of blunt, broadly triangular membranous lobes (with median notch formed between lobes), anterior to and folded under anterior margin of prodorsum; lobes often appear slightly retracted back into prosoma, under an anterior fold ( Fig. 2 ); setae v2 inserted on ( Fig. 1 ) or under edge of anterior fold ( Figs 2 a, b). Prodorsal shield weakly developed; cuticle with longitudinal folds and striations. Opisthosomal shield weakly developed; cuticle with longitudinal folds between c1-c1 and posterior to e1-e1; cuticle with transverse to oblique folds between central setae and lateral setae. All dorsal setae palmate, barbed, concave like a scoop (see v 2 in Fig. 1 ; setae f3, h1, h 2 in Fig. 3 ). Setal lengths: v 2 16– 20 [16], sc 1 14–17 [16, 17], sc 2 14–21 [18], c 1 15–18 [16, 17], c 3 16–21 [17, 19], d 1 13–16 [13, 14], d 3 16–21 [18, 20], e 1 13 –15 [13, 14], e 3 15 –21 [19], f 3 15–20 [18, 19], h 1 12–17 [15], h 2 14–20 [17, 18]. Palps. ( Fig. 2 ) Setal formula 0, 0, 0, 2 (1s+1e). Tarsal eupathidium seta-like 7–10 [10] long; solenidion 7–9 [8] long. Venter. ( Fig. 3 ) Cuticle with fine transverse striae between setae 1a -3a; striae longitudinal between setae 3a -4a; band of striae transverse midway between 4a and ag; striae anterior ag longitudinal, fine; striae surrounding genital region broadly separated, coarse, mostly longitudinal. Genital flap weakly developed, mostly smooth with some weak folds centrally; genital setae inserted in more-or-less transverse row along posterior margin of flap, g1 inserted slightly posterior to level of g2; g1–2 broadly lanceolate, strongly barbed; ag lanceolate, barbed. Pseudanal setae ps1–3 inserted medially on weakly defined anal plates in longitudinal line; ps1–2 broadly lanceolate, broader than ps3, strongly barbed; ps3 lanceolate, weakly barbed. Coxal setae 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b fine, weakly barbed; setae 2c thickened, barbed; setae 1a, 3a, 4a with thickened bases, tapering to fine tip. Setal lengths: 1a 29–58 [29], 1b 16– 27 [16], 2b 15–26 [18], 2c 16–19 [17], 3a 31–55 [31], 3b 14–23 [14], 4a 23–52 [34], 4b 13–22 [13], ag 1 11–17 [11, 15], g 1 11–16 [15], g 2 11–15 [15], ps 1 8–11 [11], ps 2 8–13 [11], ps 3 9–12 [12]. Spermatheca. Not visible. Legs. ( Fig. 4 ) Setal formula for legs I–IV (coxae to tarsi): 1-1-3-0-4-8(1), 2-1-3-0-4-8(1), 1-1-2-0-3-4, 1-0-1-0-3-4. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (ta I 9–11 [9, 10] long, ta II 9–11 [9, 10] long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (ta I with both 6–7 [7] long; ta II with both 6–7 [6, 7] long). Leg setation as in Table 1 except: cx I without 1c, tr III–IV without seta v ′; ge I–IV without setae; ta I–IV without seta tc′′. Setae v' added to tr I–II.

DEUTONYMPH (1 paratype). Dorsum. Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 243, sc2-sc2 89; other measurements: v2-v2 28, sc1-sc1 78, c1-c1 22, c3-c3 122, d1-d1 23, d3-d3 93, e1- e1 21, e3- e3 93, f3-f3 88, h1-h1 23, h2-h2 60. Dorsum with mostly weak transverse folds, some longitudinal on prodorsum. Triangular lobes between gnathosoma and prodorsum not developed; notch not developed. Dorsal setae with strongly developed basal stalk; Setal lengths: v 2 16–17, sc1 14, sc2 15, c 1 15–16, c3 16, d1 15, d3 17, e1 15, e3 15, f3 16, h 1 12–13, h2 14. Palps. ( Fig. 5 b) Palps similar to adult. Tarsal eupathidium 8 long, solenidion 4–5 long. Venter. ( Fig. 5 a) Cuticle with fine longitudinal striae on gnathosoma to setae 1a; transverse striae between setae 1a and just anterior to setae ag; longitudinal striae from just anterior setae ag to g1; longitudinal striae laterad genital region. Coxal setae fine, except 2c thickened, barbed. Setal lengths: 1a 42, 1 b 22, 2 b 16–18, 2 c 16–19, 3 a 40, 3 b 17, 4a 28, 4 b 18, ag 1 12– 13, g 1 12–13, ps1 7, ps2 6, ps3 7. Legs. Setal formula for legs I–IV 1 -0-3-0-4-8(1), 2-0-3-0-4-8(1), 1-1-2-0-3-4, 1- 0-1-0-3-4. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (6 long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (6 long). Leg setation as in adult, except: tr I–III without v ′ (typical deutonymphal seta delayed to adult stage; see Table 1).

PROTONYMPH (5 paratypes). Dorsum. Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 170–195, sc2-sc2 75–80; other measurements: v2-v 2 19–23, sc1-sc1 67–70, c1-c 1 21–24, c3-c3 91–110, d1-d 1 19–21, d3-d3 72–74, e1- e 1 13–16, e3- e3 73–77, f3-f3 50–61, h1-h 1 12–14, h2-h 2 31–33. Gnathosoma exposed or partially concealed beneath anterior margin of prodorsum. Triangular lobes between gnathosoma and prodorsum not developed; notch not developed. Dorsum with sparse striae and folds between areas of smooth cuticle. Setae strongly spatulate or palmate with narrow stalk-like base. Setal lengths: v 2 13–17, sc 1 11–14, sc 2 12–19, c 1 13–15, c 3 11–16, d 1 11–17, d 3 12–15, e 1 13 –15, e 3 12 –14, f 3 11–14, h 1 9–11, h 2 11–13. Palps. Palps similar to adult; solenidion 3–4, eupathidium 6–7. Venter. Cuticle with longitudinal striae on gnathosoma to setae 1a; with transverse striae between setae 1a and ag; with longitudinal striae laterad anal region. Coxal setae fine. Setal lengths: 1a 28–32, 1 b 11–14, 2 b 8–14, 3 a 28–39, 3 b 13–15, ag 1 11–13, ps1 7, ps2 7, ps3 7. Legs. Setal formula for legs I–IV (coxae to tarsi): 1-0-3- 0-4-8(1), 1-0-3-0-4-8(1), 1-1-2-0-3-4, 0-0-1-0-3-3. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (4–5 long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (5 long). Leg setation as in deutonymph, except: seta 2c absent; seta 4b absent; tarsi IV without seta tc ′. Setae l' added to tr III.

LARVA (2 paratypes). Dorsum. ( Fig. 6 ) Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 155, sc2-sc2 67; other measurements: v2-v2 18, sc1-sc1 51, c1-c1 16, c3-c3 83, d1-d1 16, d3-d3 61, e1- e1 9, e3- e3 57, f3-f3 44, h1- h1 12, h2-h2 24. Prodorsal shield weakly developed, smooth. Opisthosoma without platelets, with coarse transverse wrinkled striae between c1-d1. All dorsal setae strongly palmate, barbed, with narrow stalk-like base, except v2 tapered, setiform, barbed. Setal lengths: v 2 15–16, sc1 8–9, sc2 10, c 1 11–12, c3 10, d1 10, d3 11, e1 9, e 3 9 –10, f 3 9–10, h1 7–8, h 2 9–10. Palps. ( Fig. 6 ) Palps similar to adult; 1 solenidion 3 long, and 1 seta-like eupathidium 5–7 long. Venter. Cuticle mostly transverse with some longitudinal striae around anal region. Coxal setae fine. Setal lengths: 1a 21, 1 b 11, 3a 24, ps1 5–6, ps2 5–6, ps3 5–6. Legs. ( Fig. 6 ) Setal formula for legs I–III (coxae to tarsi) 1-0-3-0-4-7(1), 0-0-3-0-4-7(1), 0-0-2-0-3-3. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (4–5 long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (5 long). Leg setation as in protonymph, except: seta 2b absent; seta 3b absent; tr I– III nude; ta I–III without seta tc ′.

Hosts and distribution. This species was described from Bull-Oak Al. luehmannii near Mt Mary in South Australia.

Remarks. Mesa et al. (2009) listed incorrect leg setal counts (see above description for correct counts). The additional material examined in this study was not listed in the original description by Smiley et al. (1996). The host is incorrectly spelt on the slide as Al. luehmanni , instead of Al. luehmannii . This mite species exhibits an unusual ontogeny with the expression of seta v ′ on the trochanters, i.e. v ′ is delayed until the adult stage on trochanters I–II and is totally absent on trochanters III–IV (this seta usually first appears on trochanters I–III in the deutonymph, and on trochanters IV in the adult, see Table 1).

Chaudhripalpus creelae can be separated from Ch. costacola by the presence of v' on trochanters I–II and absence on tr III–IV (v' absent on tr I–IV in Ch. costacola , i.e. tr I, II, IV nude) and the presence of broadly lanceolate setae ps1–2 (narrowly setiform in Ch. costacola ).

Notes: Grey cells indicate where setae are present (if the species possesses the seta at all). Cells with an X show setae that are sometimes delayed to the adult stage see descriptions of Chaudhripalpus creelae and Palpipalpus hesperius ). Genu IV is bare in all taxa and is not listed.

Cx Cx Cx Tr Tr Tr Tr Fe Fe Fe

Cx I II III IV I II III IV Fe I II III IV

1a 1b 1c 2b 2c 3a 3b 4a 4b v' v' l' v' v' d v' bv'' d v' bv'' d ev' ev' Larva

PN

DN X X X Adult

Ge Ge Ti Ti Ti Ti

Ge I II III I II III IV

l' d l'’ l' d l'’ l' d l' v' v'' d l' v' v'' d v' v'' d v' v'' Larva

PN

DN

Adult

Ta Ta I-II III TaIV u' u'' p' p'' tc' tc'' ft' ft'' ω'' u' u'' tc' tc'' ft' u' u'' tc' tc'' ft'

Larva

PN

DN

Adult

Figures

FIGURE 1. Chaudhripalpus creelae (Smiley, Frost and Gerson), adult female, dorsum.

FIGURE 2. Chaudhripalpus creelae (Smiley, Frost and Gerson), adult female, anterior margin of prodorsum, a. dorsal view indicating position of gnathosoma, setae v 2 inserted under anterior fold; b. dorsal view with detail of palps and gnathosoma partially exposed, setae v 2 inserted under anterior fold; c. ventral view with details of palps.

FIGURE 3. Chaudhripalpus creelae (Smiley, Frost and Gerson), adult female, posterior venter.

FIGURE 4. Chaudhripalpus creelae (Smiley, Frost and Gerson), adult female, legs (left side), eupathidia (pζ ′ - pζ ′′) not labelled on leg I.

FIGURE 5. Chaudhripalpus creelae (Smiley, Frost and Gerson), deutonymph, a. posterior venter; b. detail of palps.

FIGURE 6. Chaudhripalpus creelae (Smiley, Frost and Gerson), larva, dorsum, with details of legs and palps.