Eutarsopolipus pulcher Hajiqanbar & Seeman, 2021

Katlav, Alihan, Hajiqanbar, Hamidreza & Riegler, Markus, 2021, Sheltered life beneath elytra: three new species of Eutarsopolipus (Acari, Heterostigmatina, Podapolipidae) parasitizing Australian ground beetles, Parasite (Paris, France) 28 (75), pp. 1-21 : 7-13

Eutarsopolipus pulcher Hajiqanbar & Seeman n. sp. ( Figs. 5–8 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:33189535-1D7E-4118-B46D-7EA9AE8E0207

Type material. Total material recovered: adult female (n = 12), male (n = 6), larval female (n = 13), ex. under elytra, on the base of membranous hind wing of specimens of Gnathaphanus pulcher (Dejean, 1829) ( Coleoptera : Carabidae ; Harpalinae). Four out of ca. 160 examined host specimens found parasitized (4% prevalence). Samples were collected at four independent events on 14 Feb 2020, 26 Feb 2020, 30 Feb 2020 and 3 March 2020. Holotype: adult female ( ANIC 52-003959), ex. under elytra, on the base of membranous hind wing of G. pulcher ; Coll. Shams Paryav; 14 Feb 2020. Paratypes: adult female (n = 5), male (n = 5), larval female (n = 5), same data as holotype.

Type locality: Loc. Vines Drive, Hawkesbury Campus , Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, 33°36 ļ 45.6 ļļ S 150°44 ļ 40.2 ļļ E .

Deposition of types: The holotype, one adult female, 2 male and 2 larval female paratypes are deposited at ANIC ( ANIC 52- 003959 - 54 ). 2 adult female, 2 males and 1 larval female paratypes are deposited at QM ( QMS 117005-10 ) . The remaining paratypes ( TMU SP-20200214 , 1–3 ) and the host beetle specimen are deposited at AC-DE-TMU.

Other material examined: adult female (n = 21), male (n = 4), larval female (n = 3), ex. under elytra, on the base of membranous hind wing of G. pulcher (host registration number T137238 ) , Loc. “Feez Creek” property entrance, QLD, 21°51 ļ 40 ļļ S 148°14 ļ 19 ļļ E; Coll. S. Wright & C. Burwell; 9 Mar 2005 ( QMS 117011-38 ) . Adult female (n = 1), larval female (n = 2), same data except different beetle (host registration number T137239 ) ( QMS 117039-41 ) .

Etymology: The new species name “ pulcher ” is adopted after the species name of the carabid host beetle G. pulcher meaning “beautiful” in Latin that is associated with the beautiful metallic colouration patterns of elytra in this beetle. Furthermore, this epithet has a proper relevance to the beautiful trifurcate setae u ļ on tarsi II–III in adult females of the new mite species.

Authorship: Note that the authors of the new taxon are different from the authors of this paper; Article 50.1 and Recommendation 50A of International Code of Zoological Nomenclature [ 24].

Description

Adult female ( Fig. 5 ) (n = 6)

Gnathosoma ( Figs. 5a–5b ). Length 45 (42–50), width 40 (34–41); cheliceral stylets length 51 (44–48); pharynx length 18 (16–18), pharynx width 14 (13–16); ch 18 (19–25), su 13 (12–14); distance between setae ch–ch 24 (23–26), su–su 14 (14–16).

Idiosoma ( Figs. 5a–5b ). Length 350 (270–415), width 215 (180–290).

Idiosomal dorsum ( Fig. 5a ). All dorsal setae pointed; prodorsal plate (PrS) with setae v 1 13 (11–14), v 2 vestigial, sc 1 11 (9–13), sc 2 57 (51–60). Plate C setae c 1 6 (4–6), c 2 6 (4–6). Plate D setae d 5 (4–5); cupuli ia evident, anterolaterad setae d. Plate EF setae f 5 (4–5); cupuli im evident, anterolaterad setae f. Plate H and setae h 1 not evident. Distances between setae: v 1 – v 1 46 (46–49), v 2 – v 2 51 (49–59), v 1 – v 2 34 (32–34), sc 1 – sc 1 76 (74–80), v 1 – sc 1 27 (27–29), sc 2 – sc 2 93 (88–99), sc 1 – sc 2 70 (68–71), c 1 – c 1 81 (75–92), c 1 – c 2 54 (49–54), d–d 113 (102–112), f–f 83 (73–93).

Idiosomal venter ( Fig. 5b ). All coxal plates smooth; all coxisternal setae tiny needle-like; ap1–2 and apsej well developed, reaching to appr; coxisternal field I with setae 1 a 5 (5–6); alveoli of vestigial setae 1 b evident; coxisternal field II with 2 a 5 (5–7); alveoli of vestigial setae 2 b evident; coxisternal field III with setae 3 a 4 (4–5) and 3 b 6 (5–6). Distances between setae: 1 a –1 a 31 (29–35), 2 a –2 a 34 (36–42), 3 a –3 b 26 (22–27).

Legs ( Figs. 5c–5e , 6 ). Setal formula for legs I–III (femurtarsus): 3-2-6(+ φ)-8(+ ω), 0-1-4-6 (+ ω), 0-1-4-6. Ambulacrum I with sickle-shaped claw, ambulacrum II–III each with a pair of well-developed claws. Leg I ( Fig. 5c ): femur, d microseta, seta l ļ 15 (14–16) pointed and thickened, subequal to v ļļ 15 (12–15); genu with tiny setae l ļ 2 (2–2) and l ļļ 1 (1–2); tibia with φ 8 (7–9) baculiform, d 29 (25–29), l ļ 11 (9–11), l ļļ 9 (7–9), v ļ 5 (5–6) stiff, v ļļ 14 (13–16), seta k 8 (8–10); tarsus I, ω 5 (4–5) digitiform, eupathidial setae tc ļ 14 (12–15) and tc ļļ 15 (13–15) distinctly blunt-ended, pl ļ 11 (11–13), pl ļļ 15 (13–17), setae pv ļ 3 (3–3) and pv ļļ 2 (2–3) subequal, seta s 6 (6–7) modified and thickened, p ļ 2 (2) slightly thickened. Leg II. ( Fig. 5d ): genu, l ļ 2 (2); tibia, d 17 (15–17), l ļ 9 (7–9), v ļ 14 (12–14), v ļļ 15 (13–19); tarsus II, ω 4 (3–4) digitiform, tc ļ 5 (5–7), setae u ļ 8 (7–8) spine-like and trifurcate, tc ļļ 6 (6–7) blunt spur-like, pl ļļ 13 (12–13), pv ļļ 2 (2–3), u ļļ 2 (2). Leg III ( Figs. 5e , 6 ): genu, l ļ 2 (2–2); tibia, d 17 (15–18), l ļ 9 (7–9), v ļ 14 (13–14), v ļļ 17 (15–18); tarsus III, tc ļ 5 (5–7), setae u ļ 8 (7–8) spine-like and trifurcate ( Fig. 6 ), tc ļļ 6 (5–6) blunt spur-like ( Fig. 5f ), pl ļļ 14 (12–14), pv ļļ 2 (2–3), u ļļ 14 (12–14).

Male ( Fig. 7 ) (n = 5)

Gnathosoma ( Figs. 7a–7b ). Length 25–36, width 23–27; cheliceral stylets length 17–19; pharynx length 9–10, pharynx

width 6–8; ch 8–12; su 9–10; distance between setae ch–ch 17–20, su–su 12–13.

Idiosoma ( Figs. 7a–7b ). Length 140–160, width 105–115.

Idiosomal dorsum ( Fig. 7a ). All setae on dorsum microsetae (except sc 2); PrS with setae v 2 vestigial, setae sc 2 34–46 attenuate and pointed. Plate CD with cupuli ia anterior to setae d. Plate EF setae with cupuli im anterolaterad setae f. Genital capsule length 23–30, width 28–33, situated posterior to margin of EF, setae h 1 barely visible on genital capsule. Distances between setae: v 1 – v 1 18–19, v 2 – v 2 30–33, v 1 – v 2 18–19, sc 1 – sc 1 44–47, v 1 – sc 1 17–18, sc 2 – sc 2 42–45, sc 1 – sc 2 26–28, c 1 – c 1 39–43, c 1 – c 2 25–29, d–d 29–34, f–f 19–21.

Idiosomal venter ( Fig. 7b ). All coxal plates smooth; all ventral setae on coxal area microsetae; ap1-2 well developed, fused with appr, apsej weekly developed, not reaching appr; alveoli of setae 1 b on coxisternal field I evident; on coxisternal field II alveoli of setae 2 b evident. Distances between setae: 1 a –1 a 17–19, 2 a –2 a 22–24, 3 a –3 b 18–20.

Legs ( Figs. 7c–7e ). Setal formula for legs I–III (femurtarsus): 2-2-6(+ φ)-8(+ ω), 0-1-4-6(+ ω), 0-1-4-6. Ambulacrum I with a small claw, ambulacrum II–III each with a pair of small claws. Leg I ( Fig. 7c ): femur, setae d and l ļ microsetae; genu, setae l ļ and l ļļ microsetae; tibia, φ 6–8 baculiform, d 21–25, l ļ and l ļļ microsetae, v ļ 1, v ļļ 12–14, seta k 3–5; tarsus, ω 4–5 digitiform; eupathidial setae tc ļ 8–10 and tc ļļ 10–11 distinctly blunt-ended, setae pl ļ 8–9 and pl ļļ 10–12, seta pv ļ 1–1 stiff and blunt-ended, pv ļļ 2–2, seta s 4–5 blunt spur-like, p ļ 1–1. Leg II. ( Fig. 7d ): genu, l ļ 1; tibia, l ļ 2, d 13–15, v ļ 11–14, v ļļ 11–14; tarsus, ω 4–5 thickened and digitiform, seta tc ļ 4–5, slightly blunt-ended, u ļ 4–6 spine-like and bifurcate, tc ļļ 4–5 blunt spur-like, pl ļļ 9–11, pv ļ 2, pv ļļ 2, u ļļ 1. Leg III ( Fig. 7e ): genu, l ļ 1; tibia, d 10–13, l ļ 1, v ļ 1, v ļļ 12–14; tarsus, tc ļ 5–7 stiff and slightly blunt-ended, setae u ļ 5–6 spine-like and bifurcate, tc ļļ 4–5 blunt spur-like, pl ļļ 9–10, pv ļļ 1, u ļļ 1.

Larval female ( Fig. 8 ) (n = 5)

Gnathosoma ( Figs. 8a–8b ). Length 29–32, width 24–29; cheliceral stylets length 28–34; pharynx length 10–13, pharynx width 7–9; ch 20–25; su 10–12; distance between setae ch–ch 15–18, su–su 10–11.

Idiosoma ( Figs. 8a–8b ). Length 125–145, width 95–110.

Idiosomal dorsum ( Fig. 8a ). All dorsal setae needle-like except sc 2 which is long and attenuate; PrS with setae v 1 11–13, v 2 vestigial, sc 1 10–12, sc 2 62–72. Plate C setae c 1 7–8, c 2 5–7. Plate D setae d 6–7; cupuli ia anterolaterad setae d. Plate EF setae f 7–9; cupuli im anterior to setae f. Plate H not evident; setae h 1 64–66, h 2 m –2. Distances between setae: v 1 – v 1 25–28, v 2 – v 2 35–37, v 1 – v 2 22–25, sc 1 – sc 1 56–60, v 1 – sc 1 23–26, sc 2 – sc 2 44–48, sc 1 – sc 2 30–32, c 1 – c 1 25–28, c 1 – c 2 31–34, d–d 22–25, f–f 25–30.

Idiosomal venter ( Fig. 8b ). All coxal plates smooth; all coxal setae tiny needle-like; ap1–2 well developed, both fusing to appr; apsej not evident; coxisternal field I with setae 1 a 5–7; alveoli of setae 1 b on coxisternal field I evident; coxisternal field II with 2 a 4–6; alveoli of setae 2 b evident; coxisternal field III with setae 3 a 5–6 and 3 b 5 subequal. Distances between setae: 1 a –1 a 17–21, 2 a –2 a 16–22, 3 a –3 b 17–19.

Legs ( Figs. 8c–8e ). Setal formula for legs I–III (femurtarsus): 3-2-6(+ φ)-8(+ ω), 0-1-4-5(+ ω), 0-1-4-5. Ambulacrum I with a small bifid claw, ambulacrum II–III each with a pair of small claws. Leg I ( Fig. 8c ): femur, d microseta, seta l ļ 2 slightly thickened, v ļļ 10–11; genu, l ļ 2, l ļļ 1–1; tibia, φ 7–8 baculiform and bent, d 28–30, setae l ļ 8–9 and l ļļ 9–12, v ļ 4–5, v ļļ 10–12, seta k 3–4; tarsus, ω 4–5 digitiform, eupathidial setae tc ļ 8–9 and tc ļļ 9–10 distinctly blunt-ended, pl ļ 9–10, pl ļļ 12–14, setae pv ļ 1–1 and pv ļļ 1–2, seta s 3–5 blunt spur-like, p ļ 2. Leg II. ( Fig. 8d ): genu, l ļ 2; tibia, d 13–18, l ļ 10–11, v ļ 10–13, v ļļ 13–15; tarsus, ω 4–5 digitiform, tc ļ 3–4, setae u ļ 5 and tc ļļ 4–5 blunt spur-like, pl ļļ 9–11, pv ļļ 2, u ļļ not evident. Leg III ( Fig. 8e ): genu, l ļ 2; tibia, d 14–15, l ļ 8–12, v ļ 7–11, v ļļ 11–12; tarsus, tc ļ 6–7, setae u ļ 5–6 and tc ļļ 5–6 blunt spur-like, pl ļļ 10–11, pv ļļ 2, u ļļ not evident.

Differential diagnosis

This new species is unique in Eutarsopolipus by having trifurcate setae u ļ on tarsi II–III. However, among species with simple claws on legs I (unlike E. biuncatus Seeman, 2021 and E. janus Seeman, 2021 with bifurcate claws on legs I), it is most similar to E. leytei Husband & Raros, 1989 with femur I seta l ʹ very short, not reaching genual base in adult females; but it is readily distinguishable from this species by longer setae v 1 11–14 (m– 5 in E. leytei ) and shorter cheliceral stylets being at most 51 in E. pulcher n. sp. vs. 68 in E. leytei .

The new species further differs from E. dastychi with setae v 1 longer than ch and setae c 1, c 2, d and f shorter than 8 in adult females (vs. setae v 1 shorter than ch and setae c 1, c 2, d and f longer than 15 in adult females of E. dastychi ). The male of E. pulcher n. sp. resembles that of E. orpheus with all ventral and dorsal setae (except sc 2) being microsetae, but it differs from E. orpheus with setae ch longer than 8 (ch microsetae in male of E. orpheus ). The larval female of E. pulcher n. sp. is similar to E. orpheus with h 1 shorter than 70 and h 2 shorter than 2, but it is readily distinguishable from E. pulcher n. sp. by shorter setae sc 1, sc 2, c 1, c 2, d, 3 a and 3 b ( Table 2 ). All the important characters among the species of leytei group are compared for all life stages (excluding E. leytei with unknown male) in Table 2 and keys to the world species (based on adult females) are presented in Figure 9 .

Species group: myzus – Key characters of the group based on adult females: stigmata and tracheae present; ambulacral claws II–III present; genu I–III without setae; femur I with two setae [ 42].

Figures

Figure 5. Eutarsopolipus pulcher n. sp. (adult female). (a) Body dorsum; (b) body venter; (c) right leg I; (d) ventral view of tarsus I; (e) right leg II; (f) right leg III. All legs in dorsal view.

Figure 6. Phase-contrast micrograph of tarsus III in Eutarsopolipus pulcher n. sp. (adult female) representing modified trifurcate seta uļ and spur-like seta tcļļ.

Figure 7. Eutarsopolipus pulcher n. sp. (male). (a) Body dorsum; (b) body venter; (c) right leg I; (d) right leg II; (e) right leg III. All legs in dorsal view.

Figure 8. Eutarsopolipus pulcher n. sp. (larval female). (a) Body dorsum; (b) body venter; (c) right leg I; (d) right leg II; (e) right leg III. All legs in dorsal view.

Figure 9. Key to the world species of Eutarsopolipus in the leytei group (based on adult females).