Metaseiulus (Metaseiulus) relictus Trincado & Martin, 2018

Trincado, R. D., Martin, J. P. I., Méndez Rosa, D. D., Lopes, P. C. & De Moraes, G. J., 2018, Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Chile, with descriptions of three new species and a redescription of Chileseius camposi, Zootaxa 4482 (2), pp. 322-340 : 332-334

Metaseiulus (Metaseiulus) relictus Trincado & Martin , n. sp.

( Figs 18–24 )

Diagnosis. This species is most similar to Metaseiulus brevicollis Gonzalez & Schuster, 1962 , also described from Chile. However, the latter differs by having fixed cheliceral digit with only two teeth in addition to the apical tooth, R 1 on dorsal shield and about as long as s 6, and dorsal shield lightly reticulate.

FEMALE: (4 specimens measured)

Dorsum ( Fig. 18 ). Dorsal shield smooth; with seven distinguishable pairs of pores and 13 distinguishable pairs of lyrifissures; 360 (335– 370) long, maximum width 185 (175–205); j 1 25 (23–27), j 3 30 (29–34), j 4 12 (12–20), j 5 15 (14–15), j 6 16 (15–20), J 2 20 (12–20), J 5 13 (12–14), z 2 17 (16–27), z 3 27 (25–30), z 4 30 (30–32), z 5 12 (10–13), Z 4 52 (51–60), Z 5 74 (65–77), s 4 47 (41–47), s 6 47 (43–50), S 5 18 (18–19), R 1 20 (17–22). All setae smooth.

Peritreme ( Fig. 18 ). Extending forward almost to level of j 1.

Venter ( Fig. 18 ). Sternal shield smooth; with three pairs of setae, and two pairs of lyrifissures; distances between St 1– St 3 71 (68–73), St 2– St 2 65 (60–73). Genital shield smooth; distance between St 5– St 5 60 (55–74). Ventrianal shield smooth, shield-shaped, slightly constricted at level of JV 2; 120 (120–128) long, 95 (95–100) wide at ZV 2 level and 90 (84–90) at anus level, with four pairs of pre-anal setae and a pair of small, rounded pre-anal pores mesad and slightly posterior of JV 3. Seta JV 5 60 (60–65). Two pairs of slender metapodal plates, the posterior distinctly larger.

Chelicera ( Fig. 20 ). Antiaxial lyrifissure distinct. Fixed digit 43 (40–45) long, with seven teeth in addition to apical tooth and setiform pilus dentilis. Movable digit 36 (35–40) long, with two teeth in addition to apical tooth.

Legs ( Fig. 21 ). Macrosetae present only on legs III and IV, all with a very tiny distal knob: Sge III 22 (21–23), Sge IV 48 (47–48), Sti IV 36, St IV 46 (44–46). Chaetotaxy of genu II 2 2/1, 2/0 1; genu III 1 2/1, 2/0 1.

Spermatheca ( Fig. 22 ). Calyx bell-shaped, 9 (8–10) long. Atrium discrete.

Male: (3 specimens measured)

Dorsum. Dorsal shield similar to female; 310 (300– 310) long, maximum width 165 (160–165); j 1 20 (16–22), j 3 29 (28–30), j 4 16 (15–17), j 5 15, j 6 15 (15–16), J 2 16 (16–17), J 5 11 (10–12), z 2 16 (14–20), z 4 27 (25–28), z 5 11 (10–12), Z 4 27 (25–28), Z 5 60 (59–65), s 4 38 (32–40), S 5 16 (16–18), R 1 18 (16–20). All setae smooth.

Peritreme. Extending between j 1 and j 3.

Venter ( Fig. 23 ). Sternogenital shield smooth with five pairs of setae and two pairs of liryfissures; distances between St 1– St 3 68 (66–71), St 2– St 2 52 (52–55). Ventrianal shield transversely striate, subtriangular, 140 (137– 150) long, 150 (150–155) wide at anterior corners, with five pairs of pre-anal setae and a pair of round pre-anal pores. Metapodal shields indistinct.

Chelicera ( Fig. 24 ). Fixed digit 35 (30–40) long, with five teeth in addition to apical tooth and a setiform pilus dentilis. Movable digit 25 (25–35) long, with one tooth in addition to apical tooth; spermadactyl with shaft 19 (18– 21) and foot 12 (9–12) long.

Legs. Macrosetae present only on legs III and IV, but differently from female, distal knob not distinct: Sge III 17 (16–18), Sge IV 33 (30–33), Sti IV 25, St IV 35 (35–37).

Etymology: The specific name relictus refers to the type locality of this species, a humid relict forest located at the southern extreme of the coastal desert of north-central Chile.

Type locality. Holotype female, collected on 24 March 2014, from Parque National Fray Jorge, Coquimbo, Chile, on Escallonia illinita C. Presl , associated with Brevipalpus sp. Deposited at Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo. One paratype female and three paratype males, same collection records as holotype; all deposited at Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo; 11 paratype females and 6 paratype males, on Senecio sp., other collection records same as holotype, deposited at Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Santiago to Chile.

Figures

FIGURES 18–24. Metaseiulus (Metaseiulus) relictus n. sp. Female. 18. Dorsal view of idiosoma; 19. Ventral view of idiosoma; 20. Antiaxial view of chelicera; 21. Leg IV; 22. Spermatheca. Male. 23. Ventrianal shield; 24. Antiaxial view of chelicera.