Tegeocranellus hungarorum, Mahunka, 2009

Mahunka, S., 2009, Oribatid Mites From The Vohimana Reserve (Madagascar) (Acari: Oribatida) I., Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 55 (2), pp. 89-122 : 96-98

Tegeocranellus hungarorum sp. n.

( Figs 12–14 )

Material examined. Holotype: Malagasy Republic, Vohimana Reserve , primary forest. 17. 04. 2008. Leg. CS . CSUZDI (Afr-996) . Three paratypes from the same sample. Holotype (1769-HO-09) and 2 paratypes (1769- PO –09) in HNHM , 1 paratype in MHNG .

Diagnosis. Rostrum triangular, rostral setae minute, arising laterally. Lamellae wide, located in lateral position, without true cusp. Inner part concave anteriorly, a short part of a translamella present here, a long, transversal costula basally well observable. Between the anterior part of lamellae a characteristic, median, angulate formation also observable. Interlamellar setae arising on lamellar surface. Sensillus fusiform, with long peduncle and short hardly dilated head, directed posteriorly. Anterior notogastral margin convex, a pair of short, rounded humeral processes present. Notogastral surface covered by irregularly polygonated secretion layer. Ten pairs of short notogastral setae, seven pairs of them spiniform, covered by secretion. Three posteromarginal pairs minute. All epimeral setae minute or represent by their alveoli. Apodemes and borders except the sternal one, composing a closed network.

Measurements. Length of body: 227–244 µm, width of body: 151–156 µm.

Prodorsum. Rostral part wide, rostral apex narrow, sharply pointed. Lamellae large, not touching medially, basally connected by a narrow transversal lath, bearing one pair of small tubercles laterally. Lamellar apex absent, its inner margin of the anterior part convex. Lamellar setae arising on the obliquely cut anterior margin. Between the anterior part of the lamellae a peculiar, angular (chair shaped) formation present, with two longitudinal lath (“legs”) basally ( Fig. 12 ) running posteriorly. Lamellar surface with longitudinal ribs, interlamellar setae short, arising near to their inner margins of lamellae. Bothridium large, well framed, sensillus long, directed laterally and posteriorly, with small but distinct head. Surface of head aciculate or barbed.

Notogaster. Anterior notogastral margin convex, behind the bothridia slightly concave. A pair of small humeral apophyses present, setae c 2 arising on its surface. Surface of the notogaster with secretion layer composing an irregular cellular pattern. Ten pairs of short, mostly spiniform, aciculate notogastral setae, three pairs of them in posteromarginal position thinner and smaller than the others. Median setae covered with secretion like a bulb.

Lateral part of podosoma. Tutorium large, well sclerotised, with long, triangular apex ( Fig. 14 ). A short lath along its apex also present. Pedotecta 1 very large, with sharply pointed spur at its dorsal end, surface with parallel lines. A small field between leg I and II with polygonate ornamentation. Pedotecta 2–3 small, discidium with long process directed backwards.

Ventral parts ( Fig. 13 ). Apodemes and epimeral borders well developed, sternal one interrupted medially, not reaching to the ap. 2. Ap. 4. very thick, strongly sclerotised, a pair of weaker developed longitudinal laths directed from it posteriorly. A distinct longitudinal lath present laterally framing the 2. and 3. epimeres. All epimeral setae minute, hardly observable, epimeral setal formula 3–1–3–3. Shape of the anogenital region typical for the genus, genital aperture very large. Anogenital setal formula 5 (6)–1–2–3. All setae minute. Lyrifissures iad conspicuously long, in adanal position.

Legs. All legs monodactylous. Claws thin, conspicuously long. Tibia of leg III and IV peculiarly curved. Solenidium of ϕ 1 of leg I and II long, directed backwards. Some dilated setae on genu and femora of legs also observable.

Remarks. The new species is primarily characterised by the presence of interlamellar chair shaped formation and by the irregular polygonal ornamentation of secretion layer on the notogaster. On this basis of these characters the new species is unique among the species of the genus Tegeocranellus BERLESE, 1913 .

Etymology. Named after the Hungarian researchers working in Madagascar.

Figures

Figs 12–14. Tegeocranellus hungarorum sp. n.: 12 = body in dorsal view, 13 = body in ventral view, 14 = podosoma in lateral view