Torrenticola irapalpa Fisher & Dowling

Fisher, J. Ray, Fisher, Danielle M., Skvarla, Michael J., Nelson, Whitney A. & Dowling, Ashley P. G., 2017, Revision of torrent mites (Parasitengona, Torrenticolidae, Torrenticola) of the United States and Canada: 90 descriptions, molecular phylogenetics, and a key to species, ZooKeys 701, pp. 1-496 : 1

Torrenticola irapalpa Fisher & Dowling sp. n.

Material examined.

HOLOTYPE (♀): from New Brunswick, Canada, York County, Stanley, Nashwaak River, Stanley Municipal Park, 19 Jun 2012, by IM Smith, IMS120031, DNA 2956.

PARATYPES (39 ♀; 26 ♂): Arkansas, USA: 1 ♀ from Newton County, Buffalo National River, Cecil Creek (36°5'15.72"N, 93°13'23.28"W), 13 Jun 2012, by TD Edwards, TDE 12-0613-010 • 1 ♂ from Newton County, Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Little Buffalo River, 11 Jun 2012, by TD Edwards, TDE 12-0711-004 • 2 ♀ from Polk County, beside Forest Route 38, north of Shady Lake Recreation Area, East Saline Creek (34°22'23.39"N, 94°1'51.22"W), 30 Jul 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110041 • Kentucky, USA: 2 ♀ and 1 ♂ from McCreary County, White Oak Junction, Rock Creek, beside Forest Route 556, 2.3 kilometers south of Route 1363, 8 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900082A & IMS900082B • Illinois, USA: 3 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Kankakee County, Kankakee River State Park, beside Route 102, Rock Creek (41°12'N, 88°0'W), 9 Sep 1991, by IM Smith, IMS910027A • Indiana, USA: 1 ♀ from Wayne County, south of intersection of Interstate 70 and Route 1 (39°51'13"N, 85°8'4"W), 31 Jul 2014, by MJ Skvarla, MS 14-0731-001 • Missouri, USA: 3 ♀ Wayne County, beside Road 143 near Sam A Baker State Park, 8 Jul 1960, by DR Cook, DRC600010 • New Brunswick, Canada: 2 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Charlotte County, Rollingdam, Digdeguash River, beside Highway 770 at covered bridge, 30 Jun 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890053 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Charlotte County, Digdeguash River, beside Sorrel Ridge Road, west of Whittier Road, 10 Jun 2012, by IM Smith, IMS120015 • 2 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Charlotte County, Rollingham, Digdegaush River, beside Highway 770, 3 Oct 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110118 • 1 ♂ (ALLOTYPE) from York County, Stanley, Nashwaak River, Stanley Municipal Park, 19 Jun 2012, by IM Smith, IMS120031, DNA 2957 • Ohio, USA: 1 ♂ from Montgomery County, Engelwood Metro Park (39°52'58"N, 84°17'33"W), 31 Jul 2014, by MJ Skvarla, MS 14-0731-002 • 1 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Pickaway County, beside Scioto-Darby Road, just north of Darby, Big Darby Creek (40°2'N, 83°15'W), 30 Jun 1997, by IM Smith & M MacKenzie, IMS970016 • Ontario, Canada: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Grey County, Durham, Saugeen River, beside County Road 27 near Durham Conservation Area, 9 Jun 1989, by IM Smith, IMS890028A • Pennsylvania, USA: 1 ♀ from Bedford County, Chaneysville, Sweet Root Picnic Area beside Route 326, 18 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900105 • 1 ♀ from Huntingdon County, Alan Seeger Natural Area, Stone Creek, beside road from McAlevys Fort to Route 322, 19 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900107 • 1 ♂ from Tioga County, Straight Run, beside Straight Run Road, 2.1 kilometers north of Route 6 between Ansonia & Wellsboro, 20 Jul1990, by IM Smith, IMS900111 • Saskatchewan, Canada: 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Torch River beside Highway 106 at access road, 30 kilometers north of Highway 55 at Smeaton, 30 Jul 1988, by IM Smith, IMS880054A • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Torch River at end of forest access road, 10 kilometers north of Highway 55 at Love, 30 Jul 1988, by IM Smith, IMS880056 • Texas, USA: 2 ♀ from Bandera County, Vanderpool, beside Route 187, Sabinal River (29°48'10"N, 99°34'30"W), 2 May 2009, by IM Smith, IMS090007 • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Kinney County, Brackettville, beside Route 90, 12.1 kilometers west of Route 131, Pinto Creek (29°20'6"N, 100°32'5"W), 28 Sep 1994, by IM Smith, IMS940025 • 1 ♀ from Uvalde County, Garner State Park, Frio River (29°35'22"N, 99°44'12"W), 28 May 1998, by IM Smith, IMS980027A • 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Val Verde County, Bakers Crossing Campground off Route 163, Devils River (29°58'N, 101°9'W), 5 Oct 1999, by IM Smith, IMS990061A • 2 ♀ from Val Verde County, Dolan Falls Preserve, Devils River (29°53'12"N, 100°59'37"W), 24 May 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110013 • 4 ♀ and 4 ♂ from Val Verde County, Dolan Falls Preserve, Snake Spring (29°53'43"N, 100°58'58"W), 25 May 2011, by IM Smith, IMS110015 • Virginia, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Bath County, Jackson River, beside Forest Route 1843 (continuation of Route 623), 3.5 kilometers south of Route 220, 16 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900100 • 2 ♀ and 2 ♂ from Scott County, North Fork Holston River, beside Route 58/421, 0.9 kilometers east of Route 709 at Hiltons, 7 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900080 • West Virginia, USA: 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ from Pendleton County, South Branch of the Potomac River, beside Route 28/55, 20.8 kilometers southwest of Route 42, 17 Jul 1990, by IM Smith, IMS900104.

Type deposition.

Holotype (♀), allotype (♂), and most paratypes (34 ♀; 20 ♂) deposited in the CNC; other paratypes (5 ♀; 5 ♂) deposited in ACUA.

Diagnosis.

Torrenticola irapalpa are similar to other members of the Raptor Group ( T. gnoma , T. longitibia , T. mjolniri , T. elusiva , T. racupalpa , T. raptor , T. danielleae , T. daemon , and T. ivyae ) in having round bodies; Dgl-4 close to muscles scars; long, thin subcapitular rostra; and long, thin pedipalp tibiae. T. irapalpa can be differentiated from T. longitibia , T. mjolniri , T. elusiva , T. racupalpa , and T. ivyae by having Dgl-4 closer to the dorsal edge (dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 = 1.81-2.09 in T. irapalpa , 2.19-2.77 in others) and a less elongate rostrum (length/width = 2.66-3.39 in T. irapalpa ; 3.56-4.32 in others). T. irapalpa can be differentiated from T. gnoma by having Dgl-4 closer to the dorsal edge (dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 ♀ = 1.81-2.09 in T. irapalpa , 2.65-3.29 in T. gnoma ; ♂ = 1.58-1.86 in T. irapalpa , 2.06-2.73 in T. gnoma ) and by dorsal coloration and pattern. T. irapalpa can be differentiated from T. raptor by having less elongate tibiae (length/width ♀ = 4.09-5.67 in T. irapalpa , 6.00-7.54 in T. raptor ; ♂ = 4.25-4.75 in T. irapalpa , 5.29-5.63 in T. raptor ); less elongate subcapitulum (ventral length/height = 2.52-2.90 in T. irapalpa , 2.98-3.27 in T. raptor ); and by dorsal pattern. T. irapalpa can be differentiated from T. danielleae by having Dgl-4 further from the dorsal edge (dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 = ♀ = 1.81-2.09 in T. irapalpa , 1.57-1.70 in T. danielleae ; ♂ = 1.58-1.86 in T. irapalpa , 1.42-1.52 in T. danielleae ); a less elongate rostrum (length/width = 2.66-3.39 in T. irapalpa , 3.43-3.75 in T. danielleae ); and by dorsal coloration and pattern. Female T. irapalpa can be differentiated from female T. daemon by having Dgl-4 further from the dorsal edge (dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 ♀ = 1.81-2.09 in T. irapalpa , 1.59-1.67 in T. daemon ) and a less elongate gnathosomal bay (length/width ♀ = 1.35-1.86 in T. irapalpa , 1.95-2.42 in T. daemon ). Male T. irapalpa can be differentiated from male T. daemon by dorsal coloration and pattern.

Description.

Female (Figure 103) (n = 9) (holotype measurements in parentheses when available) with characters of the genus with following specifications.

Dorsum - (575-710 (610) long; 465-580 (475) wide) circular with navy blue to bluish-purple coloration separated into anterior and posterior portions with bold orange medially. Anterio-medial platelets (132.5-160 (137.5) long; 52.5-67.5 (62.5) wide). Anterio-lateral platelets (155-197.5 (177.5) long; 67.5-87.5 (77.5) wide) free from dorsal plate. Dgl-4 midway between muscle scars and dorsum edge (distance between Dgl-4 465-580 (475)). Dorsal plate proportions: dorsum length/width 1.20-1.28 (1.28); dorsal width/distance between Dgl-4 1.81-2.09 (1.90); anterio-medial platelet length/width 2.12-2.52 (2.20); anterio-lateral platelet length/width 2.17-2.39 (2.29); anterio-lateral/anterio-medial length 1.17-1.42 (1.29).

Gnathosoma - Subcapitulum (300-360 (340) long (ventral); 219-270 (270) long (dorsal); 125-157.5 (145) tall) with faint navy blue to bluish-purple coloration, sometimes colorless. Rostrum (126.25-152.5 (142.5) long; 55-76 (65) wide) elongate. Chelicerae (245-360 (360) long) with curved fangs (55-75 (65) long). Subcapitular proportions: ventral length/height 2.29-2.57 (2.34); rostrum length/width 2.66-3.39 (3.17). Pedipalps elongate (especially tibiae) with long tuberculate ventral extensions on femora and genua. Palpomeres: trochanter (45-52.5 (45) long); femur (115-132.5 (132.5) long); genu (65-80 (72.5) long); tibia (100-117.5 (102.5) long; 17.5-20 (20) wide); tarsus (17.5-20 (20) long). Palpomere proportions: femur/genu 1.66-1.89 (1.83); tibia/femur 0.77-0.89 (0.77); tibia length/width 4.09-5.67 (4.82).

Venter - (690-870 (770) long; 508-743 (550) wide) with navy blue to bluish purple coloration. Gnathosomal bay (132.5-165 (165) long; 87.5-120 (90) wide). Cxgl-4 far from apex. Medial suture (10-22.5 (15) long). Genital plates (155-175 (175) long; 140-162.5 (150) wide). Additional measurements: Cx-1 (266-334 (310) long (total); 103-156 (140) long (medial)); Cx-3 (332-487 (375) wide); anterior venter (156-197.5 (182.5) long). Ventral proportions: gnathosomal bay length/width 1.35-1.86 (1.83); anterior venter/genital field length 0.99-1.18 (1.04); anterior venter length/genital field width 1.06-1.27 (1.22); anterior venter/medial suture 8.56-15.63 (12.17).

Male (Figure 104) (n = 8) (allotypic measurements in parentheses when available) with characters of the genus with following specifications.

Dorsum - (520-620 (560) long; 400-490 (435) wide) circular with navy blue to bluish-purple coloration separated into anterior and posterior portions with bold orange medially. Anterio-medial platelets (115-150 (140) long; 55-67.5 (62.5) wide). Anterio-lateral platelets (160-188.75 (187.5) long; 62.5-77.5 (75) wide) free from dorsal plate. Dgl-4 midway between muscle scars and dorsum edge (distance between Dgl-4 220-310 (250)). Dorsal plate proportions: dorsum length/width 1.26-1.30 (1.29); dorsal width/distance between Dgl-41.58-1.86 (1.74); anterio-medial platelet length/width 2.00-2.48 (2.24); anterio-lateral platelet length/width 2.34-2.60 (2.50); anterio-lateral/anterio-medial length 1.22-1.41 (1.34).

Gnathosoma - Subcapitulum (275-340 (310) long (ventral); 207-240 (240) long (dorsal); 105-132.5 (107.5) tall) with faint navy blue to bluish-purple coloration, sometimes colorless. Rostrum (112.5-137.5 (135) long; 40-47.5 (40) wide) elongate. Chelicerae (252-305 (305) long) with curved fangs (51-60 (55) long). Subcapitular proportions: ventral length/height 2.52-2.90 (2.88); rostrum length/width 2.81-3.38 (3.38). Pedipalps elongate (especially tibiae) with long tuberculate ventral extensions on femora and genua. Palpomeres: trochanter (35-50 (42.5) long); femur (107.5-123.75 (115) long); genu (60-70 (67.5) long); tibia (87.5-108.75 (95) long; 20-25 (20) wide); tarsus (18.75-20 (20) long). Palpomere proportions: femur/genu 1.70-1.83 (1.70); tibia/femur 0.81-0.91 (0.83); tibia length/width 4.25-4.75 (4.75).

Venter - (630-705 (690) long; 490-540 (500) wide) with navy blue to bluish purple coloration. Gnathosomal bay (135-177.5 (146.25) long; 75-95 (75) wide). Cxgl-4 far from apex. Medial suture (50-75 (75) long). Genital plates (127.5-158.75 (143.75) long; 100-137.5 (122.5) wide). Additional measurements: Cx-1 (260-290 (290) long (total); 137-155 (155) long (medial)); Cx-3 (323-360 (345) wide); anterior venter (215-255 (245) long). Ventral proportions: gnathosomal bay length/width 1.42-2.06 (1.95); anterior venter/genital field length 1.51-1.75 (1.70); anterior venter length/genital field width 1.78-2.20 (2.00); anterior venter/medial suture 3.27-4.40 (3.27).

Immatures unknown.

Etymology.

Specific epithet ( irapalpa ) refers to the pedipalps of this species, which resemble ferocious weapons of wrath (ira, L. fury, rage, wrath; palpus, L. hand, feeler).

Distribution.

Primarily eastern (Figure 102), but note that T. irapalpa is one of few Torrenticola found in the Great Plains, at least in the south (Texas) and north (Saskatchewan).

Remarks.

Torrenticola irapalpa groups with other members of the Raptor Complex with high support and specimens of this species are less than 2% different in COI sequence from each other. In the combined analysis, T. irapalpa groups with T. gnoma with high support, but the position of this clade was not recovered. These species are greater than 9% from each other. Based upon overall similarity, distribution, and phylogenetic position, this species is placed within the Raptor Identification Group.

This species hypothesis is supported by low COI divergence within the species (0-2%) and high divergence between species (3-15%), and by the morphological characters outlined in the diagnosis.