Eriocaenus, Petanović, Radmila U., Amrine Jr, James W., Chetverikov, Philipp E. & Cvrković, Tatjana K., 2015

Petanović, Radmila U., Amrine Jr, James W., Chetverikov, Philipp E. & Cvrković, Tatjana K., 2015, Eriocaenus (Acari: Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea), a new genus from Equisetum spp. (Equisetaceae): morphological and molecular delimitation of two morphologically similar species, Zootaxa 4013 (1), pp. 51-66 : 54

Genus. Eriocaenus n. gen. Petanović & Amrine

Diagnosis. With the characteristics of Eriophyes (sensu Amrine et al. 2003 + Siebold 1851; Ueckermann 1993) but lacking femoral setae on Legs I and II. Scapular setae (sc) very short almost invisible in dorsal view, setae ahead of rear shield margin, directed upward and slightly forward. Opisthosoma evenly annulate, elongate. Second ventral setae (e) extremely short. All leg and opisthosomal setae present except for femoral setae.

Etymology. The generic name is derived from the similarity of the new genus with one of the first named genera of the Eriophyidae and Eriophyinae , known as Eriophyes von Siebold, 1851 . Hence, Eri- and - caenus, suffix of adjective of Latinized form of Greek (kainós), meaning- new; gender masculine.

Type species. Aceria equiseti Farkas, 1960: 316 –318, 317 ( Figs. 4–7 )

Eriophyes equiseti ( Farkas, 1960) : Farkas, 1965

Species included. Eriocaenus equiseti ( Farkas, 1960) and Eriocaenus ramosissimi n. sp.

Distribution and hosts. So far, Eriocaenus mites have been recorded from Central Europe and the Balkans viz. Hungary (on Equisetum arvense ) and Serbia (on E. arvense , E. telmateia and E. ramosissimum ).

Remarks. Five species of the genus Eriophyes , the most similar genus to the new genus, have been described from ferns and include two from the northern hemisphere and three from the southern hemisphere. Eriophyes eckloniae described by Meyer and Ueckermann (1989) from Cheilanthes eckloniana (Kunze) Mett. in South Africa, was characterized, besides other characteristics, by the lack of femoral setae on Leg I. Careful examination of some previously described Eriophyes species from ferns could result in their possible reassignment to Eriocaenus in future.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Eriocaenus ramosissimi n. sp. (DIC images): A. Dorsal view of whole mite; B. Dorsal view of anterior section; C. Anterior section of male, ventrally; E. Genital coverflap; F. Internal female genitalia; D. Genital coverflap of E. equiseti.

FIGURE 5. Eriocaenus equiseti (SEM), female: A. Dorsal view of anterior section; B. Epigynium; C. Tarsal empodium, Leg. I, lateral view; D. Tarsal empodium, Leg I dorsal aspect; F. E. ramosissimi n. sp., tarsal empodium Leg I.

FIGURE 6. Location of Eriocaenus ramosissimi n. sp. on Equisetum ramosissimum, showing a group of mites inside the scale-like leaves which are joined together to form a special envelope known as an “ ohrea.

FIGURE 7. Semi-schematic drawings of Eriocaenus equiseti (Farkas) female: AD. Antero-dorsal view; AL. Antero-lateral view; CG. Coxal-genital region; em. Empodium; GM. Genital region, male; IG. Internal genitalia, female; L 1. Leg I; LO. Lateral opisthosoma; PM. Postero-lateral mite (telosoma). Scale bar: 25 µm, (except for em = 5 µm).