Antennocheles longisternalis, Lindquist & Moraza, 2014

Lindquist, Evert E. & Moraza, María L., 2014, Mites coexistent with neotropical hispine beetles in unfurled leaves of Heliconia: a new genus and family of the Ascoidea (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina), Journal of Natural History (J. Nat. Hist.) 48 (27 - 28), pp. 1611-1651 : 1639-1646

Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov.

( Figures 8–15 )

Diagnosis

Adult female and male. Anterior area of union of dorsal and peritrematal shields with patch of dense, fine puncta on either side anterior to setae j3 and s1; dorsal shield with scattered puncta anterolaterally, without a strip of puncta laterally amidst S- series of setae, but moderately punctate posterior to setae J4; peritrematal shield usually without strip of puncta along its length dorsal to peritreme; dorsal shield with setae j3 at most 1.5 longer than j4–j5; thickened setae Z3 twice as long as blunt Z4. Femur of legs II and III with seta al less strongly spine-like than in A. punctomarginalis ; genu and tibia of legs I to IV with seta av attenuated. Adult female. Sternal shield 1.7–1.9 longer along mid-line than narrowest width between coxae II; metapodal plates 0.8 to nearly as wide as long. Adult male. Spermatodactyl simple, digit-like, narrowly rounded apically. Deutonymph. Dorsal shield setae Z3 twice as long as Z4. Anterior margin of anal shield broadly, evenly concave; setae JV5 on soft cuticle closely beside anal shield. Protonymph. Pygidial shield with thickened setae Z3 about 1.6 longer than Z4. Anterolateral corners of anal shield broadly rounded.

Description

Adult female. Dorsal shield 495–591 long, 288–362 at its greatest width at level of setae S2 (n = 9); shield variably ornamented with sparse circular puncta over much of surface, but with a patch of dense, fine puncta on either side anterior to setae j3 and s1; shield with a pair of transverse costulae in area of consolidation of podonotal and opisthonotal shields behind setae z6, and variably transversely lineate posterolaterally; shield with a longitudinal marginal strip delineated from level of setae s5 to S3 or S4. Dorsal shield with 32 or 33 pairs of setae, r3 sometimes off shield; setae smooth, of dissimilar lengths: j1, j2 (9–12), j3 (16–20), j4, j5 (11–13), j6 (16–22), z2, z4, z5 (13–17), z6 (12–17), s1 (9–11), s2, s4, s6 (13–17), s5 second longest (24–28), r2– r5 (10–13); J1–J4 (11–15), Z1, Z2 (13–15), Z3 longest (33–42), nearly twice as long as Z4, Z5 (15–25), S1–S5 (13–21); J5 very short (9–11), barbed basally; Z3 and to increasingly lesser extent s5 and j6 thicker, more spine-like than other setae ( Figure 8A,B ). Lateral soft cuticle usually with setae R1–R6, and three or four pairs of UR setae (10–17). Peritrematal shields broadly united with dorsal shield anteriorly at level between setae z2 and s1 ( Figure 8A ); peritremes long, sharply angled subapically and reaching anteriorly to level of setae j1 ( Figures 8A , 9A ); peritrematal shield usually lacking strip of puncta flanking peritreme dorsally.

Tritosternum ( Figure 9E ) with base over twice as long (35–40) as basal width (15–19), with laciniae fused for 75–80% of total length (130–152 excluding base), their fused length with long, sparse, lateral setules. Presternal area variably with or without weak lineation and pair of faint small platelets ( Figure 9A ). Sternal shield elongate, length from anterior margin at level between setae st1 to posterior margin 145–165, narrowest width between legs II 84–92, finely, inconspicuously punctate over nearly entire surface, lineate along lateral margins, and with a pair of concave transverse fissures with well sclerotized anterior margins laterally adjacent to and connecting with poroids iv2 ( Figures 9A , 15B ); shield with anterior margin straight between setae st1, and posterior margin slightly, irregularly convex between setae st3; shield with strong endopodal extensions between coxae I–II broadly fused to exopodal shield, and with strong endopodal extensions between coxae II–III; sternal shield with setae st1–st3 similar in short lengths (12–14). Setae st4 (11–15) together with poroids iv3 on small metasternal plates. Endopodal strips well developed alongside coxae III and IV, their anterior ends sometimes touching but not uniting with posterolateral margins of sternal shield. Epigynal shield 125–142 long, 108–132 at widest region behind genital setae, ornamented with small puncta arranged on reticula, and with truncate posterior margin; setae st5 subequal in length to st1–st4. Paragenital poroids iv5 on soft cuticle well removed from posterolateral margins of epigynal shield. Two pairs of linear postgenital sclerites (transverse length of each 20–28) present in cuticular fold between epigynal and ventrianal shields, these sometimes fused on either side to two strips, 50–55 each. Ventrianal shield variably lightly lineated anterolaterally, punctate posteriorly, with broadly rounded posterior margin; shield’ s greatest width (230–260) at level of setae ZV2 about 1.5 its mid-length (145–180); shield with four pairs of opisthogastric setae (JV1–JV3, ZV2) of similar short length, though JV2 (19–23) slightly longer than others (12–18); shield with two pairs of poroids, widely-spaced gland pores gv3 on margin at level of anal opening, and a pair of weak preanal depressions; paranal setae (13–15) about half as long as postanal seta (26–33); posterior shield margin with cribrum formed as a wide (110–115) but narrow (c.3) strip embedded in postanal fold of cuticle. Soft cuticle with six pairs of opisthogastric setae of similar short length (12–16), ZV1 anteriorly (rarely asymmetrically inserted on anterolateral corner of ventrianal shield) and JV4, JV5, ZV3–ZV5 laterally, flanked variably by R4–R6 and one or two UR setae. Peritrematal shield broadly consolidated with exopodal strip curving behind coxa IV, and bearing poroids ip3–ip4 and gland pore gp3 behind stigma ( Figure 9A ). One pair of large, subtriangular metapodal plates, length 28–42, width 20–37. Spermathecal apparatus with short tubular section (length 10–12, width 5) discernible within body behind coxa IV ( Figure 8C ).

Gnathotectum ( Figure 8D ) with dorsal face convex, sparsely punctate, with prominent convex anterior margin projecting into three elongate, pilose/ciliated tines. medial tine (53–65) longer than lateral ones (48–55). Cheliceral shaft, excluding basal section 137–160 long, with moderately small digits ( Figure 8E ); dorsal face of fixed digit with short (9) blunt dorsal seta; fixed digit with minute pilus dentilis, and with three small teeth along apical half of masticatory surface and one offset subapical tooth; movable digit (48–50) bidentate, with proximal tooth bifid. Corniculi ( Figure 9C,D ) moderately long (26–32), slender (width 8–11 where inserted), parallel; internal malae wide basally, tapered, strongly curved laterally along mid-length ( Figure 9C ), much longer (45–50) than corniculi, and with lateral margins slightly fimbriated or ciliated. Salivary stylus as in Figure 9D . Subcapitulum with seven multidenticulate (8–25 teeth) rows of deutosternal denticles, anteriormost row with fewer, slightly larger denticles, sixth row slightly widest and most denticulate, rows not connected by lateral margins. Subcapitulum with setal pairs in slightly convergent longitudinal alignment; hp1 conspicuously thicker and longer (50–55) than others; setae hp2 (22–27) slightly shorter than hp3 (28–30) and pc (33–37). Palpi (108–119) nearly straight; palptrochanter with inner seta inserted on protuberance, sinuous, longer (30–35) than outer seta (25–30); palpfemoral seta al (c.13) with bluntly pointed tip ( Figure 9B ); palpgenual setae al-1 and al-2 slightly spatulate, al-2 with more rounded tips; palptarsal claw with two tines spatulate with rounded tips ( Figure 9C ).

At level of genu and tibia, respectively, legs I slightly slenderer (width c.29, 35), and legs II slightly thicker (c.42, 57), than legs III (c.41, 52) and IV (c.33, 41); legs I to IV each clearly shorter than dorsal shield length; leg lengths, excluding pretarsi: I 380–411, II 345–375, III 363–402, IV 382–435. Leg I tarsus (108–115) about 1.7–1.8 times longer than each of the similarly long femur (63–70), genu (55–63) and tibia (63–70). Tarsus I with well-developed pedicel (12–14) bearing pretarsus (15–18 to base of claws); tarsus I without markedly elongated setae apically ( Figure 11E ). Legs II to IV with tarsus about 1.9–2.1 times as long as tibia. Tarsi II–IV with pair of apical setal processes ad-1, pd-1 (9–12) inconspicuous, shorter than length of pretarsus to base of claws (15–17); with ventroapical process short (8–10), rounded apically, about half as long as length of pretarsus to base of claws ( Figure 11B ); pretarsi with paradactyli inconspicuous as narrow sclerotized shafts flanking, and about as long as, claws (15–16) ( Figure 11A ). Tarsi II–IV with ventral setae v-1 spine-like and grooved, pv-1 progressively thinner than av-1 from II to IV; v-2 spine-like but slenderer than v-1. Coxae I–IV lineate on ventral surfaces ( Figure 10E ); coxal setae simple, short (10–15). Legs I to IV with chaetotactic formulae of segments as described for genus. Leg segments with modified spine-like setae ( Figure 10A–D ): al slightly so on trochanters II–IV; ad-1, pd-1, pd-2, on femora I–II, plus av and pv-1 slightly so on femur I and av strongly so on femur II; ad-1, ad-2, pd-1, av-1 on femora III–IV, plus pl on femur III; ad-2, ad-3 on genua I–II. Leg segments with attenuated setae (20–32, thin, somewhat elongated): pv-2 on trochanters I–IV (conspicuously so on trochanters II–III); av-1 on genua and tibiae I–IV.

Adult male. Dorsal shield 437–499 long, 263–303 wide at level of setae s6 (n = 8); shield ornamentation (including anterolateral pair of patches of dense puncta) and complement of pore-like structures similar to that of female, but posterolateral margins alongside setae S1–S5 smooth, usually without a delineated strip. Dorsal shield with 35 or 36 pairs of setae, including r3, R1 and sometimes R 2 in addition to those on female; form and lengths of setae as in female, including greater size and more spine-like form of j3 (17–25), j6 (16–25), s5 (25–29), and Z3 (30–47) over twice (2.1–3.0) as long as Z4 (10–18). Lateral soft cuticle usually with setae R3–R6 (variably one UR seta present). Dorsal shield more broadly consolidated anteriorly with peritrematal shields, uniting at level of setae r2, with suture of union continuing anteriorly to z2. Peritremes similar in length and subapically elbowed form to that in female.

Tritosternum much as in female, with elongate base, and laciniae fused for nearly 80% of total length. Presternal ornamentation similarly variable as in female ( Figure 12D ). Anterior margin of holoventral shield bilobed on either side of genital opening ( Figure 12D ). Sternitigenital shield area length 258–282 of total holoventral shield length 395–430; narrowest sternitigenital shield widths c.75–93 between bases of each of legs II, III, IV; sternitigenital ornamentation limited to endopodal lineation, a faint series of longitudinally aligned puncta on either side above genital duct, and variably some arched lines between setae st4 and st5; setae st1–st5 (9–14) similar in short length to opisthogastric setae on ventrianal portion of shield, except JV2 (13–20) slightly longer; area of fusion between sternitigenital and ventrianal shields indicated by arcuate line between poroids iv4. Ventrianal shield region width 245–275 at level of sigilla of incorporated metapodal plates; ornamented as in female, with puncta on anal region; with usually six pairs of opisthogastric setae (JV1–JV4, ZV1–ZV2) similar in length as in female; postanal seta (23–30) nearly twice as long as paranal setae (13–15); setae JV5, ZV4, ZV5 and sometimes ZV3 and one UR seta variably present, flanked by R5, R6 (9–12), on soft cuticle. Form of peritrematal and exopodal shields posteriorly as in female, except coalesced to form holoventral shield; peritrematal shield mostly unornamented, as in female.

Gnathotectum similar in form to female, with lateral tines (40–45) slightly shorter than medial tine (50–55). Cheliceral shaft excluding basal section 128–135 long; fixed digit with bifid apical hook followed by three moderately sized teeth and then a short masticatory ridge with three small teeth slightly basal to setiform pilus dentilis (c.6); movable digit (43–50) with apical hook and a large tooth; spermatodactyl simple in form, digitiform, extending anteriorly about 10–15 beyond apex of digit ( Figure 12A, B ). Corniculi slightly flared and more widely spaced basally than in female; internal malae as in female. Subcapitulum with rows of deutosternal denticles and form and relative lengths of setae much as in female, e.g. hp1 (48–50) prominent, pc small (27–30). Palpi (length 100–107) similar in structure to female.

Relative leg thicknesses and lengths, excluding pretarsi, similar to those of female, I 351–368, II 317–337, III 326–360, IV 338–395. Legs with segment length ratios as in female. Tarsus I with well-developed pedicel (8–12) bearing pretarsus (13–14 to base of claws). Tarsi II–IV with pair of apical setal processes ad-1, pd-1 (7–8), ventral spine-like setae v-1 and v-2, ventroapical process and pretarsal structures formed as in female. Male dimorphism discerned among leg setae: femur II av slightly more strongly spine-like; genua II–III av short, spine-like (instead of attenuate) ( Figure 11G ); tarsus II av-1 asymmetrically more spine-like than pv-1; femur III av slightly more strongly spine-like; genu IV av short (12–15), not attenuate.

Deutonymph. Dorsal shield 453–497 long, 236–278 wide at level of lateral incisions by setae s6 (n = 2); shield more lightly ornamented than in adult ( Figure 13A ). Dorsal shield with number, form and proportionate size of setae as in female, except less expanded anterolaterally, not united with apices of peritrematal shields ( Figure 13B ), and setae s2 and r3 inserted on soft cuticle. Most dorsal shield setae short (10–15), except j3 (26–28), j6 (30), s5 (30–33), z4, S4 (19–22), Z3 longest and thicker (37–49), at least twice as long as Z4 (18–22), and clunals J5 shortest (c.10), barbed basally. Marginal setae on soft cuticle mostly 13–15 long. Peritremes extending anteriorly to level of setae s1, where not conspicuously bent as in adult.

Tritosternum similar in form to that of adult female. Presternal area with pair of slender platelets (width 25–30). Sternal shield ( Figure 13C ) lightly sclerotized, smooth, with convex but medially indented anterior margin and narrowly rounded posterior margin. Sternal shield with setae st1, st2 (11–12) and poroids iv1, iv2, lacking invaginated structures beside iv2, and not connected with endopodal extensions. Soft intercoxal cuticle with pair of prominent, free endopodal platelets between coxae I and II, with small, sigillar endopodal fragments between coxae II and between coxae III, and with setae st3, st4 (9–10) and poroids iv3 between coxae III, and st5 between coxae IV. Sclerotized endopodal–exopodal band well formed behind coxa IV. Anal shield well sclerotized, with sparse puncta over most of surface and wide, slender cribrum as on adults; greatest width (153–175) of shield at level of anus nearly twice its midline length (80–92); posterolateral corners of shield with adherent, prominent gland pores gv3 contiguous with poroids ivp; postanal seta (24–25) over twice as long as paranal setae (11). Opisthogastric soft cuticle with ten pairs of setae (JV1–JV5, ZV1–ZV5) flanked by a few posteriormost pairs of marginal and submarginal setae; of these, JV2 longest (15–18), JV5, ZV3, ZV5 slightly spine-like, shorter (5–6). Metapodal plates broadly oval (14–15 length, 17–22 width).

Gnathotectum, chelicerae, ventral gnathosomatic structures and palpi as in adult female.

Relative leg lengths, excluding pretarsi, similar to those of female except leg IV not clearly longer: I 415–425, II 363–367, III 393–400, IV 403–418. Tarsus I with well-developed pedicel (12) bearing pretarsus (10 to base of claws). Tarsi II–IV with pair of apical setal processes ad-1, pd-1 (9–10) shorter than length of pretarsus to base of claws (c.15); with ventroapical process short (6–7), spade-shaped ( Figure 11B ). Pretarsi II–IV with paradactyli formed as broad, hyaline lobes flanking claws lateroventrally (like pulvillar extensions). Leg I segment length ratios and leg I–IV coxal structures and relative lengths and form of leg setae as in adult female except genu I av less attenuate and pv thicker, tibia I pd-2 clearly longer (32–33), femora II–IV av thinner, longer (32), genua II–IV av, pv and tibia IV av shorter. Trochanters I–IV with seta pv-2 slightly attenuated (c.17 on I, and 27–28 on II–IV). Tibiae II–IV with av slightly attenuated (23–25 on II–III, 15 on IV). Tarsi II–IV with telotarsal seta ad-3 (35–42) longer than adjacent setae, and with al-3 (32–35) longer than other basitarsal setae.

Protonymph. Idiosoma 425 long, 283 wide at level of setae r5 (n = 1), with wellsclerotized podonotal and pygidial shields ( Figure 14A ). Podonotal shield 270 long, 201 at widest level between setae r5; anterolateral margins moderately excavated between setae z2 and z4; posterior margin with tongue-like protrusion nearly to level of bases of J1. Anterior pair of interscutal platelets notably wide (50). Pygidial shield 91 along mid-length, 192 at widest level near seta S4, with anterior margin slightly sinuous, and with a small (c.11) tubercle closely beside seta S5, between Z5 and S5; surface sparsely punctate and lineate, and with prominent, sinuous, transverse groove at level of setae J4. Body dorsum with setae on mid-surfaces simple, j1, j2 (9–10) nearly as short as clunals J5 (9, barbed basally), j3, j6, s5 similar in length (23–28), Z3 (28–30) stouter, about 1.6 longer than Z4 (19), S4, S5, Z5 (11–15, slightly thorn-like); dorsal setae on soft cuticle similar in length to those on middle surface of dorsal shield (11–15). Peritremes (c.56) extending anteriorly to mid-level of coxae III, nearly reaching setae r5; isolated pair of peritrematal plate fragments located anteriorly between levels of setae z2 and z4.

Tritosternum similar in form to that in deutonymph and adult female, with base length (15) about twice as long as width, and laciniae fused for about 75% of total length (51, excluding base). Presternal area with pair of faint platelets similar in form to those of deutonymph. Sternal shield weakly sclerotized, smooth, without endopodal projections between coxae I–II and II–III, and with setae st1–st3 (9) and poroids iv1–iv2. Soft cuticle with two pairs of faint, oval sigilla alongside sternal shield, one between legs II and one between legs III, and with setae st5 short (4) between legs IV; paragenital poroids absent. Anal shield faintly punctate, more trapezoidal in form than on deutonymph (length 53, width 119), with anterolateral corners broadly rounded; gland pores gv3 on posterolateral corners of shield but poroids ivp on adjacent soft cuticle; postanal seta (18) about 1.4 as long as paranal setae (12–13). Opisthogastric setae on soft cuticle short, JV2 slightly longest (13), JV1, ZV2, JV5 similar in size (8–11), JV5 slightly thorn-like ( Figure 14B ).

Gnathotectum similar in form to subsequent instars, but dorsal face unornamented; lateral tine lengths c.44, medial tine c.55. Cheliceral shaft, excluding basal section, 122 long; movable digit (43). Cheliceral dentition and other gnathosomatic structures, including poroid at base of corniculus, similar to those in subsequent instars ( Figure 14C ). Palpi with normal protonymphal complement of setae.

Leg lengths, excluding pretarsi, I longest (336), II (303), III (313), IV similar to III (311). Form of legs and their setae generally as in deutonymph except with normal protonymphal complement of setae; tarsus I apically with clearly defined pedicel (13) bearing pretarsus (12 to base of claws). Tarsi II–IV with apical setal processes ad-1, pd-1 (12–15) slightly longer than length of pretarsi (10–11) to base of claws; with ventroapical process short (4–5), bluntly triangular. Pretarsi with paradactyli evident as narrow sclerotized shafts flanking, and about as long as, claws (8–9). Femur I with setae ad-1, pd-1, pd-2, pv thicker than adjacent setae; femur II with ad-1, pd-1, pd-2 similarly thicker; femora III–IV with ad-1, ad-2, pd-1 thicker than adjacent setae. Trochanters I–IV with seta pv slightly attenuated (15 on I, 17–20 on II–IV). Tibia I with setae pd-2 (27) and av-1 (19) slightly attenuated. Tibiae II–IV with av (16–18) slightly attenuated. Tarsi II–IV with telotarsal seta ad-3 (29–34) longer than adjacent setae, and with al-3 (25–28) longer than other basitarsal setae, less so on IV (11–12).

Type material

Unless indicated otherwise, material is collected from the following locality, with initials of collectors indicating Arthropods of La Selva parataxonomists ( ALAS, see Acknowledgments); Derek M Johnson ( DMJ); Evert E Lindquist ( EEL). COSTA RICA. Heredia Province, La Selva Biological Station (10°26′1″ N, 84°1′2″ W, elevation 50–150 m). HOLOTYPE: adult female, ex Chrysomelidae (either Chelobasis or Cephalolaeia), 15 April 1994, coll. ALAS. PARATYPES: 2 adult females, 3 adult males, with same data as holotype; 2 adult females, 1 adult male, ex Chrysomelidae (either Chelobasis or Cephalolaeia), 18 February 1994, coll. ALAS; 1 adult female, 2 adult males, ex Chrysomelidae (either Chelobasis or Cephalolaeia) on Heliconia in successional plots, 12 June 1997, coll. ALAS; 1 adult female, 3 adult males, ex Cephalolaeia belti and Cephalolaeia ornatrix on Heliconia , 12 June 1997, coll. ALAS; 1 adult female, ex Cephalolaeia vicina on Heliconia pogonantha , June 1997; 1 adult female, 2 adult males, ex Chelobasis perplexa , 8 July 1997, coll. ALAS; 3 adult females, 3 adult males, ex Cephalolaeia belti , June 1997, coll. DMJ. Puntarenas Province, Corcovado, c. 9° N, 83° W: 3 adult females, 1 deutonymph, ex Cephalolaeia stenosoma Baly , May 1997, coll. DMJ; 1 adult female, 2 adult males, ex Cephalolaeia belti , May 1997, coll. DMJ; 1 adult female, 2 adult males, 2 deutonymphs, 1 protonymph, ex Chelobasis bicolor Gray , May 1997, coll. DMJ. Puntarenas Province, Las Cruces (8°47′7″ N, 82°57′32″ W, elevation c. 1200 m): 1 adult female, ex Cephalolaeia belti , June 1997, coll. DMJ.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the adult female’ s relatively elongated sternal shield, which, in part, distinguishes this species from those of A. punctomarginalis .

Remarks

The specimens available for study of this species, though fewer than for A. punctomarginalis , are from a wider array of localities, including a few associations with different species of hispine beetles. Adults of the series associated with Chelobasis bicolor from Corcovado differ from others as follows: the sternal pair of apodemes are more semicircular in form; the dorsal shield patch of dense puncta is sometimes less distinct on either side anterior to setae j3 and s1; the peritrematal shields are more noticeably punctate along their length dorsal to the peritremes; and femur II has seta pv more elongated. Also, deutonymphs as well as adults present somewhat more elongated pairs of thickened dorsal setae: s5 1.0 to 1.6 as long as interval between s5 and s6; j6 about twice as long as j5; and Z3 more elongated on the male and deutonymph, such that its tips extend to those of Z4.

Key to Families of Ascoidea

1. Female sternal shield usually with one or two pairs of sternal setae (st1 and st2); st3 often on adjacent platelets or on soft integument, rarely on sternal shield; dorsal setae J5 and marginal setae R absent; posterior row of deutosternal denticles usually fragmented medially and extending laterally beyond insertions of capitular setae; corniculi often divided distally, or entire; femur II setation usually with 2 2/1 2/2 1, lacking ad-3 .......................................... Ameroseiidae Female sternal shield usually with three pairs of sternal setae (st1–st3); dorsal setae J5 and marginal setae R present; posterior row of of deutosternal denticles continuous and not extending laterally beyond insertions of capitular setae; corniculi usually entire; femur II setation usually with 2 3/1, 2/2 1, including ad-3 ............................................................................................. 2

2. Cheliceral shafts greatly elongated, capable of being projected beyond length of idiosoma, yet retractable by sheathing mechanism entirely within idiosoma; subcapitulum of adults and nymphs with hypostomatic setae aligned longitudinally, rather than h2 and h3 aligned transversally; sternal region of adults with a pair of thickened transverse invaginations connecting with poroids iv2 between second and third pairs of sternal setae; adults and nymphs lacking seta al-2 on basal part of femur II, and with one ventral seta on femora II–III spine-like, conspicuously thicker and larger than other setae on segment .............................................. Antennochelidae new family Cheliceral shafts not so elongated; subcapitulum of adults and nymphs with hypostomatic setae h2 and h3 aligned transversally; sternal region of adults lacking a pair of invaginated structures beside poroids iv2; adults and nymphs with seta al-2 present on basal part of femur II, and with ventral setae on femora II–III not conspicuously thicker and larger than other setae on segment .................................................................................................. 3

3. Female sternal setae st4 usually free on soft integument; poroids iv3 on posterior margin of sternal shield; fixed digit with setiform pilus dentilis, and movable digit lacking a pointed process on its mid-ventral face; movable cheliceral digit usually bidentate; adults with peritrematal shield usually broadly connected posteriorly to exopodal plate curving behind coxa IV; female usually with either an anal shield or an expansive ventrianal shield bearing more than two pairs of opisthogastric setae; male with endopodal strips beside coxae III–IV usually free or narrowly connected to sternitigenital shield .......................................................................................... Ascidae Female sternal setae st4 and poroids iv3 usually associated together on soft integument or on metasternal platelets; fixed digit with pilus dentilis usually modified to a hyaline flap, and movable digit usually with a pointed process (mucro) on its mid-ventral face; movable cheliceral digit usually tridentate, sometimes with fewer teeth; adults with peritrematal shield free or narrowly connected to exopodal plate beside coxa IV; female usually with an oval or elliptical anal shield bearing only the three anal setae or rarely expanded to capture one pair of opisthogastric setae; male with endopodal strips beside coxae III–IV usually fully united with sternitigenital shield ..................................................... Melicharidae

Figures

Figure 8. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov., adult female: (A) idiosoma, dorsal aspect; (B) detail of separate views of dorsal setae denoted; (C) detail of spermatheca; (D) gnathotectum; (E) chelicera, lateral view.

Figure 9. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov., adult female: (A) idiosoma, ventral aspect; (B) palpus, ventral view; (C) subcapitulum; (D) detail of corniculus and salivary stylus; (E) tritosternum.

Figure 10. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov., adult female, legs I–IV, excepting tarsi I–IV and coxae II–IV: (A) leg I, dorsal view; (B) leg II, posterolateral view; (C) leg III, dorsal view; (D) leg IV, dorsal view; (E) coxa I, ventral view; (F) detail of ventral and lateral setae of trochanter I.

Figure 11. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov., adult female, excepting (C) and (G): (A) detail of distal region of tarsus and pretarsus II, dorsal view; (B) tarsus II, with detail of spine like dorsal setae v-1 and pretarsus, dorsal view; (C) deutonymph, detail of distal region of tarsus IV, dorsal view; (D) detail of distal region of tarsus I and pretarsus, ventral view; (E) tarsus I, dorsal view, apical sensilla not shown; (F) detail of dorsoapical setae and sensilla of tarsus I; (G) adult male, femur and genu II, anterolateral view.

Figure 12. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov., adult male: (A) chelicerae, lateral view; (B), detail of chelicera fixed digit, dorsal view; (C) idiosoma, dorsal aspect; (D) idiosoma, ventral aspect.

Figure 13. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov., deutonymph: (A) idiosoma, dorsal aspect; (B) detail of peritrematal shield; (C) idiosoma, ventral aspect.

Figure 14. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov., protonymph: (A) idiosoma, dorsal aspect; (B) idiosoma, ventral aspect; (C) detail of subcapitulum with cheliceral sheaths.

Figure 15. Antennocheles longisternalis sp. nov.: (A) female, detail of subcapitular poroids at the base of corniculi; (B) male, detail of sternal apodema (B).