Pulaeus leonidi, Sergeyenko, Alexey L., 2011

Sergeyenko, Alexey L., 2011, Mites of the genera Pulaeus and Lupaeus (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) of Crimea, Ukraine, Zootaxa 3088, pp. 54-68 : 55-57

Pulaeus leonidi sp. nov.

Female ( Figs. 1–9 ). Gnathosoma ( Figs. 1–3 ). The subcapitulum bears: a peg-like setae on each dorsal edge, laterad to the cheliceral trochanters; two pairs of short adoral setae and 4 pairs of simple hg -setae of which hg3 are the longest. The ventral surface of the subcapitulum with transverse lines posteriad setae hg4 ( Fig. 1 ). The surface laterad and anteriad setae hg4 as well as the dorsal surface of the coxal region of the subcapitulum with papillae. The papillae become smaller anteriad and nearly reach setae hg2. The surface anteriorly to setae hg3 and hg2 smooth. Surface of palps almost smooth except for a small dorsal area covered by papillae on the proximal part of the second segment ( Fig. 2 ). The first palpal segment without setae; the second segment with 6 simple setae; the third segment (tibiotarsus) with 4 hair-like setae, 1 bladder-like seta2 and a single ventrally directed pointed process. The dorsal surface of the first and second segments of chelicerae with papillae ( Fig. 3 ). The papillae reach across the proximal half of the length of the second segment. Cheliceral seta present.

2. According to the chaetotaxy of the other genera of Cunaxoidinae Den Heyer, 1979 as well as the peculiarities of morphology (presence of alveolus), I accept the opinion of Den Heyer (1981a) and consider this structure as a modified seta Idiosomal dorsum ( Fig. 4 ). Entire surface of dorsal idiosomal shield with transverse rows of lobes. This shield with 2 pairs of coarsely setose sensillae (vi and sce) and 6 pairs of simple setae (ve, sci, c1-2, d1 and e1). Setae f1 and f2 on each side are situated on poorly sclerotized common platelet bearing lobes and with indistinct borders. Setae ve and sci are the longest among simple dorsal idiosomal setae. Their length is about 1.4-1.8 times longer than d1, e1, f1 and h1-2 which are subequal. Setae f1 about 1.5 times longer than f2. Dorsal cuticle with long and thin striae bearing numerous small papillae.

Idiosomal venter ( Fig. 5 ). The borders of four coxal plates (two on each side) are distinguished by somewhat denser and longer striation than that of the integument. The propodosomal coxal plates are medially completely divided and lack the small median platelet between its posteromedian edges. Each coxal plate with 6 setae. A peglike seta on the dorsal part of coxae I present. Genital valves with longitudinal rows of lobes. Genital setae (g1–4) subequal in length. Setae g3 situated near outer margin of the genital valves and more laterally to the row formed by setae g1, g2 and g4. The genital papillae are well-developed; the anterior pair larger than posterior one. The venter with 6 pairs of setae between hysterogastral coxal plates (excepting the setae on coxal plates and genital valves). Some specimens may have 5 or 7 pairs of setae on the above-mentioned region.

Legs ( Figs. 6–9 ). Leg chaetotaxy: trochanters I–IV: 1—1—2—1 sts; basifemora I–IV, 4—5(4 rare)—3—2 sts; telofemora I–IV, 5—5—4—3 sts; genua I–IV, {1 asl, 1 sts}, 2 asl, 4 sts —1 asl, 5 sts —1 asl, 5 sts —1 asl, 5 sts; tibiae I–IV, 1 asl, 1 bsl, 5 sts —1 bsl, 5 sts —1 bsl, 5 sts —1 T, 4 sts; tarsi I–IV, 3 bsl, 1 dep, 1 dtsl, 2 tsl, 19 sts —1 bsl, 1 dtsl, 1 tsl, 16 sts —1 tsl, 14 sts —15(16,17) sts. Leg surface with papillae, which are dorsally larger but rarer.

Measurements. Length of idiosoma 290 (260–305); width 180 (165–190). Length of hypognathum 110 (105– 116); width 83 (80–86). Length of palps 65 (60–70). Chelicerae 104 (100–115). Length of dorsal idiosomal shield 152 (150–160); width 110 (108–116). Legs: I 143 (138–150); II 130 (122–138); III 150 (140–160); IV 168 (160– 176). Length of setae: ve 25 (23–28); sci 22 (22–28); c1 14 (12–14); c2 15 (14–19); d1 16 (16–19); e1 17 (15–19); f1 20 (18–22); f2 14 (12–14); h1 20 (18–22); h2 18 (18–19); g1–4 7–9 (7–9). Distance between setae: ve–ve 58 (56–63); sci–sci 45 (43–50); sce–c1 32 (30–34); c1–c1 30 (27–33); c1–c2 27 (25–30); d1–d1 38 (35–42); e1– e1 44 (40–48).

Male and immatures unknown.

Etymology. The new species is named after my father, Leonid Sergeyenko.

Differential diagnosis. This new species closely resembles P. glebulentus Den Heyer, 1980 but differs by the number of setae on leg basifemora II, 5(4 rare) (6 in P. glebulentus ); by the number of simple setae on leg tarsi I– IV, 19—16—14—15(16,17) (21—19— 16—17 in P. glebulentus ); by the absence of small median platelet between the posteromedian edges of the propodosomal coxal plates (present in P. glebulentus ). Also, dorsal cuticle of P. leonidi sp. nov. with long and thin striae which all bear numerous small papillae, while in P. glebulentus the integumental striations are smooth except for the regions posteriad and immediately laterad to the posterior part of the dorsal plate with lobes and/or papillae.

Type material. Female holotype, Ukraine, Crimea, vicinity of Yevpatoria, bank of Maynaki lake, in moss, 30.III.2001 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.).

Paratypes: 6 ƤƤ, in the same slide with holotype. 15 ƤƤ, with the same data as holotype. 2 ƤƤ, Ukraine, Crimea, vicinity of Saki, bank of Sasyk lake, in soil, 25.II.2001 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.). 14 ƤƤ, in the same locality, 09.XI.2001 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.). 2 ƤƤ, Ukraine, Crimea, Opuk mount., in soil, 18.IV.2002 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.). 1 Ƥ, in the same locality, 12.V.2008 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.). 1 Ƥ, Ukraine, Crimea, vicinity of Skvorsovo, in soil 26.V.2002 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.). 4 ƤƤ, Ukraine, Crimea, vicinity of Chaika settl., in soil under Elaeagnus argentea Pursh , 26.V.2002 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.). 1 Ƥ, Ukraine, Crimea, Pervomayskiy district, vicinity of Kashtanovka settl., in soil, 14.XI.2005 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.). 6 ƤƤ, Ukraine, Crimea, Kazantipsky gulf, in sea-sand, 30.V.2008 (Coll. Maslov, I.I.). 3 ƤƤ, Ukraine, Crimea, Pervomayskiy district, vicinity of Oktyabrskoe settl., in soil, 11.X.2002 (Coll. Sergeyenko, A.L.).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 5. Pulaeus leonidi sp. nov., female. Subcapitulum, ventral aspect (1); palp (2); chelicera (3); idiosomal dorsum (4); idiosomal venter (5).

FIGURES 6 – 9. Pulaeus leonidi sp. nov., female. Genu, tibia and proximal part of tarsus of: leg I (6), leg II (7); genu and tibia of: leg III (8), leg IV (9).