Hannemania achalai Alzuet and Mauri, 1987

Paredes-León, Ricardo, Biolé, Fernanda G., Valetti, Julián A. & Martino, Adolfo L., 2018, A redescription of the chigger Hannemania achalai Alzuet and Mauri, 1987 (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Leeuwenhoekiidae) in frogs from Sierra Grande, Cordoba, Argentina, Acarologia 1987 (1), pp. 159-164 : 160-164

Hannemania achalai Alzuet and Mauri, 1987 ( Figures 1–3 )

H. achalai Alzuet and Mauri, 1987: 114

Diagnosis — SIF = 5B–B–3–2111.0000; fPp = B/B/BBB. Pc = 3; Gn = 2; fSc = PL> AL ≥ AM; PL/SB; fCx = 2.1.1; fSt = 0.1; DS = 53 – 75; VS = 49 – 69; NDV = 132; Ip = 765 – 865; AW = 50 – 60; PW = 65 – 80; SB = 20 – 30; ASB = 45 – 55; PSB = 20 – 25; SD = 75 – 80; AP = 15 – 20; AM = 30 – 40; AL = 30 – 40; PL = 60 – 70; S = 75 – 115; H = 40 – 45; D min = 30 – 45; D max = 50 – 65; Vmin = 30 – 35; V max = 35 – 45; pa = 280 – 320; pm = 240 – 275; pp = 250 – 290.

Emended description (larva, n = 63)

Idiosoma — 950 – 1215 long and 450 – 600 wide ( Figures 1 A–B). Eyes 2 + 2, total number of idiosomal setae range from 102 to 144. Scutum with naso, 70 – 80 long and 70 – 85 wide ( Figure 1E ); diameter of sensillary bases 7 – 9, AMW = 9 – 11. Ventrally with only one pair of posterior sternal setae ( Figure 1B ).

Gnathosoma — 95 – 110 long and 60 – 70 wide ( Figures 1 C–D, 3A). Palp, five-segmented with following setal distribution: trochanter without setae, femur and genua with one branched 2009, coll. A. L. Martino, P. R. Grenat and M. Otero. 5 larvae (CNAC007188–007191) ex Pleurodema cordobae [884], ARGENTINA, Córdoba, Mal Paso, Pampa de Achala, - 31°49’52”, -64°51’40”, 2308 m a.s.l., 16 Feb. 2010, coll. A. L. Martino, J. A. Valetti, P. R. Grenat, M. Otero and F. G. Biolé. 11 larvae (CNAC007192–007197) same data except host [885]. 5 larvae (CNAC007198–007201) ex Pleurodema cordobae [898], ARGENTINA, Córdoba, Cerro Negro, -31°57’26.2”, -64°54’59.7”, 2323 m a.s.l., 5 Nov. 2011, coll. M. Otero. 12 larvae (CNAC007202–007206) ex Pleurodema cordobae [905], ARGENTINA, Córdoba, Los Tabaquillos, -32°23’58.4”, -64°55’35.1”, 2113 m a.s.l., 22 Nov. 2011, coll. J. A. Valetti, P. R. Grenat, M. Otero and A. L. Martino. 6 larvae (CNAC007207–007210) ex Pleurodema kriegi [759] ARGENTINA, Córdoba, La Posta, -31°36’43.7”, -64°52’26.7”, 2159 m a.s.l., 4 Dec. 2008, coll. J. A. Valetti, J. Marquez and M. Ammann. 6 larvae (CNAC007211–007213) ex Pleurodema kriegi [862], ARGENTINA, Córdoba, Pampa de Achala, La Trinidad, -31°44’13”, -64°50’58”, 2318 m a.s.l., 5 Jan. 2010, coll. J. A. Valetti, A. L. Martino and C. Casale. 12 larvae (CNAC007214–007217) ex Pleurodema kriegi [1633], ARGENTINA, Córdoba, Pampa de Achala, El Cóndor, -31°36’23”, -64°52’06”, 2178 m a.s.l., 16 Dec. 1981, coll. R. Martori.

Remarks — All the specimens with 2 genualae I, except one specimen (CNAC007207) with 2 genualae on right leg and 1 genuala on left leg, and one specimen (CNAC007186) with 2 genualae on right leg and 3 genualae on left leg. All the specimens with 1 genuala III, except one specimen (CNAC007184) with 1 genuala on left leg and 2 genualae on right leg.

We find that our specimens are conspecific with H. achalai based on the palpal setal formula, the palpal claw, and the number of specialized nude setae on legs: genualae I–III, tibialae I–III, tarsalae and pretarsalae I–II, and subterminala I.

However, the specimens analysed in this study differ from the original description by Alzuet and Mauri (1987) in the following characters: 1) the shape of galeala which is sparsely branched instead nude as mentioned by Alzuet and Mauri (1987), and 2) the presence of 2 genualae I constantly, whereas in the type specimens the number of genualae I range 2–4 ( Alzuet and Mauri 1987). These differences are considered here as intraspecific variation until type material can be examined.

According to Alzuet and Mauri (1987) and Salazar Martínez et al. (2004) the type material is deposited at Museo de La Plata (MLP), Argentina, however, types were not seen for this study.

Figures

Figure 1 Hannemania achalai Alzuet and Mauri, 1987 (larva): A – dorsal aspect of idiosoma, B – ventral aspect of idiosoma, C – ventral aspect of gnathosoma, D – dorsal aspect of gnathosoma, E – prodorsum showing scutum and eyes, F – palpal tarsus, G – palpal claw, H – lateral aspect of tarsus I.

Figure 3 Hannemania achalai Alzuet and Mauri, 1987 (larva): A – gnathosoma, B – palpal tibia and tarsus, C – cheliceral blade. Scale bar 50 μm (A), and 25 μm (B and C).