Neoschoengastia americana (Hirst, 1921)

Stekolnikov, Alexandr A., Capek, Miroslav & Literák, Ivan, 2022, New species and records of chiggers (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) from birds of the Neotropics, Zootaxa 5141 (6), pp. 501-552 : 543-544

Neoschoengastia americana (Hirst, 1921)

( Fig. 26 )

Schöngastia americana Hirst, 1921: 37 .

Neoschoengastia americana: Wharton & Hardcastle 1946: 289 ; Domrow & Nadchatram 1960: 191, figs. 36–42; Domrow & Lester 1985: 32, figs. 116, 124–126; Stekolnikov 2021: 89.

Diagnosis. SIF = 7BS-B-3-2111.0000; fsp = 7.7.7; fCx = 1.1.3; fSt = 2.2; fPp = B/B/BNB; fSc: PL> AL> AM; Ip = 1244–1264; fD = 2H-8(9)-6-6(4)-4(2)-6-2; DS = 32–33; V = 28–30; NDV = 61–62. Idiosoma pear-shaped in engorged specimens; scutum subquadrate, with anterolateral shoulders and bilobate posterior margin, with few large puncta and circular striae around sensillary bases; AM anterior to level of AL; AM and AL densely covered with very long barbs; sensilla capitate, covered with setules, far anterior to level of PL (closer to level of AL than to level of PL); leg claws and empodia with onychotriches; parasubterminala (z) branched; tibialae II situated in distal part of segment. Standard measurements of two examined specimens (ZIN 8995 and ZIN 9011): AW 49, 49; PW 70, 72; SB 33, 28; ASB 18, 22; PSB 23, 29; SD 41, 50; P-PL 7, 11; AP 28, 31;AM 37, -; AL 47, -; PL 54, 58; S 22, -; H 50, 54; D min 29, 32; D max 50, 52; V min 25, 32; V max 32, 40; pa 421, 430; pm 380, 387; pp 443, 446; Ip 1244, 1264; TaIIIL 131, 131; TaIIIW 15, 15; DS 32, 33; V 30, 28; NDV 62, 61.

Distribution. Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, USA (California, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia) ( Wharton & Hardcastle 1946; Stekolnikov 2021), and Paraguay (this study).

Hosts . Various species of birds ( McClure 1987; Stekolnikov 2021) and, occasionally, Sylvilagus sp. ( Lagomorpha : Leporidae ) ( Domrow & Lester 1985).

Material examined. 18 larvae ( ZIN 8995–9003, 9005–9013) ex Hemitriccus margaritaceiventer Nos PG 261 and PG323, Coryphospingus cucullatus No PG 267, Coryphistera alaudina No PG 303, PARAGUAY: Teniente Agripino Enciso National Park, 31 August–3 September 2012.

Remarks. Records from Australia, Malaysia, and Taiwan can actually pertain to other species of Neoschoengastia Ewing, 1929 , for example, Neoschoengastia solomonis Wharton and Hardcastle, 1946 , which was described as a subspecies of N. americana (Stekolnikov 2021) .

Figures

FIGURE 26. Neoschoengastia americana (Hirst, 1921), specimen ZIN 9011 (sensilla and one PL lost). A—general view, B—dorsal aspect of idiosoma, C—scutum, D—ventral aspect of idiosoma. Scale bars: 100 µm (A), 50 µm (B–D).