Proiectus rodgeseta, Han, Xiao, Xue, Xiao-Feng & Hong, Xiao-Yue, 2013

Han, Xiao, Xue, Xiao-Feng & Hong, Xiao-Yue, 2013, Three new eriophyoid mite species in the tribe Phyllocoptini from Yunnan Province, southwestern China (Acari: Eriophyidae: Phyllocoptinae), Zootaxa 3702 (3), pp. 247-261 : 249

Proiectus rodgeseta sp. nov.

( Figs. 2–4 )

Description. FEMALE (n=10). Body fusiform, 265 (235–290), 88 (88–95) wide; light yellow in colour. Gnathosoma 35 (35–37), projecting obliquely downwards, dorsal pedipalp genual seta (d) 12 (11–12), cheliceral stylets 33 (33–35). Prodorsal shield 73 (65–75), 108 (90–110) wide, smooth except for an inverted V-shaped design near rear shield margin; anterior shield lobe, rounded and broad 19 (19–20). Scapular tubercles ahead of rear shield margin, 23 (23–24) apart, scapular setae (sc) 4 (3–4), projecting centrad. Coxigenital region with 13 (13–16) semiannuli between coxae and genitalia. Coxal plates with fine granules, anterolateral setae on coxisternum І (1b) 8 (7–8), 15 (13–15) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum І (1a) 15 (12–25), 11 (11–12) apart, proximal setae on coxisternum ІІ (2a) 55 (55–68), 28 (25–32) apart, tubercles 1b and 1a apart 11 (10–11), tubercles 1a and 2a 10 (8–10) apart. Prosternal apodeme 3 (3–4). Leg І 42 (40–43), femur 12 (12–13), basiventral femoral seta (bv) 10 (10–13); genu 7 (7–8), antaxial genual seta (l'') 25 (22–25), robust, like a slender rod; tibia 12 (10–12), paraxial tibial seta (l') 5 (4–5), located at centre; tarsus 7 (7–8), seta ft' 17 (15–17), seta ft'' 27 (26–27); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (4–5), simple, 4-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 8 (6–8), knobbed. Leg ІІ 40 (38–41), femur 12 (12– 13), basiventral femoral seta (bv) 11 (9–11); genu 8 (7–8), antaxial genual seta (l'') 8 (6–8); tibia 10 (8–10); tarsus 7 (7–8), seta ft' 5(5–6), seta ft'' 24 (23–25); tarsal empodium (em) 5 (4–5), simple, 4-rayed, tarsal solenidion (ω) 8 (7– 8), knobbed. Opisthosoma with 21 (19–23) dorsal semiannuli, smooth, 107 (100–110) ventral semiannuli, with small and rounded microtubercles set on rear annular margins, last 15th–16th semiannuli with elongated and linear tubercles. Setae c2 16 (14–20) on ventral semiannulus 26 (25–27), 60 (57–63) apart; setae d 65 (65–70) on ventral semiannulus 44 (43–46), 35 (34–37) apart; setae e 50 (40–60) on ventral semiannulus 71 (67–72), 20 (18–20) apart, setae f 20 (18–24) on 5th–6th ventral semiannulus from rear, 30 (25–32) apart. Setae h1 4 (4–5), h2 85 (80–90). Female genitalia 20 (20–22), 28 (27–30) wide, coverflap with granules at base and 14 (14–16) longitudinal ridges, setae 3a 11 (10–13), 18 (16–18) apart.

MALE (n=4). Similar to female, 220–237, 80–90 wide. Prodorsal shield 60–63, 80–90 wide; Scapular tubercles 18–19 apart, setae sc 3–4. Opisthosoma with 21–23 dorsal semiannuli, smooth, 90–95 ventral semiannuli.

Type material. Holotype: female (slide no. NJAUAcariEriYN68.1; marked Holotype), from Pinus armandii Franch. (Pinaceae) , Cangshan, Dali City, Yunnan Province, P.R. China, 25°41′47′′N, 100°08′28′′E, elevation 2142 m, 8 August 2009, coll. Xiao-Feng Xue. Paratypes: 9 females and 4 males on 13 microscope slides (slide no. NJAUAcariEriYN68.2–68.14), with same data as holotype.

Relation to host plant. Vagrant on terminal part of pine needles. No damage to the host was observed.

Etymology. The specific designation rodgeseta is derived from the shape (rod-like) of the leg genual (ge) seta (leg I). It is regarded as a noun phrase regardless of the gender and part of speech.

Differential diagnosis. This new species is similar to Proiectus tabulaeformis Xue, Song, Amrine & Hong 2007 , but can be differentiated from the latter mainly by possessing: a prodorsal shield with a small but distinctive design near the rear shield margin (smooth in P. tabulaeformis ); opisthosoma with 21 (19–23) dorsal semiannuli (39 (38–42) dorsal semiannuli in P. tabulaeformis ); robust genual setae (unremarkable in P. tabulaeformis ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Proiectus rodgeseta sp. nov. female: AD. Antero-dorsal view; em. Empodium; PD. Postero-dorsal view; PV. Postero-ventral view; L 1. Leg І; L 2. Leg ІІ.

FIGURE 3. Proiectus rodgeseta sp. nov.: CGF. Female coxae and genitalia; IG. Female internal genitalia; LO. Microtubercles in lateral view; GM. Male genital region.

FIGURE 4. Proiectus rodgeseta sp. nov. light micrographs: A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view; C. Antaxial genual seta (l' ') of leg І; D. Female internal genitalia; E. Coxae and genitalia of female; F. Prodorsal shield of female; G. Male genitalia.