Tenuipalpus orchidofilo, De Moraes, G. J. & Freire, R. A. P., 2001

De Moraes, G. J. & Freire, R. A. P., 2001, A new species of Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Prostigmata) on orchid from Brazil, Zootaxa 1, pp. 1-10 : 2-9

Tenuipalpus orchidofilo n. sp.

Diagnosis. Females of this new species most closely resemble Tenuipalpus angolensis Meyer and Tenuipalpus nigerianus Meyer (Meyer 1979, 1993), but differ from both by having seta e3 ca. one­third as long as setae f2 and f3 and by having a round striation pattern on the genital area. Females of this new species are also similar to Tenuipalpus ephedrae Livshitz & Mitrofanov (Livshitz & Mitrofanov 1970; Mitrofanov & Strunkova 1979), differing from it by the striation pattern of the genital area and by having lanceolate dorso­central setae.

Adult female ( Figs. 1­11 ) (5 individuals): Rostrum short, extending to base of femur I, with tip exposed from a dorsal view. Palpus 3­segmented, distal segment with a terminal prominent rod­like solenidion and ventral knob­like seta; penultimate segment with a dorso­distal, pectinate seta directed inward and curved downward; basal segment without setae. Infracapitular setae (is) 17(16­20), pectinate; a pair of tiny rod­shaped adoral setae (ad) present.

Idiosoma 334(319­348) long, 194(186­203) wide at widest level of podosoma and 130(123­135) wide at base of opisthosoma. Rostral shield deeply cleft, with pointed lobes. Propodosoma apparently centrally smooth, with variable shrinkage pattern and with latero­diagonal striae that converge posteriorly. Two pairs of ocelli on prodorsum. Three pairs of lyrifissures: mesad to c3, posteromesad to d3 and anterolaterad to e1. Setae ve 6(5­ 6) and sci 7(6­8) rod­like to lanceolate; seta sce 21(20­22), leaf­like, serrate. Hysterosoma also apparently centrally smooth, with variable shrinkage pattern, with undulating longitudinal lateral striae; setae c1 9(9­10), c3 6(6­8), d1 8(8­8), d3 6(6­6), e1 6 (5­6) and e3 8 (7­ 8), rod­like to lanceolate, pilose, except for e3 which seems smooth; f2 15(13­18), f3 15(14­18), h1 16(15­17), leaf­like; h2 101(97­105), whip­like lightly barbed proximally. Venter of idiosoma with longitudinal striae between coxisternum I, transverse central striae posteriorly up to ag setae, punctate pattern laterally between coxisterna III and IV; longitudinal to diagonal striae on coxisterna III and IV, round striation on genital area containing a central irregularly striate portion, and smooth region posterior to genital area. Ventral opisthosomal setae smooth: ag 16(13­17), g1 18(16­22), g2 19(17­22), ps1 13(11­ 14), ps2 12(11­13).

Tarsal claws and empodium pad­like, each with a pair of rows of tenent hairs; dorsodistal seta of all tarsi elongate, slender, truncate on legs I and II and whip­like on legs III and IV; antero­proximo­lateral seta of femur I and postero­dorso­distal seta of tarsi I and II leaf­like; other lateral setae lanceolate; ventral setae slender and pilose, except for coxal setae 1a, 1b, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4a which are smooth. Leg chaetotaxy, from coxa to tarsus ­ I: 3 (including 1a), 1, 4, 2, 5, 6 + 3 solenidia; II: 2, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6 + 3 solenidia; III: 3 (including 3a and 3b), 2, 2, 0, 3, 5; IV: 1, 1, 1, 0, 2, 5. Coxal setae: 1a 110(103­118), 1b 12(11­14), 1c 17(16­19), 2b 13(11­17), 2c 21(19­23), 3a 13(12­13), 3b 121(113­124), 3c 22(19­24), 4a 102(92­110), 4b 21(20­22).

Seta ag is first found in this stage. In relation to the deutonymph, one seta is added to the trochanter and two setae are added to the tarsus of leg IV.

Adult male ( Figs. 12­21 ) (4 individuals): Gnathosoma as in female, infracapitular setae (is) 17(16­19) pectinate.

Idiosoma 258(248­265) long, 151(148­155) wide at widest level of podosoma and 78(76­81) wide at base of opisthosoma. Rostral shield, propodosomal and hysterosomal patterns as in female. All propodosomal setae lanceolate, serrate. Two pairs of ocelli on prodorsum. Lyrifissures: as in female. Setae ve 8(7­9) and sci 9(8­10), relatively longer than in females, sce 22(20­25). All hysterosomal setae serrate: c1 9(8­10), c3 7(6­8), d1 8(8­10), d3 7(6­8), e1 6 (5­8); e3 7 (6­8), lanceolate, pilose, except for e3 which is smooth; f2 12(11­13), f3 12(11­12) and h1 14(12­16), leaf­like; h2 103(97­108), whip­like lightly barbed proximally. Pattern of venter of podosoma as in female; base of opisthosoma with conspicuous transversal striation; remaining ventral surface of opisthosoma lightly striate, with a transversal oval pattern immediately behind ag setae; genital valves longitudinally striate; ventral opisthosomal setae smooth: ag 13(12­14), g1 13(12­15), g2 14(12­16), ps1 9(9­10).

Tarsal claws and empodium as in female. Shape of leg setae as in female, except for the antero­proximo­lateral seta of femur I, which is lanceolate. Leg chaetotaxy, from coxa to tarsus ­ I: 3 (including 1a), 1, 4, 2, 5, 6 + 4 solenidia; II: 2, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6 + 4 solenidia; III: 3 (including 3a and 3b), 2, 2, 0, 3, 5; IV: 1, 1, 1, 0, 2, 5. Coxal setae: 1a 107(103­112), 1b 12(12­12), 1c 12(11­15), 2b 11(9­13), 2c 19(17­22), 3a 12(12­12), 3b 100(92­108), 3c 17(15­18), 4a 90(81­97), 4b 19(17­19).

Seta ag is first found in this stage, in both females and males. In addition, an extra solenidion is added to each adult male tarsi I and II, in relation to adult females and deutonymphs. Adult male is the only stage in which seta ps2 was not found.

Deutonymph ( Figs. 22­31 ) (5 individuals): Gnathosoma as in adults, except that infracapitular setae (is) 14(12­16), slender and apparently smooth.

Idiossoma 284(259­313) long, 174(154­186) wide at widest level of podosoma. Rostral shield broadly round or slightly sinuous anteriorly. Smooth prodorsal region with sinuous posterior margin, followed by u­shaped striae that becomes almost transversal posteriorly up to level immediately behind d1; dorsal area next to legs III and IV and opisthonotum smooth. A single pair of conspicuous ocelli on prodorsum. Lyrifissures as in adults. Setae ve 4(3­4) and sci 4(3­5), rod­like, lightly pilose; seta sce 23(22­25), elongate, pilose. Setae c1 4(3­5), c3 4(3­4), d1 4(3­4), d3 4(3­4), e1 4 (3­4) and e3 3 (3­4), subequal, rod­like, lightly pilose, except for e3, which seems smooth; f2 11(10­12), f3 9(8­11) and h1 11(10­13), subequal, lanceolate, pilose; h2 78(70­86), whip­like, with basal half lightly pilose. Venter of idiosoma with mostly transversal striae back to level between setae 3a and g1, v­shaped central streiae between g1 and g2, roughly longitudinal striae along anal valves and diagonal striae that diverge posteriorly behind coxisternum IV; ventral opisthosomal setae smooth: g1 8(7­10), g2 7(5­9), ps1 5(5­6), ps2 6(4­7).

Tarsal claws and empodium as in adults; dorso­distal seta of all tarsi elongate, slender, truncate on legs I and II and whip­like on legs III and IV; postero­dorso­distal seta of tarsi I and II leaf­like; lateral setae slender to lanceolate; ventral leg setae slender and apparently smooth. Leg chaetotaxy, from coxa to tarsus ­ I: 3 (including 1a), 1, 4, 2, 5, 6 + 3 solenidia; II: 2, 1, 4, 2, 5, 6 + 3 solenidia; III: 3 (including 3a and 3b), 2, 2, 0, 3, 5; IV: 1, 0, 1, 0, 2, 3. Coxal setae: 1a 100(92­113), 1b 8(6­11), 1c 10(7­13), 2b 11(10­12), 2c 13(12­ 14), 3a 9(8­11), 3b 94(84­103), 3c 12(12­13), 4a 44(38­49), 4b 9(9­10).

Setae 2b, 4a, 4b and g2 are first found in this stage. In relation to the protonymph, the following numbers of setae are added at this stage, from trochanter to tarsus – I: 1, 1, 2, 0, 1 + 1 solenidion; II: 1, 1, 2, 0, 1 + 1 solenidion; III: 2, 0, 0, 0, 2.

Protonymph ( Figs. 32­41 ) (5 individuals): Gnathosoma similar to adults. Infracapitular setae (is) 12(11­15), slender and smooth.

Idiossoma 231(213­247) long, 141(124­152) wide at widest level of podosoma. Rostral shield inconspicuous. Idiosomal dorsal pattern as in deutonymph. A single pair of conspicuous ocelli on prodorsum. Three pairs of lyrifissures: mesad to c3, posteromesad to d3 and laterad to e1. Setae ve 3(3­3) and sci 3(2­4), slender and apparently smooth; seta sce 18(15­19), elongate, lightly pilose. Setae c1 4(3­4), c3 3(2­4), d1 3(3­3), d3 3(2­4), e1 2 (2­ 3) and e3 2 (2­3), subequal, rod­like; f2 9(8­11), f3 9(6­11) and h1 9(8­10), subequal, lanceolate, pilose; h2 61(54­76) whip­like, with basal half lightly pilose. Venter of idiosoma with very faint transversal striae centrally and anteriorly to 3a, roughly transversal striae posterior to 3a, u­shaped striae around ag; longitudinal striae on anal valves and very faint diagonal striae just posterior to coxisternum IV. Ventral opisthosomal setae smooth: g1 6(5­8), ps1 3(3­4), ps2 4(3­4).

Tarsal claws and empodium as in adults; dorso­distal seta of all tarsi elongate, slender; antero­lateral setae of femora I and II lanceolate, pilose; other lateral setae slender, pilose; ventral setae slender and smooth. Leg chaetotaxy from coxa to tarsus – I: 3 (including 1a), 0, 3, 0, 5, 4 + 2 solenidia; II: 1, 0, 3, 0, 5, 4 + 2 solenidia; III: 3 (including setae 3a and 3b), 0, 2, 0, 3, 3; IV: 0, 0, 1, 0, 2, 3. Coxal setae: 1a 78(58­90), 1b 9(8­11), 1c 7(6­9), 2c 10(9­ 11), 3a 7(6­9), 3b 66(54­76), 3c 9(8­11).

Setae is, 1c, 2c, 3b, 3c and g1 as well as the 3 pairs of dorsal idiosomal lyrifissures are first found in this stage.

Larva ( Figs. 42­49 ) (5 individuals): Rostrum short, extending to base of femur I, with the tip exposed from a dorsal view. Palpus showing clearly only what in later stages are the penultimate and the distal segments; dorso­distal seta of penultimate segment apparently smooth; distal segment apparently only with distal solenidion. Ventral rostral setae indistinguishable.

Idiosoma 185(173­197) long, 113(108­117) wide at widest level of podosoma. Rostral shield small, trapezoidal. Prodorsum with a punctate pattern centrally and anteriorly to sci and the ocellum; with u­shaped striae that become almost transversal posteriorly up to d1; dorsal area next to leg III and opisthosomal dorsum also with punctate pattern. A single pair of conspicuous ocelli on prodorsum. Idiosomal lyrifissures not discernible. Setae ve 3(3­4) and sci 3(3­4), rod­like; seta sce 13(12­14), slender; setae c1 3(3­4), c3 2(2­3), d1 3(3­3), d3 3(2­3), e1 2 (2­3) and e3 2 (2­2), subequal, rod­like; f2 8(7­9), f3 7(6­8) and h1 8(6­9), subequal, slender, lightly pilose; h2 52(49­56), whip­like. Venter of idiosoma apparently smooth on the central region anterior to 3a, transversally striate posterior to those setae up to level of leg III, with diagonal striation converging posteriorly behind leg III and longitudinal strial centrally. Ventral opisthosomal setae smooth: ps1 3(2­4), ps2 3(3­4).

Tarsal claws and empodium as in adults; dorso­distal seta of all tarsi elongate, slender; other leg setae slender, some lightly pilose. Leg chaetotaxy from coxa to tarsus – I: 2 (including 1a), 0, 3, 0, 5, 4 + 2 solenidia; II: 0, 0, 3, 0, 5, 4 + 2 solenidia; III: 1 (seta 3a), 0, 2, 0, 3, 3. Coxal setae: 1a 73(60­81), 1b 5(4­6) and 3a 6(5­7).

Type material. Holotype female and 4 paratype females, from Arundina graminifolia (D. Don) Hochs , (22o 42’ 30” S, 47o 38’ 30” W) Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, R.A.P. Freire; allotype male, 3 paratype males, 5 paratype deutonymphs, 5 paratype protonymphs and 5 paratype larvae, same collection data ­ deposited in the reference collection of Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Setor de Zoologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba­ SP, Brazil. Two paratype females and 2 paratype males, same collection data as holotype – deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington­DC, USA.

Figures

FIGURES 1 ­ 11. Tenuipalpus orchidofilo n. sp., female. 1, Dorsum of idiosoma; 2, Venter of gnathosoma; 3, venter of idiosoma; 4, dorsum of leg I; 5, venter of leg I; 6, dorsum of leg II; 7, venter of leg II; 8, dorsum of leg III; 9, venter of leg III; 10, dorsum of leg IV; 11, venter of leg IV.

FIGURES 12 ­ 21. Tenuipalpus orchidofilo n. sp., male. 12, Dorsum of idiosoma; 13, venter of idiosoma; 14, dorsum of leg I; 15, venter of leg I; 16, dorsum of leg II; 17, venter of leg II; 18, dorsum of leg III; 19, venter of leg III; 20, dorsum of leg IV; 21, venter of leg IV.

FIGURES 22 ­ 31. Tenuipalpus orchidofilo n. sp., deutonymph. 22, Dorsum of idiosoma; 23, venter of idiosoma; 24, dorsum of leg I; 25, venter of leg I; 26, dorsum of leg II; 27, venter of leg II; 28, dorsum of leg III; 29, venter of leg III; 30, dorsum of leg IV; 31, venter of leg IV.

FIGURES 32 ­ 41. Tenuipalpus orchidofilo n. sp., protonymph. 32, Dorsum of idiosoma; 33, venter of idiosoma; 34, dorsum of leg I; 35, venter of leg I; 36, dorsum of leg II; 37, venter of leg II; 38, dorsum of leg III; 39, venter of leg III; 40, dorsum of leg IV; 41, venter of leg IV.

FIGURES 42 ­ 49. Tenuipalpus orchidofilo n. sp., larva. 42, Dorsum of idiosoma; 43, venter of idiosoma; 44, dorsum of leg I; 45, venter of leg I; 46, dorsum of leg II; 47, venter of leg II; 48, dorsum of leg III; 49, venter of leg III.