Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834)

Andre, H. M., 2011, DUG ¨ S’ CAUDATUS IS A TENUIPALPIDAE AND NOT A TYDEIDAE (ACARI) Henri M. A, Acarologia 51 (1), pp. 69-85 : 76-77

Redescription of Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834)

Habitus as in Fig. 2A , opisthosoma with a clear constriction at the level of trochanter III and the "tail" mentioned by DugŁs (1834b) ( Fig. 2D ). Shape of setae variable ( Fig. 3 ), from minute setae, flagelliform, squamous, lanceolate, or foliaceous, thin and long, to serrate or plumose organs.

Prodorsal shield ( Fig. 2A, C ) with longitudinal cells on a median crest except for a small posterior portion with irregular and transverse cells, lateral part with transverse striae and minute pores, anterolateral shield with two ocelli, posterolateral corners of prodorsum angulate. Prodorsal setae, ( v2) and ( s1) minute, slightly serrate; s2 on a small tubercle behind a anterolateral projection and broadly lanceolate.

Opisthoma with a strong median crest prolonged anteriorly by another crescent-like crest. Cells on the crest with well-defined borders and rounded contours, with more or less transverse striae along the median crest. A second projection over trochanter III. A pair of opisthosomal pores distinct, ( po). Setae minute ( e1, d3), or foliaceous ( c1, d1, c3), "tail" composed of four pairs of foliaceous setae ( e2, f1, f2 and h1) plus one pair of flagelliform setae ( h2).

Epimeral formula: 3-2-2-1, 3a being central ( Fig. 2E ). Genital opening transverse in females, with transverse striae ( Fig. 2B ). Genital formula: two pairs of genitals, ( g1) and ( g2), and one pairs of aggenitals, ( ag1). Anal lips with longitudinal striae and flanked by pseudanals, ( ps).

Whip-like chelicerae ( ch) as in the superfamily, bordered by an adoral seta, ( ad1), and likely to protrude as in Figure 4A . Two-segmented palp with 1 flagelliform dorsal seta on the proximal segment and 2 small setae (probably eupathidial) on the distal one ( Fig. 4B, C ).

Leg formula ( Fig. 4E–G ):

I (8(1)-4-3-4-1), ventrals on tibia serrate, ventrals on femur and seta on trochanter very thin, most other setae squamous or foliaceous

II (8(1)-4-3-4-1), idem

III (5-3-1-2-2) ventral setae on trochanter, femur and tibia thin, the other foliaceous,

IV (5-3-0-2-1), idem.

Tarsi III and IV ( Fig. 5 ) with an antixial dorsal flagelliform seta arising from a tubercle, ft, two serrate prorals arising also from tubercles, ( p), and two plumose ventral setae ( u). Tarsi I and II with a paraxial dorsal flagelliform seta arising from a tubercle, ft’, this elbowed element seems to form a pair with a squamous seta arising from a tubercle, ft". Under this dorsal pair, also arising from their own tubercle, a pair of typical eupathidia, ( p). Between the prorals, the solenidion ω, also on a tubercle. Last, the two pairs of setae, ( tc) and ( u). All the apoteles with 3 bifid elements ( ol’, om and ol") equipped with tenent hairs ( Fig. 4D ).

Figures

FIGURE 2: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). (A) – Dorsal view, (B) – Genital area (C) – Partial view of prodorsum, (D) – "Tail" explain-

FIGURE 3: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). Shape of setae. (A) – Simple as 1a on epimeron, (B) – Serrate as p’ on leg III, (C) – Foliaceous as se, (D) – Thin as trI, (E) – Minute as vi (Scale bars: 10 µm – Specimens collected in Montpellier).

FIGURE 4: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). (A) – Protruded chelicerae and first epimera in ventral view, (B) – Palp in dorsal views, (C) - Palp in lateral views, (D) – Tenent hairs and tarsus IV in lateral view, (E) – Legs I in dorsal view, (F) Leg II in dorsal view, (G) Legs III and IV in dorsal view. (Scale bars: A – D: 20 µm; E – G: 50 µm – Specimens collected in Montpellier).

FIGURE 5: Tenuipalpus caudatus (DugŁs, 1834). Tarsus I: (A) – dorsal view, (B) – ventro-lateral views. Tarsus II: (C) – dorsal view, (D) – ventral view. Tarsus IV: (E) – dorsal view, (F) – ventral view. (Scale bars: A: 30 µm; B: 20 µm; C – F: 30 µm – Specimens collected in Montpellier).