Harpyrhynchoides puffinus Mertins

Bochkov, Andre V, Oconnor, Barry M. & Klompen, Hans, 2015, A review of the mite subfamily Harpirhynchinae (Acariformes: Harpirhynchidae) — parasites of New World birds (Aves: Neognathae), Zootaxa 4023 (1), pp. 1-130 : 34-35

Harpyrhynchoides puffinus Mertins sp. nov.

( Fig. 25 )

Harpyrhynchus sp., Foster et al. 1996: 85.

Description. FEMALE (holotype, 1 paratype, Fig. 25 ). Body, including gnathosoma, 335 long (315) and 250 wide (240). Gnathosoma about 85 long and 90 wide. Palp about 41 long and 50 wide, without lateral notches. Palpalae thickened ( Fig. 25 C): dF and l”G 17–18 long, dG 12–13 long, with 7–8 pectinations; dF about twice thicker than other palpalae. Setae vF about 60 long, smooth. Subcapitulum ventrally without membranous projections. Peritrematal branch about 37 long. Idiosoma 235 long (220). Smooth cuticle between peritrematal branches and transverse striations apunctate. All dorsal setae slightly serrate. Dorsal shield 165 long (160) and 215 wide (225). This shield unornamented, with slightly concave anterior and strongly concave posterior margins. Idiosoma ventrally without scales or verrucosities, with few transverse striations near setal bases 1a. Setae 1a situated slightly anterior to level of setal bases 1c. Setae 3a situated at level of coxal fields III. Distance between setal bases 3a about 2 times longer than between setal bases 1a. Coxal fields I and II smooth. Vulvar pocket-like structure without lateral longitudinal folds. Vulvar apodemes well developed. Ventral setae h1 absent. Lengths of setae: vi, ve, si, se, c2 —all 100–115, h2 about 8. Solenidia ω 1 I and ω 1 II 9–10 long, narrow straight (about 1.2–1.3 wide) and conical, with rounded apex. Empodium of tarsi I and II elongated, distinctly longer than respective tarsus. Genua I and II with 3 setae (d, l’, v’), femora I and II with 2 setae (d and v), trochanters I and II with 1 seta (v). Apical segment of leg III with 5 setae; preapical segment with 1 seta. Leg IV with 2 segments; preapical segment without setae; apical segment with 3 setae.

MALE. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype female ( UMMZ BMOC 15-0302-001, #1) and 1 female paratype ( UMMZ BMOC 15-0302-001, #2) from Puffinus gravis (O’Reilly) ( Procellariiformes : Procellariidae ), USA: Florida, Atlantic Ocean adjacent to east cost of Martin Co., 18 June 1993, coll. G.W. Forrester.

Type deposition. Holotype and paratype in UMMZ.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the generic name of the host and is a noun in apposition.

Hosts and distribution. Puffinus gravis ( Procellariiformes : Procellariidae ) from USA (Florida) ( Foster et al. 1996; present paper).

Differential diagnosis. Among species of complex A, the new species is very close to Harpyrhynchoides leptoptilus ( Fain, 1976) . In females of both these species, genua I and II each have three setae, femora I and II each have two setae, the proximal segment of leg III has a single seta, the proximal segment of leg IV lacks setae, the distal segment of leg IV has three setae, the idiosomal venter is without scales or verrucosities and is almost devoid of striations, and setae h1 are absent. Females of these species differ from each other by the following character states. In H. puffinus sp. nov., the body length is 315–335 (vs. 360 in H. leptoptinus ) and solenidia ω 1 I and ω 1 II are 9–10 long and narrow, about 1 wide (vs. very short, about 6 long and slightly thickened—more than 2 wide).

Remarks. This species was recognized as a new by Dr. J. Mertins (National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA, USA).

Figures

FIGURE 25. Harpyrhynchoides puffinus Mertins sp. nov., female: A—dorsal view; B—ventral view; C—palp in dorsal view; D—solenidion ω 1 I; E—solenidion ω 1 II; F—tarsus I in ventral view. Scale bars: A, B = 100 Μm; C – F = 50 Μm.