Physozetes inflatus, Mahunka, 2008

Mahunka, S., 2008, A New Genus And Some Other Data Of Oribatids From Thailand (Acari: Oribatida), Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 54 (2), pp. 125-150 : 132-134

Physozetes inflatus sp. n.

( Figs 15–17 )

Diagnosis: Rostral part of the prodorsum covered by a blister-like formation and by the lamellae. Median part of prodorsum is opened; translamella basally present. Interlamellar setae arising laterally, very long. Sensillus setiform, curved backwards. A distinct dorsosejugal suture, very large pteromorphae and nine pairs of fine, flagellate notogastral setae present on the notogaster.

Material examined: Holotype: Thailand: Tham Sakoen National Park headquarters, 29–30.

11. 2003. Leg. L. PEREGOVITS (No. 21). Holotype (1741-HO-2007): HNHM.

Measurements: Length of body: 307 µm, width of body: 276 µm.

Prodorsum: Rostral apex round, well protruding, narrowed behind the apex, bearing the comparatively short, flagellate rostral setae. Lamellae comparatively small, with sharply pointed inner and outer apices. Their median part concave, well serrated, with minute teeth. Lamellar setae arising from their ventral part. The blister-like formation divided by semicircle borders ( Fig. 15 ). Between the lamellae a pair of sharp teeth directed backwards, connecting them a narrow translamella basally. This part of prodorsum partly uncovered. Interlamellar setae strong and long, their distal part curved inwards, slightly flagellate. Sensillus setiform, long, curved backwards. Its surface barbed laterally.

Notogaster: Very wide, with large pteromorphae, their anterior part extending far anteriorly. Their dorsal and ventral margin widened, anteriorly undulate. Dorsosejugal suture concave, well observable. Notogastral surface smooth. Nine pairs of thin, partly flagellate notogastral setae present, setae c 2 longest of all. Setae h and p short, all smooth.

Lateral part of podosoma: Rostral apex curved, beak like. Pedotectum 1 very large, exobothridial setae arising at their basis, comparatively long. Circumpedal carina strong, but not reaching to the lateral margin of the ventral plate ( Fig. 17 ).

Ventral parts ( Fig. 16 ): Infracapitulum very large. Epimeral surface smooth, apodemata and epimeral borders well developed. Sejugal and posterior epimeral borders (bo. 2) compose one thick, X-shaped transversal band, borders 2 much shorter, not connected medially. All epimeral setae simple, thin. Setae in the genito-anal region, except for the anterior genital setae thin and simple; anterior genital setae much stronger and well pilose. Genital plates smooth, anal plates with longitudinal crest. Anal and adanal setae short and fine.

Legs: All legs monodactylous.

Remarks: The new species is well distinguishable from all heretofore microzetid species by the conspicuous form of pteromorphae. On the other hand: see the remarks after the generic diagnosis.

Etymology: The new species is named after the inflated anterodorsal prodorsum.

Figures

Figs 15–17. Physozetes inflatus gen. et sp. n. – 15 = body in dorsal view, 16 = body in ventral view, 17 = anterior part of prodorsum in lateral view