Galendromimus ( Galendromimus ) primulaporis Santos, Demite & Lofego, 2025

Santos, Amanda Conceição dos, Demite, Peterson Rodrigo, Nuvoloni, Felipe Micali & Lofego, Antonio Carlos, 2025, Two new Galendromimus species (Acari, Phytoseiidae) from Brazil, with a world key and distributional notes on the tribe Galendromimini, ZooKeys 1260, pp. 213-231 : 213-231

Galendromimus ( Galendromimus) primulaporis Santos, Demite & Lofego sp. nov.

Figs 1 , 2 , 3

Type specimens.

Holotype: Brazil; 1 ♀; Parque Estadual da Serra do Conduru , Uruçuca, Bahia; 14°29'52.6"S, 39°08'45.3"W; 5 Jul. 2023; A. C. Santos leg.; on Henriettea succosa (Aubl.) DC. Paratypes: 2 ♀♀, same data as holotype ; 2 ♀♀ and 2 ♂♂, same data as holotype, but on Vismia atlantica L. Marinho & M. V. Martins ; 2 ♂♂, same data as holotype, but from Inga vera Willd. subsp. affinis (DC.) T. D. Penn.

Diagnosis.

Idiosomal setal pattern (11 D: 6 B; JV- 4: ZV- 3). Dorsal shield reticulated, with a pattern of reticulation surrounding each pore ( gd 2, gd 4, gd 5, gd 6, gd 8, and gd 9) constitutes reminiscent of a daisy flower; setae z 2, z 4, z 5, Z 1, s 4, s 6, S 5, j 1, j 3, j 4, j 6, and J 2 smooth; setae Z 4 and Z 5 serrated and distinctly thick. Only the tubercles of setae Z 4 and Z 5 large and distinctly visible; seta r 3 located in lateral integument next to dorsal shield margin; seta R 1 absent; peritreme extending to the level of seta z 2; ventrianal shield longer than wide, with a distinct waist at JV 2 level, smooth anterior to anal opening and with reticulations laterally and posteriorly, with four pairs of preanal setae ( JV 1, JV 2, JV 3, and ZV 2) and a pair of pores ( gv 3), located posterior to JV 2; JV 4 and ZV 3 absent. Calyx of the spermatheca long and slender throughout, but bulbous near nodular atrium. Males with JV 1, JV 2, JV 3, and ZV 2; ventrianal shield smooth and subtriangular with slight reticulation on posterolateral margins to anal opening; spermatodactyl is slender and elongated. Trochanter I 1 0 / 1 0 / 2; genu II 2 2 / 1 2 / 0 0.

Female ( n = 5). Dorsum of idiosoma (Figs 1 A , 3 ). Dorsal shield reticulate 270 272 (266–279) long and 151 152 (148–164) wide at the level of s 4; six pairs of pores (solenostomes) ( gd 2, gd 4, gd 5, gd 6, gd 8, and gd 9) all surrounded by a daisy-shaped reticulation pattern, and five pairs of lyrifissures (poroids) ( id 1, id 6, idm 2, idm 3, and idm 4) visible. Lengths of setae: j 1 15 15 (14–15), j 3 14 15 (14–16), j 4 8 9 (8–10), j 5 9 10 (9–10), j 6 10 11 (10–13), J 2 14 14 (13–15), J 5 12 11 (11–12), z 2 15 14 (12–16), z 4 16 16 (16–17), z 5 8 9 (8–11), Z 1 19 20 (19–20), Z 4 26 25 (25–27), Z 5 70 71 (70–73), s 4 15 16 (12–17), s 6 17 20 (17–22), S 5 14 14 (13–15) r 3 14 14 (12–15). Seta r 3 located near the margin of the dorsal shield but its position may vary among individuals; in some specimens, the seta is situated at the margin of the dorsal shield. Only the tubercles of setae Z 4 and Z 5 large and distinctly visible. Setae Z 5 and Z 4 serrated and thick, all remaining setae smooth and acicular.

Peritreme extending to approximately z 2 level.

Venter (Fig. 1 B ). Sternal shield not completely discernible; distance between st 1 - st 3 53 54 (53–55), st 1 - st 1 46 46 (44–48), st 2 - st 2 51 50 (50–52) and between st 3 - st 3 56 56 (55–58). Metasternal plates not visible. Genital shield smooth, with distance between st 5 - st 5 60 60 (54–64). Ventrianal shield longer than wide, 89 91 (89–96) long, 64 66 (64–66) wide at the level of ZV 2; smooth anterior to anal opening and with scant posterolateral reticulation; with four pairs of preanal setae ( JV 1, JV 2, JV 3, and ZV 2) and a small pair of rounded pores gv 3, posteriad to JV 2. Unsclerotised opisthogastric cuticle with two pairs of setae ( ZV 1 and JV 5). Two pairs of metapodal plates of similar size are present. All ventral setae smooth.

Spermatheca (Fig. 1 C ). Calyx of the spermatheca long, slender throughout, but bulbous near nodular atrium; 25 23 (22–26) long.

Chelicera (Fig. 1 D ). Movable digit 22 22 (19–24) long, with one subapical tooth, in addition to the apical tooth.; fixed digit 24 21 (19 – 22) long, with two teeth between pilus dentilis and apical tooth.

Legs (Fig. 1 E ). In all legs, dorsal setae in genu, tibia and basitarsus are inserted in tubercles, whereas ventral setae lack tubercles. No macrosetae. Chaetotaxy as follows: trochanter I 1 0 / 1 0 / 2 1, genu I 2 2 / 1 2 / 1 2, genu II 2 2 / 1 2 / 0 0, genu III 1 2 / 1 2 / 0 1, genu IV 1 2 / 1 2 / 0 1.

Male ( n = 4). Dorsum of idiosoma (Fig. 2 A ). Setal pattern and ornamentation of dorsal shield as in female; 215 (208–223) long and 132 (122–138) wide at s 4 level. With pairs of pores ( gd 2, gd 4, gd 5, gd 6, gd 8, and gd 9), all surrounded by a daisy-shaped reticles set as in female, and only three pairs of lyrifissures ( id 6, idm 2, and idm 3) visible. Lengths of setae: j 1 12 (10–14), j 3 12 (11–13), j 4 8 (6–9), j 5 9 (8–10), j 6 11 (8–13), J 2 12 (11–15), J 5 10 (9–11), z 2 12 (11–13), z 4 13 (10–15), z 5 9 (8–11), Z 1 15 (14–16), Z 4 16 (15–18), Z 5 47 (46–50), s 4 15 (14–16), s 6 17 (14–19), S 5 10 (9–11), r 3 12 (11–13). Seta r 3 located at the margin of the dorsal shield. Setae Z 4 e Z 5 serrated; setae j 1, j 3, j 4, j 5, j 6, J 2, J 5, r 3, z 2, z 4, s 4, s 6, and S 5 smooth; Only the tubercles of setae Z 4 and Z 5 large and distinctly visible. Setae Z 4 and Z 5 distinctly thick.

Peritreme extending to region between the bases of z 4 and z 2.

Venter (Fig. 2 B ). Sternogenital shield smooth; ventrianal shield subtriangular and mostly smooth, except for slight reticulation posterolateral to anal opening; with a pair of lyrifissures close to the margin, at the level of JV 3; 80 (75–85) long and 113 (110–119) wide at level of anterior corners, with four pairs of preanal setae ( JV 1, JV 2, JV 3, and ZV 2). All ventral setae smooth. One distinct pair of pores ( gv 3) posteromesad JV 2. JV 5 10 (9–12) long.

Chelicera fixed digit 19 (18–20) long with two apical teeth, movable digit 17 (16–18) long with one tooth.

Spermatodactyl (Fig. 2 C ) is slender and elongated, curved distally, with a pointed, slightly expanded tip. Shaft 10 (9–11), foot 7 (5–8).

Legs as in females.

Differential diagnosis.

Among the species of the alveolaris species group, females of the new species most closely resemble G. ( G.) alveolaris , mainly in the shape of the spermatheca and the similar reticulation patterns arrangement of reticles surrounding the pores — although this latter pattern was not emphasised in the original description of G. ( G.) alveolaris . Despite these similarities, G. ( G.) alveolaris differs from the new species primarily by having the peritreme extending only to the level of s 4, whereas in the new species it extends to the level of z 2. It also differs in the length of seta Z 4 (61 µm), reaching the base of Z 5.

Females of the remaining species of the group differ from the new species mainly as follows: G. ( G.) paulista without J 2; G. ( G.) tunapunensis peritreme extending to level of j 1; with z 4, Z 1, Z 4, s 4, and s 6 respectively ~ 2.1, 3.2, 2.7, 2.4 and 1.2 × as long as in the new species; setae z 4, Z 1, s 4, and s 6 serrated and thick; G. ( G.) multipoculi with distinct pits in the central region of the dorsal shield and with Z 1, Z 4, s 4, and s 6 respectively ~ 1.9, 1.7, 1.9, and 2.0 × longer; G. ( G.) striatusornatus sp. nov. has the spermathecal calyx broader near the atrium, but not forming a bulb as in G. ( G.) primulaporis sp. nov. It also differs by having the peritreme extending to the level of seta j 1, and setae Z 4 and S 5 are 1.8 and 1.6 × longer, respectively, than in G. ( G.) primulaporis sp. nov.

Remarks.

Plant parts (leaves and stems) of the host plants have various degrees of pubescence containing glandular and stellate trichomes. Such features may provide favourable microhabitats for mite occurrence, possibly offering shelter ( Schmidt 2014).

Etymology.

The name primulaporis is derived from the Latin primula (daisy) and poris (pores). It refers to the distinctive ornamentation pattern surrounding the dorsal shield pores, which resembles a form of daisy flowers (Fig. 3 ).

Figures

Figure 1. Galendromimus (Galendromimus) primulaporis sp. nov., female. A. Dorsal idiosoma; B. Ventral idiosoma; C. Spermatheca; D. Chelicera; E. Genu, tibia, and basitarsus of the leg IV.

Figure 2. Galendromimus (Galendromimus) primulaporis sp. nov., male. A. Dorsal idiosoma; B. Ventrianal shield; C. Spermatodactyl.

Figure 3. Ornamentation pattern surrounding the dorsal shield pores of Galendromimus (Galendromimus) primulaporis sp. nov. A. gd 2; B. gd 5 and gd 6; C. gd 8; D Enlarged gd 6 pore, highlighting the ornamentation pattern resembling daisies. Scale bars: 20 μm.