Syringophilidae LAVOIPIERRE, 1953

Skoracki, M., Antczak, M., Riegert, J., Fainova, D. & Mikes, V., 2009, New Species And New Records Of Quill Mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) Inhabiting African Passerines (Aves: Passeriformes), Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 55 (2), pp. 123-137 : 124-128

Family Syringophilidae LAVOIPIERRE, 1953 Subfamily Syringophilinae LAVOIPIERRE, 1953 Genus Syringophilopsis KETHLEY, 1970

Representatives of Syringophilopsis are large-sized mites (800–1200 µm) occupying quill feathers of primary and secondary quill feathers. Mites of this genus are broadly distributed among passerines, and have been reported from bird families: Sylvidae , Icteridae , Fringillidae , Turdidae , Sturnidae , Motacillidae , Ploceidae , Passeridae , Tyrannidae , Laniidae , Corvidae , and Pycnonotidae ( BOCHKOV & GALLOWAY 2004, present paper). Although the Ethiopian Region has an unique and rich fauna of passeriform birds, only five species of the genus Syringophilopsis have been recorded from this ecozone: 1) S. yosefi SKORACKI, TRYJANOWSKI et HROMADA, 2002 from an undetermined bird species of the genus Lanius sp. ( Laniidae ) from Cameroon, 2) S. corvinae SKORACKI et SIKORA, 2002 from the Yellow-billed Shrike, Corvinella corvina (SHAW) ( Laniidae ), also from Cameroon, 3) S. lagonostictus SKORACKI et DABERT, 2002 from two passerid species ( Passeridae ), the Red-billed Firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala (LINNAEUS) , and the Barbreasted Firefinch, L. rufopicta (FRASER) , both from Togo, 4) S. nitens SKORACKI et DABERT, 2001 from two ploceid host species ( Ploceidae ), the Gray’s Malimbe, Malimbus nitens (GRAY) and the Black-necked Weaver, Ploceus nigricollis (VIEIL- LOT), both from Togo, and 5) S. emberizae FAIN, BOCHKOV et MIRONOV, 2000 from the Grassland Yellow-Finch, Sicalis luteola (SPARRMAN) ( Fringillidae ), from Rwanda (SKORACKI et al. 2002, SKORACKI & SIKORA 2003, SKORACKI & DABERT 2001 a, 2002, FAIN et al. 2000).

Below, we describe a new species found inside quills of the Common Bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus (DESFONTAINES) ( Passeriformes : Pycnonotidae ). This host species represents a new avian family ( Pycnonotidae ) for the genus Syringophilopsis . Additionally, we give a record of quill mite species new for this region.

Syringophilopsis veselovsky SKORACKI, ANTCZAK et RIEGERT sp. n.

( Figs 1–6 )

Female ( Figs 1–6 ). Total body length of holotype 1145 (1050–1145 in 2 paratypes). Gnathosoma . Hypostomal apex ornamented by two pairs of minute protuberances and two pairs of blunt-ended hypostomal lips ( Fig. 3 ). Each lateral branch of peritremes with 3 chambers, each longitudinal branch with 9 chambers ( Fig. 4 ). Cheliceral digit 150 (150–160) long. Stylophore rounded posteriorly, 230 (220–230) long. Idiosoma . Propodonotal shield sculptured, bearing bases of setae vi, ve, sci and d1. Bases of setae sce situated distinctly anterior to level of bases of setae d1 ( Fig. 6 ). Bases of setae h located posterior to bases of setae sci. Length ratio of setae vi: ve: sci 1:1.2:1.8. Hysteronotal and pygidial shields well developed. Setae d2 situated closer to l2 than to l1. All dorsal setae of idiosoma, except vi and ve, subequal in length. Paragenital setae pg3 slightly (1.1–1.3 times) longer than pg1 and pg2. All paragenital setae at least 5 times longer than genital setae (g1, g2). Cuticular striations as in figures 1 and 2. Legs. Coxal fields well sclerotized. Setae tc”III–IV 1.3 times longer than tc’III–IV. Fan-like setae p’ and p” of legs III and IV with 11–14 tines ( Fig. 5 ). Setae cxIII2 about twice longer than cxIII1. Length of setae: vi 215; ve 250 (255); sci 380 (365–400); h (400–405); sce 400 (385–400); l1 400; l2 380 (370–400); l4 405 (385–400); l5 (385–430); d1 400 (400–405); d2 380 (385–400); d4 380 (385–400); d5 (385–400); a1 and a2 40 (40–50); g1 and g2 50 (50–70); pg1 250 (250–285); pg2 275 (280–285); pg3 315 (320–330); tc’III–IV 60 (55–65); tc”III–IV 80 (70–80); cxIII1 120 (115–130); cxIII2 220 (200–215).

Male. Not found.

Type material. Holotype female and 2 female paratypes from quill of secondary feather of Pycnonotus barbatus (DESFONTAINES, 1789) ( Passeriformes : Pycnonotidae ); Western Africa , Cameroon; 24.11.2007; coll. J. Riegert. Specimens deposited: holotype and 1 female paratype deposited at AMU, 1 female paratype at ZIN.

Etymology. The name veselovsky refers to the name of the prominent Czech zoologist – Prof.

Zdeněk Veselovský (26.8.1928 – 24.11.2006).

Differential diagnosis. Syringophilopsis veselovsky sp. n., belongs to the “ elongatus ” species group, containing seven species ( BOCHKOV & GALLOWAY 2004). Syringophilopsis veselovsky sp. n., is most similar to two closely related species reported from North American birds: to S. elongatus (EWING, 1911) restricted to icterid hosts ( Icteridae ), and to S. tyranni BOCHKOV et GALLOWAY ,

elongatus (EWING, 1911) , posterior part of propodonotal shield

2004, which inhabit quills of tyrannid hosts ( Tyrannidae ). In females of all three species, setae d4, d5, l4 and l5 are subequal in the length, genital setae are shorter than paragenital setae, and there is a pair of the hysteronotal shields. Syringophilopsis veselovsky sp. n. differs from S. elongatus by the following characters: in females of S. veselovsky sp. n., the longitudinal branch of the peritremes has nine chambers, the length ratio of setae vi: sci is 1:1.8, setae sci are situated anterior to the level of setae h, and setae sce are situated distinctly anterior to the level of setae d1 ( Fig. 6 ). In females of S. elongatus , longitudinal branch of the peritremes has 12–14 chambers, the length ratio of setae vi: sci is 1:1.2, setae sci and h are situated at the same transverse level, and setae sce are situated slightly anterior to the level of d1 bases ( Fig. 7 ).

Syringophilopsis veselovsky sp. n. is distinguished from S. tyranni by characteristics as follow: in females of S. veselovsky , the hysteronotal and pygidial shields are well developed and with discernible margins, the hypostomal apex is ornamented by two pairs of the protuberances, and the length of setae vi is 215. In females of S. tyranni , the hysteronotal and pygidial shields are weakly sclerotized with indiscernible margins, the hypostomal apex is ornamented by a pair of minute protuberances, and the length of setae vi is 115–135.

Figures

Figs 1–2. Syringophilopsis veselovsky sp. n., female: 1 = dorsal view, 2 = ventral view

Figs 3–7. Syringophilopsis spp., females. 3–6 = S. veselovsky sp. n.: 3 = hypostomal apex in dorsal view, 4 = peritreme, 5 = fan-like seta p’ of leg III, 6 = posterior part of propodonotal shield. 7 = S.