Kongsbergia transversa, Radwell & Smith, 2012

Radwell, Andrea J. & Smith, Ian M., 2012, North American members of the reticulata-like species group of the water mite genus Kongsbergia (Acari: Hydrachnidiae: Aturidae), Zootaxa 3540, pp. 1-49 : 28-29

Kongsbergia (s.s.) transversa sp. nov.

( Figs. 48–52, 99, 100)

Description. Character states of the appalachiana subgroup. Male: Idiosoma in dorsal view elongate and ellipsoidal, usually widest near midlength. Dorsal shield ( Figs. 48, 99) with anterior edge nearly transverse or slightly convex and crenellate with a small depression medially at the base of a prominent nipple-shaped projection; with edge linear or slightly convex in area between eyes and humeral region and with a modest humeral angle; with reticulate sculpturing well developed and forming a series of subparallel arching lines in area posterior to postocular setae that end in a prominent transverse ridge at the apex of anteromedial hump just posterior to the postocular setae; reticulate sculpturing lacking in area between postocular setae and base of anteromedial nippleshaped projection; anteromedial hump well developed as described above, lateral ridges well developed and meeting lateral edges of shield near midlength, posterior depression moderately deep; ridge bearing excretory pore moderately well developed; bearing three pairs of slender setae on posterior edge; variable in color but usually yellowish with red or purple patches anteriorly and posteriorly. Ventral shield ( Fig. 50) with projections covering insertions of fourth legs moderately well developed; somewhat acuminate posteriorly and bearing three pairs of slender setae near posterior edge. Pedipalp ( Fig. 51) with femur enlarged and bearing three papillate projections proximoventrally. Fourth leg ( Fig. 52) with segments and setae as illustrated. Female: Dorsal shield ( Figs. 49, 100) similar in shape, sculpturing and color to that of male but with ridges relatively weakly developed. Ventral shield with projections covering insertions of fourth legs smaller than in male. Pedipalp with femur not enlarged and tibia proportionally longer than in male.

Measurements: Male (n=5): Length/width dorsal shield 300–336(316)/224–258(239), length/width ventral shield 320–370(346)/240–280(256). Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 22–26(23), Fe 65–96(74), Ge 23–30(26), Ti 82–94(94), Ta 29–32(30). Height pedipalp femur 63–94(68). Lengths leg segments: IGe 52–59(54), ITi 69–78(72), ITa 76–87(82); IIGe 55–61(61), IITi 69–82(82), IITa 80–91(80); IIIGe 64–76(76), IIITi 71–90(90), IIITa 83–97(92); IVTr 62–66(62), IVBFe 74–80(74), IVTFe 56–70(56), IVGe 65–80(74), IVTi 69–80(74), IVTa 87–94(94). Female (n=4): Length/width dorsal shield 316–322/254–260, length/width ventral shield 322–340/ 256–276. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 20–22, Fe 60–65, Ge 22–26, Ti 90–106, Ta 30–32. Lengths leg segments: IVTr 50–56, IVBFe 58–66, IVTFe 54–60, IVGe 62–66, IVTi 67–76, IVTa 74–82.

Types. Holotype: Male from Glenrock Branch Creek at Lower Glenrock Branch Picnic Area beside Natchez Trace Parkway , Natchez Trace Parkway National Park , Wayne Co., Tennessee, USA, 2 June 1992 by IMS . Paratypes: USA: Tennessee: Lawrence Co.: Jacks Branch Creek off Natchez Trace Parkway , Natchez Trace Parkway National Park , Jacks Branch Picnic Area , 6 October 2005, IMS– 1 male (slide). Lewis Co. : Small stream beside Natchez Trace Parkway across from Phosphate Mine Exhibit , 0.6 km south of Rt. 412, Natchez Trace Parkway National Park , 30 September 2006, IMS– 1 male (slide). Wayne Co. : same data as holotype, IMS– 4 males, 4 females (slides) .

Etymology. From the Latin transversa meaning “transverse” to describe the prominent ridge at the apex of the anteromedial hump on the dorsal shield.

Distribution. Known only from southwestern Tennessee.

Remarks. Adults of Kongsbergia transversa sp. nov. differ from those of all other North American species of the genus in that the reticulate sculpturing anteriorly on the dorsal shield ends anteriorly at a prominent transverse ridge at the apex of the anteromedial hump immediately posterior to the postocular setae.