Kongsbergia appalachiana, 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 : 22-26

Kongsbergia (s.s.) appalachiana sp. nov.

( Figs. 38–42, 95, 96)

Description. Character states of the appalachiana subgroup. Male: Idiosoma in dorsal view elongate and ellipsoidal, usually widest near midlength. Dorsal shield ( Figs. 38, 95) with anterior edge nearly transverse 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 strongly developed and arranged in a series of four to eight continuous subparallel longitudinal lines in area between and anterior to postocular setae that gradually converge anteriorly to meet at base of anteromedial nipple-shaped projection; anteromedial hump well developed, 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. 40) with projections covering insertions of fourth legs well developed; acuminate posteriorly and bearing three pairs of slender setae near posterior edge. Pedipalp ( Fig. 41) with femur enlarged and bearing three papillate projections proximoventrally. Fourth leg ( Fig. 42) with segments and setae as illustrated. Female: Dorsal shield ( Figs. 39, 96) 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 320–374(356)/246–278(250), length/width ventral shield 350–402(380)/264–300(274). Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 22–27(22), Fe 88–94(91), Ge 25–36(26), Ti 95–111(104), Ta 28–32(30). Height pedipalp femur 77–89(77). Lengths leg segments: IGe 60–69(66), ITi 74–90(74), ITa 83–90(83); IIGe 63–69(67), IITi 75–90(75), IITa 86–94(94); IIIGe 82–88(83), IIITi 89–99(90), IIITa 99–106(104); IVTr 69–76(72), IVBFe 82–92(89), IVTFe 67–72(72), IVGe 82–91(85), IVTi 85–90(85), IVTa 91–101(100). Female (n=5): Length/width dorsal shield 318–378/264–306, length/width ventral shield 316–380/ 270–306. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 21–28, Fe 63–83, Ge 30–34, Ti 110–120, Ta 30–32. Lengths leg segments: IVTr 62–71, IVBFe 66–76, IVTFe 55–64, IVGe 72–86, IVTi 80–93, IVTa 85–96.

Types. Holotype: Male from Turkey Creek beside Forest Road 35, 2.9 km northeast of road from Rt. 165 to Miller Chapel Church, Monroe Co., Tennessee, USA, 20 September 1991 by IMS (slide). Paratypes: USA: Alabama: Clay Co.: Talladega Creek beside Forest Road 649, 0.8 km northeast of road from Forest Road 600 to Campbell Springs, 2 July 1990, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides), 2 males, 2 females (GAW). Cleburne Co.: Jackson Creek beside Rt. 431, 3.3 km southeast of Calhoun Co. line, 2 July 1990, IMS– 3 females (GAW). Georgia: Chattooga Co.: East Fork of Little River beside Rt. 48 just east of Alabama state line, Cloudland, 3 June 1992, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides). Dawson Co.: small trickle beside Little Amicalola Creek below Amicalola Falls, Amicalola State Park, 30 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (GAW). Gilmer Co.: Barnes Creek beside Forest Road 68, Barnes Creek Picnic Area, 29 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (GAW). Lumpkin Co.: Etowah River beside Forest Road 28-I, 2.8 km south of Wahsega Road, Dahlonega, 1 October 1992, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 1 male (GAW). Dicks Creek beside Forest Road 34 above Waters Creek Campground, 2 October 1992, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 2 males, 6 females (GAW). Murray Co.: Holly Creek beside Forest Road 18, 1.9 km beyond end of pavement east of Chatsworth, 29 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (slide), 3 males, 2 females (GAW). Rabun Co.: Brook beside Rt. 64, 4.7 miles south of Satolah, 7 May 1957, HH– 2 males (slides, NBM, CNC). Union Co.: Cooper Creek, Cooper Creek Scenic Area, 3 October 1992, IMS– 4 males, 2 females (slides), 4 males, 3 females (GAW). White Co. : Andrews Creek beside Rt. 17/75 north of Helen, Andrews Cove Campground, 24 September 1992, IMS– 3 males (slides), 2 males (GAW). Smith Creek beside road to Anna Ruby Falls north of Unicoi State Park, Helen, 24 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (slide), 1 male, 1 female (GAW). Kentucky: Bell Co.: Sugar Run near north boundary of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Middlesboro, 9 July 1990, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 4 males, 10 females (GAW). Mississippi: Tishomingo Co.: Rock Quarry Branch off Natchez Trace Parkway, Tishomingo State Park, 18 September 1991, IMS– 4 males, 3 females (slides), 6 males, 8 females (GAW); 1 June 1992, IMS– 4 males, 4 females (slides), 2 males, 9 females (GAW). New Jersey: Morris Co. : Brook, Brookside, 16 May 1953, HH– 1 female (GAW, NBM, CNC); 20 May 1953, HH– 2 males, 1 female (slides, NBM, CNC); 23 September 1953, HH– 1 male (slide, NBM, CNC); 2 February 1954, HH– 1 male (slide, NBM, CNC). Sussex Co.: Big Flat Brook beside Flatbrook Road, 2.6 km north of Rt. 206 at Tuttles Corner, 23 June 1990, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 3 females (GAW). Flat Brook beside Rt. 615, 3.5 km north of Walpack Center, 23 June 1990, IMS– 1 female (GAW). North Carolina: Alleghany Co.: Big Pine Creek beside Blue Ridge Parkway, 10.2 km north of Rt. 21, 27 June 1990, IMS– 1 male (slide). Avery Co.: Linville River near Linville Falls Picnic Area, 28 June 1990, IMS– 3 males, 3 females (slides), 4 males, 21 females (GAW); 19 September 1992, IMS– 3 males, 3 females (slides), 9 males, 13 females (GAW); 12 September 2005, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (GAW); 4 July 2006, IMS– 1 male (GAW); 8 September 2007, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides), 8 males, 3 females (GAW). Small stream beside Blue Ridge Parkway near Linville Falls Picnic Area, 19 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (slide). Buncombe Co.: Walnut Creek at Stony Fork Picnic Area beside Rt. 151, South Hominy, 22 September 1991, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 2 males, 6 females (GAW). Small stream beside Rt. 151, Stony Fork Picnic Area, South Hominy, 22 September 1991, IMS– 3 females (GAW). Clay Co.: Buck Creek beside Forest Road 350, ca. 0.6 km northwest of Forest Road 6269, 22 September 1992, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 1 female (GAW). Haywood Co.: Little Cataloochee River, Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 17 September 2005, IMS and AJR– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 2 males, 3 females (GAW); 16 June 2006, IMS and AJR– 1 male, 3 females (GAW). Big Creek at Big Creek Picnic Area, Waterville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 17 September 2005, IMS– 1 female (GAW). Stream near road above main gate to Appalachian Highlands Learning Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 24 June 2006, IMS– 1 female (GAW). Little Cataloochee River beside Mount Sterling Road west of bridge, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1 October 2007, IMS– 10 males, 10 females (GAW). Rough Fork Creek beside Nellie Road, 0.4 km west of Pretty Hollow Gap, Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 3 October 2007, IMS– 3 males, 1 female (GAW). Cataloochee River, beside Rt. 32 at bridge, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 3 October 2007, IMS– 18 males, 16 females, 1 tritonymph (GAW). Macon Co.: Cullasaja River beside Rt. 64/28, 4.1 km northwest of Cliffside Lake Road, Highlands, 30 June 1990, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 2 males, 4 females (GAW). Small stream beside Rt. 64/ 28, 4.1 km northwest of Cliffside Lake Road, Highlands, 30 June 1990, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 1 male, 5 females (GAW). Nantahala River beside Forest Road 67 south of Standing Indian Campground, Rainbow Springs, 1 July 1990, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides); 20–21 September 1991, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 4 males, 13 females (GAW); 14 September 2005, IMS– 1 male (GAW); 25 June 2006, IMS– 1 male, 2 females (GAW). Small stream beside Rt. 64 at road to Cliffside Lake, Highlands, 21 September 1991, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 4 males, 8 females (GAW). Small stream beside Forest Road 67 south of Standing Indian Campground, Rainbow Springs, 21 September 1991, IMS– 1 male (GAW). Mooney Creek beside Forest Road 67 near Big Laurel Falls Trail, Rainbow Springs, 21 September 1992, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 1 male, 1 female (GAW); 14 September 2005, IMS– 1 male, 2 females (GAW); 25 June 2006, IMS– 1 female (GAW). Bearpen Creek beside Forest Road 67, Rainbow Springs, 22 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (slide). Swain Co.: Deep Creek at picnic area outside of Bryson City, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 17 June 2006, AJR– 3 males, 1 female (slides); 15 September 2007, AJR– 2 males, 3 females (slides); 5 August 2008, AJR– 1 male (GAW). Noland Creek beside Fontana Road north of Fontana Lake, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 17 June 2006, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 1 male, 5 females (GAW); AJR– 2 females (slides). Oconaluftee River near confluence of Raven Fork, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 20 June 2006, AJR– 1 female (slide). Oconaluftee River beside Rt. 441, 1.7 km south of Mingus Creek Mill, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 21 June 2006, IMS– 1 male (GAW). Mingus Creek at Mingus Mill, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 21 June 2006, AJR– 1 female (slide). Hazel Creek west side of Fontana Lake just above bridge, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 22 June 2006, IMS– 1 male (slide), 2 males, 3 females (GAW); 13 September 2007, IMS– 8 males, 8 females, 1 deutonymph (GAW); AJR– 2 males (slides). Oconaluftee River beside Towstring Horse Trail Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 11 September 2007, IMS– 1 male (GAW). Small stream beside Rt. 28, 12.3 km east of Rt. 129, Deals Gap, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 12 September 2007, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (GAW). Hazel Creek near confluence with Fontana Lake, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 13 September 2007, AJR– 2 males (slides), IMS– 8 males, 8 females, 1 deutonymph. Side channel of Hazel Creek ca. 0.5 km above bridge at Calhoun homestead, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 13 September 2007, IMS– 1 female (GAW). Deep Creek ca. 100 m above Deep Creek Campground near Bryson City, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 15 September 2007, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (GAW). Tributary to Ledge Creek on Balsam Mountain Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 16 September 2007, AJR– 1 male (slide). Bradley Fork at Smokemont Campgrounds, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 19 September 2007, AJR– 1 male (GAW). Straight Branch Creek beside Round Bottom Road near Hyatt Ridge Trailhead, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 18 September 2007, IMS– 1 female (GAW). Noland Creek beside Fontana Road 8 km west of Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary, 20 September 2007, IMS– 1 male, 2 females (GAW). Parsons Branch Creek beside Parsons Branch Road north of Rt. 129/115, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 21 September, 2007, IMS– 1 female (GAW). Le Conte Creek at Twin Creeks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 25 September 2007, AJR– 2 males (slides). Yancey Co.: South Toe River at Lost Cove Picnic Area on Forest Road 472, 2.8 km south of Rt. 80, 28 June 1990, IMS– 3 females (slides), 2 females (GAW); 12 September 2005, IMS– 1 male (GAW). Pennsylvania: Alleghany Co.: Simpson Creek beside Rt. 60 ca. 6 miles east of Cowpasture River, 9 September 1968, DRC– 1 female (slide). Cumberland Co.: Stream at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 21 May 1961, DRC– 1 male (slide). Fulton Co.: Stream at Cowans Gap State Park, 21 May 1961, DRC– 2 males, 6 females (slides). Small stream at Cowans Gap State Park beside road 7.5 km south of Rt. 522, 18 July 1990, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides). Huntingdon Co.: Stone Creek beside road from McAlevys Fort to Rt. 322, Alan Seeger Natural Area, 19 July 1990, IMS– 3 males, 3 females (slides), 12 males, 17 females (GAW). Tennessee: Blount Co.: Mill Creek beside Forge Creek Road, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 24 September 2005, IMS and AJR– 1 male (GAW). Cocke Co.: Stream at Baxter Road at Maddron Bald Trailhead, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 19 September 2005, IMS and AJR– 1 male (GAW). Monroe Co.: Turkey Creek beside Forest Road 35, 2.0 km northeast of road from Rt. 165 to Miller Chapel Church, 5 July 1990, IMS– 4 males, 7 females (slides), 9 males, 29 females (GAW). Same data as holotype, 7 males, 5 females (slides), 2 males, 6 females (GAW). Tellico River beside Forest Road 210, 1.8 km east of bridge at Bald River Falls, 5 July 1990, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides), 14 females (GAW). Tellico River beside Forest Road 210, 6.0 km east of bridge at Bald River Falls, 20 Sept 1991, IMS– 1 female (slide). Turkey Creek beside Forest Road 35, 2.3 km northeast of road from Rt. 165 to Miller Chapel Church, 3 August 2008, IMS– 1 male. 2 females (GAW). Sevier Co.: Laurel Creek beside Laurel Creek Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 21 September 2005, IMS and AJR– 3 males, 2 females (slides), 3 males, 2 females (GAW). Little River beside Little River Road east of Metcalf Bottoms, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 22 September 2005, IMS and AJR– 1 male (slide). Virginia: Alleghany Co. Simpson Creek beside Rt. 850, 2.2 km east of Rt. 64/60, Longdale Furnace, 25 September 1991, IMS– 1 male (slide). Botetourt Co.: Middle Creek beside Forest Road 618, Middle Creek Picnic Area, 7 October 1992, IMS– 1 female (slide). Craig Co.: Barbour Creek beside Rt. 617 near The Pines Campground, New Castle, 12 July 1990, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 8 females (GAW); 7 July 2006, IMS– 1 male (slide). Giles Co. : Standrock Brook beside road near White Pine Horse Camp, Mechanicsburg , 11 July 1990, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides); 6 July 2006, IMS– 1 male (GAW). Standrock Brook beside road near former site of White Pine Horse Camp, Mechanicsburg , 8 October 2007, IMS– 2 females (GAW). Grayson Co.: East Fork of Chestnut Creek beside Blue Ridge Parkway, 7 km northeast of Rt. 89, Hickory Knob, 11 September 2005, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides). Page Co.: Cub Run beside Forest Road 65, 2 km south of Forest Road 375 near Catherine Furnace, 26 September 1991, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides), 7 females (GAW). Cub Run beside Forest Road 65, 0.6 km south of Catherine Furnace, 8 October 1992, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 6 males, 8 females (GAW). Roaring Run beside Forest Road 65 at Catherine Furnace, 17 September 1992, IMS– 1 male (slide). Patrick Co.: Round Meadow Creek beside Blue Ridge Parkway, 15.5 km north of Groundhog Mountain Picnic Area, 10 June 2006, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 1 male, 2 females (GAW). Rock Bridge Co.: Marys Creek beside Rt. 56, 5 km west of Blue Ridge Parkway, Vesuvius, 26 September 1991, IMS– 1 female (GAW). Scott Co.: Little Stony Creek at Hanging Rock Recreation Area off Rt. 72 north of Dungannon, 7 July 1990, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 8 females (GAW). Shenandoah Co.: Peters Mill Run beside Rt. 758, 3.8 km west of Rt. 678 near Little Fort Recreation Area, 25 June 1990, IMS– 4 males, 4 females (slides), 1 male, 2 females (GAW). Peters Mill Run off Rt.758, 4.3 km northwest of Rt. 678, Peters Mill Run Picnic Area, 7 September 2005, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides), 1 female (GAW). Smyth Co.: Little Laurel Creek beside Rt. 600, 2.2 km north of Rt. 603, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, 10 July 1990, IMS– 2 males, 1 female (slides), 2 males, 9 females (GAW). Washington Co.: Straight Branch Creek beside Rt. 58, 0.7 km west of Beartree Campground, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, 24 September 1991, IMS– 6 males, 6 females (slides), 12 males, 47 females (GAW). Straight Branch Creek beside Forest Road 837 at Beartree Day Use Area, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, 10 September 2005, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (GAW). Laurel River beside Rt. 58 just inside Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Damascus, 10 September 2005, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (GAW).

Etymology. Named for the Appalachian Mountain region of North America where the species is widespread.

Distribution. Southeastern North America (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia).

Remarks. Adults of Kongsbergia appalachiana sp. nov. differ from all other North American species of the genus in that the reticulate sculpturing anteriorly on the dorsal shield between and anterior to the postocular setae is arranged in a series of four to eight continuous parallel longitudinal lines that gradually converge to meet at the base of the anteromedial nipple-shaped projection.