Kongsbergia crumpae, 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 : 14

Kongsbergia (s.s.) crumpae sp. nov.

( Figs. 18–22, 85, 86)

Description. Character states of the reticulata subgroup. Male: Idiosoma in dorsal view elongate and ellipsoidal, usually widest near midlength. Dorsal shield ( Figs. 18, 85) with anterior edge nearly transverse or slightly concave and crenellate with a very small depression medially, lacking a nipple- or dome-shaped projection; with edge linear or slightly convex in area between eyes and humeral region and with a modest humeral angle; with reticulate sculpturing weakly developed and diffuse in area between and anterior to postocular setae; anteromedial hump small, lateral ridges weakly developed and fading toward lateral edges of shield near midlength, posterior depression shallow; ridge bearing excretory pore weakly developed; bearing three pairs of slender setae on posterior edge; variable in color but usually yellowish with bright red or purple patches anteriorly and posteriorly and often with an additional orange area at anterior edge of posterior color patch. Ventral shield ( Fig. 20) with projections covering insertions of fourth legs moderately well developed; rounded posteriorly and bearing three pairs of slender setae near posterior edge. Pedipalp ( Fig. 21) with femur enlarged and bearing three papillate projections on a prominent projection proximoventrally. Fourth leg ( Fig. 22) with segments and setae as illustrated. Female: Dorsal shield ( Figs. 19, 86) 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. Measurements: Male (n=3): Length/width dorsal shield 292–332(300)/226–244(234), length/width ventral shield 310–344(320)/228–258(240). Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 18–25(18), Fe 64–85(64), Ge 25–30(26), Ti 75–85(80), Ta 28–32(30). Height pedipalp femur 62–92(62). Lengths leg segments: IGe 50–55(52), ITi 65–75(65), ITa 80–82(82); IIGe 55–56(55), IITi 70–75(70), IITa 72–90(82); IIIGe 65(65), IIITi 73–90(75), IIITa 84–95(84); IVTr 55–58(58), IVBFe 60–70(70), IVTFe 52–60(52), IVGe 62–70(62), IVTi 70–74(74), IVTa 85–102(90). Female (n=2): Length/width dorsal shield 330–340/254–266, length/width ventral shield 330–350/264–270. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 22, Fe 60–65, Ge 24–30, Ti 98–100, Ta 34–35. Lengths leg segments: IVTr 52–55, IVBFe 60–62, IVTFe 52, IVGe 60–69, IVTi 72–80, IVTa 80–85.

Types. Holotype: Male from Collier Creek below picnic area, Collier Spring Picnic Area beside Forest Road 177, Montgomery Co., Arkansas, USA, 17 September 2008 by IMS (slide) . Paratypes: USA: Arkansas: Madison Co.: Kings River, Dripping Springs beside Madison County Road 3500 just east of County Road 3415, 5 October 2008, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides). Montgomery Co. : same data as holotype, 1 female (slide) . Missouri: Howell Co.: Spring Creek beside Road AP 12 km north of Rt. 14, Willow Springs, 17 April 2005, IMS and AJR– 1 male (slide) .

Etymology. Named for Betty Crump of the U.S Forest Service in recognition of her participation in and support for our fieldwork to document the diversity of water mites in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas.

Distribution. Spring habitats of the Ozark Plateau and Ouachita Mountains (Arkansas and Missouri) in the central highlands of USA.

Remarks. Males of Kongsbergia crumpae sp. nov. differ from those of K. reticulata and K. cooki in that the dorsal shield is more elongate and ellipsoidal in outline and from those of K. labyrintha in that the ridges on the dorsal shield are less strongly developed, the reticulate sculpturing is less extensive and less regular, and the femur of the pedipalp bears a prominent proximoventral projection.