Kongsbergia texana, 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 : 37

Kongsbergia (s.s.) texana sp. nov.

( Figs. 69–73, 105, 106)

Description. Character states of the robisoni subgroup. Male: Idiosoma in dorsal view nearly round to shieldshaped and with sides subparallel between humeral region and midlength, tapering posteriorly. Dorsal shield ( Figs. 69, 105) with anterior edge crenellate and with a deep medial depression bearing a large dome-shaped projection; with edge linear or slightly convex in area between eyes and humeral region and with a modest to strong humeral angle; reticulate pattern moderately developed and arranged in series of subparallel longitudinal lines in area between postocular setae; anteromedial hump large, lateral ridges well developed and sinuate, curving inward near midlength and then outward to meet lateral edges of shield posterolaterally to outline an elevated medial area extending posteriorly from anteromedial hump and surrounded by deeply depressed areas laterally and posteriorly; ridge bearing excretory pore large and prominent; medial pair of glandularia posterior to the postocular setae at the same level as the lateral pair of glandularia in same region ( Fig. 69, arrows); three pairs of slender setae on posterior edge; variable in color from colorless to yellowish. Ventral shield ( Fig. 71) with projections associated with insertions of fourth legs well developed. Pedipalp ( Fig. 72 with femur bulbous and bearing three papillate projections ventrally. Fourth leg ( Fig. 73) with segments and setae as illustrated. Female: Dorsal shield ( Figs. 70, 106) similar in shape, sculpturing and color to that of male, but ridges relatively weakly developed. Ventral shield similar to that of male but with projections covering insertions of fourth leg smaller. Pedipalp with femur not enlarged and tibia proportionately thicker than in male. Measurements: Male (n=5): Length/width dorsal shield 342–368(368)/290–308(302), length/width ventral shield 380–406(406)/286–306(306). Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 25–28(27), Fe 80–92(92), Ge 31–37(36), Ti 103–115(113), Ta 28–32(31). Height pedipalp femur 80–96(96). Lengths leg segments: IGe 65–76(76), ITi 90–95(95), ITa 92–105(105); IIGe 68–74(74), IITi 85–91(90), IITa 92–102(100); IIIGe 80–85(55), IIITi 101–105(105), IIITa 97–114(114); IVTr 72–82(78), IVBFe 83–92(85), IVTFe 75–87(87), IVGe 84–89(86), IVTi 92–96(92), IVTa 104–115(115). Female (n=5): Length/width dorsal shield 328–358/260–300, length/width ventral shield 322–362/260–290. Lengths pedipalp segments: Tr 21–25, Fe 56–62, Ge 25–30, Ti 108–110, Ta 27–31. Lengths leg segments: IVTr 50–67, IVBFe 56–67, IVTFe 51–60, IVGe 64–75, IVTi 82–90, IVTa 86–98.

Types. Holotype: Male from Devils River , Bakers Crossing Campground off Rt. 163, 34 km north of Comstock , Val Verde Co., Texas, USA, 5 May 2003 by IMS (slide) . Paratypes: USA: Texas: Bandera Co. : Sabinal River at Lost Maples Natural Area near Vanderpool picnic area, 27 May 1997, IMS– 1 male, 2 females (slides). Sabinal River beside Ranch Road 187, 0.5 km south of Lost Maples State Natural Area , 13 May 2005, IMS– 2 males, 2 females (slides), 1 female (GAW). Kimble Co.: South Llano River at South Llano River State Park , Junction , 29 May 1998, IMS– 1 male (slide). Val Verde Co. : same data as holotype, 2 males (slides), 8 males, 1 female GAW); same locality as holotype, 5 October 1999, IMS– 1 male, 1 female (slides); 16 May 2001, IMS– 3 males, 1 female (slides), 4 males, 2 females (GAW) .

Etymology. Named for the state of Texas where the type locality is located.

Distribution. Central Texas.

Remarks. Males of Kongsbergia texana sp. nov. differ from those of K. robisoni and K. floridana sp. nov. in having the medial pair of glandularia posterior to the postocular setae of the dorsal shield at the same level as, rather than anterior or posterior to, the lateral pair of glandularia in the same region. Adults of this species are colorless and apparently inhabit hyporheic gravel deposits.