Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) caucasicus Abbasova, 1970

Tixier, Marie-Stéphane, Dennj, Principato, Douin, Martial, Kreiter, Serge & Haralabos, Tsolakis, 2019, Mites of the genus Typhlodromus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Southern France: combined morphological and molecular approaches for species identification, Zootaxa 4604 (2), pp. 242-280 : 250-252

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) caucasicus Abbasova, 1970

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) caucasicus Abbasova, 1970a: 47 .

Specimens collected. Two females on Abies alba Miller (Pinaceae) in Montferrier-sur-Lez, Cirad de Baillarguet, France (43°40’58.0”N, 3°52’24.0”E), on 11/09/2017.

Known distribution. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Ukraine.

Measurements (2 females) ( Figs 7–12 )

Dorsum. Dorsal shield 341, 362 long, 181, 198 at level of setae s4, 168, 195 at level of waist and 205, 222 at level of S2. Heavily sclerotised and strongly reticulated, with five solenostomes (gd2, gd4, gd6, gd8, gd9). All setae smooth, except Z5 serrated; 18 pairs of dorsal setae and two pairs of sub-lateral setae: j 1 22, 24; j 3 19, 25; j4 16; j 5 15, 16; j 6 16, 18; J 2 22, 23; J 5 13, 14; z 2 17, 19; z 3 22, 23; z 4 21, 23; z 5 17, 18; Z 4 24, 27; Z5 49, 53; s 4 25, 27; s 6 26, 29; S 2 27, 30; S 4 27, 31; S 5 24, 29; r 3 27, 28; R 1 20, 23. Peritreme extremity extending forwards to level of the bases of setae j1.

Ventral idiosoma. Sternal shield with three pairs of setae (st1, st2, st3). Setae st4 tylochorous (on platelets). Genital shield smooth; margins anterior to the bases of setae st5 straight. Genital sigilla (1–3 pairs) clearly visible. The 4 th and 5 th pairs of genital sigilla antero-paraxial to the bases of the setae ZV1. The 6 th pair of sigilla posterior or postero-paraxial to the bases of the setae ZV1. Ventrianal shield sub-pentagonal with four pairs of pre-anal setae, JV1, JV2, JV3 and ZV2. Anterior margin of the ventrianal shield rounded. Solenostomes gv3 postero-paraxial to the bases of setae JV2 (derived condition). Length of the ventrianal shield 103, 121, width at level of setae ZV2 86, 98, at level of setae JV2 82, 94, at level of setae JV3 75, 90 and at level of para-anal setae 75, 83. Setae JV5 smooth, 32, 36 long.

Chelicera. Fixed digit 26, 27 long, with three teeth between pilus dentilis and the apical tooth. Movable digit, 28, 29 long, with two small teeth.

Legs. Genu II with seven setae, 2 2/0 2/0 1. Leg IV with one macroseta, StIV 28, 30. Enlarged setae are present both on genu (ad 1 19–21, ad 2 18–20, pd 1 17–18, pd 2 18–19) and tibia of leg IV (ad1 20, ad 2 19–20, pd 20–23), as well as on the pretarsus, 28 long.

Insemination apparatus. Major duct short, receptaculum sometimes clearly visible. Atrium differentiated, separated from the calyx. Embolus visible: minor duct clearly visible in both specimens. Calyx flute-shaped, slightly flaring distally, 20 long and 7 wide.

Remarks. The morphological characteristics of the two specimens examined here fit the original description of this species. This species is characterised by the dorsum ornamentation (“bubble” like, with cells confluent towards solenostomes). This is the first report of this species from France. This species was already reported on Abies in Norway.

Figures

FIGURES 7–12. Female of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) caucasicus. 7. Dorsal shield, 8. Ventral shields, 9. Genu, tibia and tarsus of the leg IV, 10. Genu of leg II, 11. Chelicera, 12. Insemination apparatus.