Coleobonzia

Heyer, Jacob Den & Castro, Tatiane Marie Martins Gomes De, 2008, A new cunaxid genus with descriptions of two new species from Brazil (Acari: Prostigmata: Bdelloidea: Cunaxidae), Zootaxa 1731, pp. 42-50 : 45-46

Coleobonzia clava sp. nov.

( Figs 1–9 )

Type-specimen. Holotype female on slide. Unidentified plant. Cananéia-SP (Atlantic Forest protected area), Brazil (24° 53' 35"S: 47° 50' 14" W); 17/VII/ 2002. N.C. Mesa.

Diagnosis. Adults can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the club-like propodosomal sensillae. Natural colour and feeding habits unknown.

Description. Female. Dimensions. Idiosoma: length, 270; width,147; length hypognathum, 94; width hypognathum, 59; length palp, 75; length chelicera, 93; length legs: I, 140; II, 126–130; III, 160; IV,179–180; length sensillae; vi, 60; sce, 58–60.

Dorsum (fig. 1a and b). A propodosomal shield is only evident by its striation pattern which differs from that of the surrounding integument. The region between the anterior sensillae is provided with broken striae and the integument anteriad to sensillae vi is finely stippled. The sensillae are clavate, of near equal length and finely pilose. Dorsal integumental striae smooth. Setae ve are the longest dorsal setae. Setae f 2 are present. Three pairs of setae on anal valves.

Ve n te r (fig. 2). Four coxal regions of two each (I &II and III & IV on either side), are vaguely discernible. Except for the coxal setae (see below) the ventral integument bears 9 hysterogastral setae. Since margins of the genital valves are not discernable it is difficult to indicate how many genital setae are present. As the condition of three pairs of genital setae have previously been reported in other species of this genus ( Den Heyer 1977), we conclude that here also three pairs occur; thus the setae laterad of the rows of genital setae are regarded as paragenital setae. Two pairs of clearly defined genital papillae present. Ventral striae mostly smooth.

Gnathosoma (figs 3–5)

Palps (fig. 3). This appendage reaches with the length of its tibiotarsus past the entomalae. Chaetotaxy of palp: trochanter, 0; basifemora, 1 dorsal simple tactile seta (sts); telofemora, 1 dorsal sts; genua, 1 long dorsal sts, 3 sts; tibiotarsi, 1 terminal solenidion (tsol), 1 claw, 5 sts.

Chelicerae (fig. 4). The proximal joint is dorsally provided with a large number of randomly placed papillae. The proximal half of segment II with broken striae while distally it carries a cheliceral seta just behind the movable chela; the latter is partially covered by the immovable cheliceral membrane.

Hypognathum (fig. 5). Four pairs of hypognathal (hg) setae of subequal length present with hg 1 just behind the entomalae; the latter carry two pairs of small adoral setae. The coxal region as well as the base of the hypostome provided with smooth broken striae; for pattern see fig. 5.

Legs (figs. 6–9). The legs (trochanter – tarsi) are all shorter than the body. Order of length (shortest to longest) is II-I-III-IV. Tarsal lobes lacking. Depression with peg (pe organ) on tarsus I proximally situated. Ambulacral claws and empodium normal for the subfamily. Trichobothrium (T) on tibiae IV is about one-and –a-half the length of tibia IV. Chaetotaxy of legs: coxae I–IV, 3sts, 1 peg (pe)-2 sts, 1 propodogastral sts-3 sts- 2 sts, 1 paracoxal sts; trochanters I–IV, 1-1-2-1 sts; basifemora I–IV, 1-3-3-1 sts; telofemora I–IV, 5-5-4-3 sts; genua I–IV, 3 solenidia (sol), 5 sts-2 sol, 5 sts-1 sol, 5 sts-1 sol, 5 sts; tibiae I–IV, 1 sol, 5 sts-1 sol, 5 sts-1 sol, 5 sts-1 sol, 5 sts; tarsi I–IV, 3 sol,2 terminal solenidia (tsl), 1 peg organ(peo)16 or 17 sts-1 sol, 1 tsl, 17 or 18 sts-1 tsl, 13 sts-12 sts.

Male and developmental stages. Unknown.

Etymology. This species is named for its unique feature amongst the Cunaxidae , viz. its club-like (Latinclava) sensillae.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 2. Coleobonzia clava sp. nov. Female. 1 a. Dorsum. 1 b. Sensilla. 2. Venter.

FIGURES 3 – 9. Coleobonzia clava sp. nov. Female. 3. Palp. 4. Chelicera. 5. Hypognathum. 6. Leg I. 7. Leg II. 8. Leg III. 9. Leg IV.