Neoaulonastus SKORACKI, 2004

Skoracki, M., Antczak, M., Riegert, J., Fainova, D. & Mikes, V., 2009, New Species And New Records Of Quill Mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) Inhabiting African Passerines (Aves: Passeriformes), Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 55 (2), pp. 123-137 : 129-131

Genus Neoaulonastus SKORACKI, 2004

The genus Neoaulonastus comprises only one species: N. scirpaceus SKORACKI, 1999 described from tail feathers of the Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus (HERMANN) ( Sylviidae ), from Poland ( SKORACKI 1999). These mites occupy the quills of tail and secondary wing feathers. Below, we give the description of a new species of this genus found inside quills of the African Yellow White-eye, Zosterops senegalensis BONAPARTE ( Zosteropidae ).

Neoaulonastus zosterops SKORACKI, ANTCZAK et RIEGERT sp. n.

( Figs 8–12 )

Female. Total body length of holotype 495 (500–530 in 6 paratypes). Gnathosoma . Hypostomal apex rounded, with 2 pairs of small and blunt-ended hypostomal lips. Each lateral branch of M-shaped peritremes with 2 chambers, each longitudinal branch with 4–5 chambers ( Fig. 10 ). Cheliceral digit 90 (90–95), long. Stylophore rounded posteriorly, 130 (130–135) long. Subcapitulum, well sclerotized and sparsely punctured. Idiosoma . Propodonotal shield very weakly sclerotized, striations on whole surface visible and anterior and posterior margins indiscernible ( Fig. 11 ). Setae sce and d1 situated at same transverse level. Length ratio of setae ve: sci: d1 1:1:8–10. Hysteronotal shield very weakly sclerotized, all margins indiscernible, situated between bases of setae d2 and l2. Bases of setae d2 located half distance to l1 compared to l2. Setae l1 1.4–1.8 times shorter than d2 and 1.3–1.5 times shorter than l2. Pygidial shield, well sclerotized in middle and posterior part, anterior margin not evident. Setae d4 and d5 subequal in length and about twice shorter than l4. Length ratio of paragenital setae pg1: pg2: pg3 1.4–1.6:1:1.8–2. Genital setae (g1, g2) subequal in length, and 1.7 times longer than anal setae (a1, a2). Cuticular striations as in figures 8 and 9. Legs. Coxal fields weakly sclerotized and sparsely punctured. Fan-like setae p ’ and p ” of legs III and IV with 6–7 tines ( Fig. 12 ). Setae tc ” III–IV about 1.5–1.7 times longer than tc’III–IV. Setae cxIII2 1.7 times longer than cxIII1. Length of setae: ve 20 (20–30); sci 20 (20–30); h 155 (155–180); sce 180 (170–190); l1 95 (80–105); l2 115 (115–125); l4 85 (70–80); l5 260 (260–270); d1 205 (195–205); d2 130 (130–150); d4 25 (20–30); d5 25 (20–30); a1 and a2 15 (15); g1 and g2 25 (25); pg1 60 (45); pg2 45 (40–50); pg3 90 (75–90); sc3 25 (25–30); sc4 20 (20–25); tc’III–IV 25 (20–30); tc”III–IV 40 (35–40); cxIII1 20 (20); cxIII2 35 (35–40).

Male. Not found.

Type material. Holotype female, 6 female and 10 nymphal paratypes from quill of secondary of the African Yellow White-eye , Zosterops senegalensis BONAPARTE, 1850 ( Passeriformes : Zosteropidae ); Western Africa, Cameroon, 6.12.2006; coll. J. Riegert. Specimens deposited: holotype and 4 female paratypes deposited at AMU, 1 female paratype at ZIN, 1 female paratype at MRAC.

Etymology. The name zosterops refers to the generic name of the type host, Zosterops senegalensis .

Differential diagnosis. Neoaulonastus zosterops sp. n. is distinguished from

N. scirpaceus SKORACKI, 1999 by the number of chambers in longitudinal branch of the peritremes and degree of sclerotization of the propodonotal and hysteronotal shields, and coxal fields. In females of N. zosterops , each longitudinal branch of the peritremes has 4 chambers ( Fig. 10 ), the propodonotal and hysteronotal shields and the coxal fields I–IV are weakly sclerotized and the striations are visible ( Fig. 11 ). In females of N. scirpaceus , each longitudinal branch of the peritremes has 8 chambers ( Fig. 13 ), the propodonotal and hysteronotal shields and the coxal fields I–IV are well sclerotized, and the striations are not visible ( Fig. 14 ).

peritremes, 14 = propodonotal shield. Scale lines 20 µm for figs 10, 12, 13, 50 µm for figs 11, 14

Figures

Figs 8–9. Neoaulonastus zosterops sp. n., female: 8 = dorsal view, 9 = ventral view

Figs 10–14. Neoaulonastus spp., females.10–12 = N.zosterops sp. n.: 10 = peritremes, 11 = region of propodonotal shield, 12 = fan-like seta p’ of leg III. 13–14 = N. scirpaceus SKORACKI, 1999: 13 =