Neoaulonastus caligatus, Skoracki, 2011

Skoracki, Maciej, 2011, Quill mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) of the Palaearctic region 2840, Zootaxa 2840 (1), pp. 1-414 : 120

Neoaulonastus caligatus sp. nov.

( Figs. 85 and 86 )

Type host: Iduna caligata (Lichtenstein) ( Passeriformes : Sylviidae ). Type locality: Europe.

Description. FEMALE (holotype). Total body length 555 (530–570 in 2 paratypes). Gnathosoma . Infracapitulum apunctate. Each medial branch of peritremes with 2–3 chambers, each lateral branch with 7–8 chambers. Length of stylophore and movable cheliceral digit 135 (140–145) and 100 (100–105) respectively. Idiosoma . Propodonotal shield with concave anterior margin and indistinct posterior margin, apunctate. Length ratio of setae ve:si 1:1. Setae se situated slightly anterior to level of c1. Hysteronotal shield not fused to pygidial shield, apunctate, situated between bases of setae d1 and e2. Pygidial shield well sclerotized, punctate in posterior part. Length ratio of setae f1:f2 1:3. Length ratio of aggenital setae ag1:ag2:ag3 1:1:1.5. Pseudanal setae ps1 and ps2 subequal in length. Both pairs of genital setae subequal in length. All coxal fields densely punctate. Setae 3c about twice as long as 3b. Legs. Fan-like setae p’ and p” of legs III and IV with 6 tines. Setae tc” of legs III and IV 1.7–1.8 times longer than and tc’ III–IV. Lengths of setae: ve 40 (40–50), si 45 (45–65), se 205 (210–230), c1 230 (215–235), c2 190 (190– 200), d1 115 (105), d2 (75–85), e2 105 (105–120), f1 30 (30), f2 90 (90–95), h1 30 (30), h2 (295–305), ps1 and ps2 20 (20–25), g1 and g2 20 (20–25), ag1 65, ag2 70 (65), ag3 105 (100–105), tc’ III–IV 30 (30), tc” III–IV 55 (50– 55), 3b 20 (20–25), 3c 50 (45–50).

MALE. Unknown.

Type material. Iduna caligata (Lichtenstein) ( Passeriformes : Sylviidae ): female holotype and 3 female paratypes ( AMU –SYR.240) (bod.); EUROPE, no other data. Host specimen deposited in the MNHW .

Type deposition. All material deposited in the AMU .

Host range and habitat. Monoxenous species inhabiting quills of body feathers of Iduna caligata .

Distribution. Europe.

Etymology. The name caligatus refers to the specific name of the host.

Differential diagnosis. This new species is also morphologicaly similar to the newly described species N. aegithalos . In females of both species, setae f2 are no more than 3.5 times longer than f1; each lateral branch of the peritremes has 6–8 chambers and the fan-like setae of legs III and IV have 5–6 tines. N. caligatus differs from N. aegithalos by the presence of following characters: in females of N caligatus , aggenital setae ag1 and ag2 are subequal in the length; the hysteronotal shield is present; setae f2 are 3 times longer than f1; the lengths of setae ve and si are 40–50 and 45–65, respectively. In females of N. aegithalos , aggenital setae ag1 are 1.6–1.8 times longer than ag2; the hysteronotal shield is absent; setae f2 are 2–2.5 times longer than f1; the lengths of setae ve and si are 30– 35 and 30, respectively.

Figures

FIGURE 85. Neoaulonastus caligatus sp. nov., female. A, dorsal view; B, ventral view.

FIGURE 86. Neoaulonastus caligatus sp. nov., female. A, hypostomal apex in dorsal view; B, peritremes; C, opisthosoma in ventral view; D, fan-like seta p’ of leg III. Scale bars: C = 50 µm; A, B, D = 20 µm.