Neocypholaelaps ampullula (Berlese)

Narita, João P. Z., De, Gilberto J. & Fernando, Liyanage C. P., 2011, Two species of Neocypholaelaps from Sri Lanka (Acari: Ameroseiidae), with description of a new species, Zootaxa 2741, pp. 59-65 : 62-63

Neocypholaelaps ampullula (Berlese)

Laelaps ampullula Berlese, 1910: 260 .

Neocypholaelaps ampullula Evans, 1963: 214 .

Adult female (2 specimens measured)( Fig. 2 ).

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 2 A): Fixed cheliceral digit 40 long, apparently with two small, transversely aligned teeth next to the apical tooth; with a membranous lobe externally attached to digit; movable chelicerae digit 35 (33–37) long, edentate. Epistome with anterior margin w-shaped and denticulate; with a row of longitudinal lines immediately behind anterior margin, giving to this region a plicate appearance; with a row of denticles behind the row of longitudinal lines. Hypostomal setae with the following lengths: h1 28; h2 23, h3 40, sc 32.

Dorsal idiosoma: Dorsal shield entire, totally reticulated; reticula formed by single continuous lines; 583–600 long and 467 wide at level of s6. Dorsal seta lengths: j1 46 (45–47), j2 37 (35–39), j3 36 (35–37), j4 36 (35–37), j5 29 (28–30), j6 30, J2 29 (28–30), J4 29 (28–30), z2 39 (38–40), z4 37, z5 30, z6 35, Z1 28 (26–30), Z2 31 (30–32), Z4 32, Z5 41 (40–42), s1 34 (33–35), s2 34 (33–35), s4 35, s5 35, s6 33, S2 34 (33–35), S3 32 (30–33), S4 32 (30– 33), S5 32, r2 32 (30–33), r3 32 (30–33), r4 34 (33–35), r5 32 (30–33). Seta j1 leaf-shaped and barbed; setae j2, J4, Z4, Z5, S3, S4 and S5 stout and barbed; other setae stout and smooth.

Ventral idiosoma: Sternal shield smooth,65 long at midline and 135 (130–140) wide at level of st2. Genital shield 110 wide at the widest level. Anal shield 120 long and 200 wide at the widest level. Ventral seta lengths: st1 41 (40–42); st2 39 (38–40); st3 35 (33–37); st4 33; st5 35; Jv1 26 (25–27); Jv2 25; Jv3 25; Jv4 41 (40–42); Jv5 44 (42–45); Zv2 30. Setae Jv4 and Jv5 stout and barbed; other ventral setae are setiform and smooth.

Spermathecal apparatus ( Fig. 2 B): Induction pore apparently at postero-proximal region of coxa III; infundibulum (37 long) distinctly wider than tubulus (275 long), leading to wider ramus (10 long). Rami distinctly separated from each other when connecting to the sacculus.

Legs: All legs with pulvilli and claws. Length of the legs: I – 614; II – 512; III – 507; IV – 657.

Adult male (2 specimens measured)

Gnathosoma: Fixed cheliceral digit 50 long, apparently with two small, transversely aligned teeth next to the apical tooth; with a membranous lobe externally attached to digit; movable cheliceral digit 45 long. Epistome with anterior margin slightly convex and denticulate; other structures observed in females not distinguishable. Spermatodactyl 68 (65–70) long. Hypostomal setae lengths: h1 40; h2 25; h3 42, sc 30.

Dorsal idiosoma: Dorsal shield entire and ornamented as in female; 725 long and 525 wide at the widest level. Dorsal seta lengths: j1 54 (53–55); j2 49 (48–50); j3 36 (35–37); j4 35; j5 29 (28–30); j6 35; J2 110; J4 20; z2 35; z4 37; z5 29 (28–30); z6 30; Z1 36 (35–37); Z2 30; Z4 38; Z5 63; s1 26 (25–27); s2 36 (35–37); s4 38 (37–39); s5 34 (33–35); s6 27; S2 31 (30–32); S3 39 (38–40); S4 44 (43–45); S5 51 (50–52); r2 29 (28–30); r3 31 (30–32); r4 30; r5 30. Seta J2 rod-shaped and distally barbed, other dorsal setae as in female.

Ventral idiosoma: Sternogenital shield smooth 112 long and 85 wide at level of st3. Anal shield 150 long and 234 (232–235) wide at the widest level. Ventral setae lengths: st1 30; st2 35; st3 35; st4 31 (30–32); st5 36 (35–37); Jv1 32; Jv2 25; Jv3 32; Jv4 24 (23–25); Jv5 56 (55–57); Zv2 32. Setae Jv4 and Jv5 stout and barbed; other ventral setae setiform and smooth.

Legs: All legs with pulvilli and claws. Length of the legs: I – 658; II – 552; III – 545; IV – 757.

Material examined. Two females from inflorescences of C. nucifera ; Urapola (7o10’ N, 80o08’ E); July, 2003; two males from inflorescences of C. nucifera ; Mirigama; July, 2003. All specimens collected by G. J. de Moraes and deposited at Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Remarks. At least part of the females and males examined in the original description of this species were slightly larger than the specimens collected in this study. That is compatible with the slightly larger dimensions of the few setae and of the anal shield for the former specimens, mentioned in the original description.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Neocypholaelaps ampullula (Berlese) collected in this study. Female. A. View of epistome; B. Part of spermathecal apparatus. a: copulatory pore; b: infundibulum; c: tubulus; d: ramus; e: sacculus.