Axonopsella ovalis Wiles, 1997

Smit, Harry, 2013, New records of water mites mainly from Vogelkop, New Guinea (Acari: Hydrachnidia), with the description of one new genus and thirteen new species, Zootaxa 3716 (2), pp. 207-235 : 233

Axonopsella ovalis Wiles, 1997

( Figures 69–73 )

Material examined. 1/0/0, stream Warmarai, S of Manokwari, West Papua Province, 1° 0 5.987 S 134° 0 5.514 E, alt. 16 m asl, 13-xi-2011.

Description. Male: Colour pale yellow. Idiosoma 332 long and 267 wide, widest in anterior part. Antenniform setae not on a separate platelet. D2 apparently without associated setae. First coxae not extending to anterior idiosoma margin. Suture lines separating Cx-I from Cx-II complete, suture lines between Cx-II and Cx-III developed only laterally, between Cx-III and -IVobliterated both medially and laterally. Cx-IV posterlaterally forming acute angles flanking the genital field. Projections associated with insertions of fourth legs broadly rounded. Gonopore 27 long, lateral to gonopore three pairs of glandularia, most anterior glandularia lying on fourth coxal plates. Four pairs of acetabula located far posterior to genital field on the posteroventral idiosoma surface, an anterior pair distanced from posterior three pairs (one of these lying more caudally than the other two pairs, and therefore visible in ventral view only as a bulging of the posterior margin), the latter lying caudally. Lengths of PI- PV: 27, 40, 26, 48, 26; PV slender, only slightly extending ventrally. Lengths of I-leg-4–6: 50, 56, 40. Lengths of II-leg-4–6: 54, 71, 52. Second leg somewhat modified, leg segments stockier than in other legs and claw enlarged. Lengths of IV-leg-4–6: 52, 67, 50. IV-leg-4 with a distoventral extension with a curved heavy seta characerized by a triangular extension on its concave margin. Moreover, extension of IV-leg-4 with a minute seta, but not clear if inserted on the curved seta or directly on the extension. IV-leg-4 and -5 each with a short swimming seta.

Remarks. The assignment of the male to A. ovalis is based on the idiosoma shape (widest in the anterior idiosoma part) and the elongated gnathosomal bay. A rheophilic species, occurring in streams.

Figures

FIGURES 69 – 73. Axonopsella ovalis Wiles, male: 69. Dorsal view; 70. Ventral view; 71. Palp; 72. I-leg- 4 – 6; 73. IV-leg- 4 – 6. Scale bars = 50 µm.