Axonopsella bisetosa, Smit, Harry, 2013

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 : 231-233

Axonopsella bisetosa n. sp.

( Figures 64–68 )

Material examined. Holotype male, small stream upstream of Kobrey, near lake Gigi, Anggi Lakes, West Papua Province, 1° 23.328 S 133° 54.345 E, alt. 2008 m asl, 16-xi-2011 (RMNH).

Diagnosis. Male: Antenniform setae on a separate platelet. In addition to the three pairs of acetabula flanking the gonopore, three pairs of acetabula located at the caudal idiosoma margin and directed caudally. Claws of II-leg- 6 slightly enlarged, IV-leg-4 with a distal spur bearing two enlarged heavy, curved setae nearly equal in size.

Description. Male: Colour pale yellow. Idiosoma 405 long and 295 wide. Antenniform setae on an unpaired separate platelet. Cx-I slightly extending beyond anterior idiosoma margin. Suture lines between CX-II and Cx-III, and between Cx-III and Cx-IV obliterated. Projections associated with insertions of fourth legs present. Genital field close to coxal field, laterally of genital field three pairs of glandularia. Between genital field and acetabula one pair of glandularia. Gonopore 38 long. Three pairs of acetabula located caudally. Lengths of PI-PV: 21, 50, 24, 54, 24; PIV rather stocky, with a ventral extension. Lengths of I-leg-4–6: 54, 64, 40. Lengths of II-leg-4–6: 72, 76, 54; claw of II-leg-6 slightly enlarged. Lengths of IV-leg-4–6: 58, 66, 70. IV-leg-4 with an anteroventral extension, with two heavy, broad and curved setae of nearly equal size. Legs without swimming setae.

Female: Unknown.

Etymology. Named for the two heavy setae of IV-leg-4.

Remarks. The new species is most close to A. pilbara Smit, 1996 from northwestern Australia in the configuration of the ventral glandularia, from which it differs in the presence of two heavy setae of IV-leg-4 (one in A. pilbara ); these heavy setae of the new species have a broader base compared to the A. pilbara . Moreover, the claws of the second leg of A. pilbara are not modified.

Figures

FIGURES 64 – 68. Axonopsella bisetosa n. sp., holotype male: 64. Dorsal view; 65. Ventral view; 66. Palp; 67. I-leg- 4 – 6; 68. IV-leg- 4 – 6. Scale bars = 50 µm.