Philippipalpus nigraquercus Seeman and Beard

Beard, Jennifer J., Seeman, Owen D. & Bauchan, Gary R., 2014, Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) from Casuarinaceae (Fagales), Zootaxa 3778 (1), pp. 1-157 : 124-127

Philippipalpus nigraquercus Seeman and Beard sp. nov.

( Figs 105–106)

Type material examined. Holotype female ex. Black She-Oak Allocasuarina littoralis (Casuarinaceae) , AUSTRALIA: Australian Capital Territory, Symonston, Canberra, Mugga Lane, 35°23’05” S 149°08’10” E, 25 February 2009, coll. J.J.Beard. Paratypes. 3 females, 1 male, 4 deutonymphs, 4 protonymphs, same data as holotype (QM).

Non-type material examined. 1 female ex. Allocasuarina littoralis , AUSTRALIA: Australian Capital Territory, Canberra, Gordon, Murrumbidgee River, Point Hut Crossing, 35°27’04” S 149°04’31” E, 27 January 2009, coll. J.J. Beard (QM).

Diagnosis. Distance between setae v2 -h1 330–350. Distance between e2-e2 135–145. Prodorsal shield with coarse irregular oblique folds and narrow depressions sublaterally; medially with weaker folded to weakly reticulate sculpturing. Cuticle between prodorsal and opisthosomal shields (sejugal region) weakly striatereticulate. Opisthosomal shield with distinct paired mesonotal regions and pygidial region; mesonotal regions separated from each other by smooth cuticle; mesonotal and pygidial region separated by band of somewhat smooth cuticle with weak irregular transverse striae; with distinct longitudinal band of smooth cuticle between c1- h1, cuticle finely punctate. Lateral cuticle with 20–40 weak papillae. Cuticle between 3a-4a with mixed striae. Spermatheca elongate, 2 x 1, with grainy appearance.

FEMALE (n = 5). Dorsum. ( Fig. 105) Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 330–350 [345], sc2- sc2 110–115 [115]; other measurements: v2-v 2 26–32 [32], sc1-sc1 84–87 [84], c1-c 1 29–31 [29], c3-c3 150–160 [150], d1-d 1 18–20 [18], d3-d3 125–130 [130], e1- e 1 13–18 [18], e2-e2 135–145 [145], e3-e3 110–120 [120], f3-f3 84–93 [93], h1-h 1 28–32 [32], h2-h2 60–71 [71]. Gnathosoma concealed by prodorsum. Anterior margin of prodorsum with deep medial notch (internal depth 20–22 [20]) forming 1 pair of broad fleshy lobes, each bearing setae v2. Prodorsal shield with coarse irregular oblique folds and weak narrow depressions sublaterally; medially with weaker folded to weakly reticulate sculpturing and region of smooth cuticle with fine punctations. Cuticle between prodorsal and opisthosomal shields (sejugal region) weakly striate-reticulate. Opisthosomal shield with distinct paired mesonotal regions and pygidial region; mesonotal regions separated from each other by smooth cuticle; mesonotal and pygidial region separated by band of somewhat smooth cuticle with weak irregular transverse striae; with distinct longitudinal band of smooth cuticle between c1-h1, cuticle finely punctate. Lateral soft cuticle mostly smooth, with 20–40 weak papillae. All dorsal shield short, thick, barbed, with longitudinal barbed ridges, triangular in cross-section (except e1). Setal lengths: v 2 16–19 [19], sc 1 14–15 [15], sc 2 19–21 [21], c 1 17–20 [17], c 3 17–19 [17], d 1 15–19 [19], d 3 19–21 [21], e 1 9 –12 [12], e 2 18 –21 [19], e 3 17 –18 [18], f 3 18–20 [20], h 1 12–14 [14], h 2 17–19 [19]. Palps. Setal formula 0, 0, 0, 2, 3(1s+2e). Tibial setae, dorsal 7–8 [8] long, ventral 10–12 [12] long; tarsal eupathidia, thin 5 [5] long, thick 6–7 [7] long; solenidion 6 [6] long. Venter. Cuticle anterolaterad 1a with granular appearance; cuticle between 1b-1a with longitudinal striae; 1a-3a with transverse striae; striae mixed between 3a-3a; cuticle between 3a-4a with transverse to wavy striae; 4a-4a with mixed striae becoming transverse posterior to 4a; 4a to genital region with longitudinal striae. Genital setae inserted in more-orless transverse row along posterior margin of genital shield, setae g1 inserted slightly posterior to g2. Genital shield smooth, weakly developed, membranous. All coxal setae fine. Setal lengths: 1a 38–58 [38], 1b 20–23 [20], 2b 16– 18 [16], 2c 17–20 [17], 3a 35–57 [35], 3b 9–16 [9], 4a 26–35 [35], 4b 13–14 [13], ag 1 15–18 [18], g 1 22–23 [23], g 2 22–23 [23], ps 1 10–11 [11], ps2 16 [16], ps 3 16–18 [17]. Spermatheca. Spermathecal tube long and narrow, 95– 110 [95] long. Spermatheca vesicle small (2 x 2 Μm), rounded, subtended by 1 pair of circular accessory structures. Genital opening anteromedad anal setae ps3. Legs. Setal formula for legs I–IV (coxae to tarsi) 1-0-3-1-4-8(1), 2-0- 3-1-4-8(1), 1-1-2-0-2-4, 1-0-1-0-2-4. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (9–11 [10] long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (6–7 [6] long). Leg setation as in Table 1 except: coxae I without 1c; tr I–IV without v ′ (l' present on tr III); ge I–III without l ′, ge I–II without v ′; ti III–IV without d; ta I–IV without tc ′′.

MALE (n = 1). Dorsum. ( Fig. 106) Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 245, sc2-sc2 86; other measurements: v2-v2 20, sc1-sc1 65, c1-c1 25, c3-c3 113, d1-d1 11, d2-d2 94, d3-d3 85, e1- e1 13, e3- e3 76, f3-f3 58, h1-h1 10, h2-h2 36. Gnathosoma concealed beneath prodorsum. Anterior margin of prodorsum with deep medial notch (internal depth 20) forming 1 pair of broad fleshy lobes, each bearing setae v2. Prodorsal shield with wrinkled oblique ridge-like sculpturing sublaterally; medial cuticle mostly smooth with minute punctations. Opisthosoma with well developed mesonotal and pygidial shields; cuticle on shields with wrinkled or folded sculpturing and fine punctations. Three pairs of large pores visible, 1 pair each medad c3, medad d3, between e2- e3. Cuticle between shields with strong widely separated folds. Lateral soft cuticle mostly smooth, with some papillae laterad setae d3-e3. All dorsal shield short, lanceolate, barbed, with longitudinal barbed ridges; medial setae broader than lateral setae: v2 16, sc1 15, sc2 16, c1 14, c3 17, d1 10, d2 14, d3 17, e1 9, e3 15, f3 17, h1 11, h2 17. Palps. Palps similar to female. Tibial setae, dorsal 6 long, ventral 7 long; tarsal eupathidia both 6 long; solenidion 5 long. Vent er. Cuticle between 1a-1a with longitudinal striae, all remaining striae transverse, becoming coarse on opisthosoma. Coxal setae fine, except 2c slightly thicker than other setae. Setae ag1, g1, g2, ps2, ps3 slightly thickened, with few barbs; setae ps1 modified to form thick blades (sexually dimorphic). Setal lengths: 1a 50, 1 b 17, 2 b 15, 2 c 15, 3a 26, 3 b 13, 4a 35, 4 b 11, ag1 13, g1 12, g2 13, ps1 16, ps2 4, ps3 4. Aedeagus. Narrow, sclerotised, tapering; straight for 35, then curved for 33, apically bent and fine for ca. 40. Membranous duct runs from inside aedeagus, becoming indistinguishable. Legs. Setal formula same as female. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (ta I 13 long, ta II 12 long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (ta I 8 long; ta II 7 long). Solenidia slightly thicker and longer than in female.

DEUTONYMPH (n = 4). Dorsum. Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 240–290, sc2-sc2 83– 98; other measurements: v2-v 2 22–27, sc1-sc1 69–80, c1-c 1 22–28, c3-c3 110–133, d1-d 1 14–18, d2-d2 88–110 (1 specimen with 2 setae in d2 position on left hand side only), d3-d3 85–110, e1- e 1 13–14, e3- e3 73–90, f3-f3 58–69, h1-h 1 17–24, h2-h 2 27–48. Anterior margins of prodorsum rounded, not incised medially. Prodorsal shield weakly developed with few wrinkles or folds. Opisthosomal shields not developed, cuticle mostly folded transversely, becoming oblique-longitudinal posteriorly. All dorsal setae short, lanceolate, barbed, with longitudinal barbed ridges. Setal lengths: v 2 18–22, sc1 69–80, sc 2 16–21, c 1 17–21, c 3 20–22, d 1 11–18, d 2 18–21, d 3 18–20, e 1 9 – 13, e 3 17 –21, f 3 17–20, h 1 11–17, h 2 18–20. Palps. Palps similar to adult. Tibial setae, dorsal 7 long, 4–5 long; tarsal eupathidia 5, 3 long; solenidion 3 long. Venter. Cuticle smooth, with transverse striae behind cx IV, abruptly becoming longitudinal to genital area; fine striae become coarse lateral to genital area. Striae broken in small area anteromedial to 1a. All coxal setae fine. Setal lengths: 1a 35–40, 1 b 10–16, 2 b 11–13, 2 c 17–20, 3 a 29–30, 3 b 9– 12, 4 a 26–30, 4 b 8–12, ag 1 8–11, g 1 13–15, ps 1 9–10, ps2 7–9, ps3 6–7. Legs. Setal formula for legs I–IV same as adult. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (4 long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (5, 4 long).

PROTONYMPH (n = 4). Dorsum. Body measurements: distance between setae v2 -h1 180–205, sc1-sc1 65– 66; other measurements: v2-v 2 16–22, sc2-sc2 73–78, c1-c 1 18–22, c3-c3 95–105, d1-d 1 13–15, d2-d2 74–79, d3- d3 67–74, e1- e1 6–8, e3- e3 58–70, f3-f3 45–50, h1-h 1 10–14, h2-h 2 28–32. Prodorsal shield weakly developed with few wrinkles or folds. Opisthosomal shields absent; cuticle with sparse wrinkles or folds and coarse striae. All dorsal shield short, lanceolate, barbed. Setal lengths: v 2 17–18, sc 1 14–16, sc 2 17–19, c 1 15–18, c 3 15–18, d 1 14– 16, d2 17, d 3 18–20, e 1 9 –10, e 3 15 –17, f 3 15–17, h 1 11–14, h 2 13–17. Palps. Palps similar to adult. Tibial setae, dorsal 6 long, ventral 4 long; tarsal eupathidia 4, 3 long; solenidion 3 long. Venter. Cuticle smooth, with transverse striae behind cx IV, abruptly becoming longitudinal to genital area; fine striae become coarse lateral to genitoanal region. Striae broken in small area anteromedial to 1a. All coxal setae fine. Setal lengths: 1a 30, 1 b 11–12, 2 c 12– 15, 3 a 20–25, 3 b 8, ag1 6, ps1 4–5, ps2 3–5, ps3 3–5. Legs. Setal formula (coxae to tarsi) 1-0-3-0-4-8(1), 1-0-3-0- 4-8(1), 1-1-2-0-2-4, 0-0-1-0-2-3. Tarsi I and II each with 1 antiaxial solenidion ω" (3 long) and 2 eupathidia pζ'-pζ" (ta I 4 long; ta II 4, 3 long). Leg setation as in Table 1 except: cx I without 1c; ge I–III without l ′; ti III–IV without d; ta I–III without tc ′′.

LARVA. Unknown.

Etymology. The specific name derives from the latinisation of the common name of the host “Black Oak”.

Remarks. Philippipalpus nigraquercus lacks the extensive papillation of soft cuticle around both dorsal shields that is present in Philippipalpus agohoi and Ph. flumaquercus . Philippipalpus nigraquercus females have more papillate cuticle lateral to the opisthosomal shields, smoother cuticle between setae c1-h1 than do females of Ph. belah . Regarding the latter difference, female of Ph. nigraquercus have a medial longitudinal band of smooth cuticle between c1-h1, whereas the cuticle in this region on Ph. belah is wrinkled and folded similar to the lateral opisthosoma.