Microtrombicula paralios Webb and Loomis, 1970

Stekolnikov, Alexandr A., Capek, Miroslav & Literák, Ivan, 2022, New species and records of chiggers (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) from birds of the Neotropics, Zootaxa 5141 (6), pp. 501-552 : 542

Microtrombicula paralios Webb and Loomis, 1970

( Fig. 25 )

Microtrombicula paralios Webb and Loomis, 1970: 135 , fig. 2; Hoffmann 1990: 93, fig. 56; Daniel & Stekolnikov 2003b: 31.

Diagnosis. SIF = 5B1N-N-2-3111.1000; fsp = 7.7.7; fCx = 1.1.1; fSt = 2.2; fPp = B/B/BBB; fSc: PL> AM> AL; Ip = 607–637; fD = 2H-6-6-6-4-4(6)-2; DS = 30–32; V = 26–30; NDV = 57–60. Palpal claw two-pronged, outer prong smaller; scutum nearly pentagonal, sparsely punctated, with distinct anterolateral shoulders, with angulate posterior margin; AM anterior to level of AL; sensilla flagelliform, with 8–10 branches in distal part, far anterior to level of PL (PSB—P-PL = 8–10 µm); sternal setae with few cilia or nude, coxal seta I with 2 branches, coxal seta II looks nude, coxal seta III with 3 branches. Standard measurements of examined specimens given in Table 15.

Distribution. Mexico ( Webb & Loomis 1970) and Paraguay (this study).

Hosts . Myotis vivesi Ménégaux (= Pizonyx vivesi ) ( Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae ) ( Webb & Loomis 1970).

New host records: Dendrocolaptes platyrostris , Paroaria capitata .

Material examined. Nine larvae ( ZIN 8950–8955 , 8957–8959 ) ex D. platyrostris No PG 238, PARAGUAY: San Rafael Nat. Park, Kanguery, 23 August 2012; 1 larva ( ZIN 9116 ) ex P. capitata No PG 439, Tres Gigantes Biological Station , 8 September 2012 .

Remarks. This species is very similar, by all available characters, to Microtrombicul a fragibarba ( Brennan and Jones, 1960) , but the latter was described incompletely. A careful redescription of M. fragibarba is required to establish the possible conspecificity of these species.

Figures

FIGURE 25. Microtrombicula paralios Webb and Loomis, 1970, specimen ZIN 8957. A—general view, B—dorsal aspect of idiosoma, C—scutum, D—ventral aspect of idiosoma. Scale bars: 100 µm (A), 50 µm (B–D).