Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese)

El-Banhawy, E. M. & Knapp, M., 2011, Mites of the family Phytoseiidae Berlese from Kenya (Acari: Mesostigmata) 2945, Zootaxa 2945 (1), pp. 1-176 : 44-45

Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese)

( Fig. 72 )

Seius degenerans Berlese, 1889 , 54: 9.

Iphiseius degenerans .— Berlese, 1921: 95; Evans, 1954: 517; Athias-Henriot, 1957: 335; Chant, 1960: 110.

Iphiseius martigellus El-Badry, 1968: 433 .

Material examined. Kenya, 2 females, Mt . Kenya, salient main road, altitude 2000 m, July 13, 2004; 1 female, Mt . Kenya, Gachurimi, Embu side, altitude 1993 m, July 17, 2004; 4 females, Marigat, Kabarnet Rd, altitude 1799 m, March 2005; 1 female, Nyahururu (Thompson Falls) altitude 2500 m, May 6, 2006; 1 female Taita Hills, altitude 1630 m, July 1, 2006; 8 females, Kisii, altitude 1692 m, July 22, 2006; 3 females, Kakamega rain forest, altitude 1620 m, July 24, 2006; 3 females, Mbita Point, altitude 1300 m, December 9, 2005; 37 females, Mfangano Island , altitude 1300 m, December 10, 2005; 6 females Rusinga Island , Nyanza Province , altitude 1300 m, (El-Banhawy) .

Female: Dorsal shield heavily sclerotised, dark brown colour, almost as long as wide, 360 long, 345 wide. Measurements of dorsal setae: j1 23, Z5 12, JV5 14, remaining setae minute. Peritrematal shield fused anteriorly with dorsal shield, reaching level of z2. Sternal shield reticulated, posterior margin with a forked projection, distances between St I-St III 46, St II-St II 64, St IV on platelets. Genital shield reticulated, 100 wide. Ventral shield dark brown 32 long, 74 wide, with a pair of crescentic pre-anal pores, and three pairs of pre-anal setae (JV1, JV2, ZV2); anal shield 64 long, 74 wide. Two pairs of metapodal platelets, two pairs of sigillar sclerites and four pairs of setae surrounding ventral and anal shields. Fixed digit of chelicera with six small teeth, two clustered distally, four equally distributed medially, movable digit with one or two teeth. Spermatheca calyx slender, elongate, 22 long, slightly flared distally, atrium small, minor duct prominent. Macrosetae bulbous, Sge II 23, Sge III 35, Sge IV 30, Sti IV 25, St IV 38. Chaetotaxy: genu II 2, 2/0, 2/0, 1, genu III 1, 2/1, 2/0, 1.

Male: Chaetotaxy of dorsal shield same as in female. Ventral shield reticulated, dark brown colour, 86 long, 210 wide, with a pair of crescentic pre-anal pores, and three pairs of pre-anal setae; anal shield, 63 long, 75 wide. Spermatodactyl straight, shaft 22 long.

Remarks. The female holotype and male paratype were collected from leaves and moss, Italy ( Berlese, 1889). This species has been collected from many countries in the old and new world. In Africa, it is widely distributed.

Figures

FIGURE 72. Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese) (Female). A. Dorsal shield; B. Ventral shields; C. Chelicera; D. Spermatheca; E. Genu II; F. Genu III; G. Leg IV; (Male). H. Ventri-anal shield; I. Spermatodactyl.