Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) lobatus Zannou, Moraes & Oliveira, 2008

Kreiter, Serge, Payet, Rose-My, Abo-Shnaf, Reham & Douin, Martial, 2021, New Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) of Mascareignes and Comoros Archipelagos (Indian Ocean): one new record, three new species groups and description of six new species and of six unknown males, Acarologia 61 (4), pp. 845-889 : 884-886

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) lobatus Zannou, Moraes & Oliveira

Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) lobatus Zannou, Moraes & Oliveira in Ueckermann et al. 2008: 59 .

Diagnosis. The male of this species has four solenostomes (gd2, gd4, gd6 and gd9), all dorsal setae sub-equal in length, smooth, except for Z4 and Z5 serrate and knobbed, peritreme extending to level between j3 and z2, four setae on ventrianal shield, one macroseta on basitarsus of leg IV, knobbed. This is a unique combination of characters that makes specimens of this species very different from all other species within the genus Typhlodromus , subgenus Anthoseius .

Description of adult male (n = 2, Figs. 16 a-d)

Dorsum ( Fig. 16a ) – Dorsal shield with some reticulations close to edges of dorsum from seta j3 to anteriad of R1 and less marked at level of setae S2- S4, 200–203 long and 105–125 wide, with only four pairs of visible solenostomes (gd2, gd4, gd6 and gd9), five pairs of poroids visible, 20 pairs of dorsal setae (r3 and R1 on dorsal shield): j1 13–14, j3 23, j4 17, j5 17, j6 20, J2 23, J5 9–10, z2 14–15, z3 20, z4 23–25, z5 19, Z4 23–24, Z5 25, s4 23 –24, s6 23 –24, S2 25, S4 20 –22, S5 18 –20, r3 20, R1 18. All setae smooth and sharp-tipped, except for Z4 and Z5 serrate and knobbed.

Peritreme and peritremal plate ( Fig. 16a ) – Extending to level between j3 and z2, much closer to z2 ; peritremal plate fused with dorsal shield at level between z4 and s4.

Venter ( Fig. 16b ) – Sternogenital shield smooth with few lateral striae, with five pairs of setae (st1-st5) and three pairs of poroids (iv1-iv3). Distances st1-st1 32–38, st2-st2 38–39, st3-st3 38–40, st1-st5 90–91, st4-st4 31–33, st5-st5 28–30. Ventrianal shield 84–88 long, 80–100 wide at anterior corners and 40–50 wide at level of para-anal setae. Ventrianal shield reticulate with four pairs of pre-anal setae (JV1-JV3 and ZV2) and no solenostome; a pair of iv5 and two pairs of ivo discernible. Unsclerotized cuticle arround ventrianal shield with a pair of setae (JV5). Seta JV5 smooth, 16–18 long.

Chelicerae ( Fig. 16c ). Fixed digit 15 long, with three teeth discernible; and movable digit 16 long, with one tooth discernible. Spermatodactyl shaft 13–14 and branch 7.

Legs ( Fig. 16d ). Legs IV with one knobbed macroseta similar to adult female on basitarsus IV: StIV 19–20. Chaetotactic formula of genua II and III similar to adult female: genu II 2-2/0, 2/0-1 ; genu III 1-2/1, 2/0-1.

Specimens examined. Two ♂♂ collected during this study, measured and deposited as complementary voucher material. MAURITIUS ISLAND: Morne-Brabant (249 m aasl, 20°22′05′′ S, 57°29′31′′ E), 1 ♀ and 1 ♂ on Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson ( Asteraceae ), 5/XI/2018. RODRIGUES ISLAND: Mont Lubin (346 m aasl, 19°42′21′′ S, 63°26′40′′ E), 1 ♂ on Urena lobata L. ( Malvaceae ), 15/XI/2018.

Voucher material. Two ♂♂ on two slides are deposited in Institut Agro (Montpellier SupAgro) – INRAE Acarology collection, Montpellier, France.

Remarks. Characters of males are very similar to that of females, except of course for length of setae and other characters. Ventrianal shield of the male is reticulate, while that of female not. All other characters are similar to adult female, and the male of this species is very similar to males of other species, making difficult the identification of the species without collection of males and females together.

Figures

Figure 16 Paratype male of Typhlodromus(Anthoseius) lobatusZannou, Moraes & Oliveira – a. Dorsal shield, b. Ventral shields, c. Movable degit and spermatodactyl, d. Genu, tibia and basitarsus of leg IV.