Opsonyssus asiaticus Fain, 1959

Bochkov, Andre V., Zabludovskaya, Svetlana & Oconnor, Barry M., 2008, Phylogeny and systematics of the endoparasitic astigmatid mites (Acari: Sarcoptiformes) of mammals: families Gastronyssidae, Lemurnyssidae, and Pneumocoptidae, Zootaxa 1951 (1), pp. 1-152 : 75

5. Opsonyssus asiaticus Fain, 1959

( Fig. 34 )

Opsonyssus asiaticus Fain 1959a: 10 , figs. 7–8, 13, 1967: 30.

Redescription. FEMALE (4 paratypes). Body, including gnathosoma, 355–380 long, 145–175 wide. Ventral projections of subcapitulum 50–60 long, slightly curved, situated ventro-laterally. Propodonotal shield length 55–60, maximum width 70–75. Posterior margin of propodonotal shield widely rounded. Setae se 7–8 long. Idiosoma dorsally finely and irregularly striated. Alveoli of setae c3 present, situated at coxal apodemes III; setae 4b and ps3 absent. Setae g and h3 represented by alveoli. Setae h2 65–68 long. Sternum about 45 long. Lateral projections of sternal branches absent. Foramen between sternum and fusion of apodemes II absent. Posterior projections of coxal fields I narrow, tongue-like, about 22 long, 16 wide. Posterior apodemes of coxal fields II short, about 13 long, with free distal ends. Apodemes of coxal fields III fused to each other medially and with epigynum. Epigynum about 14 long, 12 wide. Inseminatory canal about 22 long. Distal ends of coxal apodemes IV fused with sclerotized areas of oviporus by narrow sclerotized bands. Setae g situated at these apodemes. Sclerotized areas between setae h2 and h3 absent. Setae vF I–II about 25 long. Trochanters III–IV ventrally with distinctly developed, tongue-like protrusions. Setae kT III situated in basal part of tibiae.

MALE (1 paratype). Body, including gnathosoma, 300 long, 145 wide. Ventral projections of subcapitulum 45 long, slightly curved, situated laterally. Propodonotum as in female. Propodonotal shield length 55–60, maximum width 70–75. Setae se 8 long. Idiosoma dorsally finely and irregularly striated. Alveoli of setae c3, 4b, ps2 and microspines ps3 present. Alveoli c3 and 4b situated at coxal apodemes III–IV, respectively. Setae g and h3 represented by microspines. Setae h2 58–65 long. Sternum 47 long. Lateral projections of sternal branches absent. Posterior projections of coxal fields I tongue-like, distinctly developed, 17 long, 17 wide. Foramen between sternum and fusion of apodemes II absent. Posterior apodemes of coxal fields II short, 14 long, with free distal ends. Apodemes of coxal fields III fused to each other. Pregenital sclerite completely fused with apodemes of coxae IV. Apodemes IV bearing setae 4b. Aedeagus, excluding the most anterior part, crimped, folded in a complicated fashion ( Fig. 34F ). Adanal shields fused to each other and almost completely reduced, devoid of setae, situated immediately anterior to level of setae ps3. Setae vF I–II about 20 long. Trochanters III–IV ventrally with distinctly developed, tongue-like protrusions. Setae kT III situated in basal part of tibiae.

TRITONYMPH. Setae si, c2, g, and 4a absent, delayed to adult.

Type material examined. Four female, 1 male, and 1 tritonymph paratypes ( IRSNB) from Pteropus giganteus (Brünnich) (Pteropodidae) [nasal cavities], unknown locality in Asia [mites were removed from alcohol preserved bats housed in IRSNB; these bats died in the Antwerp Zoo, Belgium].

Type deposition. Holotype is deposited in IRSNB.

Non-type material examined. Four females and 1 male ( IRSNB) from Pteropus giganteus [nasal cavities], unknown locality in Asia [mites were removed from bats that died in the Antwerp Zoo]; 1 female, 2 male, 2 tritonymphs and 1 protonymph ( UMMZ) ( BMOC 83-1600 - 042 ) from Pteropus pumilus Miller ( UMMZ 158905 ) [nasal cavities], PHILIPPINES: Negros Oriental, Lake Balinsasayao , 09°21'11"N, 123°10'45"E, 4 October 1982, coll. P.D. Heideman ( PDH 924 ) .

Host range and distribution. This species is known from Pteropus giganteus (type host) and Pteropus melanopogon Peters. These host specimens died in the Antwerp Zoo, and their original collection localities are unknown ( Fain 1959a). Pteropus pumilio from the Philippines is a new host for this species.

Figures

FIGURE 34. Opsonyssus asiaticus Fain, 1959, female (A–D). A, ventral view; B, propodonotal shield; C, apodemes I fused with propodonotal shield; D, bursa copulatrix. Male (E, F). E, opisthosoma in ventral view; F, aedeagus. Scale bars: 100 µm (A, E), 50 µm (B–D, F).