Aculus cuihuae, Xue, Xiao-Feng, Song, Zi-Wei & Hong, Xiao-Yue, 2008

Xue, Xiao-Feng, Song, Zi-Wei & Hong, Xiao-Yue, 2008, Eight new species of the genus Aculus Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) from China, Zootaxa 1721, pp. 35-52 : 43

Aculus cuihuae sp. nov.

( Fig. 4 )

Description. FEMALE: (n = 8) Body fusiform, 245 (188–247), 72 (68–72) wide, 70 (69–72) thick; light yellow. Gnathosoma 22 (21–23), projecting obliquely down, pedipalp coxal setae (ep) 3 (3–4), dorsal pedipalp genual setae (d) 8 (7–8), cheliceral stylets 22 (21–22). Prodorsal shield 41 (39–41), 60 (60–62) wide; semicircular; anterior shield lobe broad; median line present on basal 1/4, admedian and submedian lines complete, connected at basal 2/3. Scapular tubercles on rear margin, 35 (32–35) apart, scapular setae (sc) 22 (19– 22) projecting posteriorly. Coxal plates with granules; anterolateral setae on coxisternum І (1b) 15 (13–15), proximal setae on coxisternum І (1a) 30 (30–31), proximal setae on coxisternum І (2a) 52 (41–52). Prosternal apodeme present. Legs with usual series of setae. Legs І 34 (32–36), femur 10 (10–11), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 11 (10–12); genu 5 (5–6), antaxial genual setae (l'') 23 (22–24); tibia 9 (8–9), paraxial tibial setae (l') 5 (5–6), setae located 1/3 from proximal tibial margin; tarsus 6 (5–6); tarsal empodium simple, 4-rayed, tarsal solenidion knobbed. Legs І 30 (27–31), femur 8 (8–9), basiventral femoral setae (bv) 11 (10–11); genu 4 (4–5), antaxial genual setae (l'') 8 (8–9); tibia 7 (7–8); tarsus 6 (5–6); tarsal empodium simple, 4-rayed, tarsal solenidion knobbed. Opisthosoma: opisthosoma dorsally with 31 (29–32) annuli, smooth, ventrally with 58 (57–60) annuli, with round microtubercles. Setae c2 26 (25–27) on ventral annulus 9 (9–10); setae d 49 (41–50) on ventral annulus 22 (22–23); setae e 16 (16–17) on ventral annulus 39 (37–39), setae f 28 (27–29) on 5th ventral annulus from rear. Setae h1 3 (3–4). Female genitalia 14 (14–15), 27 (26–28) wide, coverflap with 8 longitudinal ridges and transverse lines at base, proximal setae on coxisternum ІІ (3a) 16 (16–17). MALE: Unknown.

Type material. Holotype, female, China: Shaanxi Province, Xi’an City, Cuihua Mountain, 34.98°N, 109.00°E, elevation 901m. June 28, 2006, from Ribes sp. ( Saxifragaceae ), coll. Xue, Xiao-Feng and Song, Zi- Wei. Paratypes, 7 females, with the same data as holotype.

Relation to host. Vagrant on leaf surface. No damage to the host was observed.

Etymology. The specific designation cuihuae is from the location of the host plant and where the mites were collected, Cuihua Mountain.

Differential diagnosis. This species is similar to A. mansoni Manson, 1989 , but can be differentiated by median line present (median line absent in A. mansoni ), coxal area with granules (coxal area smooth in A. mansoni ), anterior shield lobe without spines (anterior shield lobe with 2 spines anteriorly in A. mansoni ).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Aculus cuihuae sp. nov. D, dorsal view of female; CG, coxae and female genitalia; L 1, legs І; L 2, legs І; LO, lateral microtubercles; em, empodium.