Pulaeus myrtaceus, Castro, Tatiane Marie Martins Gomes De & Heyer, Jacob Den, 2009

Castro, Tatiane Marie Martins Gomes De & Heyer, Jacob Den, 2009, A revision of the genus Pulaeus Den Heyer, with descriptions of a new genus and four new Brazilian species (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae), Zootaxa 2141, pp. 20-36 : 23-24

Pulaeus myrtaceus sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–2 )

Diagnosis. Although this species resembles P. franciscae , it differs by having a dorsal shield strongly, instead of, slightly punctated.

Female ( Figs. 1–2 ) (n=3). Idiosoma: length 328(310–350) and width 207(183–225).

Dorsum ( Fig. 1 A). Dorsal shield strongly punctated, sensillae (vi and sce) setose; dimensions: vi 106(103–110), ve 25(24–26), sci 19(16–21), sce 96(90–100), c1 14(14–15), c2 15(15–16), d1 14(14–15) and e1 14 (13–15). Posteriad to the dorsal idiosomal shield two pairs of tiny platelets occur. Each of those immediate posteriad to the idiosomal shield carry setae f1 18(17–19) and f2 12(11–12) each whereas each of the most posterior platelets carry setae h1 21(18–23) and h2 17 (17–18).

Ve n t e r ( Fig. 1 B). Propodosomal coxal plates not fused. One pair of paracoxal setae occurs on the coxal region IV. The integument bears 1 pair of propodogastral setae and 4 pairs of hysterogastral setae. One pair of paragenital setae occur laterad to the genital valves; 4 pairs of genital setae in approximately almost straight longitudinal row.

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 1 C–D). Hypostome 151(145–157) long with 4 pairs of hg -setae [hg1 21(20–22), hg2 20, hg3 41 and hg4 9] and and 2 pairs of adoral setae. Three- jointed palp, 92(87–95) long. Trochanter without setae; femorogenu, 6 sts; tibiotarsus, 4 sts, 1 asl terminal, 1 bladder like apophysis and 1 ventral pointed process. Chelicera 150 long with cheliceral seta 7.

Legs ( Fig. 2 ). Length of legs: I 197, II 167, III 185, IV 200; length of tarsi: I 70, II 52, III 45, IV 47. The leg chaetotaxy is as follows: coxae I—IV, 1 peg, 3 sts—3 sts—3 sts—2 sts; trochanters I—IV, 1 sts—1 sts—2 sts—1 sts; basifemora I—IV, 4 sts—6 sts—3 sts—2 sts; telofemora I—IV, 5 sts—5 sts—4 sts—3 sts; genua I—IV, 3 asl, 5 sts—2 asl, 5 sts—1 asl, 5 sts—1 asl, 5 sts; tibiae I—IV, 2 asl, 5 sts—1 bsl, 5 sts—1 bsl, 5 sts—1 T, 4 sts; tarsi I—IV, 1 asl, 3 bsl, 1 dep, 1 dtsl, 2 tsl, 21 sts—1 bsl, 1 dtsl, 2 tsl, 18 sts—1 tsl, 15 sts—15 sts.

Male. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype female, from soil under Myrcia sp. ( Myrtaceae ), 27.VII.2000, Pirassununga, A.R. Oliveira.

Paratypes. Pirassununga: 4 females from soil under Myrcia sp., 03.V.2000, A.R. Oliveira; 1 female from soil under Myrcia sp., 27.VII.2000, A.R. Oliveira.

Etymology. The species name refers to the plant family Myrtaceae , in which this species is associated.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Pulaeus myrtaceus sp. n. Female. Dorsum (A), venter (B), hypostome (C), palp (D).

FIGURE 2. Pulaeus myrtaceus sp. n. Female. Leg I (A), leg II (B), leg III (C), leg IV (D).