Brasilidia auleta, Szeptycki, Andrzej & Bedano, José Camilo, 2003

Szeptycki, Andrzej & Bedano, José Camilo, 2003, Brasilidia auleta sp. n., a new species from Argentina (Protura: Acerentomidae s. l.), Zootaxa 336, pp. 1-10 : 2

Diagnosis of Brasilidia Nosek, 1973

Brasilidia was defined and characterized by Nosek (1973) and Tuxen (1976; 1984), but some characters (discovered latter) were omitted in those classic diagnoses.

The genus under question belongs to a large group of Acerentomidae s.l. with 2+2 anterior setae on metanotum (A2 and A4) and seta P3 on abdominal tergites II–V in anterior position. Seta P2a on meso­ and metanotum nearer to P3 than to P2, P4a on metanotum not modified (of “normal” shape). Foretarsal sensillum t1 distinctly clavate (nearly “baculiform” after the terminology of Tuxen 1977). Mandible relatively broad. Labial palp with no tuft and with 3 setae. Striate band on abdominal segment VIII reduced (with no distinct striae). Abdominal legs II and III with 3 setae. Foretarsus with seta d situated nearer to c than to e (but not very close to c), sensillum b’ present, t3 relatively long, cylindrical. Setae 1 and 4 not differentiated (of same shape as 1 – 3). In head chaetotaxy seta situated antero – laterally to pseudoculus absent (comp. fig. 1 of the present paper with Szeptycki 1991, fig. 16). Additional seta present. Modified setae1 uniform over the whole body, as small, hair­like microchetae. Sensilla of exterior side of foretarsus short, slender, parallel­sided2.

Remarks

Brasilidia contains three South American species ( Tuxen 1984), including the species described below. A forth species, B. nagaroorica Prabhoo, 1977 was described from India ( Prabhoo 1977), but I agree with Tuxen (1984) that this species probably belongs to a different, but undescribed genus.

The three known species of Brasilidia can be distinguished in the following key:

1. Foretarsal sensillum c about 2 x length of b (reaching nearly base of f); urotergite VI

with 8 anterior setae; seta P3a on urotergite VII present; urotergite IX with 14, X with

12 setae; “striate band” with no oblique lines ..................... B. sanmartini Tuxen, 1984 ­ Foretarsal sensillum c at last 1.5 x length of b (not reaching base of e); urotergite VI

with 6 anterior setae, VII with no seta P3a, IX with 12 setae; “striate band” with dis­

tinct oblique lines (at last on tergite)............................................................................. 2 2. Foretarsal sensilla b and c relatively long – b distinctly passing base of 3, c reaching

nearly base of e; urotergite X with 12 setae .............................. B. tropica Nosek, 1973 ­ Foretarsal sensilla b and c short – b not reaching base of 3, c slightly passing it; urot­

ergite X with 10 setae .............................................................................. B. auleta sp. n.