Tyrannidectes Mironov, 2008

Mironov, Sergey & González-Acuña, Daniel, 2011, New feather mites of the subfamily Pterodectinae (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) from passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) from Chile and Cuba, Zootaxa 3057, pp. 1-48 : 29

Genus Tyrannidectes Mironov, 2008

Type species: Tyrannidectes berlai Mironov, 2008 by original designation.

Diagnosis. BOTH SEXES. Vertical setae ve usually absent (present in T. banksi and T reticulatus ). Full set of hysterosomal setae present or setae f2 absent ( T. anairetes ). Prodorsal shield covering most of prodorsum, with well developed posterior angles. Scapular shields narrow, often not spreading onto dorsal surface. Humeral shields represented by rudimentary plates situated ventrally near setae cp or absent. Setae c2 situated laterally or dorso-laterally on striated tegument. Setae wa anterior to setae la and ra on tarsi I, II. Seta gT of tibia I in distal half of segment. Setae cG and mG on genua I,II setiform. Solenidion σ 1 of genu I much shorter than solenidion ω 3 of corresponding tarsus. Femora I, II usually bear ventral crest, other segments of these legs without processes and other modifications. Seta sR of trochanters III absent; solenidion σ 1 of genu III present. Supranal concavity usually well expressed.

MALE. Epimerites I fused into a narrow U, or V or Y with very short sternum, fused part not connected with epimerites II but can bear short lateral extensions. Coxal fields II–IV open; epimerites II and IV without extensive sclerotized areas. Opisthosomal lobes moderately elongated, approximately as long as wide, with roughly rounded posterior margin. Terminal cleft as a wide inverted U. Setae h3 short, narrowly lanceolate or spiculiform, situated on lobar apices. Setae h1 situated anterior to bases of opisthosomal lobes. Setae ps1 setiform, minute. Genital arch with well developed branches, situated at level of trochanters IV; aedeagus ensiform, much (3 or more times) longer than genital arch. Genital papillae anterior to genital arch. Pregenital apodeme, paragenital apodemes, genital shield and other sclerotized structures around genital apparatus absent. Setae 4a situated on soft tegument of coxal fields IV. Opisthoventral shields present, usually narrow. Corolla of anal suckers without indentations; suckers surrounded by membrane with radial striation. Adanal shields absent. Setae ps3 lateral or postero-lateral to anal suckers, situated on opisthoventral shields. Setae g and ps 3 in high trapezoid arrangement. Legs I slightly thicker and longer than legs II. Legs III and IV subequal in size. Solenidia φ of legs IV longer than on legs III. Tarsus IV without apical claw-like process, setae d and e button-like.

FEMALE. Epimerites I fused as in males. Lobar region of opisthosoma clearly separated from remaining part of opisthosoma; opisthosomal lobes well developed, with long terminal appendages. Hysteronotal shield split dorsally into anterior and lobar shields, these parts romaine connected ventro-laterally or also separated. Macrosetae h2 spindle-like, with or without filiform apices. Epigynum horseshoe-shaped, large. Apodemes of oviporus usually separated from epimerites IIIa (fused in T. anairetes , T. berlai ). Translobar apodemes present. Setae ps2, ps3 filiform or sucker-like, arranged in trapezium or transverse rectangle, in latter case both pair situated at level of anal opening. Legs I slightly thicker and longer than legs II. Legs III, IV subequal in size; genu IV dorsally inflated. Solenidia φ of tibiae III much longer than on tibiae IV.

Remarks. This recently established genus has up to now included six species ( Mironov et al. 2008b; Valim & Hernandes 2010). It differs from the closest genus Amerodectes by the loss of trochanteral setae sR III ( Figs. 16 B, 17B). Based on the female features such as the structure of pseudanal setae ps2, ps3 and hysteronotal setae h2, we recognize here in the genus Tyrannidectes two species groups. In the reticulatus group, setae h2 are spindle-shaped, setae ps2, ps3 are represented by true setae, and setae ps 2 in most known species (except for T. cinclodes sp. n., see below) are situated posterior to the level of anal opening. In the fissuratus group, setae h2 are spindle-like basally with long filiform apex, setae ps2, ps3 are represented by suckers arranged in a transverse rectangle, and both pairs of these setae are situated approximately at the midlevel of anal opening. Representatives of this genus were previously known from New World passerines of the families Corvidae , Turdidae , and Tyrannidae .

Modern (re)descriptions and figures of previously known Tyrannidectes species are given in the following papers: Mironov et al. (2008b); Valim and Hernandes (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010). Species redescribed before 2010 were treated in the context of the genus Pterodectes .

Figures

FIGURE 16. Tyrannidectes anairetes sp. n., male. A — dorsal view, B — ventral view.