Proteromichaelia, Uusitalo & Ueckermann & Theron, 2020

Uusitalo, Matti, Ueckermann, Edward A. & Theron, Pieter D., 2020, A review of the family Alycidae (Acari, Acariformes) from South Africa, Zootaxa 4858 (3), pp. 301-340 : 324

Proteromichaelia gen. nov.

Type species: Proteromichaelia sila sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis. The genus differs from representatives of Bimichaeliini by the features listed under the tribal diagnosis. Superficially, Proteromichaelia appears similar to species of Bimichaeliini with a neotrichous prodorsum, but can be separated from these by the pattern of prodorsal setae: the accessory setae are inserted only on the in -area, posterior to the sensilla, i.e., unlike in the other bimichaeliine genera, there are no accessory setae on the soft parts of the prodorsal rim. Instead, two of the three pairs of setae on the rim flank a pair of lateral eyes, which is also unique to the genus ( Figs. 90, 91 ).

Description. Clumps of large lamellae inside roundish cells of large lamellae (=primary pattern), secondary pattern by fine ridges, accessory dorsal setae with 10 to 20 cilia each ( Figs. 92 , 134A, B ); naso narrowest at base, enlarging distally, holotrichous set of prodorsal setae (six pairs) recognizable but some accessory setae present posterior to setae in, anterior pair of sensilla (ve) branched, setae vi, sce, exp and a pair of finely ridged eyes on the anterior rim, crista sclerotized ( Figs. 90, 91 ); chelicerae straight, with a pair of setae dorsally ( Fig. 94 ); palps short and stout, palpal solenidion without a basal tubercle ( Fig. 95 ); two baculiform solenidia on tarsi I and II, one baculiform solenidion on each of tibiae I-IV (instead of 2), one baculiform solenidion on genu II and III ( Figs. 98–100 ; Uusitalo 2010: Appendix 3); weak neotrichy on larval dorsum, venter holotrichous ( Figs. 103, 104 ).

Etymology. The name of the tribe and genus is a latinized combination of the Greek word “protero”, meaning earlier or more ancient, and “Michael”, referring to the British acarologist Albert Davidson Michael (1836–1927). The name refers to the set of primitive characters listed in the diagnosis of the tribe.

Figures

FIGURE 134. Primary pattern of cuticle in the subfamilies Alycinae and Bimichaeliinae.A, B—primary pattern by clumps and rosettes of large lamellae, secondary pattern absent in Proteromichaelia sp. (Bimichaeliinae: Proteromichaeliini), C, D—striate integument with small lamellae in Amphialycus sp., E, F—striate integument with small lamellae in Petralycus sp. (Alycinae: Petralycini).

FIGURES 90−100. Proteromichaelia sila sp. nov. 90—Prodorsum, naso button-like, distance between counterparts of setae vi larger than between sensilla ve, setae in with some additional setae; 91—Dorsal habitus, neotrichy; 92—Dorsal integument; 93—Ventral habitus, 9–10 genital setae per valve, 4–6 anal setae per valve (cf. Fig. 97); 94—Chelicera, ciliated cheliceral seta; 95—Subcapitulum; 96—Palp tarsus; 97—Genital valve of female, 9 genital setae, 2 pairs of eugenital setae; 98—Tarsus I (2B = 2 baculiform solenidia), famulus I (arrow), Tibia I (1B2C = 1 baculiform solenidion and 2 ceratiform solenidia); 99—Tarsus II (2B), Tibia II (1B2C), Genu II (1B2C); 100—2 slightly bent claws and a setulated empodium.

FIGURES 101−104. Proteromichaelia sila sp. nov. 101—Deutonymph, venter, 4 genital setae per valve; 102—Protonymph, venter, 1 genital seta per valve; 103—Larva, ventral habitus, holotrichy, genital valves absent; 104—Larva, dorsal habitus, neotrichy. 90−104 from RSA, near Potchefstroom.