Proteromichaeliini, 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

Proteromichaeliini trib. nov.

Type genus: Proteromichaelia gen. nov.

Differential diagnosis. The sole member of this new tribe has several plesiomorphic character states distinctly different from other members of the subfamily Bimichaeliinae . The new tribe can easily be differentiated from its sister group by having large lamellae (the primary cuticular pattern) organized both in cells and in clumps inside the cells ( Figs. 92 , 134A, B ), secondary pattern by glabrous ridges (small granules/lamellae absent, Figs. 92 , 134B ), a pair of eyes present ( Figs. 90, 91 , 104 ), a pair of cheliceral setae present ( Fig. 94 ) and divided femora IV ( Fig. 101 ; Uusitalo 2010: Appendix 3). In other respects, the species is the same as the rest of the bimichaeliines.

Description. Hysterosoma soft, segmented ( Fig. 91 ); ornamented idiosomal cuticle ( Figs. 92 , 134A, B ): primary pattern formed by large lamellae of polygons and separate clumps, secondary pattern by fine ridges ( Figs. 92 , 134A, B ); adults neotrichous, dorsal and ventral setae ciliated, genital, anal and pedal setae elongated, plumose ( Figs. 92, 93, 97, 98 , 134B ); prodorsum ( Figs. 90, 91 , 134A ): naso button-like, a pair of lateral eyes present; posterior sensilla sci globular, barbed, anterior pair of sensilla ve filamentous; chelate chelicera elongated into stylet-like elements, a pair of cheliceral setae present ( Fig. 94 ); subcapitulum elongated, rutella missing, adoral setae missing ( Fig. 95 ); palpi with an apical solenidion and two eupathids ( Fig. 96 ); supracoxal setae ep present, supracoxal setae eI present, femora IV divided, eupathids apically and ventrally on tarsi I and II, solenidia baculiform and ceratiform, symmetrically paired claws with fine barbs, setulate empodia clawless ( Figs. 98–100 ).

Remark. This monotypic sister group of Bimichaeliini was obtained from the analysis of the family Alycidae . Some drawings of the undescribed species ‘ sil ’, representing the new tribe, were included already in the analysis paper to illustrate the character state differences ( Uusitalo 2010: Appendix 3).

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.