Kohlsia ahuacatlan Acosta, Salceda-Sánchez & Ponce-Ulloa, 2009

Acosta, Roxana, Salceda-Sánchez, Beatriz & Ponce-Ulloa, Hugo E., 2009, Two new species of fleas of the genus Kohlsia Traub, 1950 (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) from Mexico, Zootaxa 2224, pp. 60-68 : 64-67

Kohlsia ahuacatlan Acosta, Salceda-Sánchez & Ponce-Ulloa new species

Figures 3–4 , 10–14

Type specimens – HOLOTYPE M ale ex Sturnira sp. MEXICO, Queretaro: 1 km SW Ahuacatlan , 3-VIII-1982, (MZFC-S 3365). PARATYPES: 9 females, 6 males same data as the holotype (MZFC-S 3350–3355, 3359–3364, 3366–3368). The holotype and 8 female and 5 male paratypes are deposited in the Museo de Zoología Facultad de Ciencias UNAM; one female and one male paratypes are deposited in the Colección de Artrópodos con Importancia Médica ( CAIM, InDRE, SS).

Diagnosis. Distinctive in the well development of the male sternum VIII which is long and bears a long subapical seta. This is the only known species of Kohlsia in which there are four stout mesal setae on the posterior margin of the movable process of clasper. In the female, sternum VII has a broad and deeper sinus, its ventral lobe extends as far caudally as dorsal lobe.

Description. Head ( Figs. 3 , 10 ) of male: Frontoclypeal margin evenly rounded except for distinct, acute tubercle near midpoint; micropunctuations scattered above and in front of first row of setae on pre- and postantennal regions. Preantennal area with four complete rows of setae, first and second irregular in number and arrangement, in some cases merge into one row; these rows arranged approximately as follows (from front to rear): in males, 7–9; 4–6; 4; 3; in females, 6–9; 4; 3. Uppermost seta of last row inserted just anterior to eye. Eye distinct, pigmented but rather small, about one and one-half times as long as broad, subovate. Genal process broad, pointed. Maxillary lobe extending slightly beyond apex of third segment of maxillary palpus. Labial palpus five-segmented, extending to mid length of fore coxa. First antennal segment about twice as long as broad; with marginal row of small setae and few proximal and dorsomarginal setae; second antennal segment with a fringe of short setae which are about twice as long as the segment. Postantennal region with three rows of setae, arranged in male approximately 3–4; 5; 5; in the female, these rows arranged approximately 3–5; 5–7; 6–7, including two at dorsocaudal angle of antennal fossa; in both sexes, lacking intercalary setae between bases of last row, though in some specimens, present but very small; ventral-most seta of last two rows longer than others in row.

Thorax ( Figs. 3 , 10 ): Pronotum with one row of setae; ventral-most seta longest; with two small intercalary setae above ventral-most; with one intercalary between others in row; comb of nine or ten welldeveloped spines. Mesonotum with three rows of bristles, those of last row longest and with small intercalaries; flange of mesonotum with one or two mesal pseudosetae per side. Mesepisternum usually with five medium-sized setae, preceded by one smaller lateromedial setae. Mesemiperon usually with seven or eighth setae arranged 1–2; 2; 2; 2. Metanotum with three rows of setae, the first incomplete or interrupted; those of posterior row longest and with intercalaries. Metanotal flange usually with one subdorsal apical spinelet. Lateral metanotal area distinct; with caudal margin lateral to and extending over part of pleural arch; with two setae, one of them longest and located in the dorsocaudal angle. Metepisternum with a long, submedian seta inserted at about level of well developed squamulum. Metepimeron usually with seven setae, arranged 2–3; 3–4; 1–3; broad spiracle, but with rounded apex.

Legs ( Fig.3 ): Forecoxa with many lateral setae scattered over entire length. Mid- and hindcoxa with few such setae and those submarginal or subapical. Forefemur with a dorsomarginal row of small setae; with a long seta at dorsocaudal angle; with two or three subapical and two submarginal; with four small lateral submedian setae and one subapical ventromarginal. Midfemur essentially similar, but with a pair of setae at dorsocaudal angle; frequently with one small apical mesal seta. Hind- and mid femur with three small dorsal submarginal setae; one small seta near the large one at anteroventral angle. Hind tibia with seven large dorsomarginal notches bearing large setae as follows (from base to apex): 1; 2; 1; 2; 2; 1; 2 (excluding the apical 3). Foretibia with one seta which extends beyond apex of first tarsal segment. None of the tarsal segments with apical seta extending beyond apex of succeeding segment. Fifth tarsal segment with five pairs of lateral plantar bristles and the proximal pair slightly displaced medially. Blade of unguis about twice length of thickened recurved basal portion.

Abdomen ( Fig. 3 ): First tergite with three rows of setae, the first represented by two; those of last row longest, with intercalaries; flange with one or two small apical spinelets per side. Tergites II–IV usually with one or two apical teeth per side. With second row of setae extending ventrally to rounded spiracle. Basal sternum with one ventromarginal seta. Unmodified sternites usually with row of three setae in males, with three or four in females; three antesensilial setae in males; median one longer than the upper- and ventralmost, ventral-most slightly longer than dorsal. Female with three antesensilial setae; middle one nearly twice length of others and the lower bristle slightly longer than uppermost ( Fig. 4 ).

Modified Abdominal Segments. Male ( Figs. 3 , 11 ): Tergum VIII very well developed, covering most of genitalia. With six or seven subdorsal setae, the posterior-most longest, and at times with a more median, lateral long seta. Sternum VIII ( Fig. 11 ) slender, as long as distal arm of IX sternum, apex ending like plumose extensions; with one stout ventromarginal bristle and with a lateral small seta above ventromarginal. Base of developed portion of sternum VIII associated with a well sclerotized and semimembranous section which extends dorsally to level of penis rod. Clasper as in other species of the genus. Fixed process ( Fig. 11 ) with three small apical bristles and two long acetabular bristles, latter marginal and inserted on ventral convexity of posterior margin of the fixed process (hump). Movable process ( Fig 11 ) extending to near apex of fixed process; slightly more than twice as long as broad; anterior margin straight, posterior margin convex; apex slightly pointed; with four very stout mesal submarginal setae; lowest of these inserted at level of the base of acetabulum; with one small thin apical seta and two small thin apical mesal, a similar one above the second subspiniform and two or three along anterior margin; with a submedian row of very small setae. Tergal apodeme of ninth segment ( Fig. 11 ) about equal in length to manubrium. Sternum IX with proximal arm ( Fig. 11 ) about as long as distal arm, broadened apically and arched like a bent finger, apex slightly rounded. Distal arm of sternum IX ( Fig. 11 ) with a prominent convexity on caudal margin, near middle; this lobe bearing three short marginal subspiniforms and two submarginal mesal thin setae. Distal arm long and narrow apical of lobe, with short subapical setae; with a lateral mesal row of scattered thin setae extending to the level of caudal lobe. Distal arm with a dorsal sclerotized portion which extends distal as a mesal elongate, acuminate projection reaching almost the apex of arm.

Aedeagus: Aedeagal apodeme about one and a half times the length of aedeagus proper; more than three times longer than broad; dorsal margin sinuate. Proximal spur well developed. A somewhat similar accessory spur at base of aedeagus. Median dorsal lobe expanded; flared apically, convoluted, forming a primary median dorsal lobe. Lateral lobes well developed, sinuate. Crochet well developed, its well-sclerotized portion almost as broad as long; with a fang-like projection on posterior margin, distal of midpoint; sclerotized portion of crochet proximal of projection (fang-like) about twice as long as broad ( Fig. 12 ). Dorsal margin of crochet slightly curved and subtruncate; anterior margin slightly concave; centrocaudal angle somewhat acuminate and narrow near to the base. Sclerotized inner tube subvertical; heavily armored, its apex curved dorsocaudal sclerotized portion extending apical of the aperture as a narrow band. Armature of inner tube apparent as an acuminate anteriorly-directed projection at apex; another portion of this armature represented as a lateral sclerotization, flanking the caudal portion of the vertical sclerotized tube; apical portion of inner tube on each side next to a long sclerite which terminates in an elongate acuminate projection, extending to dorso-apical margin of crochet. Apodemal strut well developed, as its lateral ventral lobe; crescent sclerite conspicuous; penis rods not coiled. With a conspicuous cap-shaped sclerotization at proximal end of endophallus.

Tenth abdominal segment conspicuous; sensilium flat; dorsal lobe of proctiger with a dorsomarginal bristle; longest seta apical; ventral lobe of proctiger about three times as long as broad; with a few subapical and long apical setae.

Modified abdominal segments, female ( Figs. 4 , 14 ): Caudal margin of seventh sternite with a narrow sinus; dorsal lobe narrow and subacute; ventral lobe broad and with straight margin; with a row of about five setae. Tergite eighth with five short setae dorsal to spiracle; two long setae ventral to sensillium; five long or fairly long lateromedian setae; with two mesal short setae at level of ventral anal lobe. Sternum VIII slightly longer than broad, lightly sclerotized. Sternum IX weakly sclerotized, with outlines partially apparent; with a few small slender bristles along caudal margin, apparently lateral to proximal portion of sternite IX. Dorsal anal lobe of proctiger with marginal setae and about eight scattered lateral or lateromedian; in addition with two setae below anal stylet. Anal stylet about two and one-half times as long as broad at base; with a long apical seta and a shorter ventromarginal one; with one or two vestigial subapical. Ventral anal lobe angulate and short; caudal margin with three stout setae above angle; with two subapical long, thin setae, and three small submarginal. Spermatheca ( Fig. 13 ) with head about four-fifths as broad as long; dorsal margin convex, ventral margin straight; with tail upturned and much longer than head. Bursa copulatrix with dorsal end dilated, fairly well sclerotized; the duct slightly arched proximal of head and then fairly straight and somewhat sclerotized.

Etymology. This species is named for the locality where the specimens were collected, Ahuacatlan in the Mexican state of Queretaro. The name is used as a noun in apposition

Remarks. The host preference cannot be accurately inferred from the existing data. This is the first time any species of the Family Ceratophyllidae or the genus Kohlsia have been recorded on bats. This could be an accidental association or contamination with other hosts.

Figures

FIGURE 1 – 4. 1, 2. Kohlsia zyanya sp. nov.: 1. Male, 2. Female. 3, 4. Kohlsia ahuacatlan sp. nov.: 3. Male, 4. Female.

FIGURE 10 – 16. Kohlsia ahuacatlan sp. nov.: 10. Head and thorax male, 11. Final segments male, 12. Crochet male, 13. Spermatheca and bursa copulatrix female, 14. Sternite VII female.