Zetzellia agistzellia Hernandes & Feres

Hernandes, Fabio A. & Feres, Reinaldo J. F., 2005, Two new species of Zetzellia Oudemans (Acari: Stigmaeidae) that threaten the concept of genera: disgeneric marriage?, Zootaxa 1048, pp. 27-44 : 28-37

Zetzellia agistzellia Hernandes & Feres sp. n. ( Figs. 1–22 )

This species resembles Z. silvicola Gonzalez , Z. antipoda Wood and Z. gonzalezi Wood. All four have dorsal shields reticulated, the dorsal pair c1 born on the main shield, and share several aspects of leg chaetotaxy. Zetzellia antipoda and Z. gonzalezi are very similar to each other, differing only in the length of setae ve, and the size of polygons of dorsal shields, a little larger in Z. gonzalezi . According to Wood (1967), they can only be accurately distinguished with close examination side by side. Concerning the length of dorsal setae, Z. agistzellia appears to be at an intermediate position between Z. silvicola , which has the shortest setae of them, almost half the length of those of Z. agistzellia and the two species described by Wood. Zetzellia agistzellia and Z. silvicola share almost all aspects of leg chaetotaxy, except tarsus I, which has 13 setae (rather than 12 in Z. silvicola ). Additional differences: Z. agistzellia with two pairs of aggenital setae (only one pair in Z. silvicola ) and with small size of dorsal polygons (a little larger in Z. agistzellia ). The two species of Wood have one fewer seta on femur IV, but one more on tarsus IV. The three latter species are similar concerning the size of dorsal polygons.

females including holotype Males (3)

(n=7)

Character measured female holotype mean SD min max mean SD min max

total length* 367.2 371.9 19.9 340.0 394.4 282.0 26.7 266.6 312.8

idiosoma length 244.8 274.7 27.2 244.8 307.4 192.2 29.4 171.4 225.8

body width 193.1 200.5 24.1 171.4 231.2 146.0 9.5 136.0 155.0

leg I 195.8 201.3 8.3 187.7 209.4 178.6 10.3 174.1 190.4

leg II 165.9 174.1 7.8 163.2 182.2 164.1 21.9 141.4 185.0

leg III 176.8 178.7 7.3 168.6 193.1 155.0 17.0 136.0 168.6

leg IV 190.4 197.6 8.4 190.4 209.4 174.1 2.7 171.4 176.8

vi 26.6 25.8 2.4 22.2 28.9 21.8 0.6 21.1 22.2

ve 35.5 35.2 3.2 28.9 37.7 28.9 2.2 26.6 31.1

sci 35.5 33.0 3.2 27.8 35.5 28.5 1.3 27.8 30.0

c1 33.3 30.1 3.2 24.4 33.3 27.0 1.3 25.5 27.8

c2 33.3 30.4 3.3 24.4 34.4 25.9 1.7 24.4 25.5

d1 34.4 31.7 3.6 27.8 37.7 25.9 1.7 24.4 27.8

d2 33.3 32.7 2.6 27.8 35.5 28.9 2.2 26.6 28.9

e1 34.4 32.2 2.4 28.9 35.5 22.2 2.9 21.1 20.0

e2 33.3 32.0 2.8 26.6 35.5 25.9 2.3 23.3 27.8

f1 35.5 34.3 2.8 31.1 38.9 28.9 1.1 27.8 30.0

h1 31.1 29.5 3.0 23.3 32.2 12.2 1.1 11.1 13.3

h2 27.8 27.4 3.4 22.2 33.3 15.5 0.0 15.5 15.5

vi­vi 17.8 17.4 1.1 15.5 18.9 18.1 1.3 18.9 18.9

ve­ve 48.8 46.8 3.4 41.1 51.1 41.8 1.3 43.3 41.1

sci­sci 89.9 86.9 5.6 81.0 95.5 75.9 1.7 74.4 75.5

c1­c1 54.4 52.6 4.3 45.5 57.7 45.9 2.6 48.8 44.4

d1­d1 77.7 81.3 5.8 74.4 89.9 59.2 2.8 62.2 58.8

e1­ e1 41.1 44.2 3.5 41.1 50.0 31.1 1.1 32.2 31.1

f1­f1 54.4 57.2 4.9 50.0 64.4 30.3 2.6 28.9 28.9

h1­h1 14.4 16.0 1.8 14.4 18.9 10.4 1.3 11.1 11.1

vi/vi­vi 1.5 1.5 2.2 1.4 1.5 1.2 0.5 1.1 1.2

c1/c1­c1 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6

d1/d1­d1 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.5

e1/e1­ e1 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 2.6 0.7 0.6

f1/f1­f1 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 1.0 0.4 1.0 1.0

h1/h1­h1 2.2 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.2 0.9 1.0 1.2

SD = Standard Deviation; *= length including gnathosoma.

Larvae (n=5) Protonymphs (n=2) deutonymphal females deutonymphal males (n=2) (n=3)

character measured mean SD min max mean SD min Max mean SD min max mean SD min max

total length* 212.7 16.8 195.8 239.4 236.7 26.9 217.6 255.7 288.3 9.8 280.2 299.2 240.7 44.3 209.4 272.0

idiosoma length 151.2 12.4 138.7 171.4 171.4 26.9 152.3 190.4 222.1 15.7 204.0 231.2 170.0 28.8 149.6 190.4

body width 115.9 11.9 106.1 136.0 137.4 17.3 125.1 149.6 165.0 8.3 157.8 174.1 136.0 11.6 127.8 144.2

leg I 113.7 10.1 100.6 127.8 129.2 9.6 122.4 136.0 165.0 3.1 163.2 168.6 145.5 5.8 141.4 149.6

leg II 95.7 4.8 89.8 100.6 99.3 5.8 95.2 103.4 146.9 4.7 141.4 149.6 123.8 1.9 122.4 125.1

leg III 102.8 15.8 92.5 130.6 112.9 5.8 108.8 117.0 138.7 4.7 136.0 144.2 123.8 1.9 122.4 125.1

leg IV ­ ­ ­ ­ 111.5 3.8 108.8 114.2 148.7 6.8 141.4 155.0 145.5 13.4 136.0 155.0

vi 16.9 2.6 13.2 19.8 18.8 3.2 20.0 21.1 24.2 2.2 22.0 26.4 18.2 0.8 17.6 18.7

ve 21.6 3.3 16.5 25.3 22.7 5.6 26.6 26.6 33.0 1.1 31.9 34.1 27.0 0.8 26.4 27.5

sci 19.1 2.8 15.4 23.1 21.6 4.0 22.2 24.4 28.2 1.7 26.4 29.7 22.0 0.0 22.0 22.0

c1 19.6 3.1 15.4 23.1 18.8 4.8 18.9 22.2 26.0 1.7 24.2 27.5 21.5 0.8 20.9 22.0

c2 16.7 2.1 14.3 19.8 18.2 2.5 17.8 20.0 24.9 0.6 24.2 25.3 19.8 3.1 17.6 22.0

d1 18.0 3.5 14.3 22.0 19.9 4.8 20.0 23.3 26.8 1.3 25.3 27.5 22.0 3.1 19.8 24.2

d2 17.8 3.0 13.2 20.9 19.4 5.6 21.1 23.3 27.5 0.0 27.5 27.5 22.0 1.6 20.9 23.1

e1 19.1 3.2 14.3 22.0 19.4 4.0 21.1 22.2 26.4 0.0 26.4 26.4 22.0 0.0 22.0 22.0

e2 17.6 1.7 15.4 19.8 19.4 4.0 20.0 22.2 25.7 1.7 24.2 27.5 21.5 0.8 20.9 22.0

f1 16.7 1.6 14.3 18.7 18.2 4.0 20.0 21.1 27.1 0.6 26.4 27.5 21.5 0.8 20.9 22.0

h1 12.4 1.1 11.0 13.2 16.6 0.1 16.7 16.7 22.7 1.3 22.0 24.2 16.0 0.8 15.4 16.5

h2 14.7 3.5 12.1 18.7 13.3 0.1 13.3 13.3 20.2 1.3 18.7 20.9 14.3 0.0 14.3 14.3

vi­vi 15.5 3.1 12.2 20.4 17.7 1.9 16.3 19.0 17.2 2.1 15.0 19.0 15.6 2.9 13.6 17.7

ve­ve 35.6 2.2 34.0 39.4 35.4 3.8 32.6 38.1 44.9 1.4 43.5 46.2 40.1 1.0 39.4 40.8

sci­sci 63.3 3.0 59.8 68.0 65.3 3.8 62.6 68.0 78.4 2.1 76.2 80.2 75.5 4.8 72.1 78.9

c1­c1 34.9 5.0 28.6 39.4 42.8 2.9 40.8 44.9 46.2 2.4 43.5 47.6 45.6 1.0 44.9 46.2

d1­d1 46.5 5.0 40.8 53.0 54.0 6.3 49.5 58.5 63.9 2.4 62.6 66.6 53.7 1.0 53.0 54.4

e1­ e1 24.2 2.2 21.8 27.7 27.2 3.8 24.5 29.9 34.6 1.9 33.2 36.7 30.6 1.0 29.9 31.3

f1­f1 23.7 2.6 19.6 26.4 29.9 0.0 29.9 29.9 41.3 3.4 38.1 44.9 28.6 1.9 27.2 29.9

h1­h1 9.0 1.2 8.2 10.9 9.5 1.9 8.2 10.9 14.1 0.8 13.6 15.0 14.3 1.0 13.6 15.0

vi/vi­vi 1.1 0.8 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.7 1.2 1.1 1.4 1.1 1.5 1.4 1.2 0.3 1.3 1.1

c1/c1­c1 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.4 1.7 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.5

d1/d1­d1 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 3.2 0.4 0.4

e1/e1­ e1 0.8 1.4 0.7 0.8 0.7 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.7 0.7

f1/f1­f1 0.7 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.6 ­ 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.4 0.8 0.7

h1/h1­h1 1.4 0.9 1.3 1.2 1.7 0.1 2.0 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.1 0.8 1.1 1.1

SD = Standard Deviation; *= length including gnathosoma.

Additional characters of Z. agistzellia are: dorsal setae serrate, subequal in length; prodorsal shield trapezoidal and rounded in outline, bearing 3 pairs of setae (vi, ve and sci); pairs h1 and h 2 set on the same terminal shield; tegument ventral and around dorsal shields finely striated; orange coloured when alive; eggs spherical, bright dark yellow. Solenidia (on tibiae and tarsus), supracoxal setae (on coxae) and famulus (on genua) are referred in parenthesis.

females including holotype (n=5) Males (n=5) h1/h1­h1 1.5 1.5 2.2 1.4 1.5 1.2 0.6 1.2 1.1

SD = Standard Deviation; *= length including gnathosoma.

larvae (n=3) Protonymphs (n=2) deutonymphal females deutonymphal males (n=2) (n=2)

character measured mean SD min max mean SD min max mean SD min max mean SD min max

total length* 212.2 35.7 174.1 244.8 240.7 40.4 212.2 269.3 301.9 3.8 299.2 304.6 292.4 9.6 285.6 299.2

idiosoma length 146.9 23.2 122.4 168.6 172.7 40.4 144.2 201.3 231.2 19.2 217.6 244.8 223.0 0.0 223.0 223.0

body width 122.4 10.9 111.5 133.3 127.8 26.9 108.8 146.9 161.8 13.5 152.3 171.4 159.1 5.8 155.0 163.2

leg I 113.3 4.2 108.8 117.0 144.2 15.4 133.3 155.0 160.5 3.8 157.8 163.2 140.1 5.8 136.0 144.2

leg II 104.3 4.2 100.6 108.8 114.2 0.0 114.2 114.2 152.3 3.8 149.6 155.0 129.2 9.6 122.4 136.0

leg III 98.8 3.1 95.2 100.6 103.4 7.7 97.9 108.8 145.5 13.5 136.0 155.0 127.8 11.5 119.7 136.0

leg IV ­ ­ ­ ­ 97.9 0.0 97.9 97.9 142.8 9.6 136.0 149.6 131.9 13.5 122.4 141.4

vi 15.2 1.7 13.3 16.7 16.1 0.8 15.5 16.7 21.6 0.8 21.1 22.2 17.8 1.6 16.7 18.9

ve 17.8 1.1 16.7 18.9 18.9 0.0 18.9 18.9 24.4 0.0 24.4 24.4 21.6 0.8 21.1 22.2

sci 17.8 1.1 16.7 18.9 19.4 0.8 18.9 20.0 22.2 0.0 22.2 22.2 22.2 1.6 21.1 23.3

c1 16.3 0.6 15.5 16.7 15.0 0.8 14.4 15.5 19.4 0.8 18.9 20.0 17.2 0.8 16.7 17.8

c2 14.8 0.6 14.4 15.5 16.7 1.6 15.5 17.8 22.8 0.8 22.2 23.3 20.5 0.8 20.0 21.1

d1 16.7 1.1 15.5 17.8 16.7 0.0 16.7 16.7 18.9 1.6 17.8 20.0 17.8 0.0 17.8 17.8

d2 15.9 1.3 14.4 16.7 15.5 0.0 15.5 15.5 19.4 0.8 18.9 20.0 17.8 1.6 16.7 18.9

e1 16.3 0.6 15.5 16.7 16.7 0.0 16.7 16.7 22.2 0.0 22.2 22.2 18.9 0.0 18.9 18.9

e2 15.9 0.6 15.5 16.7 16.7 1.6 15.5 17.8 22.2 0.0 22.2 22.2 18.9 0.0 18.9 18.9

f1 15.5 0.0 15.5 15.5 17.8 0.0 17.8 17.8 22.8 0.8 22.2 23.3 20.5 2.4 18.9 22.2

h1 12.6 0.6 12.2 13.3 15.0 0.8 14.4 15.5 22.8 0.8 22.2 23.3 17.2 0.8 16.7 17.8

h2 13.0 1.3 12.2 14.4 13.3 0.0 13.3 13.3 17.8 1.6 16.7 18.9 15.5 1.6 14.4 16.7

vi­vi 18.1 1.6 16.3 19.0 19.0 0.0 19.0 19.0 22.4 2.9 20.4 24.5 23.1 1.9 21.8 24.5

ve­ve 38.1 1.4 36.7 39.4 39.4 1.9 38.1 40.8 50.3 1.9 49.0 51.7 46.9 1.0 46.2 47.6

sci­sci 68.2 3.5 65.3 72.1 67.3 1.0 66.6 68.0 86.4 2.9 84.3 88.4 78.9 0.0 78.9 78.9

c1­c1 36.3 5.5 29.9 39.4 30.6 2.9 28.6 32.6 37.4 1.0 36.7 38.1 38.1 0.0 38.1 38.1

d1­d1 48.5 8.8 39.4 57.1 49.0 3.8 46.2 51.7 63.2 1.0 62.6 63.9 56.4 2.9 54.4 58.5

e1­ e1 23.6 4.8 19.0 28.6 23.1 1.9 21.8 24.5 30.6 2.9 28.6 32.6 24.5 0.0 24.5 24.5

f1­f1 26.7 2.1 24.5 28.6 28.6 0.0 28.6 28.6 44.2 1.0 43.5 44.9 36.7 1.9 35.4 38.1

h1­h1 8.2 0.0 8.2 8.2 9.5 0.0 9.5 9.5 13.6 0.0 13.6 13.6 11.6 1.0 10.9 12.2

vi/vi­vi 0.8 1.1 0.8 0.9 0.8 ­ 0.8 0.9 1.0 0.3 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8

c1/c1­c1 0.4 0.1 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.5 ­ 0.4 0.5

d1/d1­d1 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.3 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3

e1/e1­ e1 0.7 0.1 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.0 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.8 0.7 0.8 ­ 0.8 0.8

f1/f1­f1 0.6 0.0 0.6 0.5 0.6 ­ 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.6 1.2 0.5 0.6

H1/h1­h1 1.5 ­ 1.5 1.6 1.6 ­ 1.5 1.6 1.7 ­ 1.6 1.7 1.5 0.8 1.5 1.5

SD = Standard Deviation; *= length including gnathosoma.

Female (n=7) ( Figs. 1–7 ). Dorsum. Dorsal shields reticulated; prodorsal shield bearing three pairs of setae (vi, ve and sci); hysterosomal shield bearing 4 pairs of setae (c1, d1, e1 and e2); seta d2 on satellite platelets. Venter. With 3 pairs of ventral setae (1a, 3a and 4a) between coxae II, III and IV, respectively; genitoanal valves each with 4 setae (g1, ps1–3); ps3 short, thick and serrate; ag1 inserted on platelet near anal opening; ag2 inserted on the striated tegument. Gnathosoma. With two pairs of slender setae on subcapitulum, extending to anterior half of palpfemur; eupathidium at distal palptarsus trifid. Palp chaetotaxy: coxa: 3 (2 subcapitular plus seta e); trochanter: 0; femur: 3; genu: 1; tibia: 3 setae plus claw; tarsus 4 setae. Legs. Chaetotaxy (I–IV): coxae 2(1)­1­2­2; trochanters 1­1­1­1; femora 5­4­2­2; genua 3(1)­1­0­0; tibiae 5(1)­5(1)­5(1)­5(1); tarsi 12(1)­9(1)­7(1)­7.

Developmental changes [from deutonymph female]: addition of 1 seta on trochanter IV and 1 genital seta (g1).

Male (n=3). ( Figs. 8–14 ). Dorsum. Dorsal shields reticulated; prodorsal shield as in female; hysterosomal shield bearing 6 pairs of setae (c1, d1, d2, e1, e2 and f1); h1 slightly reduced, the shortest of dorsal setae. Venter. Ventral setae as in female; ps1 short and thin, each inserted on a tubercle, being visible dorsally due to the curvature of this region; aggenital setae asimetrically set. Gnathosoma. As female. Legs. Chaetotaxy (I–IV): coxae 2(1)­1­2­2; trochanters 1­1­1­1; femora 5­4­2­2; genua 3(1)­1­0­0; tibiae 5(1)­5(1)­ 5(1)­5(1); tarsi 12(2)­9(2)­7(1)­7(1).

Developmental changes [from deutonymph male]: hysterosomal shield includes pair f1; one additional seta on trochanter IV, and 1 solenidum on tarsi I, II and IV; there is no alteration in neither anal nor aggenital setae. The presence of 6 pairs of setae on the hyterosomal shield is typical of males of Agistemus , as well as the reduced e1. In this species, however, e1 is not significantly reduced.

Deutonymph female. (n=3). ( Figs. 19–20 ). Dorsum ( Fig.19 ). Dorsal setae as in adult female. Venter. Ventral and aggenital setae as in female (except pair g1, absent). Gnathosoma. As in female. Legs. Chaetotaxy (I–IV): coxae 2(1)­1­2­2; trochanters 1­1­ 1­0; femora 5­4­2­2; genua 3(1)­1­0­0; tibiae 5(1)­5(1)­5(1)­5(1); tarsi 12(1)­9(1)­7(1)­7.

Developmental changes [from protonymph]: addition of 2 setae on coxa IV, 1 seta on trochanters I, II and III, 1 seta on femora I and IV and on tarsi IV.

Deutonymph male. (n=2). ( Figs. 21­22 ). Dorsum ( Fig.21 ). Hysterosomal shield bears 5 pairs of setae (c1, d1 d2, e1 and e2). Venter. Ventral and aggenital setae as in deutonymph female; ps3 shortest of anal setae. There is no alteration in aggenital nor anal setae in the moulting to adult male. Gnathosoma. As in female. Legs. Chaetotaxy (I–IV): coxae 2(1)­1­2­2; trochanters 1­1­1­0; femora 5­4­2­2; genua 3(1)­1­0­0; tibiae 5(1)­5(1)­ 5(1)­5(1); tarsi 12(1)­9(1)­7(1)­7.

Developmental changes [from protonymph]: the inclusion of seta d2 on the hysterosomal shield distinguishes this form (male) from the deutonymph female; in the next moult to adulthood, male hysterosomal shield also includes the pair f1; same leg chaetotaxy as in deutonymph female.

Protonymph (n=2). ( Figs. 17–18 ). Dorsum ( Fig.17 ). Dorsal setae as in female. Venter. 3 pairs of anal setae (ps1–3), subequal, and 1 pair of aggenital (ag1). Gnathosoma. As in female, except palpcoxa with 2 setae, including k. Legs. Chaetotaxy (I–IV): coxae 2(1)­1­2­0; trochanters 0­0­0­0; femora 4­4­2­1; genua 3(1)­1­0­0; tibiae 5(1)­5(1)­5(1)­5(1); tarsi 12(1)­9(1)­7(1)­6.

Developmental changes [from larva]: addition of leg IV; addition of one ventral seta on coxae I and II, and two ventral setae on coxa III.

Larva (n=5). ( Figs. 15–16 ). Dorsum. Prodorsal shield smooth, partly invaded by tegumental striae along median line; dorsal setae set on isolated platelets, no hysterosomal shield; setae e1 and e 2 set on the same platelet; median transversal ridge dividing prodorsum and hysterosoma. Venter. 2 pairs of ventral setae (1a and 3a) between coxae II and III, respectively; 3 pairs of anal setae, ps3 the shortest and ps1 a little slender than other anals; setae ag1­2 and g1 absent. Gnathosoma. As in adult female, except palpfemur with 2 setae, and palpcoxa, with 2 setae (1 subcapitular plus seta e). Legs. Chaetotaxy (I–IV): coxae 1(1)­0­0; trochanters 0­0­0; femora 4­4­2; genua 2(1)­1­0; tibiae 5(1)­5(1)­5(1); tarsi 12(1)­9(1)­7(1).

Remarks: This species inhabits mostly the base of rubber tree leaflets, in association with Lorryia formosa Cooreman, 1958 (Acari, Tydeidae ), preying on their eggs and immatures. It was also found with Zetzellia quasagistemas sp. n. This species shows no difference concerning the leg chaetotaxy from Z. quasagistemas sp. n., in any developmental stage.

Etymology: The specific designation is an anagram of Agistemus and Zetzellia , referring to the resemblance with male Agistemus and female Zetzellia , concerning dorsal shields.

Type material: Holotype female (n. 5.816) collected from Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) , May 14, 2001, Cedral, São Paulo, Brazil. Paratypes: 6 females, 3 males, 3 deutonymphs female, 2 deutonymphs male, 2 protonymphs, 5 larvae from the same host and type locality, collected from January to May 2001.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 7: Zetzellia agistzellia sp. n. (female) 1. dorsum, 2. anogenital region, ventral, 3. palp, 4 – 7. legs I – IV.

FIGURES 8 – 14: Zetzellia agistzellia sp. n. (male) 8. dorsum, 9. anogenital region, ventral, 10. palp, 11 – 14. legs I – IV.

FIGURES 15 – 22: Zetzellia agistzellia sp. n. dorsum (immatures) 15 – 16. Larva. 15. dorsum, 16. anogenital region. 17 – 18. Protonymph. 17. dorsum, 18. anogenital region. 19 ­ 20. Deutonymph female. 19. dorsum, 20. anogenital region. 21 – 22. Deutonymph male. 21. dorsum, 22. anogenital region.