Nidilaelaps lisae, Shaw, Matthew D., 2012

Shaw, Matthew D., 2012, Re-evaluation of Pseudoparasitus (Gymnolaelaps) annectans (Womersley): a new genus and two new species (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae), Zootaxa 3453, pp. 25-42 : 36-39

Nidilaelaps lisae sp. nov.

( Figs 17–24 )

Specimens examined. Papua New Guinea. Holotype female, Wau Creek, Morobe Province, 1500 m, 26 Mar 1963, H. Clissold coll., ex crake (= Rallicula forbesi Sharpe , host specimen det. A.C. Ziegler), BBM-NG27546 (in BBM); 1 paratype female, Wau, 1200 metres, 8 Feb 1961, J.H. Sedlacek coll., on rat Nos -138 (BBM); 1 paratype female, Wau Creek, no date, H. Clissold coll., BBM-NG27572 (BBM); 1 paratype female, Kassam, 1 Sep 1959, Van Densen and Maa coll., ex Poponomys sp, A.E./7003-07, ex 1162-64 (BBM); 1 paratype female, Goviak, 18 Feb 1963, H. Clissold coll., ex rat, BBM-NG 212145 (BBM).

Description of females (n=4). Dorsum: Larger mite. Dorsal shield 715 (665–715) x 440 (430–470) bearing 3–4 supernumerary Jx setae at ca. level of J4 (Fig, 17). Dorsal setae fine j1 43 (41–47), other anterior setae long anteriorly and on margins; j2 75 (59–75), r3 76 (76–78), S1 88 (70–88), S4 77 (72–77), S5 73 (65–77), Z5 71 (58–77). Shorter in mid-podonotal region; j5 64 (46–64), z5 61 (53–61). Z5 lacks any trace of barbing.

Gnathosoma: Movable digit 81 (78–85) long, bearing 2 well developed teeth ( Fig. 22 ). Fixed digit with divided apex and two weak additional teeth opposing movable digit teeth. First tooth immediately distal of pilus dentilus, the second proximal. Proximalmost tooth not visible in holotype ( Fig. 22 ) but seen in a paratype ( Fig. 23 ). Cheliceral segment II ca. 195 long. Cheliceral segment I ca. 75 long. Strong corniculi, (39–45). Fringed internal malae fused medially with weak lateral arms falling short of corniculi tips ( Fig. 21 ). Palp apotele with 2 subequal tines. Deutosternal groove parallel-sided with 6 denticulate rows of 7–14 spicules. Anteriormost denticulate row (= Q2) bears ca. twice as many spicules as posteriormost. Hypostomal setae 1–3 are 45–61, 31–45, 43–60; capitular setae 41–45. Epistome not clearly visible on any specimens. The best view is from the holotype showing a short simple lobe, but it is crumpled, and other details of margin not discernible.

Venter: Tritosternal base 44 (37–46) to suture. Laciniae fork 10 (10–16) above suture, laciniae free for 116 (99–116). Presternal striae present. Sternal shield about as deep as wide 135 (127–137) x 139 (135–142). Cornua long, thin, arching over to mid coxa II. Sternal shield extensively covered with reticulations except smooth posteromedially. Posterior margin usually straight, sometimes with mild medial point (BBM-NG27572). Sternal setae 1–3 are 80 (63–80), 88 (76–90) and 90 (87–92). Genito-ventral shield extensive, 219 (205–235) long, 129 (120–145) wide at st5, maximum width 220 (217–250) at level of Jv1, bearing setae Zv1, Jv1 and Jv2, and at most 3 μm from anal shield ( Fig. 20 ). Medial to the lateral zones of longitudinally aligned cells are 7–8 serially-regular, broadly transverse striae with ca. 6 striae posterior to level of Zv1. Poststigmatal plate entire, not eroded, free from exopodal IV, bearing usual 3 pores and strongly rebordered externally. Anterior pore-like structure is relatively close to the median (15–22 apart). Median and posterior pore-like structure closely spaced. Endopodal shield thin at integument, not bearing st4. Principal metapodal platelet 38 (35–50) x 13 (13–16). Inner metapodal platelet seemingly absent or a minute remnant (4– 5 x 3–4). Paragenital platelets absent. Exopodal IV thin and smooth, ca. 13 wide. Anal shield moderately broad; 90 (77–90) long, 120 (101–120) wide at level of mid-opening, maximum width variable 123 (123–167), with uniquely strong anterolateral humera on specimen ‘BBM-NG 27572’ ( Fig. 19 ). Paranal setae 40 (35–40), postanal seta 65 (49–65). Narrow cribrum of 3 regular rows of spicules on posterior margin of anal shield. Baseplates surrounding alveoli of opisthogastric setae well developed, expanded posteriorly for ca. diameter of setal insertion ( Fig. 18 ).

Legs: Femur, genu, and tibia II each with strongly thickened, sharp-tipped av1 setae ( Fig. 24 ). Femur II av1 is 5–7 wide, genu II av1 is 4–6 and tibia II av1 is 4–5. Leg segment lengths shown in Table 5. Pretarsal opercula with ca. 5 tines.

I II III IV

Femur 101 (97–130) 70 (70–75) 85 (74–87) 115 (102–120) Genu 86 (86–102) 87 (83–105) 62 (56–65) 80 (73–85) Tibia 98 (92–115) 90 (74–90) 58 (54–70) 85 (78–107) Tarsus 162 (147–168) 125 (118–130) 130 (123–145) 185 (166–200)

Remarks. Holotype and three paratypes in Bernice P. Bishop Museum.

Etymology. The new species is named after Lisa Rake for her invaluable support.

Figures

FIGURES 17 – 20. Female Nidilaelaps lisae sp. nov. 17, Dorsal shield, ex Poponomys, scale = 100 μm; 18, Opisthogastric setae showing baseplates, scale = 50 μm; 19, Anal shield variation, BBM-NG 27572, scale = 50 μm; 20, Ventral idiosoma, scale = 100 μm.

FIGURES 21 – 24. Female Nidilaelaps lisae sp. nov. 21, Gnathosoma, holotype, scale = 100 μm; 22, Chelicera, holotype, scale = 50 μm; 23, Chelicera, paratype, BBM-NG 21245, same scale; 24, Leg II, lateral view, paratype, ex Poponomys, scale = 100 μm.