Neocarus caipora, Bernardi & Klompen & Ferreira, 2014

Bernardi, L. P. de O., Klompen, H. & Ferreira, R. L., 2014, Neocarus Caipora, A New Mite Species (Parasitiformes: Opilioacarida: Opilioacaridae) From Brazilian Amazon Caves, Acarologia 54 (1), pp. 47-56 : 48-55

Neocarus caipora n. sp. Bernardi, Klompen and Ferreira

( Figures 1-5 )

Differential diagnosis

The new species and Neocarus potiguar are the only ones in the genus with triangular male genital valves (these valves are rectangular or weakly curved in other congeners), and just one pair of lateral seta on acrotarsus II-IV ( Figures 1-2 ). However, in N. caipora n. sp. the female lacks pre-genital setae (present in N. potiguar ) and the number of the ch - type setae on the palp tarsus is less than in N. potiguar (12 – 14 vs. 25 – 27).

N. potiguar and N. caipora are currently the only species in South America with curved dorsal and apically pectinate lateral setae on ambulacra II - IV. This character is shared with some North American species, such as Neocarus texanus Chamberlin and Mulaik 1942 , N. siankaanensis VAEzquez and Klompen 2002, N. bajacalifornicus VAEzquez and Klompen 2002 and N. veracruzensis VAEzquez and Klompen 2009 ( Figure 2 ).

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE NEW SPECIES

Chelicera — ( Figure 3 ). Basal segment (115 – 134 µm) with 1 and fixed digit (201 – 214 µm) with 3 setae. Setae ch1" and ch2" smooth, cht and ch2’ lightly barbed (only visible at high magnification). Dorsal (id) and antiaxial lyrifissure (ia) well developed. Fixed digit with 1 tooth, movable digit (63 – 68 µm) with 1 tooth and a well developed terminal hook. Movable digit with two ventral denticles in the basal portion. A third, but small and weakly visible denticle was observed only in 3 females. One or two rounded membranous processes present in middle of the anterolateral portion. Internal surface of movable digit with a small sensillum.

Subcapitulum — ( Figures 4 A-C). All 4 pairs of paralabial setae present: pl1 small, conical; With’s organ (pl2) membranous and barbed marginally; rutella (pl3) with one distinct row of 5 teeth, inserted dorso-lateral; pl4 very small, inserted dorsal. With 4 circumbuccal (cb), and 5 – 10 median and subcapitular setae. Seta vm 1 in all adults with rounded tip and robust, similar to circumbuccal setae. Females with one, rarely two (N=1), additional pairs of median setae with rounded tips (indicated by arrows in Fig. 4A ). All setae in the median area of the subcapitulum in males show a fine, attenuated tip. Canals (ogl1 and ogl2) on lateral lips distinct.

Palp — ( Figures 4 D-F). Trochanter with 2-4 ribbed, tapering (= r-type) and rarely 1 papilliform (= p-type) setae (just observed in one male); femur with 7 – 12 r, 6 – 12 papilliform (= p-type) setae; genu with 21 – 31 r and 5 – 10 p-type setae. Tibia and tarsus partially fused. Tibia with 19 – 26 smooth (stype) and 21 – 34 r-type setae. Palp tarsus with lyrifissures ia and i π. Tarsal setation including 2 sm2, 5 d (leaf-like), 12 – 14 ch, 9 – 11 sm, 5 v and 3 s setae. Sexual differentiation indistinct or absent. Pretarsus in shape of a pair of well developed sessile claws. Total length of palp in adults 476 – 553 µm.

Idiosoma — ( Figure 5 ). Color light with dark blue patches. Body sometimes with a brownish background resulting from ingested food. Dorsal shield with 108 – 139 ribbed setae and two pairs of eyes. One pair of lyrifissures present. Rostrum rounded. Dorsal portion of idiosoma between the shield and the preanal segment without setae, but with numerous lyrifissures arranged in transverse rows. Preanal segment with 1 dorsal and 2 lateroventral setae; anal plates in adults each with 9 – 10 stout, ribbed setae.

Sternitogenital region — ( Figure 6 ). Sternapophyses with two setae, one small seta at the tip and one long and barbed seta positioned more basal. Sternal verrucae in adults each with 1 long, tapering (St1), and 2-3 smaller setae. Remaining sternal area with 2 pairs of tapering (St2 and St3) and 3-4 pairs of long, ribbed setae, and 3 pairs of lyrifissures (two pairs very large, the third smaller; all different in shape and size from "standard" opisthosomal lyrifissures). Setae St2 slightly longer than St3. Pregenital capsules each with 1 long tapering seta (St5) and 4-5 ribbed setae. Pregenital and genital area in male with, respectively, 4-8 ribbed, stout setae and 5-8 tapering and ribbed setae. In females, pregenital area nude and genital area with 8- 12 smooth and pointed setae. Ovipositor consisting of a tube-like structure. A single pair of gland-like structures in its median portion, and apex convex.

Legs — ( Figure 2 ). Leg I longer than others (leg I, 3210 – 3225 µm; leg II, 1581 – 1777 µm; leg III 1539 – 1762 µm; leg IV, 2366 – 2796 µm). Telotarsus I has a highly modified group of dorsal setae located in the apical portion, close to the tarsal claws, homologous to the Haller’s organ of ticks ( Moraza 2005). Basitarsus I carries just two types of setae, 1) smooth and 2) tapering and barbed. All other leg segments carry three types of setae arranged in distal to basal lines: 1) tapering and barbed, 2) papilliform and 3) smooth seta.

Acrotarsus of leg II with a dorsal bifurcate seta and two smooth sensilla (one long and other small) resembling solenidia ( Figure 2 ). Acrotarsi of legs III-IV carry just 3 long, barbed and tapering setae dorsally. Additionally, acrotarsi II-IV carry 3 pairs of smooth ventral setae, 1 pair of lightly barbed ventrolateral setae (positioned distally), 1 pairs of smooth lateral setae and 1 pair of smooth laterodorsal setae (positioned distally). Pretarsi in all instars with one pair of claws and 2 pairs of setae, one pair long and curved, and other smaller and apically pectinate. Pretarsal ambulacrum rounded and smooth. Coronidia limited to basitarsi II-IV.

Material examined — Holotype; 1♀ (MZLQ) from Canªa dos Carajas, Gruta Cav11-S11 (06°24’38.3"S 50°19’38.7"W), 19 III 2010, Andrade R col. Paratypes; Brazil, ParAE State: 6♀ 1♂ ( ISLA) from Parauapebas, Gruta Cav34-S11 (06°24’08.8"S 50°22’56"W), 22 X 2010, Andrade R col; 1♂ (MZLQ) from Parauapebas, Gruta Cav3-S11 (06°24’41.3"S 50°20’04.5"W), 22 X 2010, Andrade R col; 1♀ (MZLQ) from Parauapebas, Gruta Cav3-S11 (06°24’41.3"S 50°20’04.5"W), 31 V 2010, Andrade R col; 1♀ (MZLQ) from Parauapebas, Gruta S11-D11 (06°24’20.5"S 50°21’56"W), 25 V 2010, Andrade R col; 1♀ (MZLQ) from Canaª dos CarajAEs, Gruta 11 D11 (06°24’38.3"S 50°19’38.7"W), 19 III 2010, Andrade R col; 1♀ (MZLQ) from Canaª dos CarajAEs, Gruta S11-D19 (06°24’14.6"S 50°22’13.4"W), 19 X 2010, Andrade R col; 1♀ 1♂ (OSAL) from Canaª dos CarajAEs, Gruta S11-D18 (06°24’10.5"S 50°22’24.8"W), XII 2011, Andrade R col; 1♀ ( ISLA) from Canaª dos CarajAEs, Gruta S11-D106 (06°23’49.6"S 50°17’06.5"W), 14 XII 2011, Andrade R col; 1♀ ( ISLA) from Parauapebas, Gruta S11-D11 (06°24’39.9"S 50°20’03.1"W), 25 V 2010, Andrade R col; 1♀ ( ISLA) from Parauapebas, Gruta S11-D11 (06°24’39.9"S 50°20’03.1"W), 22 III 2010, Andrade R col; 3♀ (OSAL) from Parauapebas, Gruta Cav24-S11 (06°24’20.5"S 50°21’56"W), 25 V 2010, Andrade R col; 3♀ (MZLQ) from Parauapebas, Gruta N5SM2-096 (06°08’03.3"S 50°08’09.1"W), 29 IX 2010, Zampaulo RA col.

Etymology — Caipora is a creature present in common Brazilian folklore, with an origin in the indigenous culture of the "tupi-guarani". The word " caipora " is derived from the tupi language word caapora, and means "inhabitant of the forests".

Ecology remarks — All specimens used in the present work were collected in the south east of ParAE State, Brazil, in 2010 and 2011. Sampling was carried out in epigean habitats, but principally in caves in an environment of ferruginous outcrops regionally known as "Cangas". This region is surrounded by the Amazon Forest domain, but the vegetation which grows in these iron outcrops is strikingly different, consisting mostly of open grasslands, containing herbaceous plants and sparsely distributed trees. Recent subterranean biodiversity surveys showed a high species richness and a great number of endemic species (Ferreira pers. obs.). The region contains important iron ore deposits and is under consideration for intense mineral exploration, threatening those habitats ( Figure 7 ).

An important observation made during the biological survey was the presence of two species of Opilioacaridae in the same site (cave) and sometimes next to each other, sharing the same microhabitat (under rocks and in litter on soil). This unusual mix seems to confirm that Opilioacaridae are not very aggressive and/or territorial. Previous observations by VAEzquez and PalAEcios-Vargas (1988) and Klompen (2000) showed similar lack of aggression. Aggregation behavior in Brazilian Neoacarus species was already noted by Bernardi et al. (2012). Another factor facilitating coexistence may be body size, since adult N. caipora are significantly smaller than the adults of the Caribeacarus brasiliensis Bernardi et al. 2013 found in the same area. Adult N. caipora are similar in size to nymphal (deutonymph and tritonymph) C. brasiliensis , which may avoid competition between adults.

Figures

FIGURE 1: Schematic representation of the male genital area in Neocarus species: A – Neocarus caipora n. sp.; B – Neocarus potiguar; C – Neocarus calakmulensis. Abbreviations: pc, pregenital capsules; pg, pregenital area; gv, genital valve.

FIGURE 2: Acrotarsus II, Neocarus caipora n. sp. (A - B) and Neocarus texanus (C)., female; A, C – posterolateral view; B – anterolateral view. Abbreviations: v, ventral seta; l, lateral seta; vl, ventro-lateral seta; ld laterodorsal seta; d, dorsal seta. Sensillae are indicated by an arrow.

FIGURE 3: Neocarus caipora n. sp. (Female): A – Lateral view of chelicerae; b – Detail of the movable digit of chelicerae.

FIGURE 4: Neocarus caipora n. sp. (Female): A – Ventral view of subcapitulum; B – Detail of a seta with a fine tip; C – Detail of a seta with a rounded tip, found only in females (arrows in Fig. A); D – Detail of d-type (foliate seta) on palp tarsus; E and F – Ventral (E) and dorsal (F) view of the palp tarsus.

FIGURE 5: Neocarus caipora n. sp. A – View of male prodorsal region; B and C – Detail of setae on prodorsal region; D – Dorsal view of female.

FIGURE 6: Neocarus caipora n. sp.: A – View of male sternitogenital region; B – View of female sternitogenital region; C – View of invaginated ovipositor; D – Male pre-genital seta; E – Male genital seta; F – Female genital seta.

FIGURE 7: View of the dense Amazon forest (A) surrounding ferruginous outcrops with open grasslands (B).