Helenicula sparsa (Schluger, 1955)

Stekolnikov, Alexandr A., Saboori, Alireza, Shamsi, Mohsen & Hakimitabar, Masoud, 2019, Chigger mites (Acariformes: Trombiculidae) of Iran, Zootaxa 4549 (1), pp. 1-66 : 27

Helenicula sparsa (Schluger, 1955)

Neoschoengastia sparsa Schluger, 1955: 204 , figs. 228–330.

Helenicula sparsa: Nadchatram & Traub 1971: 589 ; Kudryashova et al. 1978: 159, fig. 24; Kudryashova 1998: 277, fig. 237.

Diagnosis. SIF = 5B-N-3-2111.0000; fPp = B/B/BNB; fsp = 7.7.7; fCx = 1.2.4(5); fSt = 2.4(5); fSc: AL> PL> AM; DS = 108–115; VS = 72–85; NDV = 180–200; Ip = 947–987; eyes 2 + 2; S 1 apical, at level of ST; f 1 posterior to S 1; tibialae I apical; f 2 anterior to S 2. Measurements of specimens from Iran and Tadjikistan ( Kudryashova 1998): AW 56–62 , PW 69–75 , SB 11–14, ASB 33–39, PSB 17–20, SD 50–56, AP 33–42, AM 33–39 , AL 53–64, PL 45– 56 , H 40–53, D min 20–25, D max 36–45, V min 20–25, V max 31–45, pa 300–350, pm 258–295, pp 297–342. Measurements of one syntype ( Nadchatram & Traub 1971): AW 57, PW 74 , SB 14, ASB 37, PSB 19, SD 56, AP 34, AM 37 , AL 70, PL 54 , S 30, H 55, D min 30, D max 50, V min 28, V max 45, pa 340, pm 240, pp 305, Ip 885, TaIIIL 80, TaIIIW 15.

Type data. Syntypes ( ZMMU), Tadjikistan, Kondara Gorge (38° 48' 52" N, 068° 47' 03" E) .

Hosts. Apodemus sylvaticus , Cricetulus migratorius , Meriones persicus , M. libycus , Mus musculus, Rattus pyctoris , Rhombomys opimus . Type host is unknown.

Distribution. Tadjikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Iran (Chahar Taq, Delijan).