Typhlodromalus breviscutus, G. J. De Moraes, A. R. Oliveira & I. D. Zannou, 2001

G. J. De Moraes, A. R. Oliveira & I. D. Zannou, 2001, New phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from tropical Africa, Zootaxa 8, pp. 1-10 : 2-3

Typhlodromalus breviscutus n. sp. ( Fig. 1 )

DIAGNOSIS – This species differs from other members of Typhlodromalus by having: abbreviated ventrianal shield, JV1 inserted on the cuticle anterior to it, all dorsal setae except J5 and S5 knobbed, and fixed cheliceral digit with only 3­4 teeth.

FEMALE – ( 5 specimens measured)

Dorsum – Dorsal shield mostly smooth, with few lateral striae anterior to Z1, 363 (345­375) long and 234 (224­239) wide at widest level of the proscutum. Setae j1 36 (35­ 37), j3 43 (42­44), j4 16 (15­16), j5 14 (12­15), j6 35 (35­36), J2 31 (30­32), J5 5 (4­6), z2 27 (26­28), z4 48 (47­50), z5 16 (14­18), Z1 43 (40­45), Z4 44 (42­47), Z5 59 (57­62), s4 49 (48­50), S2 51 (50­52), S4 50 (50­51) S5 9 (7­10), r3 30 (28­30), R1 31 (29­32). All setae knobbed and smooth, except J5 and S5 which are sharp­tipped.

Peritreme – Extending forward to level between insertions of j3 and z2.

Venter – All shields distinct, except the posterior margin of the sternal shield, and smooth. Sternal shield with 3 pairs of setae and 2 pairs of lyrifissures. Distances between ST1­ST3 65 (65­66), ST2­ST2 65 (64­67), ST5­ST5 73 (71­79). With 1 pair of metapodal shields. Ventrianal shield abbreviated, 100 (96­105) long, 64 (62­67) wide at level of ZV2 and 56 (55­58) wide at level of anus, with 2 pairs of preanal setae, JV2 and ZV2, and a pair of pores posterior and slightly mesad to JV2; JV1 inserted on the cuticle anterior to the shield. Ventral setae sharp­tipped, except JV4 and JV5 which are knob­tipped.

Chelicera – Movable digit 33 (32­33) long, apparently with 3 teeth; fixed digit 28 (28­ 29) long with 3­4 teeth.

Spermatheca – Calyx 49 (44­55) long, filamentous for most of its extension, bulged proximally; atrium distinct.

Legs – With knobbed macrosetae on legs II to IV: Sge II 30 (28­32), Sge III 42 (40­ 44), Sti III 29 (27­31), Sge IV 55 (54­58), Sti IV 44 (42­46) and St IV 57 (55­58); the numbers of other knobbed setae on the legs are: leg I – 3 (femur), 8 (genu), 8 (tibia), 7 (tarsus); leg II – 1 (femur), 4 (genu), 4 (tibia), 2 (tarsus); leg III – 1 (femur), 4 (genu), 3 (tibia), 2 (tarsus); leg IV – 2 (femur), 4 (genu), 3 (tibia), 2 (tarsus); leg I without macrosetae. Chaetotaxy of genu II 2 ­(2,2)/0­1; genu III 1 ­(2,2)/1­1.

MALE – Unknown.

TYPE MATERIAL – Holotype female from Alchornea cordifolia, Ngwa , Nigeria, 16­ IV­1992, coll. N.T.C. Echendu; 4 paratype females from Alchornea cordifolia, Akankpa , Nigeria, 17­IV­1992, coll. N.T.C. Echendu.

ETYMOLOGY – The epithet breviscutus refers to the abbreviated ventrianal shield of this new species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Typhlodromalus breviscutus Moraes, Oliveira & Zannou, n. sp. (female): A. Dorsal shield; B. Ventral surface; C. Chelicera; D. Spermatheca; E. Leg IV.