Penenirmus albiventris (Scopoli, 1763)

(Figs 3–5)

Pediculus albiventris Scopoli, 1763: 385 .

Docophorus troglodytis Waterston, 1915: 27, fig. F.

Degeeriella longuliceps Blagoveshtchensky, 1940: 65, fig. 19.

Penenirmus albiventris (Scopoli, 1763); CLAY & HOPKINS (1951): 28, figs 38–40.

Type host. Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) – Eurasian wren

Material examined: 6 ♀♀ 3 33(O.Sychra CZ110–112), ex Troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes, CZECH REPUBLIC: Ćerťák (49°34'N, 17°59' E, 400 m a.s.l.); 3. and 15.v.2007, Sychra and Literák leg. (MMBC); 10 ♀♀, 10 33, (O.Sychra PE06–15), ex Troglodytes aedon audax, PERU: Pantanos de Villa, Lima (12°13’ S, 76°59’ W; at sea level), 20–22.vii.2011, Literák leg. (MMBC) .

Variability. WATERSTON (1915) provided a very detailed description of this species under the name Docophorus troglodytis from Troglodytes troglodytes borealis Fischer, 1861 from the Faroe Islands, including four figures. Subsequently, CLAY & HOPKINS (1951) briefly reviewed the main characters of the species described as Pediculus albiventris by SCOPOLI (1763), added three more figures, including male genitalia, and designated a neotype. Recently, CICCHINO (1980) reported this species on one T. aedon bonariae Hellmayr, 1919 in Argentina. He wrote that his material was similar to the description by CLAY & HOPKINS (1951) and presented only a figure of male genitalia.

We contribute detailed figures of this species (Figs 3–5). We found two minor differences between samples from different host species: (1) number of setae on the metanotum, 14 on specimens from T. troglodytes and 16–17 on specimens from T. aedon; (2) number of posterocentral setae on the female tergite VIII, 4 on specimens from T. troglodytes but only 2 on specimens from T. aedon . Also, our specimens differ slightly from the description and redescription of P. albiventris presented by WATERSTON (1915) and CLAY & HOPKINS (1951) respectively, thus increasing knowledge of the intraspecific morphological variability of this species from different geographic areas. Our setal counts and dimensions are as follows [setal counts and dimensions mentioned by WATERSTON (1915) and CLAY & HOPKINS (1951) are given in parentheses and separated by a semicolon, respectively. The nomenclature of head setae follows that proposed by CLAY (1951)]:

Czech Republic. Male (n = 3). As in Figs 3A and 4A. Head with postantennal suture, with one post-nodal and three post-temporal setae on each side, all of them short and spinelike (Fig. 5A). Marginal temporal setae 1 and 3 long, other marginal temporal setae short. Anterior dorsal setae of forehead shorter than the distance between them. Dorsal anterior head plate as in Fig. 5A.

Metanotum and metapleurite with an almost continuous row of 7 evenly spaced setae on each side (outmost lateral short metapleural seta included). Mesosternal plate with 2 setae, metasternal plate with 4 setae.

Tergites II–VI with anterior median notches, joined by a narrow posterior pigmented strip. Postspiracular setae on tergites III–VII long (0.28–0.33). Posterocentral tergal setae: II, 5–6 (6); III, 6–7 (8); IV, 6–7 (7–8); V, 6–7 (6–7); VI, 4–5 (5–7); VII, 2–3 (4); VIII, 2 (2); IX, 4–6 (6). Sternites lightly sclerotized with almost inconspicuous lateral plates. Sternal setae: II, 5–6 (6; 6); III, 9 (8–12; 8); IV, 10 (8–12; 8); V, 8–9 (8–12; 8); VI, 7–8 (8–12; 6); VII, 2 (2; 2). Paratergal setae: II–III, 0 (0); IV–V, 1 (1); VI–VII, 2 (2); VIII–IX, 3 (3). Genitalia as in Fig. 5C with basal sclerites on the penis.

Dimensions: TW, 0.35–0.37 (0.371; 0.37); HL, 0.39–0.40 (0.414; 0.42); PW, 0.20 (0.214; 0.20); MW, 0.32 (0.328; 0.33); AW, 0.41 (0.471; 0.45); TL, 1.35–1.39 (1.24–1.33; 1.33).

Female (n = 6). As in Figs 3B and 4B. As for male, except as follows: Head with only one short spine-like post-temporal setae on each side (Fig. 5B).

Tergites II–VIII with anterior median notches. Postspiracular setae 0.31–0.37 long. Posterocentral tergal setae: II, 6 (6; 8); III, 5–8 (6–7; 10); IV, 7–10 (6–7; 10); V, 6–9 (6–7; 10); VI, 6–8 (6–7; 8); VII, 6–7 (6–7; 6); VIII, 4 (4; 4); IX, 2 (6; 2). Sternal setae: II, 6 (6); III, 7–10 (8–12); IV, 8–11 (8–12); V, 8–9 (8–12); VI, 7–9 (8–12); VII, 2 (0); VIII, 2 (0). Subvulval sclerites well-developed. Ventral terminalia as in Fig. 5D; subgenital plate wide and slightly convex posteriorly, with 25–30 fine and 8–10 very short spine-like setae.

Dimensions: TW, 0.38–0.39 (0.407; 0.45); HL, 0.41–0.42 (0.471; 0.48); PW, 0.20–0.21 (0.228; 0.25); MW, 0.43 (0.371; 0.40); AW, 0.50–0.51 (0.585; 0.63); TL, 1.58–1.61 (1.6; 1.85).

Peru. Male (n = 10). As in Fig. 3C. Identical to specimens from the Czech Republic except as follows: Metanotum and metapleurite with an almost continuous row of 8 evenly spaced setae on each side (less often 9 on one side). The most lateral short metapleural seta is also included. Metasternal plate with 4–6 setae.

Postspiracular setae 0.30–0.38 long. Posterocentral tergal setae: II, 6–7 (6); III, 6–7 (8); IV, 6–7 (7–8); V, 6–7 (6–7); VI, 4–6 (5–7); VII, 2–4 (4); VIII, 2 (2); IX, 2–4 (6). Sternal setae: II, 4–7 (6; 6); III, 8–11 (8–12; 8); IV, 8–10 (8–12; 8); V, 7–9 (8–12; 8); VI, 6–8 (8–12; 6); VII, 2 (2; 2).

Dimensions: TW, 0.38–0.39 (0.371; 0.37); HL, 0.42–0.43 (0.414; 0.42); PW, 0.21–0.22 (0.214; 0.20); MW, 0.34–0.35 (0.328; 0.33); AW, 0.49 (0.471; 0.45); TL, 1.34–1.35 (1.24–1.33; 1.33).

Female (n = 10). As in Fig. 3D. Postspiracular setae 0.37–0.40 long. Posterocentral tergal setae: II, 6–8 (6; 8); III, 7–9 (6–7; 10); IV, 7–10 (6–7; 10); V, 6–9 (6–7; 10); VI, 6–8 (6–7; 8); VII, 4–7 (6–7; 6); VIII, 2 (4; 4); IX, 2 (6; 2). Sternal setae: II, 6–8 (6); III, 8–10 (8–12); IV, 8–11 (8–12); V, 8–11 (8–12); VI, 7–10 (8–12); VII, 2 (0); VIII, 2 (0). Subgenital plate with 33–37 fine and 10–13 very short spine-like setae.

Dimensions: TW, 0.38–0.45 (0.407; 0.45); HL, 0.45–0.46 (0.471; 0.48); PW, 0.23 (0.228; 0.25); MW, 0.43–0.44 (0.371; 0.40); AW, 0.57–0.59 (0.585; 0.63); TL, 1.63–1.68 (1.6; 1.85).