Torrenticola (Megapalpis) omanensis, Smit & Pesic, 2010

Smit, H. & Pesic, V., 2010, New Species Of Water Mites From Oman, With Some Zoogeographical Notes (Acari: Hydrachnidia), Acarologia 50 (2), pp. 151-195 : 161-162

Torrenticola (Megapalpis) omanensis n. sp.

( Figures 6 A-E, 7A-B)

Type series — Holotype: male, stream Hatta Pools , Oman, 24°41.165 N 56°09.556 E, alt. 421 m, 15-xi-2008 . Paratype: (1/0/0), same data as holotype.

Diagnosis — Males (female unknown). Cx-IV extended strongly posterior to genital field; P-2 long (L ratio P-2/P-4 2.5) and with strong ventral denticles distally to slightly pronounced ventral projection, P-3 with serrulate margin distally from small pointed ventral projection; capitulum with a very long rostrum; cheliceral claw relatively short (basal segment/claw ratio 12.0).

Description

Male — Idiosoma (ventral view: Fig. 6B ) L 763, W 563; dorsal shield ( Fig. 6A ) L 675, W 466, L/W ratio 1.45; dorsal plate 634; shoulder plate L 209, W 67, L/W ratio 3.1; frontal plate L 138, W 53, L/W ratio 2.6; shoulder/frontal plate L ratio 1.5; gnathosomal bay L 166, Cx-I total L 300, Cx-I medial L 133, Cx-II+III medial 67; ratio Cx-I L/Cx-II+III medial L 4.5; Cx-I medial L/Cx-II+III medial L 2.0; Cx- IV extended posterior to genital field; Cxgl-4 anterior to Cxgl-2 and located adjacent to Leg-II socket; genital field L/W 144/125, L/W ratio 1.15, ejaculatory complex ( Fig. 6E ) L 162; distance genital fieldexcretory pore 199, genital field-caudal idiosoma margin 241; capitulum ( Fig. 7A ) with long rostrum, ventral L 628; chelicera ( Fig. 7B ) L 663, basal segment L 634, claw L 53, basal segment/claw ratio L 12.0; palp ( Figs. 6 C-D) total L 620, L and %L (in parentheses): P-1, 88 (14.2); P-2, 297 (47.9); P-3, 91 (14.7); P-4, 119 (19.2); P-5, 25 (4.0); P-2/P-4 ratio 2.5; P-2 with well developed ventral denticles distally to slightly pronounced ventral projection bearing long seta, P-3 with serrulate margin distally from small pointed ventral projection bearing seta.

Female — unknown.

Remarks. The new species can be distinguished from other members of the subgenus Megapalpis Halbert, 1944 in the combination of the characteristic shape of the palp (P-2 very long and with ventral denticles distally to slightly pronounced ventral projection, P-3 with serrulate margin distally from small pointed ventral projection), capitulum with very long rostrum, a relatively short cheliceral claw (basal segment/claw ratio 12.0) and Cx-IV greatly extended posterior to genital field.

Etymology — The species is named for its occurrence in Oman.

Smit H. and Pe˘si´c V.

Distribution — Oman.

Figures

FIGURE 6: Torrenticola omanensis n. sp., male: (A) – dorsal shield; (B) – idiosoma, ventral view; (C) – palp, medial view; (D) – palp, lateral view; (E) – ejaculatory complex. Scale bars = 100 µm.

FIGURE 7: Torrenticola omanensis n. sp., male: (A) – capitulum; (B) – chelicera. Scale bar = 100 µm.