Axonopsis (Brachypodopsis) arabica, 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 : 181-183

Axonopsis (Brachypodopsis) arabica n. sp.

( Figures 22 A-E, 23A-B, 28D)

Type series — Holotype: female, stream Hatta Pools , Oman, 15.xi.2008, 24°41.165 N 56°09.556 E, alt. 421 m. Paratype: 1/0/0 (1/0/0 mounted), Oman, unnamed stream crossing road to Al Fay , near Ray, 15.xi.2008, 24°38.703 N 56°06.760 E, alt. 562 m.

Diagnosis — Two pairs of glandularia lying between the genital field and insertions of the fourth legs, the posterior pair closely approaching the genital field in the male; P-4 club-shaped, with a pair of hair like setae on its ventral margin; relatively large gonopore in female; II-leg-5 with two swimming setae, III-Leg-5 with two swimming setae, IV- Leg-5 with three swimming setae.

Description

Female — Dorsal and ventral shields anteriorly fused; dorsal shield L 391, W 303, with seven pairs of glandularia ( Fig. 22A ); postocularia well distanced from anterior margin; dorsal shield without a colour pattern and without prominent ridges, eye pigment well developed; excretory pore located at posterior end of dorsal shield; ventral shield ( Fig. 22B ) L 412, W 395; capitular bay L 111; two pairs of glandularia lying between the genital field and insertions of the fourth legs; three pairs of genital acetabula, these arranged in an arc; width between most lateral pair of acetabula 157; gonopore relatively large, W 101; palp ( Fig. 22 C-D): total L 217, dL and %L (in parentheses): P-1, 34 (15.7); P-2, 50 (23.0); P-3, 29 (13.4); P-4, 79 (36.4); P-5, 25 (11.5); L P-2/P-4 ratio 0.63; ventral margin of P-2 convex, P- 4 club-shaped, with a hair like setae on the ventral side. Legs: L of I-Leg-2-6 ( Fig. 22E ): 36, 32, 55, 65, 62; L of IV-Leg: 52, 68, 59, 69, 85, 79; swimming setae numbers: II-Leg-5 2 (rather short), III-Leg-4 2, III-Leg-5 2, IV-Leg-4 2, IV-Leg-5 3.

Male — similar to female, except in shape of the genital field ( Fig. 23A ); dorsal shield L 372, W 309; ventral shield L 372, W 378; capitular bay L 111; the posterior pair of glandularia lying between the genital field and insertions of the fourth legs closely approaching the genital field; width between most lateral pair of acetabula 112; gonopore W 23; palp ( Fig. 23B ): total L 214, dL and %L (in parentheses): P-1, 36 (16.8); P-2, 49 (22.9); P-3, 28 (13.1); P-4, 78 (36.4); P-5, 23 (10.7); L P-2/P-4 ratio 0.63. Legs: L of I-Leg- 2-6: 37, 32, 57, 67, 63; L of IV-Leg: 54, 66, 63, 75, 88, 78; number of swimming setae of the legs as in the female.

Remarks — Due to the presence of two pairs of glandularia lying between the genital field and insertions of the fourth legs and swimming setae on the second, third and fourth legs, Axonopsis arabica n. sp., resembles A. omanensis n. sp. from which it can be distinguished in the following features: P- 4 club-shaped, not distally tapering, presence of a hair-like, not heavy seta on the ventral side of P-4, female gonopore relatively large and the posterior pair of glandularia lying between the genital field and insertions of the fourth legs shifted closely to the genital field in the male.

Etymology — The species is named for its occurrence in Arabian Peninsula.

Distribution — Oman.

Figures

FIGURE 22: Axonopsis arabica n. sp., female: (A) – dorsal shield, (B) – idiosoma, ventral view; (C-D) – palp; (E) – I-Leg. Scale bars = 100 µm.

FIGURE 23: Axonopsis arabica n. sp., male: (A) – idiosoma, ventral view; (B) – palp. Scale bars = 100 µm.