Malaconothrus scutatus, Luxton, M., 1987

Luxton, M., 1987, Mites of the genus Malaconothrus (Acari: Cryptostigmata) from the British Isles, Journal of Natural History 21, pp. 199-206 : 203-204

Malaconothrus scutatus sp. nov.

(Fig. 3)

Dimensions. Mean length 404 µm (range 390-410 µm) (N = 5); mean width at widest point 194 µm (range 190-200 µm) (N = 5).

Prodorsum. Patterned with conspicuous areoles of varying shape and size; the areolar field may be broken at the edges. Rostrum rounded, rostral setae smooth, rather broad at the base, and narrowing to a point. Lamellar setae situated about the mid-point of the areolar field, about as long as their mutual distance, closer together than the rostral setae, fine, sinuous, and smooth. Inter-lamellar setae originating from the lower corners of the areolar field, smooth, fine and long. Exobothridial setae of the same form but only half the length of inter-lamellar setae.

Notogaster. Completely devoid of sculpturing. All setae short, fine and smooth; e1 and the h setae are the longest and somewhat sinuous. Hysterosoma oval in outline.

Venter. Typical for genus. Epimera smooth.

Appendages. Typical for genus. Spine (ft") at the tip of tarsus I robust, almost as large as the claw.

Distinguishing features. The very conspicuous patterning of the prodorsum relative to the absence of sculpturing on the notogaster, and the extremely robust spine (ft") on tarsus I distinguishes this species from all others.

Locality. Deciduous forest, New Forest , Hampshire, coll. H. Roberts, 1953 (British Museum (Natural History) collections).

Types. The holotype (1954.3.17.168-172(a)) and two paratypes (1954.3.17.168-172(b) and (c)) are deposited at the British Museum (Natural History), London.