Harpyrhynchoides megascops Bochkov

Bochkov, Andre V, Oconnor, Barry M. & Klompen, Hans, 2015, A review of the mite subfamily Harpirhynchinae (Acariformes: Harpirhynchidae) — parasites of New World birds (Aves: Neognathae), Zootaxa 4023 (1), pp. 1-130 : 39-42

Harpyrhynchoides megascops Bochkov , OConnor and Klompen sp. nov.

( Figs. 30–32 )

Description. FEMALE (holotype, 7 paratypes, Figs. 30 , 32 A–E). Body, including gnathosoma, 320 long (3200– 350) and 265 wide (250–275). Gnathosoma about 85 long and 100 wide. Palp 43 long (43–50) and 37 wide (37– 40), without lateral notches. Proximal segment of palp with 5–6 membranous triangular projections ventrally. Palpalae thickened ( Fig. 32 A): dF 21–25 long with 7–8 pectinations, dG 12–15 long with 7–8 pectinations, and l”G 16–18 long with 8–9 pectinations. Setae vF about 40 long, smooth. Subcapitulum ventrally without membranous projections. Peritrematal branch about 50 long. Idiosoma 245–260 long. Smooth cuticle between peritrematal branches and transverse striations with numerous microscales. All dorsal setae slightly serrate. Dorsal shield 185 long (185–195) and 200 wide (185–200). This shield devoid of ornamentation, with widely convex posterior margin. Idiosoma ventrally with scales, spreading from posterior margin of subcapitulum to level of setal bases 3a. Small area of scales present between coxal fields II and III. Ventral setae h1 present. Median area between setal bases 3a and h1 smooth. Setae 1a situated slightly anterior to level of setal bases 1c. Setae 3a situated at level of coxal fields II. Distance between setal bases 3a about 3 times longer than between setal bases 1a. Coxal fields I and II covered by distinct longitudinal striae. Vulvar pocket-like structure without long lateral longitudinal folds. Vulvar apodemes well developed. Lengths of setae: vi 165 (140–170), ve 135 (110–135), si 115 (105–115), se 120 (110–125), c2 120 (120–125), h1 and h 2 15–17. Solenidia ω 1 I and ω 1 II 7–8 long, narrow straight and conical, with rounded apex. Empodium of tarsi I and II not elongated, only slightly longer or subequal to respective tarsus. Genua I and II with 3 setae (d, l’, v’), femora I and II with 2 setae (d and v), trochanters I and II with 1 seta (v). Apical segment of leg III with 5 setae; preapical segment with 1 seta. Leg IV with 2 segments; preapical segment without setae; apical segment with 3 setae.

MALE (6 paratypes, Figs. 31 , 32 F–H). Body, including gnathosoma, 270–280 long and 215–220 wide. Gnathosoma about 75 long and 80 wide. Palp about 37 long and 28 wide, without notches. Proximal segment of palp with 3–4 membranous triangular projections ventrally. Palpalae subequal in length, with few barbs ( Fig. 32 F): dF and dG about 14, l”G about 12. Setae vF about 40 long, smooth. Subcapitulum ventrally as in female. Idiosoma about 200 long. Smooth cuticle between peritrematal branches and transverse striations with numerous microscales. Dorsal shield 165–170 long and 160–170 wide. Aedeagus about 100 long, almost straight, situated posterior to genital opening; its posterior end distinctly bifurcated. Genital opening situated in posterior half of dorsal shield. Genital arch about 65 long. Genital setae about 17 long; setae g2 situated equidistant from g1 and g3. Distance g1–g1 about 37, g2–g2 about 35, and g3–g3 20. Setae vi about 45 long, ve and si about 85 long, se about 100 long, and c2 about 115 long—all slightly serrate. Idiosoma ventrally with scales distributed as in female, distinct smooth area present around setae 3a. Coxal fields I and II covered by distinct longitudinal striae. Leg I and II setation as in female. Solenidion ω 1 I about 8 long, strongly thickened, about 6 wide in median part; solenidion ω 1 II about 9 long, straight and conical, with rounded apex. Apical segment of leg III with 5 setae; preapical segment with 1 seta. Leg IV with 3 setae.

Type material. Holotype female ( UMMZ BMOC 09-0207-001, #1), 7 female and 6 male paratypes ( UMMZ BMOC 09-0207-001, #2–14) from Megascops asio (Linnaeus) ( Strigiformes : Strigidae ) ( UMMZ 241673) [in skin of body], USA: Michigan, Oakland Co., Commerce Twp., Marble Ct., 42.5644286°N, 83.4637356°W (from specimen catalog), 17 January 2009, via Howell Nature Center.

Type deposition. Holotype and most of paratypes in UMMZ, 1 female and 1 male paratypes in ZISP, 1 female in OSAL.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the generic name of the host and is a noun in apposition.

Hosts and distribution. Megascops asio (Linnaeus) ( Strigiformes : Strigidae ) from USA (Michigan) (present paper).

Differential diagnosis. Among species of complex A this new species is closest to Harpyrhynchoides squamosus ( Fain, 1972) . In females of both these species, genua I and II have three setae each, femora I and II have two setae each, proximal segment of leg III has a single seta, proximal segment of leg IV lacks setae, distal segment of leg IV has three setae, the idiosomal venter is covered by scales, and coxal fields I and II are covered by distinct longitudinal striations. These species differ from each other by the following character states. In females of H. megascops sp. nov., setae h1 and h2 are subequal in length (vs. h1 about three times longer than h 2 in H. squamosus ), setae 3a are do not come close to reaching the posterior margin of the body (vs. reaching), the vulvar lips are without verrucosities (vs. with verrucosities in posterior end); in males, an unstriated area is present around setae 3a (vs. absent). Males of the new species differ from Harpyrhynchoides asio ( Fain, 1972) (only males are known) by short setae vi, about 45 long (vs. 100 long in H. asio ), the posteriorly bifurcated aedeagus (vs. without posterior bifurcation), and by the much longer genital arch, which is only three times shorter than the dorsal shield (vs. five times shorter).

Figures

FIGURE 30. Harpyrhynchoides megascops sp. nov., female: A—dorsal view; B—ventral view.

FIGURE 31. Harpyrhynchoides megascops sp. nov., male: A—dorsal view; B—ventral view.

FIGURE 32. Harpyrhynchoides megascops sp. nov., details of female (A – E): A—palp in dorsal view; B—tarsus I in dorsal view; C—tarsus I in ventral view; D—tarsus II in dorsal view; E—tarsus II in ventral view. Male (F – H): F—palp in dorsal view; G—solenidion ω 1 I; H—solenidion ω 1 II.