# Redescription of Tenuipalpus rosae Kadzhaja (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), a new record from Caucasus

Tea Arabuli

► To cite this version:

Tea Arabuli. Redescription of Tenuipalpus rosae Kadzhaja (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), a new record from Caucasus. Acarologia, 2025, 65 (4), pp.1054-1067. 10.24349/93yw-k45n. hal-05387058

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Submitted on 28 Nov 2025

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Acarologia

Open Science
in Acarology

# Redescription of *Tenuipalpus rosae*
Kadzhaja (Acari: Trombidiformes:
*Tenuipalpidae*), a new record from
Caucasus

Tea Arabuli ID a,b

## Original research

### ABSTRACT

A new recorded species of flat mite (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955, from the Caucasus region is redescribed and illustrated based on the female and male specimens collected from *Rosa* sp. in Georgia. The species redescription provides comprehensive details about the leg chaetotaxy and reproductive system (spermatheca and aedeagus) of both female and male. A key to adult females of *Tenuipalpus* distributed in Georgia is provided for the species identification.

**Keywords** Tenuipalpus; flat mites; Rosa sp.; Georgia; new record

## Introduction

False spider mites are phytophagous, and they have significant economic importance in horticulture and agriculture. Some species of tenuipalpid mites are ranked as potential exotic pest mites, including *Brevipalpus californicus* (Banks, 1904), *B. obovatus* Donnadieu, 1875, *B. yothersi* Baker, 1949 and *B. phoenicis* (Geijskes, 1939); they have been reported as vectors of several viral diseases in citrus, coffee, passion fruit, orchids, and various ornamental plants (Beard *et al.* 2015). Additionally, species like *Tenuipalpus granati* Sayed, 1946 and *T. punicae* Pritchard & Baker, 1958 are important in quarantine, and they are considered hazardous agricultural and environmental pests (Childers *et al.* 2006).

The family Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychoidea) is widespread all over the world, and the genus *Tenuipalpus* Donnadieu is the largest in the family (Mesa *et al.* 2009; Castro *et al.* 2016).

The genus *Tenuipalpus* was established by Donnadieu (1875). Mitrofanov & Strunkova (1979) divided the tribe Tenuipalpini into nine genera based on the number of dorsal setae and palp segmentation as follows: *Ultratenuipalpus* Mitrofanov 1973, *Deleoniella* Mitrofanov 1973, *Extenuipalpus* Reck 1959, *Amblypalpus* Mitrofanov & Strunkova 1978, *Tenuipalpus* Donnadieu, 1875, *Tuttlepalpus* Mitrofanov 1973, *Aegyptopalpus* Mitrofanov 1973, *Colopalpus* Pritchard & Baker 1958 (Syn: *Gnathopalpus* Mitrofanov 1973) and *Deleonipalpus* Mitrofanov 1973. Meyer (1979) synonymized those genera with the genus *Tenuipalpus* except for *Ultratenuipalpus*, which she considered a valid genus; by using the same morphological characters, she proposed six species groups in the genus *Tenuipalpus*: *albae*, *caudatus*, *elegans*, *granati*, *quadrisetosus*, and *trisetosus*. Only two species groupings, *caudatus* and *proteae*, were later identified by Baker & Tuttle (1987) based on the presence or absence of setae f2 (seven and six pairs of dorsolateral setae, respectively). Additionally, the *caudatus* species group was further subdivided into three groups: *anoplus* (one pair of setae 3a, one pair of setae 4a), *bakeri*

Received 22 April 2025
Accepted 09 October 2025
Published 17 October 2025

Corresponding author
Tea Arabuli ID:
tea.arabuli@iliauni.edu.ge

Academic editor
Auger, Philippe

https://doi.org/10.24349/93yw-k45n

ISSN 0044-586X (print)
ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic)

<figure><img src="image_2.png" /></figure>

Arabuli T.

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

OPEN ACCESS

<footnote>a Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University, Giorgi Tsereteli Str. 3, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia.</footnote>

<footnote>b Institute of Entomology, Agricultural University of Georgia, Kakha Bendukidze Campus, 240 David Aghmashenebeli Alley, 0131, Tbilisi, Georgia.</footnote>
(two pairs 3a, one pair 4a), and annonae (one pair 3a, two pairs 4a) subgroups. Afterwards, Meyer (1993) separated the proteae group into three subgroups: rhusi (one pair 3a, one pair 4a), keiensis (one pair 3a, two pairs 4a), and xerocolus (two pairs 3a, two pairs 4a). Meyer also added two new subgroups to the caudatus group: pacificus (two pairs 3a, two pairs 4a) and eriophyoides (one pair 3a, four pairs 4a). Recently, Castro *et al.* (2016) proposed the division of the genus Tenuipalpus into two groups: Tenuipalpus sensu stricto, with a pair of lateral projections associated with setae c3, and Tenuipalpus sensu lato, lacking lateral projections associated with setae c3. Elgoni *et al.* (2023) created diagnostic keys to species groups of Tenuipalpus sensu lato (273 species) based on the new combination of the genus Tenuipalpus proposed by Castro *et al.* 2016. They also categorize new species groups using Tenuipalpus sensu lato morphological characteristics.

Mites of the family Tenuipalpidae from Georgia were predominantly studied by Reck (1951, 1953, 1956, 1959), Arabuli (2008, 2015, 2025), Arabuli & Kvavadze (2013), and Arabuli *et al.* (2015). In consequence, about 36 species of flat mites have been reported from the country so far.

Previously, 7 species of *Tenuipalpus* were recorded from Georgia: *T. baeri* Reck, 1956; *T. cheladzeae* Gomelauri, 1960; *T. dubinini* Reck, 1951; *T. granati* Sayed, 1946; *T. kobachidzei* Reck, 1951; *T. punicae* Pritchard & Baker, 1958; *T. zhizhilashviliae* Reck, 1953. Five of them have been described from Georgia (Gomelauri, 1960; Reck, 1951, 1953, 1956). Among the examined species of *Tenuipalpus* distributed in different regions of Georgia, only one, *T. cheladzeae*, belongs to the sensu stricto group; the newly recorded *T. rosae* and other species are members of the sensu lato group.

In the current paper, we redescribe and illustrate the newly recorded species *T. rosae* from the Caucasus region. The species was originally described from Alushta, Ukraine, by Kadzhaja (1955) which is about 1000 kilometers from the new location. The morphology of the male and female reproductive organs was not mentioned in the original description (Kadzhaja, 1955). In addition, the palp-tarsus was described as bearing one long setae; however, recent research shows one minute eupathidium (2-3) distally and one long solenidion (6-7), while other morphological features are similar. The chaetotaxy of the idiosoma and legs, as well as the morphology of the reproductive organs for this species are presented here. This detailed redescription helps to fill the gaps about the misunderstanding information in different literature date and identification keys. Additionally, a key for Georgian species of the genus *Tenuipalpus* is provided.

## Materials and Methods

Material was collected on September 10, 2016 in Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi, Georgia. The mites were placed in plastic bags along with the host plant (Rosa sp.). The mites were extracted from the host plants using a dipping-washing-filtering method. The solution was filtered through a sieve (400 mesh, 38 µm sieve opening), and mites that remained on the sieve were washed onto a petri plate using 70% ethanol. The specimens were mounted on glass slides in Hoyer's medium using a stereomicroscope (UNITRON Z650HR). Mites were examined under a differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope (ACCU-SCOPE EXC-350). Species identification were performed with the help of diagnostic taxonomic keys and available literature. The images of the re-described individuals were captured by using a camera attached to a microscope (ACCU-SCOPE S/N1706124) and then illustrated. The terminology used in this study follows Lindquist (1985) and Mesa *et al.* (2009). Chaetotaxy of the legs is based on Lindquist (1985). All measurements are presented in micrometers (µm). The dimensions of the body were measured as the distance between setae v2-h1 (length) and sc2-sc2 (width). The lengths of each seta were measured from the basal insertions to the tips; the distance between setae was measured as the distance between their bases. Legs were measured from the coxal part to the end of the tarsus. The specimens of re-described species, were deposited in Ilia State
University, Institute of Zoology, Acarology Collection. The slides of the new recorded species are: 1070, 1378, 1395, 1444, and 1541; additional specimens are preserved in 96% ethanol.

## Results

### Family Tenuipalpidae Berlese, 1913

### Genus Tenuipalpus Donnadieu, 1876

Type species: *Tenuipalpus palmatus* Donnadieu, 1876 (=*T. caudatus* (Dugès), 1834).

Baker, 1945: 34; Baker & Pritchard, 1953: 317; Baker & Pritchard, 1960: 564; Baker & Tuttle, 1972: 31; Baker, Tuttle & Abbatiello, 1975: 4; Castro *et al.* 2016: 108; Collyer, 1973: 915; De Leon, 1965: 65; Evans *et al.* 1993: 129; Gonzalez, 1968: 38; Hatzinikolis, 1987: 56; Livschitz & Mitrofanov, 1967: 9; Meyer, 1979: 3; Mitrofanov, 1973: 1318; Pritchard & Baker, 1958: 235.

*Aegyptopalpus* Mitrofanov, 1973: 1318. Type species: *Tenuipalpus granati* Sayed, 1946, a synonym (Meyer 1979: 3).

*Deleonipalpus* Mitrofanov, 1973: 1319. Type species: *Tenuipalpus barticanus* De Leon, 1965, a synonym (Meyer 1979: 4).

*Gnathopalpus* Mitrofanov, 1973: 1318. Type species: *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955, a synonym (Meyer 1979: 4).

*Tuttlepalpus* Mitrofanov, 1973: 1318. Type species: *Tenuipalpus trisetosus* Baker & Tuttle, 1964, a synonym (Meyer 1979: 3).

### Generic diagnosis of the genus *Tenuipalpus*

#### Diagnosis — *Tenuipalpus* sensu lato (Castro *et al.* 2016)

Lateral body projections associated with setae *c3* absent. Prodorsum wider than opisthosoma or elongate-ovate; prodorsum with three pairs of setae (*v2*, *sc1*, *sc2*; except for *T. elegans* (Collyer) which lacks *v2*); opisthosoma with 8–10 pairs of setae (*c3*, *d3*, *e3*, *f3*, *h1*, *h2* present; *c2*, *d2*, *e2* absent; *c1*, *d1*, *e1*, *f2* present or absent (*d1*, *e1* rarely absent); setae *h2* elongate, flagelliform. Venter with one to two pairs of setae *3a* (*3a2* present or absent) and one to four pairs of setae *4a* (*4a2*, *4a3*, *4a4* present or absent); two pairs of pseudanal setae *ps2–3*.

#### Diagnosis — *Tenuipalpus* sensu stricto (Castro *et al.* 2016)

Dorsum with one pair of lateral projections anterior to setae *sc2*; lateral projections associated with setae *c3* present; prodorsum with three pairs of setae (*v2*, *sc1*, *sc2*); dorsal opisthosoma with 10 pairs of setae (*c1*, *c3*, *d1*, *d3*, *e1*, *e3*, *f2*, *f3*, *h1*, *h2* present; except for *T. lalbaghensis* Channabasavanna & Lakkundi, *f2* is missing); lateral setae *sc2*, *c3*, *e3*, *f2*, *f3*, *h1*, *c1*, *d1*, and *e1* variable in shape from lanceolate, obovate, ovate to minute; setae *h2* elongate, flagellate. Venter with one to two pairs of setae *3a* (*3a2* present or absent) and one pair of setae *4a*; two to three pairs of pseudanal setae (*ps2–3* present; setae *ps1* present or absent). Femora, genua and tibiae with setae *d* inserted in lateral position on tubercles.

### Remark

According to Castro *et al.* (2016), the species belonging to the *Tenuipalpus* sensu lato group is characterized by having one to four pairs of intercoxal setae *4a*. Elgoni *et al.* (2023), in the description of the *Tenuipalpus* sensu lato group, reported a venter with one to five pairs of setae *4a* (*4a1* always present; *4a2*, *4a3*, *4a4*, *4a5* present or absent). Referring to the revised literature data (Reck, 1951:296; 959:124; Pritchard & Baker, 1958:237) and the *Tenuipalpus* mite material collected in Georgia, it is obvious that *T. dubinini*, has five or six pairs of intercoxal setae *4a* (Figure 7).
Redescription of *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955

*Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955

(Figures 1–6)

**Material examined**

**Host and location** — *Rosa* sp. (Rosaceae), Didi Dighomi (41.79874°N 44.74818°E, altitude 539 m above sea level), Tbilisi, Georgia; 10th of September 2016.

**Material deposition** — The specimens of *T. rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955 are deposed in the Institute of Zoology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Six females and three males in microscope slides; additional material is preserved in alcohol (T. Arabuli leg.).

**Diagnosis**

**Female** — The prodorsum is wider than the opisthosoma and has lateral margins that extend beyond the opisthosoma edges; the dorsum has two pairs of well-developed lateral projections anterior to the setae *sc2*. The distance between *c3–c3* is almost three times as long as the distance between *h2–h2*; accordingly, the opisthosoma has a distinctive bell shape. Dorsal setae varying in size and shape, they are mostly short and smooth, except seta *sc2*, *e3*, *f3*, *h1* that are narrowly lanceolate, and *h2* long, flagellate; venter with two pairs of setae *3a* (*3a1*, *3a2*) and four pairs of *4a* (*4a1*, *4a2*, *4a3*, *4a4*), ventral and genital shields indistinct with one pair of aggenital and two pairs of genital setae; anal shield with two pairs of setae; palp 3-segmented; spermatheca a short tube terminating in a knob. Tarsi I–IV with 9(1ω)–9(1ω)–5–5 setae. Pretarsal claws and claw-like empodium present with tenent hairs.

**Male** — As per female except: opisthosoma distinctly narrower. Setae *ps3* modified as accessory genital stylets. Tarsi I–IV with an additional solenidion, *ω'*, present.

**Description**

**Female** — (Figures 1–3) (n = 6). Color in life red. The prodorsum is distinctively wider than the opisthosoma and Y-shaped ridges stretching from eyes posteriorly. Body size: *v2–h1* 280–300; *sc2–sc2* 180–185; lengths of leg I 135–138; leg II 122–120; leg III 100–105; leg IV 90–97.

*Dorsum* — (Figure 1). Dorsum with irregular striae; prodorsum with strong wrinkles laterally and broken unclear striae medially. Projection on anterior margin of prodorsum with incision, depth of notch 23–25. Prodorsal setae *v2* and *sc1* short, almost equal in length; *sc2* long, lanceolate and noticeably barbed; about 6 times as long as *sc1*. Lengths of prodorsal setae *v2* 6–7, *sc1* 5–6, *sc2* 36–38. Opisthosoma with transverse striae between *c1–e1* and strong longitudinal wrinkles lateral to *c1–e1*, and with irregular striae posterior to *e1*; opisthosomal pores present anterior to *e3*; bearing one pair of humeral setae (*c3*), three pairs of dorsocentral setae (*c1*, *d1* and *e1*), five pairs of dorsolateral setae (*d3*, *e3*, *f3*, *h2* and *h1*; *f2* absent). Setae *c1*, *c3*, *d1*, *d3* and *e1* short, subequal in length; *e3*, *f3* and *h1* lanceolate, barbed; *e3* and *f3* subequal in length and about five times as long as *d1*; setae *h1* about three times as long as *e1*; *h2* flagelliform, elongate and serrate at the beginning (Figure 1). Lengths of dorsal setae as follows: *c1* 7–8, *c3* 7–8, *d1* 5–6, *d3* 7–8, *e1* 5–6, *e3* 32–34, *f3* 30–32, *h1* 18–20, *h2* 152–156. Distances between dorsal setae: *v2–v2* 45–48, *sc1–sc1* 132–135, *sc2–sc2* 177–180, *c1–c1* 55–57, *c3–c3* 182–185, *d1–d1* 30–32, *d3–d3* 152–154, *e1–e1* 16–17, *e3–e3* 104–107, *f3–f3* 88–89, *h1–h1* 38–40, *h2–h2* 60–61.

*Venter* — (Figure 2A). Ventral cuticle between *1a–4a* and *4a–ag* mostly smooth; cuticle on the genital plate between *ag–g1–2* mostly with transverse striae; lateral opisthosomal cuticle with longitudinal striae. Ventral setae fine and smooth. Two pairs of setae *3a1–2* and four pairs of setae *4a1–4* present. Setae *1a*, *3a2* and *4a1–4* flagelliform; setae *3a1* short and setiform; setae *3a2* almost eight times as long as *3a1*; setae *4a1–4* extend beyond the bases of agential setae; the longest setae *4a1* extend beyond the bases of genital setae. Aggenital setae (*ag*) slightly shorter than genital setae (*g1–2*). Lengths of setae: *1a* 108–115, *1b* 75–78, *1c* 24–26,
<figure><img src="image_3.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955 (Female): dorsum.</figcaption></figure>

2b 62–65, 2c 20–22, 3a 114–16, 3a2 114–116, 3b 20–22, 4a1 93–95, 4a2 88–90, 4a3 74–77, 4a4 72–75, 4b 18–20, *ag* 19–20, *g1* 23–25, *g2* 24–26, *ps2* 16–18, *ps3* 20–22.

*Spermatheca* – (Figure 2B). Slender and elongated tube terminating into a small bulb.
Lengths of spermatheca 52–25.

*Gnathosoma* – (Figure 2C). Palp three-segmented; length of palp segments: first 4–5, second 19–21, third 3–5; palp-tarsus short, with one solenidion 6–7 and one minute eupathidium 2–3 distally; second segment of palp elongate and with barbed dorsal seta *d* 21–22. Ventral infracapitulum with seta *m* 20–21.

*Legs* – (Figure 3). Legs shorter than body. Setal formulae of leg segments as follows: coxae 2–2–1–1; trochanters 1–1–2–1; femora 4–4–2–1; genua 2–2–1–1; tibiae 4–4–3–3; tarsi 9(1ω)–9(1ω)–5–5. Tarsi I and II each with one solenidion ω" (Figure 3: A and B). Tarsal
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955 (Female): A venter; B-spermatheca; C-palp.</figcaption></figure>

claws pad-like.

**Male** — (Figures 4–6) (n=3). Color in life red. The opisthosoma is noticeably narrower than the prodorsum. Body size: *v2–h1* 246–250; *sc2–sc2* 160–162; lengths of leg I 178–182; leg II 148–152; leg III 120–122; leg IV 124–126.

*Dorsum* — (Figure 4). Dorsum with irregular striae laterally. Projection on anterior margin of prodorsum with incision, depth of notch 17–20. Prodorsum smooth, covered with few faint transverse striae and oblique striae posterior to *sc1*. Opisthosoma distinctly narrower than propodosoma. Region between *c1–d1* smooth; with strong longitudinal wrinkles lateral to *c1–e1* and with irregular striae anterior to *e1*; opisthosomal pores well-developed anterior to *e3*. Dorsal setae similar to those of the female. Lengths of dorsal setae as follows: *v2* 8–10, *sc1* 9–11, *sc2* 30–32, *c1* 8–9, *c3* 9–11, *d1* 7–9, *d3* 15–16, *e1* 7–9, *e3* 24–27, *f3* 24–26 *h1* 14–16, *h2*
<figure><img src="image_5.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3** *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955 (Female): A–leg I, B–leg II, C–leg III, D–leg IV.</figcaption></figure>

155–158. Distances between dorsal setae: v2–v2 38–40, sc1–sc1 120–122, sc2–sc2 158–160, c1–c1 34–36, c3–c3 134–136, d1–d1 25–27, d3–d3 108–110, e1–e1 7–9, e3–e3 70–72, f3–f3 62–65, h1–h1 27–28, h2–h2 40–42.

*Venter* – (Figure 5A). Ventral cuticle without transverse striae. Ventral setae similar to female except setae *ps3* modified as accessory genital stylets, concealed by the anal valves. Lengths of setae: *1a* 98–100, *1b* 84–86, *1c* 20–23, *2b* 72–75, *2c* 18–20, *3a1* 12–14, *3a2* 102–106, *3b* 21–23, *4a1* 73–75), *4a2* 75–76, *4a3* 80–82, *4a4* 82–84, *4b* 16–17, *ag* 15–16, *g1* 16–17, *g2* 15–17, *ps2* 10–11, *ps3* 8–9.

*Aedeagus* – (Figure 5B). The aedeagus is narrow, elongate, sclerotized, and tapering to a blunt point distally; a narrow coiled membranous tube is present basally, terminating in a
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4** *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955 (Male): dorsum.</figcaption></figure>

region that opens into a membranous vesicle.

*Gnathosoma* – Palp three-segmented, the length of palp segments: first 4–6, second 20–23, third 5–6; palp–tarsus short with one solenidion 7–8 and one minute eupathidium 2–3 distally; second segment of palp elongate and with one barbed seta *d* 22–25. Ventral infracapitulum with seta *m* 20–21.

*Legs* – (Figure 6). Setal formulae of leg segments similar to adult female except tarsi I–IV with an additional solenidion, *ω'*, present.
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 5** *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955 (Male): A–venter; B–aedeagus.</figcaption></figure>

**Notes**

All specimens collected for the current study have four pairs of posterior medioventral setae 4a.
However, Reck (1959) noted that intercoxal setae could include four or five pairs of setae 4a.

**Discussion**

Kadzhaja (1955) described *T. rosae* from specimens collected on *Rosa* sp. in Ukraine;
the information about the type specimens depository was not mentioned in the original
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 6** *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955 (Male): A–leg I, B–leg II, C–leg III, D–leg IV.</figcaption></figure>

description. Before the current investigation, *T. rosae* was registered in Ukraine (Kadzhaia, 1955; Mitrofanov, 1973; Livshitz & Mitrofanov, 1967; Mitrofanov & Strunkova, 1979; Zhovnerchuk et al. 2021) and in Greece (Hatzinikolis, 1986, 1987). Livshitz & Mitrofanov (1967) redescribed *T. rosae* using the material collected by Kadzhaja in Ukraine on August 18, 1963; however, the information on where the type and paratype specimens are deposited is not mentioned in the paper.

Later, *T. rosae* was moved to the genus *Gnathopalpus* by Mitrofanov (1973) and to the genus *Colopalpus* by Mitrofanov & Strunkova (1979). Meyer (1979) considered these two genera
<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 7** *Tenuipalpus dubinini Reck, 1951 (Female): Detail of intercoxal setae 4a1–4a6.*</figcaption></figure>

synonymous of *Tenuipalpus*. Mesa *et al*. (2009) and Zhovnerchuk *et al*. (2021) provided comprehensive information regarding the distribution and synonym of *T. rosae*, although the type depository is listed as unknown in both works. The recently discovered species *T. rosae* was only collected at one site in Georgia for the current study. For the morphological analysis, three males and six females were mounted, and extra material was kept in ethanol. The new location is roughly 1000 kilometers from Alushta, Ukraine, where the species was first reported. The current redescription of *T. rosae* provides additional novel data (e.g., leg setae, setal measurements and the morphology of the female and male reproductive organs). In addition, the present study shows a palp-tarsus with a minute eupathidium distally and one long solenidion, instead of the palp-tarsus with a single long setae reported in the original description.

In some identification keys, the morphological characters differ from the actual features of *T. Rosae*, which can lead to confusion during species identification. Pritchard & Baker (1958) developed an identification key for the genus *Tenuipalpus*, indicating that *T. rosae* has eight pairs of posterior medioventral setae (4a) instead of 4 pairs. Later, Meyer (1979) used the same characteristic (eight pairs of posterior medioventral setae) in her identification key, which was based on that proposed by Pritchard & Baker (1958). Furthermore, the morphological characters used in the most recent identification key provide for the genus *Tenuipalpus* complicate the taxonomy of the species. According to Elgoni *et al*. (2023), the venter contains one pair of 3a in *T. rosae* and two pairs of 3a in *T. crassus* Andre, 1953; however, *T. rosae* actually possesses two pairs of 3a (Figures 2A and 5A), making the use of the key to identify the species challenging. Based on the literature, both *T. crassus* and *T. rosae* have two pairs of 3a; the primary distinction between them is the number of setae 4a: *T. rosae* has four pairs (or five – according to Reck (1959)), whereas *T. crassus* has three pairs (Mitrofanov & Strunkova, 1979).
## Key to known species of *Tenuipalpus* from Georgia (based on adult females)

1. Lateral projections associated with setae c3 present, genua I with 3 setae, tibia I–II with 4 setae
... *Tenuipalpus* sensu stricto (sensu Castro *et al.* 2016) ... *Tenuipalpus cheladzeae* Gomelauri, 1960
— Lateral projection without associated setae c3 absent
... *Tenuipalpus* sensu lato (sensu Castro *et al.* 2016) ... 2

2. Dorsal opisthosoma with 8 pairs of setae, *Tenuipalpus granati* Species Group (sensu Elgoni *et al.* 2023). Dorsocentral setae c1 present, setae d1 and e1 absent; venter with 1 pair of 3a and 2 pairs of posterior medioventral setae 4a
... *Tenuipalpus granati* Sayed, 1946
— Dorsal opisthosoma with more than 8 pairs of setae
... 3

3. Dorsal opisthosoma with 9 pairs of setae
... *Tenuipalpus dubinini* Species Group (sensu Elgoni *et al.* 2023) ... 4
— Dorsal opisthosoma with 10 pairs of setae
... *Tenuipalpus carolinensis* Species Group (sensu Elgoni *et al.* 2023) ... 5

4. Trochanter and femora IV with 2 setae; venter with 5-6 pairs of posterior medioventral setae 4ae
... *Tenuipalpus dubinini* Reck, 1951
— Trochanter and femora IV with 1 setae; venter with 4 pairs of posterior medioventral setae 4ae
... *Tenuipalpus rosae* Kadzhaja, 1955

5. Venter with 2 pairs of 3a setae
... *Tenuipalpus kobachidzei* Reck, 1951
— Venter with 1 pair of 3a setae
... 6

6. Dorsocentral setae long; setae c1 longest, reaching to the basis of d1; genua I and II with 3 setae
... *Tenuipalpus baeri* Reck, 1956
— Dorsocentral setae (c1, d1, e1) minute and equal in size; genua I and II with 1 or two setae setae
... 7

7. Genua I and II, each with 1 setae
... *Tenuipalpus zhizhilashviliae* Reck, 1953
— Genua I and II with 2 setae
... *Tenuipalpus punicae* Pritchard & Baker, 1958

## Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers, whose helpful comments improved the manuscript as well as Philippe Auger for managing it.

## ORCID

Tea Arabuli https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0794-0487

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