# A new species of the genus Molothrognathus Summers and Schlinger (Acari: Caligonellidae) from Kurdistan province, Iran

Fatemeh Amini, Mohammad Khanjani, Masoumeh Khanjani

► To cite this version:

Fatemeh Amini, Mohammad Khanjani, Masoumeh Khanjani. A new species of the genus Molothrognathus Summers and Schlinger (Acari: Caligonellidae) from Kurdistan province, Iran. Acarologia, 2018, 58, 4 (875-880), 10.24349/acarologia/20184293. hal-01898959

HAL Id: hal-01898959

https://hal.science/hal-01898959

Submitted on 19 Oct 2018

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access
archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-
entific research documents, whether they are pub-
lished or not. The documents may come from
teaching and research institutions in France or
abroad, or from public or private research centers.

L'archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est
destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents
scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non,
émanant des établissements d'enseignement et de
recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires
publics ou privés.

<figure><img src="image_1.png" /></figure>

Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
<figure><img src="image_2.png" /></figure>

Acarologia

A quarterly journal of acarology, since 1959
Publishing on all aspects of the Acari

All information:

<figure><img src="image_3.png" /></figure>

http://www1.montpellier.inra.fr/CBGP/acarologia/acarologia@supagro.fr

OPEN ACCESS

Acarologia is proudly non-profit,
with no page charges and free open access

Please help us maintain this system by
encouraging your institutes to subscribe to the print version of the journal
and by sending us your high quality research on the Acari.

Subscriptions: Year 2018 (Volume 58): 380 €

http://www1.montpellier.inra.fr/CBGP/acarologia/subscribe.php

Previous volumes (2010-2016): 250 € / year (4 issues)

Acarologia, CBGP, CS 30016, 34988 MONTFERRIER-sur-LEZ Cedex, France

The digitalization of Acarologia papers prior to 2000 was supported by Agropolis Fondation under the reference ID 1500-024 through the « Investissements d'avenir » programme
(Labex Agro: ANR-10-LABX-0001-01)

<figure><img src="image_4.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_5.png" /></figure>

Acarologia is under **free license** and distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons-BY-NC-ND which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
# A new species of the genus *Molothrognathus* Summers & Schlinger (Acari: Caligonellidae) from Kurdistan province, Iran

Fatemeh Aminiª, Mohammad Khanjaniª, Masoumeh Khanjaniª

## ABSTRACT

*Molothrognathus kurdistaniensis* sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on females collected from soil under apple trees, Qorveh, Kurdistan province, Iran. A key to all known Iranian species of the genus *Molothrognathus* is provided.

**Keywords** soil, apple tree, predators, arthropods, Qorveh

**Zoobank** http://zoobank.org/BA056D8B-85DD-4E34-BAF1-F099E8B06141

## Introduction

Members of family Caligonellidae are predators feeding on small arthropods and with a world-wide distribution (Fan and Zhang 2005). This family contains 5 genera and all of them have been recorded from Iran (Silva et al. 2017; Bayzavi et al. 2013). The genus *Molothrognathus* was described by Summers & Schlinger (1955) and currently contains 26 species, of which 11 species have been recorded from Iran, namely: *M. azizi* Ueckermann & Khanjani 2003; *M. bahariensis* Ueckermann & Khanjani 2003; *M. fulgidus* Summers & Schlinger 1955; *M. mehrnejadi* Liang & Zhang 1997; *M. mikaeeli* Ahani-Azad & Bagheri 2012; *M. minutus* Soliman 1971; *M. phytocolus* Meyer & Ueckermann 1989; *M. terrulentus* Meyer & Ueckermann 1989; *M. tumipalpus* Meyer & Ueckermann 1989, *M. paratumipapus* Bagheri, Maleki & Changizi 2013 and *M. shirazicus* Khanjani, Bakhshi & Khanjani 2016. Here, *M. kurdistaniensis* sp. nov. from Qorveh city, Kurdistan province, Iran is described.

## Materials and methods

Mites were collected from soil under apple trees, in Kurdistan province and mounted directly in Hoyer's medium. The specimens were measured, identified and drawn by means of an Olympus BX51 differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope under 1000X magnification and equipped with a drawing tube. Body length measurements represent the distance between setae *v1-h1*; width was measured above coxae III. Setae were measured from their insertion to their tips; distance between setae was measured as the distance between their insertions. Legs were measured from the base of the trochanter to the pretarsus (base of claws).

The terminology and abbreviations used in the description of the new species follows that of Lindquist (1985). All measurements are given in micrometers and the measurements of the paratypes are given in parentheses.

Received 17 July 2018
Accepted 10 October 2018
Published 19 October 2018

Corresponding author
Mohammad Khanjani:
khanjani@basu.ac.ir,
mkhanjani@gmail.com

Academic editor
Serge Kreiter

DOI
10.24349/acarologia/20184293

© Copyright
Amini F. et al.

Distributed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

<footnote>ªDepartment of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Bu - Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.</footnote>
Results

Family Caligonellidae, Grandjean, 1944

Genus: *Molothrognathus* Summers & Schlinger, 1955

Type species: *Molothrognathus leptostylus* Summers & Schlinger, 1955

*Molothrognathus kurdistaniensis* sp. nov. (Figures 1-2)

Diagnosis

Zoobank: 3F376272-2A93-4894-8578-303A5BCB0068

Dorsal integument with coarse, dual, striae; all dorsal setae terminally blunt. Palp tarsus with one solenidion (ω) and three terminal eupathidia; palp tibia swollen, with a claw and two setae and three times as long as palp tarsus; trochanters I-IV and femur IV without setae, genua I-II with 4(+κ)-4, tibiae II-IV each with one blunt seta; tarsi I-IV with 11(+ω)-7(+ω)-7-6.

**Material Examined** — Holotype female and two female paratypes collected from soil under apple trees *Malus domestica* Borkh. (Rosaceae), Iran, Kurdistan Province, Qorveh city (35° 20' N, 47° 52' E and altitude 1906 m a.s.l), 20 September 2014, Fatemeh Amini. Holotype and paratype females are deposited as slide-mounted specimens in the Collection of the Acarology Laboratory, University of Bu-Ali Sina, Hamadan, Iran.

Description

**Female (n=3)** — Measurements of holotype with measurements of paratypes in parentheses: Length of body (*v*1-*h*1) 215(195-201); width 162(160-163).

**Dorsum (Figures 1A-B)** — Dorsal integument with coarse, dual, striae; idiosoma with longitudinal striae except area between setae *d*1-*h*1 with transverse striae; dorsal cupules absent; prodorsum with two pairs of eyes (Fig. 1A). Dorsum with 11 pairs of smooth and terminally blunt setae (Fig. 1B). Lengths of dorsal setae as follows: *v*1 14(14-15), *v*2 15(13-15), *sc*1 16(14-17), *sc*2 16(14-15), *c*1 13(13-16), *c*2 15(14-15), *d*1 14(13-15), *e*1 13(11-14), *f*1 10(12), *h*1 11(10-12), *h*2 11(10-11). Distances between dorsal setae: *v*1-*v*1 23(24-26), *v*2-*v*2 42(39-43), *sc*1-*sc*1 95(92-94), *sc*2-*sc*2 150(145-148), *c*1-*c*1 33(31-34), *c*2-*c*2 125(119-127), *d*1-*d*1 30(35-39), *e*1-*e*1 65(58-64), *f*1-*f*1 38(37), *h*1-*h*1 28(30), *h*2-*h*2 66(53-59), *v*1-*v*2 19(24-26), *v*2-*sc*1 34(25-28), *sc*1-*sc*2 45(40-53), *c*1-*c*2 46(42-48), *c*1-*d*1 44(39-44), *d*1-*e*1 39(34-40), *e*1-*f*1 37(30), *f*1-*h*1 30(23-27).

**Venter (Figure 1C)** — Ventral cuticle with longitudinal striae except area behind setae 4a to posterior to setae *ag* with transverse striae; endopodal shields absent. Length of setae: *l*a 13(11-14), *l*b 13(15-17), *2*cc 11(10-13), *3*a 13(12-15), *3*b 10(9), *4*a 14(12-15), *4*b 11(10-14), *ag* 11(11-13), *g* 9(9), *ps*1 7(8-10). Aggenital and genital shields with one pair of setae. Anal plate with one pair of setae.

**Gnathosoma (Figures 1D-E)** — Subcapitulum with one pair of subcapitular setae, *m* 9(8-9), two pairs of adoral setae *or*1 4(5-6), *or*2 5(4-5) (Fig. 1D). Chelicerae 39(40-43) and movable digit 28(24-26) depicted in figure 1D. Palp five-segmented, palp tarsus with one solenidion (ω) and three terminal eupathidia; palp tibia swollen, with two setae and one well developed claw and three times as long as palp tarsus; palp genu and palp femur with one dorsal seta each (Fig. 1E).

**Legs (Figures 2A-D)** — Leg I 117(128); leg II 113(110-118); leg III 94(96-100), leg IV 104(103-110); setal formulae of leg segments (solenidia in parentheses and not included in setal counts) as follows: coxe 2-1-1-1; trochanters 0-0-0-0; femora 2-2-2-0; genua 4(+κ)-4-2-2; tibiae 4 (+φ)-1-1-1; tarsi 11(+ω)-7(+ω)-7-6. Length of solenidia: *I*ω 3(3), *II*ω 2(2). *I*φ 2(2), *Iκ* 5(4-5). Setal variation on tarsi I-IV were examined, one specimen had the asymmetrical setal count of 7/8 on tarsus II and two specimens with 6/7 and 5/6 setae on tarsus IV.

**Remarks** — The new species *Molothrognathus kurdistaniensis* sp. nov. resembles *M. tumipalpus* Meyer and Ueckermann, 1989 in having: trochanters I-IV without seta, same dorsal integument and palp tibia swollen and three times as long as palp tarsus. However, it differs
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Molothrognathus kurdistaniensis* sp. nov. — Female: A — Dorsal view; B — Dorsal setae (v1); C — Ventral view, D — Subcapitulum and Palp; E — Chelicerae.</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** *Molothrognathus kurdistaniensis* sp. nov. — Female: A — Leg I; B — Leg II; C — Leg III; D — Leg IV.</figcaption></figure>

from the latter in: coxa II with one seta in the new species instead of without setae; femur IV
without setae in the new species versus one seta and palp tarsus with three eupathidia in *M. kurdistaniensis* sp. nov. instead of with four eupathidia in *M. tumipalpus*. The new species is also similar to *M. paratumipalpus* Bagheri, Maleki and changizi 2013, in that palp tibia is swollen and three times as long as palp tarsus and genua II-IV with 4-2-2 setae. However, *M. kurdistaniensis* differs from the latter in: trochanters I-IV without setae instead of one seta each in *M. paratumipalpus*, dorsal cupules absent versus with three pairs of cupules in *M. paratumipalpus* and tibiae I-IV 4 (+φ)-1-1-1 in the new species instead of 5(+φ)-4-4-4 in *M. paratumipalpus*.

**Male and Immature Stages** — Unknown.

**Etymology** — The new species is named after locality of Kurdistan province, where type specimens were collected.
## Key to species of the genus *Molothrognathus* in Iran (females)

<table><tbody><tr><td>1. Palptarsus small, about one-third the length of tibial claw of the palpus</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>— Palptarsus as long as or longer than the length of tibial claw of the palpus</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>2. Genua III-IV with 2 setae; coxeae II with 1 seta</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>— Genua III-IV with 1 setae; tibiae III-IV with 2 setae</td><td>M. tumipalpus Meyer & Ueckermann</td></tr><tr><td>3. Trochanters I-IV without setae; dorsal cupules absent</td><td>M. kurdistaniensis sp. nov.</td></tr><tr><td>— Trochanters I-IV with 1 setae; dorsal cupules present</td><td>M. paratumipalpus Bagheri, Maleki & Changizi</td></tr><tr><td>4. Setae sc2 as long as c2 and clearly longer than other dorsal setae</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>— Setae sc2 and c2 not equally long</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>5. Prodorsum with large shield medially; setae sc2 and c2 ≤ 85</td><td>M. terrulentus Meyer & Ueckermann</td></tr><tr><td>— Prodorsum without median shield, setae sc2 and c2 ≥ 98</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>6. Setae f1 91–123 long; tarsus I 16(+ω) setae</td><td>M. bahariensis Ueckermann & Khanjani</td></tr><tr><td>— Setae f1 38–44 long; tarsus I 15(+ω) setae</td><td>M. azizi Ueckermann & Khanjani</td></tr><tr><td>7. Setae c2 as long as setae v2 and longer than setae v1, sc1; dorsal pores absent</td><td>M. minutus Soliman</td></tr><tr><td>— Setae c2 as long as or longer than setae v1, v2 and sc1; dorsal pores present</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>8. Setae c2 longer than setae v1-2, sc1, c1, d1 and e1; setae h3 present</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>— Setae c2 as long as setae v1-2, sc1, c1, d1 and e1; setae h3 absent</td><td>M. mikaeeli Ahaniazad & Bagheri</td></tr><tr><td>9. Tarsi II and IV with 9(+ω) and 10 setae respectively</td><td>M. mehrnejadi Liang & Zhang</td></tr><tr><td>— Tarsi II and IV with 10(+ω) and 9 setae respectively</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>10. Tarsi I with 15(+ω) setae; prodorsum medially with week striae or smooth and shield-like</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>— Tarsi I with 16(+ω) setae, prodorsum striated medially, without shield</td><td>M. fulgidus Summers & Schlinger</td></tr><tr><td>11. Area between setae v1-d1 with smooth shield; setae h1-2 45–56 long</td><td>M. shirazicus Khanjani, Bakhshi & Khanjani</td></tr><tr><td>— Area between setae v1-d1 with week striae; setae h1-2 25–32 long</td><td>M. phytocolus Meyer & Ueckermann</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Acknowledgements

This article is a part of the Ph. D thesis program in Agricultural Entomology of senior author and was supported by the University of Bu-Ali Sina, Iran.

## References

Ahaniazad M, Bagheri M. 2012. A new species of the genus *Molothrognathus* Summers and Schilinger (Acari: Trombidiformes: Caligonellidae) from Iran. *Acarologia* 52, 373–376. doi:10.1051/acarologia/20122066
Bagheri M., Maleki N., Changizi, M. 2013. On caligonellid mites (Acari: Trombidiformes: Caligonellidae) of Iran: description of two new species. International Journal of Acarology 39 (8), 632–638.
doi:10.1080/01647954.2013.864331

Beyzavi G., Ueckermann, E.A., Faraji, F., Ostovan, H. 2013. A catalog of Iranian prostigmatic mites of superfamilies Raphignathoidea and Tetranychoidea (Acari). Persian Journal of Acarology 2, 389–474.
http://dx.doi.org/10.22073/pja.v2i3.10042

Fan Q.H., Zhang Z.Q. 2005. Raphignathoidea (Acari: Prostigmata). Fauna of New Zealand 52. Lincoln (New Zealand): Mannaki Whenua Press, 400 pp.

Grandjean F. 1944. Observations sur les acariens de la famille des Stigmaeidae. Archives des Sciences Physiques et Naturelles 26,103-131.

Khanjani M., Bakhshi S., Khanjani M. 2016. *Molothrognathus shirazicus*, a new species of Caligonellidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from Iran. Persian Journal of Acarology 5(4), 291-297. doi:10.22073/pja.v5i4.23685

Liang L., Zhang ZQ. 1997. Key to species of the genus *Molothrognathus* (Prostigmata: Caligonellidae) with description of a new species from Iran. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 1 (Special Publication) 19–24. doi:10.11158/saasp.v0i1.20

Lindquist EE. 1985. External anatomy. In: Helle W, Sabelis MW, editors. Spider mites: their biology natural enemies and control. Vol. 1A. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers B.V 3–28.

Meyer M.K.P.S., Ueckermann E.A. 1989. African Raphignathoidea (Acari: Prostigmata). Entomology Memoir, Department of Agricultural Technical Services, Republic of South Africa 74, 1–58.

Silva D.E., Siegert M.K., Brentano A.C., Do Nascimento J.M., Johann L., Ferla N.J. 2017. *Molothrog-
nathus brasiliensis* sp. nov. (Acari: Caligonellidae) and the first report of Paraneognathus wangae for
Brazil. Systematic & Applied Acarology, 22(4), 477–483. doi:10.11158/saa.22.4.4

Soliman Z.R. 1971. Four new species of family Caligonellidae (Acarina: Caligonellidae) —Bulletin de la Société Entomologique d’Egypte 55, 95-104.

Summers F., Schlinger E.I. 1955. Mites of the family Caligonellidae (Acarina). Hilgardia, 32 539-561.
doi:10.3733/hilg.v23n12p539

Ueckermann EA, Khanjani M. 2003. Iranian Caligonellidae (Acari: Prostigmata), with description of two new species and re-description of *Molothrognathus fulgidus* Summers and Schlinger, with a key to genera and species. Acarologia 43, 291–298.