# A discussion on the validity of the genus Abalakeus (Acari: Erythraeidae) with a redescription of A. gonabadensis

Alireza Saboori, Alperen Kapankaya, Ibrahim Cakmak, Masoud Hakimitabar

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Alireza Saboori, Alperen Kapankaya, Ibrahim Cakmak, Masoud Hakimitabar. A discussion on the validity of the genus Abalakeus (Acari: Erythraeidae) with a redescription of A. gonabadensis. Acarologia, 2023, 63 (2), pp.295-305. 10.24349/icc-70f3. hal-04033809

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# A discussion on the validity of the genus *Abalakeus* (Acari: Erythraeidae) with a redescription of *A. gonabadensis*

Alireza Saboori IDa,b, Alperen Kapankaya IDb, Ibrahim Cakmak Id,b,c, Masoud Hakimitabar Idd

## Original research

### ABSTRACT

The validity of the genus *Abalakeus* is discussed and redefinitions are provided for the genera of *Abalakeus* and *Eatoniana*. *Abalakeus gonabadensis* is redescribed from type specimens and larvae ectoparasitic on different grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae, Tettigoniidae) from Türkiye and Iran, and a key to species of *Abalakeus* is presented.

**Keywords** Bucephaloptera sp.; Calliptamus sp.; key; Heteracris littoralis; Oedipoda miniata; redefinition

## Introduction

The genus *Abalakeus* (with type species *A. chekei* Southcott) was established by Southcott in 1994 based on the larval stage. Since then, a new species (*A. bambusae* Zhang) from bamboo forests in Fujian, China (Zhang *et al.* 2000) and three species (*A. lorestanicus* Saboori and Lachinani; *A. jahromiensis* Sedghi, Saboori and Hakimitabar; *A. gonabadensis* Ahmadi, Hajiqanbar and Saboori) from Iran (Saboori and Lachinani 2003; Sedghi *et al.* 2010; Ahmadi *et al.* 2012) have been described. Mayoral and Barranco (2006) collected larval specimens of *A. lorestanicus* Saboori and Lachinani, 2003 in Andalucia, Spain ectoparasitic on *Steropleurus andalusius* (Rambur, 1838) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) and described its nymphal stage covered with leaf-like setae on idiosoma and legs. Məkol and Sevsay (2015), obtained heteromorphic larvae, congeneric with the hitherto distinguished *Abalakeus*, from eggs laid by a “plume-footed” female, identified as *Eatoniana plumipes* from Türkiye and considered *Abalakeus* a junior synonym of *Eatoniana* Cambridge, 1898 and synonymized *E. jahromiensis* (Sedghi, Saboori and Hakimitabar, 2010) with *E. plumipes* (L. Koch, 1856). New metric data on *E. lorestanica* (Saboori and Lachinani, 2003) was presented by Noei and Rabieh (2019). Also, they corrected some mistakes in the original description and presented new metric data and a key to species of *Eatoniana*. Noei and Honarmand (2020) corrected some mistakes in the original description and presented new metric data for *E. gonabadensis* (Ahmadi, Hajiqanbar and Saboori, 2012). Recently, Xu *et al.* (2022) described a new species of *Eatoniana* from China and transferred *Erythraeus* (Er.) *yangshuonicus* Haitlinger, 2006 to *Eatoniana* and presented an updated key to species.

The study of terrestrial Parasitengona from Türkiye is still in progress. During a survey on terrestrial Parasitengona in Aydin province, Türkiye, and Semnan province, Iran, A.

Received 23 December 2022

Accepted 09 March 2023

Published 17 March 2023

Corresponding authors

Alireza Saboori ID: saboori@ut.ac.ir

Ibrahim Cakmak ID:

icakmak@adu.edu.tr

Academic editor

Məkol, Joanna

https://doi.org/10.24349/ICC-70f3

ISSN 0044-586X (print)

ISSN 2107-7207 (electronic)

<figure><img src="image_7.png" /></figure>

Saboori A. et al.

Licensed under
Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0

<footnote>ª Jalal Afshar Zoological Museum, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.</footnote>

<footnote>ᵇDepartment of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Türkiye.</footnote>

<footnote>Department of Research and Innovation, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Thandalam, Chennai-602105, Tamil Nadu, India.</footnote>

<footnote>d Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.</footnote>
*gonabadensis* was collected and redescribed from type specimens as well as larvae collected ectoparasitic on grasshoppers. There were some mistakes in the original description and figures and they are corrected here.

## Material and methods

Type specimens of *A. gonabadensis* were loaned from Acarological collection, Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University and from Acarological collection, Jalal Afshar Zoological Museum, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Also, 25 mite larvae attached to the wings, thoraces and hind legs of *Heteracris littoralis* (Rambur, 1838), *Calliptamus* sp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and *Bucephaloptera* sp. (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Aydin province, Türkiye, and four larvae ectoparasitic on *Oedipoda miniata* (Pallas, 1771) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Semnan province, Iran were detached by an insect pin, preserved in 75% ethanol, cleared in Nesbitt's fluid and finally mounted on microscope slides using Hoyer's or Faure media (Walter and Krantz, 2009). Figures were drawn and measurements were made using an AxioImager A2 (Carl Zeiss, Germany) compound microscope with phase contrast and DIC illumination in Türkiye and an Olympus BX 51 (Olympus, Japan) compound microscope with phase contrast in Iran. Photomicrographs were taken with an AxioCam 506 color (Carl Zeiss, Germany) digital camera. Measurements are given in micrometers (µm). Abbreviations and terminology follow Wohltmann *et al.* (2007) and Saboori *et al.* (2009).

## Abalakeus Southcott, 1994

### Definition of larva (after Southcott 1994, updated)

Scutum with two normal setae on each side (2 + 2); coxal setal formula: 1, 1, 1; basifemural setal formula: 2, 2, 1; TFe I with one solenidion; Ge I with one solenidion on the proximal half of the segment, Ge II with one solenidion, anterior tarsal claw hook-like, posterior tarsal claw pulvilliform with numerous ventral onychotrichs and without hook element; with two sternalae II (2a), bases of posterior sensillary (PSens) setae well-separated; palp femur and palp genu, each with one seta, odontus bifurcate at termination.

Also, leg normal setal formula is as follows: fn Cx = 1-1-1, fn Tr = 1-1-1, fn BFe = 2-2-1, fn TFe = 5-5-5, fn Ge = 8-8-8, fn Ti = 14-15-15, fn Ta = 24-28, 22-24, 22-24 (Table 1). We checked *A. lorestanicus* and *A. gonabadensis* and fn Ta for both species is 26-23-23 and here is corrected for both species. Also, number of normal setae on Ge II of *A. checkei* was checked and it was 8, so fn Ge will be 8-8-8 in this species too. Southcott (1994) showed only 7 normal setae in Figure 3.

### Corrections in the description of *A. lorestanicus*

Saboori and Lachinani (2003) mistook companion seta (z) with dorsal eupathidia as a famulus for *A. lorestanicus*. They did not consider dorsal eupathidium with a Cp by mistake. No famulus was seen in *Abalakeus*.

### Discussion on *Abalakeus* and its species

After the description of *Abalakeus bambusae* (now *Eatoniana bambusae*) by Zhang *et al.* (2000), the presence of solenidion on TFe I and shape of posterior tarsal claw were considered by authors as intraspecific variations. Mayoral and Barranco (2006) reared *Abalakeus lorestanicus* and got a deutonymph that had only leaf-like setae, and without any plume-like setae on legs. Deutonymph is similar to the adult in morphology and a few characters may be different in
<table><caption>**Table 1** Meristic data of *Abalakeus gonabadensis* larvae (holotype and Turkish specimens): when two different numbers were shown for normal setae on Ta, it means there are abnormalities and their numbers are not the same on both sides on each leg. h: holotype; 1a-1y: Turkish specimens.</caption><thead><tr><th></th><th>h</th><th>la</th><th>lb</th><th>lc</th><th>ld</th><th>le</th><th>lf</th><th>lg</th><th>lh</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Ta I</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 25-26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 24n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 25-26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 24n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 25-26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 24n</td></tr><tr><td>Ti I</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td></tr><tr><td>Ge I</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td></tr><tr><td>TFe I</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe I</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Tr I</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx I</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td></tr><tr><td>Ta II</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td></tr><tr><td>Ti II</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td></tr><tr><td>Ge II</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td></tr><tr><td>TFe II</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe II</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Tr II</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx II</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Ta III</td><td>1ζ, 22-23n</td><td>1ζ, 22-23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td></tr><tr><td>Ti III</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td></tr><tr><td>Ge III</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td></tr><tr><td>TFe III</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe III</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Tr III</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx III</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>fD</td><td>42</td><td>40</td><td>36</td><td>42</td><td>42</td><td>42</td><td>40</td><td>40</td><td>42</td></tr><tr><td>fV</td><td>11</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>10</td><td>10</td><td>10</td><td>10</td><td>12</td><td>10</td></tr><tr><td>NDV</td><td>61</td><td>52</td><td>48</td><td>52</td><td>52</td><td>52</td><td>50</td><td>52</td><td>52</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>1i</td><td>1j</td><td>1k</td><td>1l</td><td>1m</td><td>1n</td><td>1o</td><td>1p</td><td>1q</td></tr><tr><td>Ta I</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26, 28n</td><td>-</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 25-26n</td></tr><tr><td>Ti I</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>-</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td></tr><tr><td>Ge I</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>-</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td></tr><tr><td>TFe I</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe I</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Tr I</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx I</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td></tr><tr><td>Ta II</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23, 24n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 22-23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td></tr><tr><td>Ti II</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td></tr><tr><td>Ge II</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td></tr><tr><td>TFe II</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe II</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Tr II</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx II</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Ta III</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>-</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23, 24n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 20, 22n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, broken-22n</td></tr><tr><td>Ti III</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>-</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td></tr><tr><td>Ge III</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>-</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td></tr><tr><td>TFe III</td><td>5n</td><td>-</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe III</td><td>1</td><td>-</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Tr III</td><td>1</td><td>-</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx III</td><td>1</td><td>-</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>fD</td><td>39</td><td>41</td><td>40</td><td>44</td><td>40</td><td>40</td><td>40</td><td>39</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td>fV</td><td>10</td><td>9</td><td>12</td><td>8</td><td>10</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>NDV</td><td>49</td><td>50</td><td>52</td><td>52</td><td>50</td><td>52</td><td>52</td><td>51</td><td>51</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>1r</td><td>1s</td><td>1t</td><td>1u</td><td>1v</td><td>1w</td><td>1x</td><td>1y</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ta I</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 25-26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 24, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 26n</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Ti I</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>2φ, 1k, 1z, 14n</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Ge I</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>TFe I</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td><td>10, 5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe I</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Tr I</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx I</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td><td>el + 1</td></tr><tr><td>Ta II</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 22-23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 21, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ω, 1ζ, 23n</td></tr><tr><td>Ti II</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td><td>2φ, 15n</td></tr><tr><td>Ge II</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td><td>1σ, 1k, 8n</td></tr><tr><td>TFe II</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td></tr><tr><td>BFe II</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Tr II</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx II</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Ta III</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 21, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>1ζ, 23-24n</td><td>1ζ, 23n</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Ti III</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>1φ, 15n</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Ge III</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>1σ, 8n</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>TFe III</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>5n</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>BFe III</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>Tr III</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Cx III</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>fD</td><td>42</td><td>40</td><td>38</td><td>38</td><td>40</td><td>38</td><td>38</td><td>38</td><td>38</td></tr><tr><td>fV</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>10</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>12</td></tr><tr><td>NDV</td><td>54</td><td>52</td><td>48</td><td>50</td><td>52</td><td>50</td><td>50</td><td>50</td><td>50</td></tr></tbody></table>
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 1** *Abalakeus gonabadensis* (larva). A – Dorsal view of idiosoma; B – Ventral view of idiosoma; C – Gnathosoma.</figcaption></figure>
<figure><img src="image_9.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 2** *Abalakeus gonabadensis* (larva). A – BFe-Ge I; B – Ti and Ta I; C – BFe-Ge II; D – Ti and Ta II.</figcaption></figure>

Palp trochanter without seta, palpal femur and genu each with one barbed seta, tibia with three barbed setae; palpal tibial claw bifid. Tarsus with six setae including a solenidion and an eupathidium (Fig. 1C). fPp = 0-B-B-BBB₂-4Nωζ. Cheliceral bases punctate and finely striate. Supracoxal seta of palp (eP), minute, peg-like, 4–10 long.

Leg setal formula: Leg I (Figure 2A–B): Ta- 1ω, 2ζ, 1z, 24–28n; Ti- 2φ, 1z, 1κ, 14n; Ge-1σ, 1κ, 8n; TFe- 1θ, 5n; BFe- 2n; Tr- 1n. Leg II (Figure 2C–D): Ta- 1ω, 1ζ, 22–24n; Ti- 2φ, 15n; Ge- 1σ, 1κ, 8n; TFe- 5n; BFe- 2n; Tr- 1n. Leg III (Figure 3): Ta- 1ζ, 20–24n; Ti- 1φ, 15n; Ge-1σ, 8n; TFe- 5n; BFe- 1n; Tr-1n. Abnormalities are considered in the leg setal formula. Leg segments punctate, all leg setae with small barbs. Some normal setae on leg segments are blunt-ended and others pointed. Meristic data is given in Table 1 for the holotype and Turkish specimens.
<figure><img src="image_10.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 3** *Abalakeus gonabadensis* (larva). A – BFe-Ge III; B – Ti and Ta III.</figcaption></figure>

Measurements are given in Table 2.

**Remarks on scutum and cheliceral bases punctations and striations**

Punctations and striations on the scutum and cheliceral bases depend on the sclerotization of the body at the time of sampling. When the sclerotization is not completed and the body is soft (newly emerged larva), punctations cannot be seen or are weak whereas striations can be seen easily on scutum and cheliceral bases (Figure 4C). When sclerotization of the cheliceral bases
<figure><img src="image_11.png" /><figcaption>**Figure 4** *Abalakeus gonabadensis* (larva). A – Scutum circular with striations and cheliceral bases with punctations and faint striations; B – Semi-rectangular scutum; C – Scutum and cheliceral bases with striations; D – Dorsal idiosomal setae.</figcaption></figure>

is completed, then punctations can be seen easily but striations will be difficult to see and the same time scutum sclerotization may not be completed and striations can be seen easily but punctations may be too weak or cannot be seen (Figure 4A) while punctations can be seen easily on scutum and cheliceral bases in completely sclerotized specimens and striations are difficult to be seen. These observations suggests that punctions and striations on the scutum and cheliceral bases may not be a good character for comparison of species and may not be good taxonomic characters.

**Material studied**

Holotype and three paratypes as in the original paper. Four larvae (ARS-20221001-1a, 1b, 1i, 1j), Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Türkiye, 37°4536.0"N; 27°4514.6"E, 120 m.a.s.l, Cihan Ashı and Mesut Sayan col., ectoparasitic on *Heteracris littoralis* (Rambur, 1838) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Eyprepocnemidinae), 11 October 2022; five larvae (ARS-20221001-1c, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1k), the same data except collected ectoparasitic on *Calliptamus* sp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Calliptaminae); two larvae (ARS-20221001-1d, 1q), the same as latter except collected on 10 October 2022 and 4 August 2022, respectively; 13 larvae (ARS-20221001-1l to 1y), the same except collected on 26 August 2022; and one larva (ARS-20221001-1e), Kazan pond, Muğla, Türkiye, 37°1735.1"N; 28°1250.8"E, 480 m a.s.l, Alperen Kapankaya col., ectoparasitic on *Bucephaloptera* sp. (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae) on 6 September 2022. Four specimens, Mayamey mountains, Mayamey city, Semnan province, Iran, 36°2149.39"N, 55°4058.04"E, 1753 m a.s.l., Masoud Hakimitabar col., ectoparasitic on *Oedipoda miniata* (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae), 4 June 2018. Ten specimens (ARS-20221001-1a to 1j) are deposited in the Acarological Collection, Jalal Afshar Zoological Museum, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Tehran, Karaj, Iran, and 10 specimens (ARS-20221001-1k to 1o & 1u to 1y) are deposited in the Acarological Collection, Acarological Society of Iran, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran, five specimens (ARS-20221001-1p to 1t) and more than 20 extra specimens in the Acarological Collection, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Türkiye; Iranian specimens will be deposited in the Acarological Collection, Acarological Society of Iran, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

## Corrections in the descriptions of *A. gonabadensis*

Ahmadi *et al.* (2012) did not consider dorsal eupathidium with a Cp by mistake. We checked holotype of *A. gonabadensis* and confirm Noei and Honarmand (2020) which Ge I has only 8 normal setae and there are four sternalae 3a. Ahmadi *et al.* (2012) mentioned 9 normal setae on Ge I by mistake. Also, we confirm that there is a minute spine-like anterior hypostomal seta *as* in both species which is not reported in the original descriptions. Noei and Rabieh (2019) pointed the presence of spine-like anterior hypostomal seta *as* and showed its shape in Fig. 1 of their paper. Noei and Honarmand (2020) pointed out that there is anterior hypostomal seta *as* but nothing written about its shape. Moreover, leaf-like setae on dorsal idiosoma and blunt-ended setae on leg segments are not pointed out in the original description. Ahmadi *et al.* (2012) showed that solenidion on TFe I placed on 1/3 distal end of the segment whereas we checked, and it is placed on the middle of the segment. Also, there are three barbed setae on palpal tibia as pointed out by Noei and Honarmand (2020). Number of dorsal and ventral

<table><caption>**Table 2** Comparison of metric data of *Abalakeus gonabadensis* larvae from different localities.</caption><thead><tr><th>Character</th><th>Ahmadi et al.<br>(2012), n = 4</th><th>Noei and<br>Honarmand<br>(2021), n = 11</th><th>Turkish<br>specimens<br>(present study), n<br>= 25</th><th>Mayamey, Iran<br>(present study), n<br>= 4</th><th>Character</th><th>Ahmadi et al.<br>(2012), n = 4</th><th>Noei and<br>Honarmand<br>(2021), n = 11</th><th>Turkish<br>specimens<br>(present study), n<br>= 25</th><th>Mayamey, Iran<br>(present study), n<br>= 4</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>IL</td><td>382-1019</td><td>-</td><td>291-1240</td><td>222-420</td><td>Ta I (L)</td><td>139-155</td><td>137-170</td><td>144-173</td><td>139-148</td></tr><tr><td>IW</td><td>263-599</td><td>-</td><td>217-862</td><td>104-222</td><td>Ta I (H)</td><td>18-23</td><td>-</td><td>20-25</td><td>25-27</td></tr><tr><td>SD</td><td>89-105</td><td>107-125</td><td>94-129</td><td>101-116</td><td>Ti I</td><td>121-154</td><td>135-162</td><td>128-161</td><td>120-143</td></tr><tr><td>W</td><td>132-154</td><td>127-155</td><td>117-172</td><td>129-136</td><td>Ge I</td><td>110-129</td><td>120-147</td><td>105-145</td><td>120-143</td></tr><tr><td>AW</td><td>82-93</td><td>90-105</td><td>80-111</td><td>84-101</td><td>TFe I</td><td>81-87</td><td>80-105</td><td>82-107</td><td>84-101</td></tr><tr><td>PW</td><td>81-86</td><td>85-102</td><td>55-110</td><td>82-106</td><td>BFe I</td><td>76-84</td><td>75-97</td><td>69-97</td><td>79-89</td></tr><tr><td>MA</td><td>29-42</td><td>37-42</td><td>35-47</td><td>37-42</td><td>Tr I</td><td>50-60</td><td>62-75</td><td>54-69</td><td>57-72</td></tr><tr><td>SBa</td><td>16-20</td><td>15-18</td><td>12-20</td><td>10-14</td><td>Cx I</td><td>71-84</td><td>82-100</td><td>65-92</td><td>69-82</td></tr><tr><td>SBp</td><td>35-44</td><td>37-45</td><td>35-53</td><td>30-37</td><td>Leg I</td><td>670-735</td><td>699-853</td><td>598-816</td><td>735-673</td></tr><tr><td>ISD</td><td>72-89</td><td>65-80</td><td>60-89</td><td>72-90</td><td>Ta II (L)</td><td>121-134</td><td>107-137</td><td>122-152</td><td>116-136</td></tr><tr><td>AP</td><td>47-59</td><td>45-62</td><td>51-68</td><td>56-60</td><td>Ta II (H)</td><td>18-22</td><td>-</td><td>20-30</td><td>27-29</td></tr><tr><td>AL</td><td>50-59</td><td>52-70</td><td>50-69</td><td>47-54</td><td>Ti II</td><td>102-118</td><td>113-132</td><td>103-133</td><td>111-126</td></tr><tr><td>PL</td><td>32-43</td><td>41-52</td><td>39-54</td><td>32-42</td><td>Ge II</td><td>81-110</td><td>100-120</td><td>89-115</td><td>104-116</td></tr><tr><td>ASens</td><td>42-50</td><td>55-66</td><td>48-68</td><td>50-68</td><td>TFe II</td><td>68-79</td><td>72-92</td><td>75-94</td><td>79-87</td></tr><tr><td>PSens</td><td>79-82</td><td>75-95</td><td>71-100</td><td>93-99</td><td>BFe II</td><td>63-76</td><td>62-75</td><td>55-74</td><td>67-69</td></tr><tr><td>DS</td><td>31-33</td><td>32-42</td><td>33-66</td><td>33-45</td><td>Tr II</td><td>50-58</td><td>62-75</td><td>49-68</td><td>55-67</td></tr><tr><td>PDS</td><td>36-43</td><td>25-42</td><td>31-52</td><td></td><td>Cx II</td><td>76-84</td><td>77-92</td><td>62-87</td><td>62-79</td></tr><tr><td>1a</td><td>28-38</td><td>30-40</td><td>30-62</td><td>37-45</td><td>Leg II</td><td>577-630</td><td>608-708</td><td>556-743</td><td>633-656</td></tr><tr><td>1b</td><td>53-60</td><td>55-72</td><td>54-76</td><td>45-52</td><td>Ta III (L)</td><td>116-136</td><td>115-147</td><td>125-155</td><td>136-143</td></tr><tr><td>2a</td><td>30-38</td><td>25-37</td><td>30-43</td><td>28-34</td><td>Ta III (H)</td><td>16-22</td><td>-</td><td>17-22</td><td>27-29</td></tr><tr><td>2b</td><td>26-37</td><td>32-40</td><td>31-45</td><td>32-45</td><td>Ti III</td><td>118-179</td><td>175-212</td><td>168-207</td><td>175-227</td></tr><tr><td>3a</td><td>22-29</td><td>27-35</td><td>20-40</td><td>40-42</td><td>Ge III</td><td>95-108</td><td>95-115</td><td>89-117</td><td>99-121</td></tr><tr><td>3b</td><td>25-37</td><td>32-47</td><td>30-43</td><td>22-35</td><td>TFe III</td><td>79-89</td><td>90-115</td><td>92-117</td><td>94-111</td></tr><tr><td>GL</td><td>145-190</td><td>165-192</td><td>184-233</td><td>146-166</td><td>BFe III</td><td>60-76</td><td>67-87</td><td>67-87</td><td>61-82</td></tr><tr><td>PaScFed</td><td>31-37</td><td>32-45</td><td>33-51</td><td>42-45</td><td>Tr III</td><td>50-63</td><td>65-75</td><td>53-71</td><td>69-77</td></tr><tr><td>PaScGed</td><td>22-29</td><td>27-40</td><td>22-39</td><td>30-34</td><td>Cx III</td><td>66-81</td><td>72-87</td><td>56-80</td><td>67-87</td></tr><tr><td>bs</td><td>23-39</td><td>37-45</td><td>30-55</td><td>38-40</td><td>Leg III</td><td>627-717</td><td>687-827</td><td>663-807</td><td>730-819</td></tr><tr><td>cs</td><td>21-26</td><td>37-40</td><td>31-56</td><td>30-42</td><td>IP</td><td>1893-2015</td><td>1994-2372</td><td>1880-2308</td><td>2000-2234</td></tr><tr><td>as</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>3-6</td><td>4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
idiosomal setae are 42 and 12 whereas it was written 50 and 11 in the original description respectively.

## Remarks

*Abalakeus gonabadensis* is unique among all species of *Abalakeus* by having leaf-like setae on idiosoma and blunt-ended normal setae on legs. Also, it differs from *A. chekei* in the number of solenidia on Ta I (1 vs. 2), Ge III (1 vs. 0), number of sternalae III (2 pairs vs. 1 pair), fD (36–44 vs. ~ 52), fV (8–12 vs. 17); and from *A. loretanicus* in the shorter TFe I (80–107 vs. 116–131), Ge I (105–147 vs. 177–199), Ti I (120–162 vs. 192–213), TFe II (68–94 vs. 102–109), Ge II (81–120 vs. 138–155), Ti II (102–133 vs. 172–187), TFe III (79–117 vs. 128–138), Ge III (89–121 vs. 133–145), Ti III (118–227 vs. 262–301).

## Key to species of the *Abalakeus* of the world (larva)

1. One solenidion on Ge III .................................................... 2
— Without solenidion on Ge III .................................... *A. checkei* Southcott, 1994

2. Dorsal idiosomal setae leaf-like, some normal setae on leg segments truncate, Ti III 118–227, Ti I 120–162 .................................... *A. gonabadensis* Ahmadi *et al.*, 2012
— Dorsal idiosomal setae not leaf-like, all normal setae on leg segment pointed, Ti III 262–301, Ti I 177–213 .................................... *A. loretanicus* Saboori & Lachinani, 2003

## Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Aydin Adnan Menderes University Research Foundation (ZRF-22006). The senior author was supported by the University of Tehran for a one-year sabbatical leave which is greatly appreciated. We are very grateful to Dr. Anne Baker (British Museum of Natural History, UK) for confirming number of normal setae on Ge II of all type specimens of *A. chekei* and sending its pictures. The authors would like to thank Cihan Aslı and Mesut Sayan for their valuable contributions to the collection of insect samples and separation of the mite specimens from their hosts. We have special thanks to Dr. Jaime Mayoral and Dr. Javad Noei for their useful comments which highly improved the quality of the paper.

## ORCID

Alireza Saboori https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3101-1330

Alperen Kapankaya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0134-2443

Ibrahim Cakmak https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1903-3913

Masoud Hakimitabar https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0161-7008

## References

Ahmadi S., Hajiqanbar H., Saboori A. 2012. A new species of the genus *Abalakeus* (Acari, Erythraeidae) from Iran. Acta zool. Acad. Sci. Hung., 58(2): 169-176.

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