Amerodectes
Creators: name: Mironov, Sergey V.
name: Chandler, C. Ray
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Sarcoptiformes
Proctophyllodidae
Amerodectes

description: Key to North American species of Amerodectes
(Males and females)
1. In male, setae h3 equal to or longer than distance between setae se, usually filiform, rarely thickened in middle part (in A. dumetellae).......................................................................................... 2
- In male, setae h3 shorter than distance between setae se, narrowly lanceolate or spiculiform, rarely lanceolate with filiform apex (in A. gracilis).................................................................................. 11
2. In both sexes, anterior margin of hysteronotal shield deeply concave, this concavity extending beyond level of setae c1. In male, aedeagus not extending to anterior end of anal opening; prodorsal shield with narrow incisions posterior to bases of setae se. In female, prodorsal shield with angular incisions around bases of setae se ................. A. pitangi (Mironov, 2008)
- In both sexes, anterior margin of hysteronotal shield straight or slightly concave, but this concavity not extending to level of setae c1. In male, aedeagus extending at least to anterior end of anal opening, prodorsal shield without incisions posterior to setae se. In female, lateral margins of prodorsal shield without incisions around setae se ............................. 3
3. In male, humeral shields represented by narrow longitudinal sclerites (Fig. 1A). In female, humeral shields developed as in corresponding male (Fig. 2A), or represented by noticeably smaller ventral sclerites................................ 4
- In both sexes, humeral shields absent or represented by barely distinct rudimentary sclerites on ventral side of hysterosoma (Figs. 7B, 8B)....................................................................................... 8
4. In both sexes, humeral shields (or their rudiments in female) incorporate bases of humeral setae cp, entire surface of prodorsal and hysteronotal shields covered with circular lacunae. In male, opisthosomal lobes with oblique extensions at bases of setae h2 and h3. In female, setae h1 and f2 arranged in almost transverse row posterior to supranal concavity.................................................................................... A. dumetellae Mironov and OConnor, 2014
- In both sexes, bases of humeral setae cp not incorporated into humeral shields, prodorsal and hysteronotal shields without lacunae or with lacunae occupying only small areas of these shields. In male, opisthosomal lobes with posterior margins roughly rounded, without noticeable extensions at bases of setae h2 and h3. In female, setae h1 and f2 arranged in trapezium, setae h1 situated anterior to or at level of supranal concavity......................................................... 5
5. In male, aedeagus extending only to anterior margin of anal suckers. In female, setae ps2 close to corresponding setae ps3 and situated approximately at midlevel of anal opening. In both sexes, anterolateral extension of prodorsal shield usually rounded ... A. molothrus (Mironov, 2008)
- In male, aedeagus extending to anterior end of terminal cleft. In female, setae ps2 distant from corresponding setae ps3 and situated approximately at level of posterior end of anal opening. In both sexes, anterolateral extension of prodorsal shield acute.................................................................................................... 6
6. In male, opisthosomal lobes slightly longer than wide, with distinct apices bearing setae h3, fused part of epimerites I with three short finger-like extensions (Fig. 24A). In female, anterior hysteronotal shield 2.3-2.4 times longer than wide at anterior margin, setae h3 approximately half as long as setae h2, and posterior margin of prodorsal shield shaped as a recurved bow (Fig. 23A, B)........................................................................... A. spizellae sp. n.
- In males, opisthosomal lobes equal to or slightly shorter than wide and with roughly rounded posterior margin, fused part of epimerites I with three short and acute extensions. In female, anterior hysteronotal shield 1.9-2.2 times longer than wide at anterior margin, setae h3 shorter than half the length of setae h2, and posterior margin of the prodorsal shield widely and shallowly concave....................................................................................... 7.
7. In both sexes, anterolateral extensions of prodorsal shield with small subapical ledge, and distance between levels of setae d2 and e1 twice as long as that between levels of d1 and d2. (Figs. 19A, 20A). In male, epimerites I fused into a narrow U, and setae 4b situated posterior to setae 3a (Fig. 19B). In female, setae ps3 moved posteriorly from anterior margin of anal opening, lobar shield with narrow and deep incision on posterior margin, supranal concavity scarcely distinct and secondary spermaducts about 35 µm long (Figs. 20B, 21E).................................................. A. haemorhous sp. n.
- In both sexes, anterolateral extensions of prodorsal shield without subapical ledge, and distance between levels of setae d2 and e1 approximately equal to that between levels of d1 and d2. In male, epimerites I fused into a V, and setae 4b and 3a situated at the same transverse level. In female, setae ps3 at level of anterior margin of anal opening, lobar shield is without incision on posterior margin and secondary spermaducts 10–15 µm long............................... A. sialiarum (Stoll, 1893)
8. In both sexes, entire surface of prodorsal and hysteronotal shields covered with circular lacunae up to 5 µm in diameter. In female, secondary spermaducts 20–25 µm long.......................... A. tiaris Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014
- In both sexes, prodorsal and hysteronotal shields partly covered with small circular lacunae or without them. In female, secondary spermaducts longer than 30 µm................................................................... 9
9. In male, posterior angles of prodorsal shield acute, entire surface of hysteronotal shield with minute circular lacunae, opisthoventral shields covering distal one third of opisthosomal lobes. In female, setae h1 distant from anterior margin of lobar shield, setae ps2 situated at level of posterior one third of anal opening..... A. xanthocephali Mironov and Overstreet, 2015
- In male, posterior angles of prodorsal shield widely rounded, hysteronotal shield with minute lacunae only in posterior part, opisthoventral shields covering distal half of opisthosomal lobes. In female, setae h1 on anterior margin of lobar shield, setae ps2 situated at level of posterior end of anal opening........................................................ 10
10. In male, aedeagus extending slightly past anterior end of terminal cleft, minute rudiments of humeral shield (usually) present anterior to bases of setae cp. In female, enlarged distal part of primary spermaduct 20–25 µm long, apodemes of oviporus fused with epimerites IIIa............................................... A. sicalis Mironov and González-Acuña, 2011
- In male, aedeagus extending to midlevel of anal opening, minute rudiments of humeral shield anterior to bases of setae cp usually absent. In female, enlarged distal part of primary spermaduct about 15 µm long, apodemes of oviporus free from epimerites IIIa.............................................. A. zonotrichiae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014
11. In male, genital arch with aedeagus running forwards and then bending backward at level of trochanters III, tip of aedeagus extending to midlevel of terminal cleft, setae h3 lanceolate with filiform apex. In female, anterior part of lobar region with narrow neck almost half as wide as the greatest width of this region (at level of setae h2)........ A. gracilis (Trouessart, 1885)
- In male, genital arch with aedeagus running backwards immediately from its apex, which is approximately at midlevel between trochanters III and IV, tip of aedeagus not extending deeply into terminal cleft, setae h3 lanceolate or spiculiform, without filiform apex. In female, anterior part of lobar region without strong narrowing............................ 12
12. In both sexes, setae f2 absent. In male, setae ps3 far posterolateral to level of adanal suckers and situated near bases of setae ps2, setae h1 situated close to lateral margins of opisthosoma........... A. caribaeus Mironov and González-Acuña, 2014
- In both sexes, setae f2 present. In male, setae ps3 situated at level of adanal suckers or slightly posterior, but never close to bases of setae ps2, setae h1 equidistant from midline and corresponding lateral margin of opisthosoma................ 13
13. In male, prodorsal shield split into anterior and posterior parts by band of soft tegument at level of scapular setae, aedeagus not extending to anterior end of anal opening. In female, lateral margins of prodorsal shield with deep incisions encircling bases of setae se and extending to setae si ........................................ A. vireonis Hernandes and Pedroso, 2016
- In males, prodorsal shield entire, with or without lateral incisions, aedeagus extending to or beyond anterior end of anal opening. In female, lateral margins of prodorsal shield without incisions, or with small incisions extending only to bases of setae se .................................................................................................. 14
14. In both sexes, prodorsal shield with small incisions extending to, but not encircling bases of setae se. In male, length of setae h3 less than half the distance between their bases...................................... A. troglodytis (Černý, 1974)
- In both sexes, prodorsal shield with lateral margins entire, or with narrow incisions posterior to setae se in females. In male, length of setae h3 longer than half the distance between their bases............................................. 15
15. In both sexes, humeral shields present, represented by narrow dorsal or lateral sclerites............................ 16
- In both sexes, humeral shields absent.................................................................... 21
16. In female, lobar shield entire (not split longitudinally) and without posterior incision; supranal concavity well developed, circular with well sclerotized border....................................................................... 17
- In female, lobar shield split longitudinally or with deep posterior incision, supranal concavity absent or poorly defined... 20
17. In male, fused part of epimerites I not connected with middle part of epimerites II, tarsus IV without small apical claw-like process (Figs. 1B, 3F). In female, lacunae on anterior hysteronotal shield noticeably smaller than on prodorsal shield (Fig. 2A)....................................................................................... A. cathari sp. n.
- In male, fused part of epimerites I connected with middle part of epimerites II by narrow transverse bands, tarsus IV with small apical claw-like process. In female, lacunae on prodorsal and anterior hysteronotal shields are approximately equal in size......................................................................................................18
18. In male, setae h3 (48–54 µm long) nearly twice as long as distance between setae h3, bases of trochanters IV not flanked by sclerotized plates, opisthosomal lobes have small spine like extension at bases of setae h2 and h3. In female, setae h2 spindlelike with short filiform apex, supranal concavity flanked laterally by one large circular lacuna on each side................................................................................................ A. turdinus (Berla, 1959)
- In male, setae h3 (25–40 µm long) shorter than distance between bases of setae h3, bases of trochanters IV flanked by triangular sclerotized plates, opisthosomal lobes have large spine like extension at bases of setae h2 and two smaller extensions at bases of setae h3. In female, setae h2 spindle-like without filiform apex, supranal concavity flanked laterally by 2–4 small circular lacunae on each side............................................................................. 19
19. In male, aedeagus extends to midlevel of adanal suckers, setae h3 38–42 µm long and subequal to distance between their bases, anterior margins of opisthoventral shields covering lobes smooth. In female, setae h2 with rounded tips and equal in length to terminal cleft; fused part of epimerites I with only median extension...... A. plumbeus Mironov and González-Acuña, 2011
- In male, aedeagus extends to anterior margins of adanal suckers, setae h 3 23–27 µm long and distinctly shorter than distance between their bases, anterior margins of opisthoventral shields covering lobes heavily sclerotized and with small irregular denticles (Fig. 6A). In female, setae h2 with acute tips and 1.3–1.4 times longer than the terminal cleft; fused part of epimerites I with a pair of lateral extensions and short median extension (Fig. 5A, B).......................... A. hylocichlae sp. n.
20. In both sexes, prodorsal and hysteronotal shields entirely covered with numerous large circular lacunae up to 8 µm in diameter. In male, posterior end of fused epimerites I acute. In female, anterior part of lobar shield pieces with 8–10 circular lacunae each, entire surface of hysteronotal shield with numerous large circular lacunae (up to 5 µm in diameter).............................................................................................. A. paroariae (Mironov, 2008)
- In both sexes, prodorsal shield without lacunae. In male, posterior end of fused epimerites I usually with 3 small denticles, hysteronotal shield with barely distinct minute lacunae (Fig. 16A, B). In female, anterior part of lobar shield pieces with 2–3 circular lacunae each, hysteronotal shield with small and well pronounced minute lacunae in posterior part and barely distinct ones in anterior part (Fig. 17A)............................................................... A. passerinae sp. n.
21. In male, aedeagus extending to anterior end of terminal cleft or slightly beyond it, setae h3 shorter than distance between their bases. In female, lobar shield split completely or partly into two pieces by wide median band (about 15 µm) of soft tegument, setae h1 short filiform and situated anterior to level of setae f2 ................................................ 22
- In male, aedeagus barely extending to anterior margin of adanal suckers, setae h3 equal to or slightly longer than distance between their bases. In female, lobar shield entire, setae h1 small spiculiform and situated at level of setae f2 ............................................................................................. A. geothlypis (Berla, 1973)
22. In male, entire surface of prodorsal shield with small circular lacunae, setae h1 anterior to supranal concavity. In female, lateral parts of lobar shield remain connected at anterior margin..................................................... 23
- In male, prodorsal shield without lacunae, or small circular lacunae present only in anterior part, setae h1 at level of supranal concavity. In female, lobar shield completely split along midline by wide band of soft tegument..................... 24
23. In male, fused part of epimerites I usually connected with medial parts of epimerites II, opisthoventral shields with simple trapezium-shaped extension bearing setae ps3, solenidion σ 1 I at midlevel of genu I. In female, lacunae usually present only posterior half of anterior hysteronotal shield, lobar shield without distinct lacunae................................................................................................... A. contopus Mironov and González-Acuña, 2011
- In male, fused part of epimerites I with acute lateral extensions, not connected with medial parts of epimerites II, opisthoventral shields with well outlined raindrop-shaped areas bearing setae ps3, solenidion σ 1 I close to base of genu I (Figs. 13B, 15A). In female, entire surface of hysteronotal shield usually with lacunae, lobar shield with 2-3 circular lacunae on each side (Fig. 14A)................................................................................... A. seiurus sp. n.
24. In male, fused part of epimerites I without lateral extensions. In female, entire surface of prodorsal shield and posterior half of anterior hysteronotal shield with distinct circular lacunae, lobar shield split into two lateral pieces.......................
............................................................. A. wilsoniae Mironov and González-Acuña, 2011 - In male, fused part of epimerites I with acute lateral extensions. In female, prodorsal and hysteronotal shields without lacunae, lobar region bearing two lateral pieces of lobar shield and minute median sclerite between their anterior ends........... 25
25. In male, opisthosomal lobes with roughly rounded posterior margin, bases of setae h2 and h3 almost at the same transverse level, genital papillae touching at bases (Fig 9A). In female, prodorsal shield without narrow incisions on lateral margins, each lateral part of lobar shield with 1–3 circular lacunae (Fig. 8A)..................................... A. hribari sp. n.
- In male, opisthosomal lobes with distinct narrowed apices bearing bases of setae h3, genital papillae not touching at bases (Fig. 12A). In female, lateral margins of prodorsal shield with narrow triangular incisions almost extending to setae si, each lateral part of lobar shield with 1 lacuna or without them (Fig. 11A)................................... A. helmitheros sp. n.
description: Published as part of Mironov, Sergey V. & Chandler, C. Ray, 2017, New feather mites of the genus Amerodectes Valim and Hernandes (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) from passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) in Georgia, USA, pp. 201-245 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on pages 206-209, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/1042926