Cyperacarus naomae Beard & Ochoa, 2011, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Beard, Jennifer J.
name: Ochoa, Ronald
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Trombidiformes
Tenuipalpidae
Cyperacarus
Cyperacarus naomae

description: Cyperacarus naomae sp. nov. Beard & Ochoa
(Figs 1 c, 12–19)
Types. Holotype. Ƥ. Australia, Queensland, Windsor Tableland Forest Reserve, Far North Queensland, 16°13’56” S 145°00’26” E, 11.v.2005, ex. red-fruited saw sedge Gahnia sieberiana Kunth. (Cyperaceae) (BRI voucher PIF30943), J.J. Beard (QM, UQIC #88927). Paratypes. 5 Ƥ, 3 3, 3 deutonymphs, protonymph, 5 larvae, same data as Holotype (QM, separate slides); Ƥ, 2 3, 4 deutonymphs, 3 protonymphs, Forest Reserve 607, track to Kahlpahlim Rock, Lamb Range, Far North Queensland, 17°34’24” S 145°37’29” E, 09.iv.2005, ex. red-fruited saw sedge Gahnia sieberiana (Cyperaceae) (BRI voucher PIF30639), J.J. Beard (separate slides; QM); 3, protonymph (same slide); 2 Ƥ (same slide) (QM). (QM #: Ƥ 88919, 88923, 88927 – 29, 89041; 2 Ƥ 88940; 3 88907, 88938, 88936, 89045 – 46; DN 88942, 88949, 88952, 89047 – 49; PN 88957, 89050, 89052, no number; larvae 88910 – 11, 88944 – 45, 88948).
Diagnosis. Adult female (Figs 1 c, 12–13). As per genus, in addition to: setae c1 short, thick, barbed; setae d1 short to minute, barbed; male with dorsal setae sc1 not elongate, subequal in length with setae v2.
Immatures (Figs 16–19). Larva with posterior opisthosomal setae d1, e3 and h1 minute, setae f2 short. Protonymph with posterior opisthosomal setae d1, e3 and h1 minute, setae f2 similar to other dorsal setae. Deutonymph with posterior opisthosomal setae d1 and h1 minute, setae e3, f2 similar to other dorsal setae.
Adult female. (9 measured).
Dorsum. (Figs 1 c, 12) Body measurements: v2 –h1 265 – 301, sc2–sc2 91 – 102, c3–c3 106 – 122, f2–f2 58 – 63. Dorsal cuticle mostly smooth, with some minor transverse grooves and plicae between setae sc2 and c1. A dorsal shield or dorsal thickening is evident, marked laterally by a change in cuticle. Anterior margin of prodorsum with three projections, one large rounded central and two smaller lateral projections, on which setae v2 are inserted (on antiaxial margin of projections). Setae sc1, c3, d3, e3, f2 inserted on large rounded tubercles. Setae sc1 thick, elongate, barbed; c1 short, bushy; d1, h1 minute, barbed; h2 elongate, barbed with minute distal club; all other dorsal setae broad, thick, dorsoventrally flattened, with strong lateral barbs; dorsal surface of setae finely spiculate (Fig. 12, detail), ventral surface smooth, with a median keel: v 2 22 – 30 [26], sc1 192 – 216 [198 – 200], sc2 33 – 42 [33 – 35], c 1 9 – 14 [10 – 11], c3 34 – 41 [35 – 38], d1 3 – 6 [6], d3 34 – 42 [36 – 42], e3 36 – 41 [38 – 40], f2 34 – 41 [34 – 40], h1 3 – 7 [5], h2 156 – 190 [156 – 167].
Gnathosoma. (Fig. 12) Gnathosoma extends to distal margin of genu I. Dorsal cuticle with longitudinal plicae; ventral cuticle finely papillate with some transverse striae anterior to setae 1b. Ventral setae m absent. Palps with three segments; formula 0, 2, 0(2); tibia with two setae (d 13 – 14, v 9 – 11); tarsus with two eupathidia (8 – 9; 4 – 5). Cheliceral stylets 109 – 116.
Venter. (Fig. 13) Cuticle completely plicate, covered with fine, mostly transverse plicae, between setae 1a–g2; some anterior longitudinal plicae between setae 1b–1a; plicae longitudinal and oblique laterad genital flap, becoming transverse anterior to genital flap. Setae g1 inserted in an anterior position to g2 on genital flap. All setae fine, smooth; setae 1a, 1b, 4a1, 4a2 elongate, fine (difficult to consistently determine full length). Setal measurements: 1a 63* – 119 [119], 1b 62 – 84 [64], 2b 18 – 34 [32], 2c 15 – 26 [22], 3a 18 – 29 [25], 3b 22 – 30 [24], 4a1 37* – 103 [62 – 81], 4a2 40* – 88 [60 – 83], 4b 18 – 28 [23], ag 18 – 21 [21], g 1 17 – 25 [20], g 2 15 – 25 [25], ps 1 11 – 16 [11], ps 2 13 – 19 [13] (* = broken).
Spermatheca. (Fig. 13) An elongate, cylindrical vesicle (15 – 18) [16].
Legs. (Figs 12, 13) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: 1-0-3-0-5-7(1), 2-0-3-0-5-7(1), 1-0-2-0-3-3, 1-0-2-0-3-3 respectively. Tarsi I and II each with one antiaxial solenidion ω ” (5 – 7, 4 – 5 respectively) and two distal eupathidia p ζ ’-p ζ ” (7 – 8, 6 – 7; 6 – 8, 6 respectively); ta I – IV u’-u” asymmetrically barbed. Femur I with long, barbed dorsal seta (24 – 34).
Colour. This species is yellow to orange with small black spots internally (presumably food in gut).
Adult male. (6 measured).
Dorsum. (Fig. 14) Body measurements: v2 –h1 217 – 221, sc2–sc2 90 – 93, c3–c3 107 – 108, f2–f2 55 – 56. Dorsal cuticle mostly smooth. Three dorsal shields evident. Setae c3, d3, e3, f2 inserted on tubercles. Setae sc1 not elongate; d1, h1 short, barbed; h2 elongate, barbed with minute distal club; all other dorsal setae thick, dorsoventrally flattened, with strong lateral barbs; dorsal surface finely spiculate, ventral surface smooth. Setal measurements: v2 40 – 49, sc1 32 – 47, sc2 35 – 41, c 1 11 – 20, c 3 28 – 38, d 1 6 – 12, d3 35 – 41, e3 36 – 46, f2 37 – 43, h1 3 – 8, h2 163 – 194.
Gnathosoma. (Fig. 14) Gnathosoma extends to distal end of femur leg I. Ventral cuticle finely papillate with some transverse plicae anterior to setae 1b. Ventral setae m absent. Palps with three segments; formula 0, 2, 0(2); tarsus with two eupathidia (4 – 7; 6 – 8); tibia with two setae (d 12 – 14, v 9 – 10). Cheliceral stylets 85 – 87.
Venter. (Fig. 15) Cuticle completely plicate, covered with fine, mostly transverse, plicae; plicae longitudinal between setae 1b–1a, transverse between 1a–4a2; band of strong plicae and striae between 4a1–ag posterad level with coxae IV; transverse plicae posterior to g1–g2 becoming longitudinal lateral to ps1–2 around anal opening. Setae ps1 modified to short thick spurs. All setae fine; setae 1a, 1b, 4a1, 4a2 elongate (difficult to consistently determine full length). Setal measurements: 1a 63 – 109, 1 b 46 – 84, 2 b 19 – 33, 2 c 18 – 24, 3 a 20 – 29, 3 b 19 – 25, 4 a1 64 – 86, 4 a2 49 – 69, 4 b 15 – 24, ag 14 – 23, g 1 12 – 24, g 2 11 – 20, ps1 6 – 9, ps 2 9 – 14.
Aedeagus. (Fig. 15) Sclerotised, elongate arrow-head shaped organ (31 – 35) with a narrow membranous tube, widened into funnel-shape distally (11 long, 10 wide), opening into a membranous vesicle.
Legs. (Fig. 14) Setal formulae same as female except additions v’ on trI, l’ fe I and ω’ on taI – IV: 1-1-4-0-5- 8(2), 2-0-3-0-5-8(2), 1-0-2-0-3-4(1), 1-0-2-0-3-4(1) respectively. Tarsi I and II each with two solenidion (ta I paraxial ω ’ 10 – 12, antiaxial ω ” 7 – 9; ta II paraxial ω ’ 8 – 10, antiaxial ω ” 6 – 9) and two distal eupathidia p ζ ’-p ζ ” (6 – 7, 6 – 7; 5 – 6, 6 – 7 respectively); tarsi III and IV each with one paraxial solenidion ω ’ (9 – 10; 10 – 11 respectively); ta I – IV u’-u” asymmetrically barbed. Femur I with long, barbed dorsal seta (59 – 70).
Deutonymph. (7 measured)
Dorsum. (Figs 16, 17) Body measurements: v2 –h1 199 – 231, sc2–sc2 73 – 86, c3–c3 90 – 103, f2–f2 42 – 51. Cuticle mostly smooth with some transverse plicae between setae sc2–c3. Projections on anterior margin of propodosoma absent (Fig. 16) or present (Fig. 17). Central tubercles with setal pairs c1 and d1 vestigial (Fig. 16) or developed (Fig. 17). Setae sc1 elongate, barbed; d1, h1 minute; setae h2 elongate, barbed, with minute club; all other setae thick, dorsoventrally flattened, strongly barbed; dorsal surface finely spiculate, ventral surface smooth. Setal measurements: v 2 15 – 19, sc1 140 – 172, sc 2 27 – 33, c 1 15 – 23, c 3 24 – 29, d1 4 – 5, d 3 24 – 29, e 3 21 – 29, f 2 25 – 29, h1 2 – 4, h2 118 – 151.
Gnathosoma. (Fig. 16) Gnathosoma extends to distal margin genu leg I. Ventral cuticle finely papillate. Ventral setae m absent. Palps with three segments; formula 0, 2, 0(2); tibia with two setae (d 11 – 12, v 9 – 10); tarsus with two eupathidia (6 – 7, 2 – 4). Cheliceral stylets 84 – 95.
Venter. Cuticle completely plicate, covered mostly with transverse striae; plicae longitudinal between setae 1b– 1a, transverse 1a–g1 with some mixed plicae anterior to 3a; plicae oblique g1–ps2. All ventral setae fine; setae 1a, 1b, 4a1, 4a2 elongate (difficult to determine full length). Setal measurements: 1a 68 – 91, 1 b 36 – 46, 2 b 10 – 16, 2 c 12 – 18, 3 a 12 – 18, 3 b 11 – 15, 4 a1 36 – 60, 4 b 10 – 15, ag 7 – 10, g 1 6 – 10, ps1 6 – 8, ps 2 8 – 11.
Legs. (Fig. 16) Setal formulae same as female, and same as protonymph except additions cx II 2 c, cx IV 4 b: 1- 0-3-0-5-7(1), 2-0-3-0-5-7(1), 1-0-2-0-3-3, 1-0-2-0-3-3 respectively. Tarsi I and II each with one antiaxial solenidion ω ” (3 – 4; 3 respectively) and two distal eupathidia p ζ ’-p ζ ” (4 – 6, 4 – 6; 4 – 6, 4 – 6 respectively); ta I – IV u’-u” asymmetrically barbed. Femur I with long, barbed dorsal seta (24 – 32).
Protonymph. (4 measured).
Dorsum. (Fig. 18) Body measurements: v2 –h1 180, sc2–sc2 69, c3–c3 66, f2–f2 29. Cuticle with smooth area anteriorly on prodorsum and posteriorly between setae d1–h1; strong transverse plicae between setae sc2–d1. Dorsum with 2 central seta-bearing tubercles — anterior tubercle with setal pair c1, posterior tubercle with setal pair d1. Setae sc1 elongate, barbed; v2, e3 short; setae d1, h1 minute; h2 elongate, barbed, with minute club; all other setae thick, strongly barbed: v 2 9 – 12, sc1 120 – 127, sc 2 23 – 33, c 1 21 – 28, c 3 23 – 27, d1 3 – 4, d 3 23 – 28, e 3 5 – 16, f 2 19 – 26, h1 2 – 3, h2 76 – 116.
Gnathosoma. (Fig. 18) Gnathosoma extends to tibia leg I. Ventral setae m absent. Palps with three segmented; formula 0, 2, 0(2); tibia with two setae (d 8, v 7); tarsus with two eupathidia (6, 3). Cheliceral stylets 78.
Venter. Cuticle completely plicate, mostly covered with transverse striae; plicae longitudinal between setae 1b– 1a, transverse 1a–ag with some mixed plicae anterior to 3a; plicae oblique laterad ps1–2, mixed between ag–ps2. Setae fine; setae 1a, 1b elongate (difficult to determine full length). Setal measurements: 1a 31 – 74, 1 b 25 – 47, 2 c 10 – 14, 3 a 11 – 18, 3 b 10 – 12, ag 3 – 9, ps1 3 – 5, ps2 3 – 4.
Legs. (Fig. 18) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: 1-0-3-0-5-7(1), 1-0-3-0-5-7(1), 1-0-2-0-3-3, 0-0-2-0-3-3 respectively. Tarsi I and II each with one antiaxial solenidion ω ” (2 – 3, 2 – 3 respectively) and two distal eupathidia p ζ ’- p ζ ” (5, 5; 4 – 5, 4 – 5 respectively); ta I – IV u’-u” asymmetrically barbed. Femur I with long, barbed dorsal seta (12).
Larva. Dorsum. (Fig. 19) Body measurements: v2 –h1 135 – 136, sc2–sc2 57 – 58, c3–c3 66 – 69, e3– e 3 28 – 29. Cuticle entirely plicate with mostly transverse plicae, some longitudinal plicae on prodorsum. Dorsum with three rounded tubercles aligned medially - anterior tubercle without setae; setae c1 inserted together on central tubercle; setae d1 inserted together on posterior tubercle. Setae sc1 elongate, barbed; v2, f2 short; setae d1, e3, h1 minute; h2 elongate, barbed; all other setae thick, strongly barbed: v2 4 – 7, sc1 53 – 68, sc 2 24 – 34, c1 38 – 43, c 3 31 – 38, d1 3 – 4, d3 32 – 38, e3 3 – 4, f2 7 – 9, h1 1 – 3, h2 92 – 138.
Gnathosoma. (Fig. 19) Gnathosoma extends beyond proximal margin of genu I. Ventral setae m absent. Palps with three segments; formula 0, 2, 0(1); tibia with two setae (d 9, v 7); tarsus with one eupathidion (6). Cheliceral stylets 68 – 74.
Venter. Plicae on cuticle fine, difficult to see, mostly transverse with longitudinal plicae between setae 1b–1a. Setal measurements: 1a 38 – 77, 1 b 16 – 31, 3 a 8 – 16, ps1 3 – 4, ps2 3 – 4.
Legs. (Fig. 19) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: 1-0-3-0-5-6(1), 0-0-3-0-5-6(1), 0-0-2-0-3-3 respectively. Tarsi I and II each with one short antiaxial solenidion ω ” (2, 2 respectively) and two distal eupathidia p ζ ’-p ζ ” (4 – 5, 5; 4, 4 respectively); ta I – IV u’-u” asymmetrically barbed. Femur I with long, barbed dorsal seta (11).
Host. Red-fruited saw sedge, Gahnia sieberiana (Cyperaceae).
Distribution. Windsor Tableland and Lamb Range, Far North Queensland.
Remarks. Two adult female specimens have abnormally elongate dorsal setae e3, 41 – 76 compared with 36 – 41. The larval and protonymphal leg chaetotaxy of this species match that of G. gersonus and G. tuberculatus. However the deutonymph differs in that no setae are added to the trochanters (whereas v’ is added to tr I – III in G. gersonus and G. tuberculatus). The leg chaetotaxy of the adult female matches that of the deutonymph, i.e. there are no additions (whereas v’ is added to tr IV in G. gersonus, G. tuberculatus). Like male G. tuberculatus (male G. gersonus not known), v’ is added to tr I and solenidion ω ’ is added to all tarsi of male C. naomae. species name in italics; however this species differs in also adding l’ to fe I.
The ventral grooves on the leaf blades of the host plant are shallow. Mites were more commonly found at the tip of the blade than elsewhere on the blade. At the tip of the blade the leaf curls over on itself forming a tube and the longitudinal grooves are slightly wider and appear to be slightly deeper. Mites were more common on outer leaf blades than on the inner unfurled leaves.
Etymology. This species is named in loving memory of Naomi Armstrong-Beard.
†genua IV nude in original description (Meyer 1979), genua IV with one seta in Mesa et al. (2009).
description: Published as part of Beard, Jennifer J. & Ochoa, Ronald, 2011, New flat mite genera (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) associated with Australian sedges (Cyperaceae), pp. 1-37 in Zootaxa 2941 on pages 19-29, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.204686