Gamasiphis paulista Castilho, De & Narita, 2010, n. sp.
Creators: name: Castilho, Raphael C.
name: De, Gilberto J.
name: Narita, João P. Z.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2010
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Mesostigmata
Ologamasidae
Gamasiphis
Gamasiphis paulista

description: Gamasiphis paulista n. sp.
Diagnosis of adult. Fixed and movable cheliceral digits with seven and four teeth respectively in the female and seven and one teeth respectively in the male, in addition to the apical tooth of each digit. Podosomal region of dorsal shield with 23 pairs of setae, opisthosomal region with 10 pairs of setae in both sexes; setae acicular, except j 3- j 6, z 3- z 5, s 4, s 5 and r 5 narrowly lanceolate, with constricted base. Ventral idiosoma with two pairs of presternal shields; ventri-anal shield with eight pairs of setae in addition to circum-anal setae. Female with seta st 3 mesad and slightly posterior to seta st 2; male with st 3 about in longitudinal line with st 2 and st 4.
Adult female (Fig. 1 A–F) (5 specimens measured). Setae of gnathosoma, idiosoma and legs acicular, except j 3- j 6, z 3- z 5, s 4, s 5 and r 5 narrowly lanceolate, with constricted base.
Gnathosoma: Fixed cheliceral digit 72 (72–73) long, with seven teeth in addition to apical tooth and a setiform pilus dentilis (Fig. 1 A); movable cheliceral digit 76 (75–77) long, with four teeth in addition to apical tooth. Antiaxial lyrifissure distinct. Palp chaetotaxy 2-5-6-14 -15; apotele 3-tined. Anterior margin of epistome with an elongate, acute central projection flanked by a pair of short, acute lateral projections (Fig. 1 B). Deutosternal denticles in six rows, with 10–14 denticles each (Fig. 1 C); most anterior row “V” shaped, followed by an inverted “V” shaped row; subsequent rows roughly transverse. Seta h 2 shorter than h 1 and h 3. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
TABLE 1. Measurements (µm) of the dorsal setae of each postembryonic stage of Gamasiphis paulista n. sp. (-) Absent. Seta Adult female Adult male Deutonymph Protonymph Larva Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 1 D): Dorsum totally covered by a large, smooth dorsal shield extending lateroventrally to fuse or abut adjacent shields; 537 (530–550) long and 388 (363–385) wide at widest point; apparently with two pairs of pores and eight pairs of lyrifissures. Podosomal region with 23 pairs of setae (j 1- j 6, z 1- z 6, s 1- s 6 and r 2- r 6). Opisthosomal region with 10 pairs of setae (J 3- J 5, Z 1, Z 3- Z 5, S 2- S 4). Measurements of dorsal setae as in Table 1.
Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 1 E): Trapezoidal base of tritosternum 14 (12–16) long and 13 (12–14) wide proximally (Fig. 2 A); laciniae 62 (58–66), totally separated from each other, pilose. Wide distinct sections of exopodal shield present between coxae I–II and coxae II–IV; those sections separated from peritrematal shield by a line of unsclerotised cuticle. Fused peritrematal shield and section of exopodal shield next to leg IV extending posteriorly well beyond stigma, wider at level of coxa IV and progressively narrowing posteriorly to a pointed tip [pars interior of Karg (1990)]; separated from adjacent shields by lines of unsclerotised cuticle. Peritreme extending anteriorly almost to level of anterior margin of coxa I. An elongate triangular shield present laterad of posterior end of fused peritrematal shield and section of exopodal shield next to leg IV [pars exterior of Karg (1990); perhaps corresponding to metapodal shield of other Mesostigmata], flanked externally by a ribbon-shaped shield and separated from the ventral extension of the posterior dorsal shield by a line of unsclerotised cuticle; this ribbon-shaped shield fused anteriorly to dorsal shield and posteriorly to ventri-anal shield, bearing a pore at the level of Zv 1 (probably Rp of Lindquist & Evans, 1965). Endopodal shield totally fused to sternal shield. Pre-sternal area with two pairs of smooth narrow presternal shields, roughly parallel to each other and to the anterior margin of the sternal shield. Sternal shield reticulate between st 1 and st 3, smooth posteriorly; posterior margin deeply concave; approximately 68 (63–72) long at mid-line and 92 (88–97) wide at widest point (endopodal projection between coxae II and III); with four pairs of setae, st 3 inserted posteromesad of st 2, and four pairs of lyrifissures; lyrifissure next to st 2 oriented obliquely to longitudinal axis of idiosoma. Genital shield with a few diagonal striae; fitting into posterior concavity of sternal shield; length shorter than width along posterior margin; posterior margin straight, slightly anterior to posterior margin of coxa IV; distance between st 5- st 5 69 (67–72). Ventri-anal shield transversely striated; separated from adjacent shields by lines of unsclerotised cuticle; anal region of the shield separated from ventral region by an unsclerotised line, except for area between setae Jv 3, and totally fused to posterior end of ventral extension of dorsal shield; ventri-anal shield 268 (245–288) long at mid-line (from anterior margin to post-anal seta), 280 (257–302) wide at widest point; with eight pairs of setae (Jv 1- Jv 5, Zv 1- Zv 3) in addition to circum-anal setae; Jv 5 about level with anterior margin of anal opening and about 1.1 times as long as paraanal seta; post-anal seta about 3.5 times as long as para-anal seta; shield with a pair of pores and two pairs of lyrifissures. Measurements of ventral setae as in Table 2.
Spermatheca (Fig. 1 F): Lightly sclerotised tubular section of part of spermathecal apparatus distinguishable near coxa IV.
Legs: Lengths: I: 386 (375–397); II: 343 (337–350); III: 340 (325–355); IV: 423 (400–447). Chaetotaxy of legs I–IV: coxa: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanter: 6, 5, 5, 5; femur: 13, 11, 6, 6; genu: 13, 11, 9, 8; tibia: 14, 10, 8, 9; tarsus II–IV: 18, 18, 17. All legs with pretarsi, each with three rounded pulvillar lobes, elongate ambulacral stalk and a pair of strongly sclerotised claws.
Adult male (Fig. 3 A–C) (5 specimens measured). Setae of gnathosoma, idiosoma and legs similar to those of female.
Gnathosoma: Fixed cheliceral digit 56 (55–57) long, with seven teeth (pilus dentilis not distinguishable) in addition to apical tooth (Fig. 3 A); movable cheliceral digit 60 (59–60) long, with one tooth in addition to apical tooth. Spermatodactyl 72 (70–75) long, curved, apparently with an internal canal in proximal half, distal half spatulate, distally blunt. Epistome and hypostome as in female. Seta h 2 shorter than h 1 and h 3. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Dorsal idiosoma: Dorsal shield similar to that of female. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 3 B): Trapezoidal base of tritosternum 18 (17–19) long and 17 (16–18) wide proximally; laciniae 66 (65–68), otherwise as in adult female. Except for the fusion of sternal and genital shields, the shape, pattern and fusions of ventral shields as in female. Ribbon-shaped shield with a pore at level of Zv 1 or slightly anterior. Sternogenital shield with sparse reticulation between st 1 and st 2, smooth elsewhere; approximately 143 (142–145) long and 101 (98–105) wide at widest point (at endopodal projection between coxae II and III); with five pairs of setae and three pairs of lyrifissures; lyrifissure next to st 2 oriented obliquely to longitudinal axis of idiosoma; genital opening on anterior margin of shield, flanked by two rounded flaps, each ending in a marginal row of elongate, pointed extensions (Fig. 2 B). Ventri-anal shield 270 (263–277) long at mid-line (from anterior margin to post-anal seta) and 293 (280–312) wide at widest point, with eight pairs of setae (Jv 1- Jv 5, Zv 1- Zv 3) in addition to circum-anal setae; post-anal seta about 4.5 times as long as para-anal seta; with a pair of pores and two pairs of lyrifissures. Measurements of ventral setae as in Table 2.
Legs: Lengths: I: 444 (437–450); II: 396 (390–402); III: 377 (365–395); IV: 493 (488–502). Chaetotaxy similar to that of female, but two ventral setae on femur II and genu II and one ventral seta on tibia II spur-like (Fig. 3 C). All legs with pretarsi, similar to those of adult female
Deutonymph (Fig. 3 D–E) (3 specimens measured). Setae of gnathosoma, idiosoma and legs similar to those of adult female.
Gnathosoma: Fixed cheliceral digit 50 long, with seven teeth in addition to apical tooth and a setiform pilus dentilis; movable cheliceral digit 53 (52–54) long, with four teeth in addition to apical tooth. Epistome as in female. Hypostomal setae of similar lengths. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 3 D): Podonotal and opisthonotal shields separated. Podonotal shield smooth; 223 (214–232) long and 368 (357–380) wide at widest point; with 21 pairs of setae (j 1- j 6, z 1- z 6, s 1- s 6, r 2, r 3 and r 5), three pairs of pores and four pairs of lyrifissures. Seta r 4 on unclerotised cuticle laterad of podosomal shield and seta r 6 on unclerotised cuticle between podonotal and opisthonotal shields. Opisthonotal shield reticulate, 187 (185–188) long and 322 (317–327) wide at widest point; with ten pairs of setae (J 3- J 5, Z 1, Z 3- Z 5, S 2- S 4), two pairs of pores, nine pairs of lyrifissures and a pair of pore-like structures anterolaterad of S 2. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 3 E): Trapezoidal base of tritosternum 25 (24–25) long and 19 (18–20) wide proximally, laciniae 59 (56–62), otherwise as in adult female. Vestigial exopodal and endopodal shields present between coxae II and III and coxae III and IV. Peritrematal shield distinct. Peritreme short, extending anteriorly only to median level of coxa III. Presternal shields absent. Sternal shield reticulate, narrowed behind st 4, with rounded posterior margin; approximately 137 (135–140) long and 78 (75–80) wide at widest point (at level of lyrifissure posterior to st 2); with four pairs of setae (st 1- st 4), approximately aligned longitudinally, and three pairs of lyrifissures. Setae st 5 inserted on unsclerotised cuticle at level of posterior end of sternal shield. Two pairs of small, narrow platelets present posterior to st 5. Setae Jv 1- Jv 2, Jv 4- Jv 5 and Zv 1- Zv 3 and five pairs of lyrifissures present on unsclerotised cuticle. Ventri-anal shield reticulate anterolaterally, smooth elsewhere; 67 (62–72) long along midline and 81 (78–85) wide at widest point; with seta Jv 3 in addition to circum-anal setae; post-anal seta about 3.2 times as long as para-anal seta. Measurements of setae as in Table 2.
Legs: Lengths: I: 386 (375–397); II: 321 (318–325); III: 322 (320–325); IV: 385 (380–400). Chaetotaxy of legs I–IV: coxa: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanter: 6, 5, 5, 5; femur: 13, 11, 6, 6; genu: 13, 11, 8, 8; tibia: 14, 10, 8, 9; tarsus II–IV 18, 18, 17. All legs with pretarsi similar to those of adult female.
Protonymph (Fig. 4 A–B) (3 specimens measured). Setae of gnathosoma, idiosoma and legs acicular, except j 4, j 5 and z 5 narrowly lanceolate, with constricted base.
Gnathosoma: Fixed cheliceral digit 39 (38–40) long, with seven teeth in addition to apical tooth and a setiform pilus dentilis; movable cheliceral digit 42 (41–43) long, with four teeth in addition to apical tooth. Epistome as in female. Hypostomal setae of similar lengths. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 4 A): Podonotal and opisthonotal shields separated. Podonotal shield smooth, 177 (170–185) long and 75 (74–76) wide at widest point; with 11 setae (j 1- j 6, z 2, z 4, z 5, s 4 and s 5) and two pairs of lyrifissures. Unclerotised cuticle laterad of podosomal shield with four pairs of setae (s 6, r 2, r 3 and r 5), two pairs of lyrifissures (in one specimen, the anteriormost inserted at edge of podosomal shield), a pair of narrow platelets anterior to r 2, and a pair of smaller platelets bearing r 5 and a pore-like structure. Unclerotised cuticle between podonotal and opisthonotal shield with a pair of setae (Z 1), three pairs of lyrifissures (between j 6 and J 3) and three pairs of platelets. Opisthonotal shield reticulated; 100 (98–102) long and 178 (175–182) wide at widest point; with six pairs of setae (J 3- J 5, Z 3- Z 5), a pair of pores and three pairs of lyrifissures. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with three pairs of setae (S 2- S 4) and a pair of lyrifissures. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 4 B): Trapezoidal base of tritosternum 19 (18–20) long and 16 (15–17) wide proximally; laciniae 48 (45–50), otherwise as in adult female. Peritrematal shield slightly longer than peritreme, reaching anterior level of coxa IV. Sternal shield very lightly sclerotised; 111 (107–115) long and 71 (70–72) wide at widest point (at level of lyrifissure posterior to st 2); with three pairs of setae (st 1- st 3) and two pairs of lyrifissures. Setae st 5 inserted on unsclerotised cuticle, at level of posterior margin of coxa IV. Setae Jv 1, Jv 2, Jv 5 and Zv 2 and five pairs of lyrifissures on unsclerotised cuticle. Anal shield smooth; 53 (48– 57) long along midline and 69 (68–70) wide at widest point; post-anal seta about twice as long as para-anal setae. Measurements of setae as in Table 2.
Legs: Lengths: I: 354 (350–357); II: 281 (280–283); III: 279 (278–280); IV: 346 (345–348). Chaetotaxy of legs I–IV: coxa: 2, 2, 2, 1; trochanter: 4, 4, 4, 4; femur: 10, 8, 5, 4; genu: 8, 6, 6, 5; tibia: 8, 7, 7, 7; tarsus of legs II–IV 17, 17, 17. All legs with pretarsi similar to those of adult female.
Larva (Fig. 4 C–D) (3 specimens measured). All setae of gnathosoma, idiosoma and legs slender.
Gnathosoma: Fixed cheliceral digit 32 (31–32) long, with seven teeth in addition to apical tooth and a setiform pilus dentilis; movable cheliceral digit 35 (34–36) long, with four teeth in addition to apical tooth. Epistome as in female. Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Dorsal idiosoma (Fig. 4 C): Podonotal and opisthonotal shields very lightly sclerotised, separated. Podonotal shield smooth, with nine pairs of setae (j 1, j 3, j 4, j 5, j 6, z 2, z 4, z 5 and s 4) and four pairs of lyrifissures. Unclerotised cuticle laterad of podonotal shield with a pair of lyrifissures and a pair of pore-like structures (posterolaterad of s 4). Opisthonotal region smooth; with six pairs of setae (J 4, J 5, Z3-Z5 and S 4) and a pair of lyrifissures. Unsclerotised cuticle laterad of opisthonotal shield with a pair of setae (S 3). Measurements of setae as in Table 1.
Ventral idiosoma (Fig. 4 D): Trapezoidal base of tritosternum 19 (18–20) long and 13 (13–14) wide proximally; laciniae 42 (41–42), otherwise as in adult female. Only anal shield distinguishable. Seven pairs of setae (st 1- st 3, Jv 1, Jv 2, Jv 5 and Zv 2) and a pair of lyrifissures on unsclerotised cuticle. Anal shield smooth; post-anal seta about 1.2 times as long as para-anal setae, relatively shorter than in later stages. Measurements of setae as in Table 2.
Legs: Lengths: I: 285 (280–290); II: 232 (223–241); III: 227 (218–236). Chaetotaxy of legs I–III: coxa: 2, 2, 2; trochanter: 4, 4, 4; femur: 10, 7, 5; genu: 8, 6, 6; tibia: 8, 7, 7; tarsus: II–III 16, 16. All legs with pretarsi similar to those of adult female.
Material examined. All type specimens were obtained from a laboratory culture initiated with specimens collected in July 2008 by J.P.Z. Narita, from litter and soil from the campus of Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz” (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil (22°42’30” S, 47°38’00” W).
Holotype female, 6 paratype females, 6 paratype males, 3 paratype deutonymphs, 3 paratype protonymphs and 3 paratype larvae deposited at Departamento de Entomologia e Acarologia (ESALQ, USP), Piracicaba-SP, Brazil.
Etymology. The name paulista refers to the type locality of the species, the State of São Paulo.
Remarks. Adult females of Gamasiphis paulista are similar to those of Gamasiphis hemicapillus Karg; however, the latter have 20 pairs of setae in the podosomal region (s 1, r 1, r 2 and r 3 absent) and 12 pairs of setae in the opisthosomal region of the dorsal shield (J 2 and Z 2 present), dorsal shield setae setaceous, unsclerotised line between dorsal and ventri-anal shields reaching base of seta Zv 3 [Vx 7of Hirschmann (1957), adopted in Karg´s publications] and seta Jv 5 [V 8 of Hirschmann (1957)] much longer than para-anal seta.
description: Published as part of Castilho, Raphael C., De, Gilberto J. & Narita, João P. Z., 2010, A new species of Gamasiphis (Acari: Ologamasidae) from Brazil, with a key to species from the Neotropical Region, pp. 31-43 in Zootaxa 2452 on pages 32-41, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.195224