Tenuipalpus spinosaurus Castro & Feres & Ochoa & Bauchan 2016, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Castro, Elizeu B.
name: Feres, Reinaldo J. F.
name: Ochoa, Ronald
name: Bauchan, Gary R.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Prostigmata
Tenuipalpidae
Tenuipalpus
Tenuipalpus spinosaurus

description: Tenuipalpu s spinosaurus sp. nov. Castro, Feres & Ochoa
(Figs 1–18)
Diagnosis. Female: Prodorsal setae v2 short to minute, sc1 obovate to oblanceolate and sc2 falcate, elongate; dorsal opisthosoma with 10 pairs of setae (f2 present); most of the dorsal opisthosomal setae obovate to oblanceolate, except setae d3 and e1 short to minute, and h2 elongate and flagelliform; prodorsum with a pair of oblique converging ridges from sc1 to near the sejugal furrow; opisthosoma bearing a prominent longitudinal crest between setae e1; dorsum with pair lateral projections anterior to setae sc2 and pair lateral projections posterior to setae c3; palps one segmented; two pairs of setae ps; one pair of setae 3a and 4a. Male: unknown. Immatures: deutonymphs and protonymphs with lateral body projections anterior to setae sc2 (lateral body projection associated with setae c3 absent); dorsal setae similar to those of the female except narrower. Larvae with prodorsum and region of opisthosomal posterior to setae d1 – c3 with colliculate integument; setae v2, sc1, c1, d1 and e1 short to minute, with other dorsal setae similar to those of female except narrower.
Female (n = 16) (Figs 1–13). Body size measurements: distance between setae v2 - h1 250 (240–255), sc2 - sc2 155 (150–160); other measurements: v2 - v2 30 (30–33), sc1 - sc1 88 (80–88), c1 - c1 48 (38–48), c3 - c3 178 (165– 180), d1 - d1 28 (23–28), d3 - d3 133 (125–133), e1 - e1 30 (28–33), e3 - e3 92 (87–95), f2 - f2 80 (77–83), f3 - f3 65 (62– 68), h1 - h1 35 (32–40), h2 - h2 52 (50–55).
Dorsum (Figs 1–6). Anterior margin of prodorsal shield with four narrow conical projections mesally. Prodorsum with one pair of obtuse lateral projections anterior to setae sc2; and opisthosoma with one pair of rounded lateral projections associated with setae c3. Prodorsum with a pair of oblique converging ridges from sc1 to near sejugal furrow. Opisthosoma bearing a prominent longitudinal, semi-circular crest between setae e1; when the mites are mounted on slides the crest is folded flat over the opisthosoma (Figs 1, 2, 3, 6); pair of large circular pores anterolaterad setae e1. Prodorsal setae v2 short to minute; sc1 obovate to oblanceolate and strongly concave like a scoop (Fig. 4 B); sc2 falcate and elongate (Fig. 4 A); opisthosomal setae similar to prodorsal setae sc1 except longer, oblanceolate, and setae d3 and e1 short to minute and h2 flagelliform and elongate. Setal measurements: v2 5 (3–6), sc1 28 (25–30), sc2 61 (60–67), c1 43 (40–47), c3 27 (25–30), d1 34 (33–40), d3 6 (4–6), e1 4 (3–5), e3 43 (43–51), f2 38 (38–45), f3 39 (38–42), h1 27 (24–30), h2 52 (60–105).
Venter (Figs 7, 8). Ventral integument with weak transverse striae centrally along midline and finely densely colliculate on lateral region of the prodorsum and opisthosoma; genital region entirely membranous and with transverse striae; anal flaps membranous with weak longitudinal striae. Most ventral setae filiform; coxal setae 1c, 2c and 3b filiform and barbed (1b weakly barbed); coxal setae 4b inserted posteromesad common position, closer to 4a. Setal measurements: 1a 95 (70–105), 1b 10 (10–12), 1c 16 (16–21), 2b 17 (16–21), 2c 22 (25–30), 3a 11 (11–13), 3b 30 (26–30), 4a 75 (65–90), 4b 24 (24–30), ag 20 (17–20), g1 30 (25–30), g2 23 (21–24), ps1 13 (12– 14), ps2 16 (14–16).
Gnathosoma (Figs 9, 10, 11). Palps one segmented, elongate and bearing one long, barbed seta d 12 (11–14) and two eupathidia, ul ′ 3 (4–5), ul ′′ 1–2 (1–2) (Fig. 9). Ventral setae m 11 (10–11), barbed (Figs 9, 10); distance between setae m - m 14 (13–16). Tips of cheliceral stylets with a few bluntly rounded lateral projections (Fig. 11).
Legs (Figs 12, 13). Setation (from coxae to tarsi): I 2–1–4–3–5–8(1), II 2–1–4–2–5–8(1), III 1–2–2–1–3–5, IV 1–1–1–0–3–5. Tarsi I–II each with one solenidion ω" 6 (5–6) (for both tarsi I and tarsi II), two eupathidia pζ ′ - pζ" (6–7, 6–7; 6, 6–7 respectively), and with seta ft" short, broadly lanceolate and positioned over the solenidion. Femur I with setae d oblanceolate, l ′ lanceolate, and with two barbed ventral setae. Femur II with d and l' lanceolate, bv" broadly lanceolate to falcate, and one barbed ventral seta. Femur III with seta d obovate. Femora and genua with setae d, and trochanter III with seta l', inserted in lateral position on tubercles. Detail of the development of leg chaetotaxy in Table 1.
Color. Body and legs translucent green becoming dark green in central region of idiosoma. Leg and dorsal setae white, eyes red.
Eggs. Elongate with longitudinal ridges, and yellow in colour. Most of the eggs were found near the veins of the leaves.
Male: Unknown.
Deutonymph (n = 4) (Figs 14, 15): Body size measurements: distance between setae v2 - h1 245–265, sc2 - sc2 122–128; other measurements: v2 - v2 25–30, sc1 - sc1 65–68, c1 - c1 25–28, c3 - c3 152–160, d1 - d1 17–20, d3 - d3 105–110, e1 - e1 22–25, e3 - e3 67–73, f2 - f2 60–73, f3 - f3 47–50, h1 - h1 15–18, h2 - h2 30–33.
Dorsum. Anterior margin of prodorsum with pair short projections mesally, forming a notch. Lateral body projections anterior to setae sc2 present. Prodorsum mostly smooth, with pair longitudinal ridges from anterior margin past eyes to posterior margin (Fig. 15). Region between setae sc2 - c3 with widely spaced transverse striations and region posterior to setae d1 - c3 smooth; pair circular pores laterad setae e1; central longitudinal ridge on posterior opisthosoma from setae d1 to posterior margin (Fig. 15). Dorsal setae similar to that of female except smaller and thinner. Setal measurements: v2 2–3, sc1 20–25, sc2 46–56, c1 24–30, c3 20, d1 30–31, d3 2–3, e1 2, e3 27–28, f2 22–27, f3 19–22, h1 13–17, h2 38–55.
Gnathosoma. Palps similar to those of female. Setae d 12–14 long; eupathidia ul ′ 4, ul ′′ 1–2. Ventral infracapitular setae m 6–7; distance between setae m - m 12–14.
Venter. Cuticle covered with fine and mostly transverse striae. Coxal, genital and pseudanal setae fine. Setal lengths: 1a 55–65, 1b 5–6, 1c 6–8, 2b 10–11, 2c 10–12, 3a 6–7, 3b 11–12, 4a 45–60, 4b 7–10, ag 5–8, g1 5–6, ps1 5–7, ps2 5–6. Setae g2 absent.
Legs. Setation (from coxae to tarsi): I 2–1–4–3–5–8(1), II 2–1–4–3–5–8(1), III 1–2–2–1–3–3, IV 1–0–1–0–3– 3. Leg chaetotaxy similar to that of female, except trochanter IV nude, and d and l setae more lanceolate. Tarsi I–II each with one solenidion ω" (tarsi I 4–5 and tarsi II 4) and two eupathidia pζ ′ - pζ" (5–6, 6; 5–6, 6 respectively). Detail of the development of leg chaetotaxy in Table 1.
Protonymph (n = 3) (Figs 16, 17): Body size measurements: distance between setae v2-h1 185–210, sc2-sc2 110–115; other measurements: v2-v2 20–25, sc1-sc1 55–60, c1 - c1 22–25, c3 - c3 127–133, d1 - d1 15–18, d3 - d3 87– 93, e1 - e1 15–18, e3 - e3 62–65, f2 - f2 55–58, f3 - f3 45, h1 - h1 15, h2 - h2 27–30.
Dorsum. Anterior margin of prodorsum with pair short projections mesally, forming a short notch. Lateral body projections anterior to setae sc2 present. Prodorsum mostly smooth, with pair longitudinal ridges from anterior margin past eyes to posterior margin (Fig. 17). Prodorsal region smooth; region between setae sc2 - c3 with widely spaced transverse striations and region posterior to setae d1 - c3 smooth; pair circular pores laterad setae e1; short central longitudinal ridge on posterior opisthosoma from setae d1 to posterior margin (Fig. 17). Dorsal setae similar to that of female except shorter and thinner. Setal measurements: v2 2–3, sc1 10–12, sc2 42–45, c1 9–45, c3 20–21, d1 12–20, d3 2–3, e1 2–3, e3 23–24, f2 19–22, f3 17–18, h1 14–15, h2 55–65.
Gnathosoma. Palps similar to those of female. Setae d 5–7; eupathidia ul ′ 3–4, ul ′′ 1–2. Ventral infracapitular setae m 6–7; distance between setae m - m 11–12.
Venter. Cuticle covered with fine and mostly transverse striae. Coxal, genital and pseudanal setae fine. Setal measurements: 1a 60–75, 1b 5–6, 1c 6–7, 2c 11–12, 3a 7–8, 3b 10–11, ag 6–7, ps1 5–7, ps2 6–7. Setae 2b, 4a, 4b, g1 and g2 absent.
Legs. Setation (from coxae to tarsi): I 2–0–3–1–5–6(1), II 1–0–3–1–5–6(1), III 1–0–2–0–3–3, IV 0–0–1–0–3– 3. Tarsi I–II each with one solenidion ω" 3–4 (for both tarsi I and tarsi II) and two eupathidia pζ ′ - pζ" (5–6, 6; 5, 5 respectively). Detail of the development of leg chaetotaxy in Table 1.
Larva (n = 3) (Fig. 18): Body size measurements: distance between setae v2 – h1 150–160, sc2 – sc2 78–98; other measurements: v2 - v2 15–18, sc1 - sc1 50, c1 - c1 25, c3-c3 97–105, d1-d1 12–15, d3-d3 67–72, e1-e1 7–10, e3 - e3 57–63, f2-f2 47–55, f3 - f3 35–40, h1-h1 10–13, h2-h2 22–25.
Dorsum. Anterior margin of prodorsum smoothly rounded, without notch. Prodorsal region with colliculate integument; region between setae sc2 - c3 with oblique and widely spaced transverse striations and region posterior to setae d1 - c3 with colliculate integument. Setae v2, sc1, c1, d1, d3 and e1 short to minute; other dorsal setae lanceolate except sc2 falcate. Setal measurements: v2 2, sc1 3, sc2 22–26, c1 3–4, c3 15–18, d1 5–6, d3 2–3, e1 2, e3 15–17, f2 16–18, f3 13–15, h1 11–13, h2 35–45.
Gnathosoma. Palps similar to those of female. Seta d 5–6 long; eupathidia ul ′ 2, ul ′′ 1. Ventral infracapitular setae m absent.
Venter. Cuticle covered with fine and mostly transverse striae. Coxal, genital and anal setae fine. Setal measurements: 1a 35–43, 1b 5–6, 3a 5–6, ps1 5–7, ps2 5–6. Setae 1c, 2b, 2c, 3b, 4a, 4b, ag, g1 and g2 absent.
Legs. Setation (from coxae to tarsi): I 1–0–3–1–5–6(1), II 0–0–3–1–5–6(1), III 0–0–2–0–3–3. Tarsi I–II each with one solenidion ω" 2–3 (for both tarsi I and II) and two eupathidia pζ ′ - pζ" (4–5, 5; 4, 5 respectively). Cuticle of all legs covered with colliculate sculpturing. Detail of the development of leg chaetotaxy in Table 1.
Type material. Holotype: female collected on Terminalia argentea (Combretaceae), Itapagipe, Minas Gerais, Brazil, (19°52’S, 49°39’W), 16 October 2008, coll. A. Mendonça (DZSJRP n. 10138). Paratypes: five females and three deutonymphs on same slide as holotype; two females, three protonymphs and three larvae, 19 August 2014, coll. E.B. Castro, same data as holotype (DZSJRP n. 10140 to 10144). Eight females and one deutonymph, same data as holotype (DZSJRP n. 10139, NMNH).
Other material examined. Tenuipalpus boyani De Leon (USNM n. 2610): Paratypes: one female, one deutonymph and one protonymph on the slide, ex. Pouteria sp. (Sapotaceae), from Guyana (= British Guiana). Tenuipalpus eugeniae De Leon (USNM n. 2709): Holotype: female, ex. Eugenia biflora (Myrtaceae), from Jamaica. Paratypes: one female and one male on same slide as holotype.
Etymology. This specific name spinosaurus refers to presence of a prominent dorsal crest on opisthosoma which reminds us of that of the extraordinary crest of the dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus Stromer (Spinosauridae).
Differential diagnosis. This new species resembles T. boyani De Leon 1965a in sharing the presence of lateral body projections associated with setae sc2 and c3, and a longitudinal crest on the opisthosoma (not illustrated in De Leon 1965a) and in having ventral seta 4b inserted distinctly mesad of its more common position in the Tenuipalpidae. It differs by having a prodorsum with a pair of strongly developed longitudinal to converging ridges running from sc1 to near the posterior margin of the shield (prodorsum with only weakly developed longitudinal ridges in T. boyani); setae sc1 are larger in T. spinosaurus (25–30 long; 10 long in T. boyani); setae sc1, c1 and d1 are oblanceolate in the deutonymphs and protonymphs of the new species, while in the immatures of T. boyani these setae are minute.
Tenuipalpus spinosaurus also resembles T. eugeniae De Leon 1965b, but differs in the position of coxal setae 4b, which are inserted much closer to setae 4a in former, and in the more commonly observed position in the latter species.
Remarks. The new species was compared with the type specimens of T. boyani and T. eugeniae.
In the many samples we analysed, only eggs, immatures and females were found, and no males were located. It suggests that this species may be parthenogenetic, or that males are produced only at certain times of the year or under certain conditions.
Ontogeny. Tenuipalpus spinosaurus sp. nov. has the pattern of additions to the coxae that is common to the family (Lindquist 1985). Coxal setae 1c, 2c and 3b are added in the protonymph and 2b and 4b are added in the deutonymph. Here, the coxal setae 4b are inserted in an unusual position, off of coxal region IV and closer to setae 4a. This characteristic is also found in Tenuipalpus boyani De Leon.
Seta v ′ is added to trochanters I, II and III in the deutonymph and is delayed until the adult stage on leg IV. Unusually, setae l ′ is added to trochanters III in the deutonymph (more commonly appears in the protonymph (Lindquist 1985)).
Setae l ′ are added to femora I and II in deutonymph, as occurs in other Tenuipalpidae (e.g. Aegyptobia (Seeman & Beard 2011)). Setae l ′ are present on genua I and II of the larvae, and setae d (common for the family) and l" (delayed addition, according to Lindquist (1985)) are added to genua I and II of the deutonymph, as occurs in other Tenuipalpidae (e.g. Aegyptobia (Seeman & Beard (2011)). As is common in the family, seta d is added to genu III in the deutonymph (Lindquist 1985); while genu IV remain nude.
As in most of Tenuipalpus species, the pattern of tibial setae is 5-5-3-3, and represents the larval complement. The patterns of addition of the tectal setae on the tarsi are variable amongst tenuipalpid taxa. Tenuipalpus spinosaurus sp. nov. displays a pattern commonly expressed within the family, but one in which the tectal pairs are delayed one stage from a standard pattern (Lindquist 1985). The pairs of tectal setae are added to tarsus I, II and III in the deutonymph (instead of protonymph), and to tarsus IV in the adult (instead of deutonymph).
Setae d on femora I and II are inserted in a lateral position on tubercles in Tenuipalpus sensu stricto. In species of Tenuipalpus sensu lato, setae d on femora I and II are commonly inserted in a dorsal position and not usually on tubercles. Similarly, seta d on genua and tibiae of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto and sensu lato are also usually inserted in a lateral position.
description: Published as part of Castro, Elizeu B., Feres, Reinaldo J. F., Ochoa, Ronald & Bauchan, Gary R., 2016, A new species of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Brazil, with ontogeny and a key to the known species, pp. 355-378 in Zootaxa 4088 (3) on pages 356-373, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4088.3.3, http://zenodo.org/record/261507