Aleurodamaeus niedbalai, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Hugo-Coetzee, Elizabeth A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2013
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Sarcoptiformes
Aleurodamaeidae
Aleurodamaeus
Aleurodamaeus niedbalai

description: Aleurodamaeus niedbalai sp. nov.   
(Figs 8 B, 9)  
 Specific diagnosis. Aleurodamaeus niedbalai sp. nov. is most similar to A. angelae sp. nov., but is bigger in size, does not have a discidium and notogastral setae h1 is longer. Setae h1 and p1 is twisted and of medium size. The chitin-like structure around the famulus has a pincher-like form.   
 Measurements. Length: females (n = 5) mean 506 (range 488–532), males (n = 5) mean 457 (range 447–468). Width: females mean 273 (range 264–288), males mean 246 (range 238–254). Holotype (female): length 474, width 259.   
 Integument (Figs 8 B, 9A–D). Notogaster with three to four bands of solid cerotegument, cerotegument of diverse forms anterior on notogaster, cerotegument in the shape of the letter “n” on the prodorsum; body also covered with sparse spherical cerotegumental granules, body surface under cerotegument smooth; all body setae (except in) covered with small and large granules, sensillus with spine-like cerotegument; granules in bands on legs especially seen on Ti I, granules larger on legs itself than on the leg setae; exuvial scalps absent.   
 Prodorsum (Fig. 9 A). Rostrum rounded in dorsal view, slightly projecting in lateral view; ro (62), le (57) slender, curving medially, ro inserted posterior-ventrally to le in lateral view, le inserted on a small tubercle, in (11) spiniform, ex (23) thin, slender, inserted on distinct tubercle, anterior-laterally to bothridium; ss long (103), slender, smooth.   
 Notogaster (Fig. 9 A, C, D). Notogaster convex; distinct rim around notogaster; lyrifissures ia, im, ip slightly visible, ih, ips distinct, all of similar length (9); four pairs of notogastral setae on posterior edge, setae thin, smooth, h1 and p1 on distinct tubercles, seta p1 (110) longer than h1 (difficult to measure due to the ‘corkscrew shape’ but in general p1 a third to two thirds longer than h1); setae p2 and p3 shorter (21), not inserted on tubercles.   
 Gnathosoma. Subcapitulum longer than wide; hypostomal setae a, h, m strongly barbed; similar to A. vicinus sp. nov. (Fig. 6 E, F).   
 Epimeral region (Fig. 9 B). Sejugal apodeme well developed; number of setae on epimeres (from I to IV) 3-1- 3-3; all epimeral setae thin, weakly barbed, 2 a shortest (9) and 1b, 1c, 3c longest (33–36).   
 Anogenital region (Fig. 9 B). Genital setae of similar length (11–13), in a more or less straight line, weakly barbed; an short, spiniform, weakly barbed, similar length (16); ag (28) slender, similar to epimeral setae; ad3 (18) slightly shorter than ad2 (23); lyrifissure iad not evident.   
 Legs (Fig. 8 B). Leg IV (379)> leg I (341)> leg III (324)> leg II (236); legs similar to A. salvadordalii sp. nov. (Table 1, Fig. 3 A–D); the chitin protection around the famulus in the shape of pinchers.   
 Etymology. The species is named in honour of Prof. Wojciech Niedbała from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland for his extensive contribution to the knowledge of ptyctimous mites in South Africa.   
 Type material. The holotype and 10 paratypes were sampled in the grassland biome, Eastern Cape, between Hamilton and Rhodes (30°45’S, 28°01’E) on a high mountain from soil under bushes by J.P. Eksteen on 3.xii.1993. The holotype (NMB 3774.4.1) and six paratypes (NMB 3774.4) are deposited in the Acarology collection of the National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Four paratypes are deposited in the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany (SMNK-ORIB 0498).   
 Collection data. Aleurodamaeus niedbalai sp. nov. is widespread across South Africa, but has a higher occurrence in the grassland biome. For distribution see Fig.10, indicated by filled stars.   
 Grassland biome: Leeukop-farm near Lindley FS (27°52’S, 27°54’E, soil under Eucalyptus tree); near Frankfort FS (27°18’S, 28°26’E, moist soil and decomposed grass under wild asparagus bushes); Sterkspruit, near Zastron FS (30°19’S, 27°10’E, decomposed plant material under indigenous shrubs); P.K. le Roux Dam FS (30°07’S, 24°51’E, humid soil and decomposed leaf litter under thorn trees); Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Boskloof FS (28°25’S, 28°34’E, slightly humid soil and decomposed leaf litter); Golden Gate Highlands National Park FS (28°32’S, 28°34’E, slightly humid soil with decomposed plant material under Leucosidea trees and dense indigenous bushes); Wolfkop farm, Petrusburg district FS (29°08’S, 25°51’E, decomposed plant debris under indigenous trees); Menschvreter Mountain, Excelsior district FS (29°00’S, 27°01’E, soil under shrubs on the mountain and on southern slope of mountain); Ladybrand FS (29°11’S, 27°27’E, humid soil and decomposed leaf litter under indigenous trees); Bloemfontein Botanical Gardens FS (29°03’S, 26°12’E, organic rich soil); Royal Natal National Park KZN (28°40’S, 29°01’E, moist soil with decomposed plant debris); Helvellyn near Lady Grey EC (30°41’S, 27°16’E, soil under resin bushes next to a stream); Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome: near Stanger KZN (29°19’S, 31°17’E, moist soil with decomposed plant material); between Stanger and Gingingluvu KZN (29°10’S, 31°28’E, slightly dry soil with decomposed plant material); Albany Thicket biome: near Cookhouse EC (32°41’S, 25°51’E, dry soil and decomposed aloe stem and leaves); Seymour EC (32°33’S, 26°45’E, dry soil and leaf litter under indigenous bushes); Fynbos biome: between Ceres and Wellington WC (33°35’S, 19°07’E, humid decomposed leaf litter in forest).
description: Published as part of Hugo-Coetzee, Elizabeth A., 2013, New species of Aleurodamaeus Grandjean, 1954 (Oribatida: Aleurodamaeidae) from South Africa, pp. 531-556 in Zootaxa 3670 (4) on page 545, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3670.4.7, http://zenodo.org/record/217577