See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259570657 A review of Amblypalpus and Priscapalpus (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), including two new species of Amblypalpus from Iran Article in Zootaxa · January 2014 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3716.1.4 CITATIONS 8 READS 227 6 authors, including: Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Acari of Camellia spp View project Wildlife Parasites in Africa View project Sadegh Farzan Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman 29 PUBLICATIONS 118 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Mahdieh Asadi Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman 120 PUBLICATIONS 373 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Eddie Ueckermann North-West University 236 PUBLICATIONS 2,914 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Owen Seeman Queensland Museum 116 PUBLICATIONS 1,069 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE All content following this page was uploaded by Mahdieh Asadi on 05 January 2014. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.
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See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259570657
A review of Amblypalpus and Priscapalpus (Acari: Trombidiformes:
Tenuipalpidae), including two new species of Amblypalpus from Iran
Article in Zootaxa · January 2014
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3716.1.4
CITATIONS
8READS
227
6 authors, including:
Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:
Acari of Camellia spp View project
Wildlife Parasites in Africa View project
Sadegh Farzan
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
29 PUBLICATIONS 118 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
Mahdieh Asadi
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
120 PUBLICATIONS 373 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
Eddie Ueckermann
North-West University
236 PUBLICATIONS 2,914 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
Owen Seeman
Queensland Museum
116 PUBLICATIONS 1,069 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
All content following this page was uploaded by Mahdieh Asadi on 05 January 2014.
The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.
TERMS OF USE This pdf is provided by Magnolia Press for private/research use. Commercial sale or deposition in a public library or website is prohibited.
A review of Amblypalpus and Priscapalpus (Acari: Trombidiformes:
Tenuipalpidae), including two new species of Amblypalpus from Iran
SADEGH FARZAN1, 6, MAHDIEH ASADI1, EDWARD A. UECKERMANN2, 3,
OWEN D. SEEMAN4 & JENNIFER J. BEARD4, 5
1Department of Plant Protection, college of agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 2ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Queenswood, Pretoria, 0121 South Africa.
E-mail: [email protected] 3 School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus 2520, South Africa4Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia5Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA6Corresponding author
Abstract
Two new species of Amblypalpus (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) are described from Iran: Amblypalpus iranien-
sis sp. nov., from Wild Almond, Amygdalus scoparia (Rosaceae), and Amblypalpus thymus sp. nov., from Common
Thyme, Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae). The new species are classified tentatively in Amblypalpus. The species Priscapal-
pus thomissus Meyer, 1979 is transferred to Amblypalpus and the genus concept of Priscapalpus is narrowed and therefore
redefined. Similarly, we present an expanded concept of Amblypalpus. A key to brevipalpine genera and Amblypalpus spe-
cies is provided.
Key words: taxonomy, redefinition, new species, keys, Kerman
Introduction
Amblypalpus is a small genus of Tenuipalpidae erected by Mitrofanov & Strunkova (1978) for the type species
Amblypalpus narsikulovi Mitrofanov & Strunkova and Ultratenuipalpus aberrans (Collyer), originally placed in
Tenuipalpus (Collyer 1973). The genus was first thought distinct from Tenuipalpus because of their reduced
opisthosomal setation of five lateral setae, i.e., c3, d3, e3, h2, h1, with setae f3 absent. The generic status of
Amblypalpus was not accepted by Sepasgosarian (1983), whose treatment was influenced through correspondence
with Meyer (see p. 171–2 of Sepasgosarian (1983)). Ghai & Shenhmar (1984) also listed Amblypalpus as a
synonym of Tenuipalpus, independently of Sepasgosarian (1983) but likely also influenced by the opinion of
Meyer.
Meyer’s (1993) significant work on Afrotropical Tenuipalpus split the genus into two groups: the caudatus
group, with seven lateral opisthosomal setae, and the proteae group, with six lateral setae. Clearly A. narsikulovi
and U. aberrans, with five lateral setae, belonged in neither group. Ehara & Ueckermann (2003) created the T.
aberrans species group, a distinct species group for the above two species, in addition to their new species,
Amblypalpus masakii (Ehara and Ueckermann), originally described in Tenuipalpus. This species grouping, within
Tenuipalpus, was based primarily on dorsal chaetotaxy with little consideration for other characters, of which the
three member species shared nothing of significance.
In their diagnosis of Tenuipalpus, Baker and Tuttle (1987) placed significance on the shape of dorsal setae h2
(flagellate) for the genus. Mesa et al. (2009) also placed significance on this character for Tenuipalpus, redefined
the genus, recognised Amblypalpus and provided a much broader definition of Ultratenuipalpus. Tenuipalpus
masakii and T. narsikulovi became the only two members of Amblypalpus, while T. aberrans was shifted to
Accepted by A. Bochkov: 28 Aug. 2013; published: 20 Sept. 2013 53
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Ultratenuipalpus. No explicit diagnosis was provided for Amblypalpus or Ultratenuipalpus, but they are diagnosed
roughly in the key to genera, and key generic characters are presented in Beard et al. (2013). Unlike Amblypalpus,
U. aberrans has a distinctly narrowed opisthosoma, three pairs of anal setae, and broadly lanceolate dorsal body
and leg setae.
Herein we describe two new species of flat mites that do not fit easily into any genus, but resemble the
brevipalpine genus Amblypalpus. Brevipalpine-like genera all share a gestalt oval-shape, two pairs of ps setae,
tibiae I–II with five setae, and at least two (usually three) of the following characters: a prodorsal projection in the
form of a rostral shield (expanded anteriorly and laterally over the bases of coxae I and often II), a well defined
genitoventral area (usually as distinct plates), three or four segmented palps, and the absence of dorsosublateral
setae (i.e. c2, d2, e2) (Mesa et al. 2009). Brevipalpine-like genera include the important, speciose and closely
related genera Brevipalpus and Cenopalpus, which have been synonymised in the past (Meyer 1979); and loosely
includes the taxa Amblypalpus, Priscapalpus, and Terminalichus. The latter genus is readily distinguished by the
loss all dorsocentral setae (c1, d1, e1), while the remaining two genera appear more closely allied to each other and
are both treated here.
Material and methods
Leaves were collected from host plants, taken to the laboratory, and tenuipalpid mites removed from leaves under a
stereo microscope and preserved in 70% ethanol. Mites were cleared in lactic acid, mounted in Hoyer’s medium
and dried at 45°C in an oven. Holotypes and most paratypes are deposited in the Collection of the Acarology
Laboratory, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran (SBUK). One paratype of each species is
deposited in the Arachnida Collection of ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.
Notations of the dorsal setae follow Mesa et al. (2009) and all measurements are given in micrometers (µm).
Distances between setae were measured between setal bases; prodorsal shield length was measured down the
midline from setae v2 to the posterior margin or sejugal furrow; the opisthosomal shield was measured down the
midline between setae c1-h1. Body size was measured by v2-h1 and sc2-sc2 (Saito et al. 1999) and leg chaetotaxy
is derived from Lindquist (1985), as applied by Zhang and Fan (2004). Measurements are presented as the holotype
measurement followed by the range of all specimens in parentheses. Measurements were made with a DINO-
EYE® soft imaging system and drawings with a drawing tube attached to an Olympus® Research Microscope.
Microsoft office PowerPoint 2003 was used for figure cleaning. Photographs were taken by Nikon Digital Sight
DS-Fi1® and multiple images were stacked with Zerene Stacker® (http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker).
Taxonomy—Genera
Priscapalpus De Leon, 1961
Type species: Priscapalpus macropilis De Leon, 1961: 94. By monotypy
Diagnosis. Palps 2-segmented; palp tarsus with 2 phaneres and 1 dorsal seta; anterior margin of prodorsum with
long, narrow forked projection extending medially, with small lateral projection; opisthosoma with 8–9 pairs of
setae (c2, d2, e2, f2 absent; e1 present or absent); some dorsal setae much longer and thicker than other dorsal
setae, except f3, h2, and h1 short, narrow, setiform; dorsal cuticle and leg cuticle heavily sculptured with tubercles;
ventral and genital shields fused in large broad shield, weakly developed, transversely striate; genital setae
arranged more or less transversely along posterior margin of shield; metapodal shields absent; 2 pairs of ps setae,
anal plate well defined, setae ps1 on small tubercle with seta curving upwards around body margin, ps1–2 inserted
transversely on anal plates; trochanter IV bare; genu III–IV with 1 seta; tibia I–II with 5 setae; tarsi 9(1)-9(1)-5-5
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After examining the type specimens of Priscapalpus macropilis, P. cherretti, and P. thomissus, it was revealed
that several generic-level characters in the original descriptions were inaccurate, and that the former two species
share several characters that the latter species does not. Priscapalpus thomissus does not have fused ventral and
genital plates, there are no setae in the F-row, the anterior margin of the prodorsum has a lobed projection (two
large median lobes flanked by two smaller lateral lobes), trochanter IV has one seta (nude in macropilis and
cherretti), genua III–IV are nude (one seta present in macropilis and cherretti), and tarsal claws are pad-like.
The two current members of the genus are highly distinctive flat mites, but resemble the diverse and
widespread genus Brevipalpus by lacking dorsal setae c2, d2 and e2 (one species also lacks e1). Unlike
Brevipalpus, Priscapalpus has fewer palpal segments (2 versus 4), anal setae set transversely on the anal plates
(medially and longitudinally in Brevipalpus), and ventral and genital plates fused into a single broad shield (always
strongly developed in Brevipalpus), and tarsal claws are uncinate. Furthermore, some dorsal setae are several times
longer than others, whereas most Brevipalpus have all dorsal setae more or less of subequal length, or have
differences that are not quite as striking.
A further two Oriental species, Priscapalpus gurdaspurensis Kaur and Sadana, 1999 and Priscapalpus piarai
Sadana and Sidhu, 1989, are incertae sedis because they were described from immature stages (Mesa et al., 2009).
These species are certainly not Priscapalpus because they have four-segmented palps and the dorsal setae are all
subequal in length. The immature stage of Priscapalpus is known for the deutonymph of P. macropilis only, which
—like the adult—has some extremely long dorsal setae, although some of these setae change form between the
deutonymph and adult (De Leon 1961). Both incertae sedis species match the deutonymphs of Brevipalpus and
here considered to represent this genus.
Priscapalpus macropilis De Leon, 1961
Type material examined. Holotype female and paratype female ex sapodilla sp. (Sapotaceae), MEXICO: Jalisco,
Puerto Vallarta, 29 May 1957 (deposited in United States National Museum [USNM]).
Priscapalpus cherretti De Leon, 1965
Type material examined. Paratype female ex Miconia sp. (Melastomataceae), MEXICO: Guyana, Near Bartica
Nature Reserve, 1 January 1963 (USNM).
Amblypalpus Mitrofanov and Strunkova, 1978
Type species: Amblypalpus narsikulovi Mitrofanov and Strunkova, 1978: 1097, by monotypy.
Note. The type specimen is not in the collection of Nikita Botanical Gardens and is likely inaccessible in the
collection of Strunkova (A. Khaustov, pers. comm.).
Diagnosis. Palps 3-segmented; palp tarsus with 1–2 terminal phaneres; anterior margin of prodorsum with
broad flat projection extending medially and laterally over base of coxa I, or projection absent; opisthosoma with
7–8 pairs of setae (c2, d2, e2, f2, absent; c1, f3 present or absent); dorsal setae fine; leg cuticle not heavily
sculptured; genital and ventral shield weakly developed, or not at all defined; metapodal shields absent; 2 pairs of
ps setae, anal plate poorly defined, setae ps1 not on tubercle, ps1–2 inserted longitudinally on anal plates; tibia I–II
with 5 setae; tarsal claws uncinate, empodia pad-like. Spermatheca with at least 1 subterminal bulb.
Remarks. Our expanded concept of Amblypalpus is tentative as no single synapomorphy defines the genus,
but instead is defined by a combination of features. Phylogenetic work is necessary to examine broader
relationships, but we note that many features (e.g., reduced palpal segments, loss of setae) are regressive. Therefore
these mites may represent simplified forms of other brevipalpine and, perhaps, also tenuipalpine genera. Among
the brevipalpine genera, they resemble Terminalichus most in having a three-segmented palp and weakly
developed ventral and genital shields (Beard et al. 2013). Of the tenuipalpine-like genera, they resemble the
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Ultratenuipalpus quadrisetosus group by sharing the oval body shape and two pairs of ps setae (Beard et al. 2013),
but differ by having weakly developed ventral and genital plates, fine dorsal setae and three palpal segments
instead of four (although U. aberrans may have just three).
Amblypalpus iraniensis Farzan, Asadi and Ueckermann sp. nov.
(Figs. 1–8, 17–18)
Type material examined. Holotype female (SBUK) and 3 female paratypes ex wild almond Amygdalus scoparia
(Rosaceae), IRAN: Jiroft-Kerman Province, Dalfard, 28°58’N 57°37’E, 26 March 2011, coll. S. Farzan.
Diagnosis. Opisthosoma with 9 pairs of dorsal setae, c1 present, f3 present; anterior prodorsal projection
(rostral shield) reduced, extending medially over gnathosoma but not laterally over coxa I; dorsal shields with few
weak irregular longitudinal striations; dorsal setae with setae c1 longest (50–54); e1 very short. Genital and ventral
shields smooth, fused together, genital setae arranged longitudinally. Three setae present on coxae I (duplication of
seta 1b). Palp setation 0-1-2. Trochanter IV with 1 seta; femur IV with 1 seta; genua III-IV bare; tarsi 8(1)-8(1)-4-4
(tc′′ absent).
Description. FEMALE (holotype). Dorsum (Figs. 1, 17). Distances between setae: v2-h1 165 (155–165 in 3
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FIGURES 5–8. Amblypalpus iraniensis sp. nov., female: 5. Leg I; 6. Leg II; 7. Leg III; 8. Leg IV.
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FIGURES 13–16. Amblypalpus thymus sp. nov., female: 13. Leg I; 14. Leg II; 15. Leg III; 16. Leg IV.
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Amblypalpus thymus Farzan, Asadi and Ueckermann sp. nov.
(Figs. 9–16, 19–20)
Type material examined. Holotype female (SBUK) and 3 female paratypes ex Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae),
IRAN: Kerman Province, Kuhpayeh, 26 October 2010, coll. S. Farzan.
Diagnosis. Opisthosoma with 9 pairs of dorsal setae, c1 present, f3 present; anterior prodorsal projection
(rostral shield) not developed, rounded; cuticle on body and legs covered with thin granular skin-like coating;
dorsal shields with weak striations; opisthosomal setae of subequal length (11–18), prodorsal setae slightly longer
(18–31). Genital and ventral shields poorly defined, striate; genital setae g2 arranged in straight line behind g1.
Two setae present on coxae I (1b, 1c). Palp setation 0-1-1. Trochanter IV with 1 seta; femur IV with 2 setae; genua
III–IV with 1 seta; tarsi 9(1)-9(1)-5-5 (tc′′ present).
Description. FEMALE (holotype). Dorsum (Figs. 9, 19). Distances between setae: v2-h1 175 (175–195 in 3
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Saito, Y., Kotaro, M. & Chittenden, A.R. (1999) Body characters reflecting the body size of spider mites in flattened specimens
(Acari, Tetranychidae). Applied Entomology and Zoology, 34 (3), 383–386.
Sepasgosarian, H. (1983) A list of the world genera and species of the family Tenuipalpidae (Actinedida: Acaridia). Zeitschrift
für Angewandte Entomologie, 70, 169–200.
Welbourn, W.C., Ochoa, R., Kane, E.C. & Erbe, E.F. (2003) Morphological observations on Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari:
Tenuipalpidae) including comparisons with B. californicus and B. obovatus. Experimental & Applied Acarology, 30, 107–