Ethiopian oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) - BioOne

Systematic & Applied Acarology 19(2): 197–204. http://dx.doi.org/10.11158/saa.19.2.10

ISSN 1362-1971

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7350C580-1860-4768-A46F-09D5BD33A119 Article

Ethiopian oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida): results of the Joint Russian-Ethiopian Biological Expedition (June 2013) SERGEY G. ERMILOV1*, LEONID B. RYBALOV2 & TARIKU HUNDAMA3 1Tyumen

State University, Tyumen, Russia. E-mail: [email protected]

2

Institute of Ecological and Evolutionary Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. E-mail: [email protected] 3

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ambo Plant Protection Research Center, Ethiopia. E-mail: [email protected] *Corresponding

author

Abstract The present study is based on oribatid mite material collected during a Russian-Ethiopian expedition in June 2013 from Ethiopia. We have registered 24 species, 20 genera and 16 families—an annotated checklist of identified taxa is presented. Suctobelbila dentata is recorded for the first time in the Ethiopian region; Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis is recorded for the first time in Ethiopia. A new oppiid species—Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov.—from litter of a Xerophitic forest is described. It differs from all known species of this subgenus by the medially concave rostrum (versus tripartite in the other species). An identification key to known species of Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) is given. Key words: Oribatida, fauna, checklist, new record, new species, Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia), key, Ethiopia

Introduction This work is part of our continuing study of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) in Ethiopia (see, for example: Ermilov et al. 2012a, b; Ermilov & Rybalov 2013 a, b). The present study is based on the material collected during a one-month Russian-Ethiopian expedition in June 2013. An annotated checklist of identified oribatid mite taxa is presented. In the course of taxonomic identification we found a new species of the subgenus Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) Subías 1989 (Oppiidae). This subgenus was proposed by Balogh (1983) as the genus Wallworkella with Oppia trimucronata Wallwork, 1961 as the type species. However, as the name Wallworkella was preoccupied by Hammer (1979) (see Wallworkiella; both names are devoted to Wallwork, therefore the name Wallworkella is erroneous), Subías (Subías & Balogh 1989) proposed the name Wallworkoppia. The species of the genus Wallworkoppia differ from the species of the genus Arcoppia Hammer, 1977 (Hammer 1977) only by the presence of sensilli without developed heads (versus heads developed in Arcoppia). In our opinion, the morphology of sensilli is a subgeneric character in Oppiidae, therefore we support Mahunka’s opinion (Mahunka 1999) of the subgeneric status of Wallworkoppia in the genus Arcoppia. The main diagnostic characters of Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) are summarized by Balogh (1983), Subías & Balogh (1989) and Mahunka (1999). At present, the subgenus Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) comprises four species that are distributed in the Ethiopian and Neotropical regions (A.(W.) directa Mahunka & Mahunka-Papp, 2007; A.(W.) machadoi (Balogh, 1958); A.(W.) cervifer (Mahunka, 1983): A.(W.) trimucronata (Wallwork, © 2014 Systematic & Applied Acarology Society

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1961)). Subías (2004, updated 2013) also includes three additional species in Wallworkoppia: W. parasensillus (Mahunka, 1999) from Uganda (Mahunka 1999), W. tuberosa (Mahunka, 1988) from Tanzania (Mahunka 1988) and W. vibrissa (Mahunka, 1983) from Tanzania and Ethiopia (Mahunka 1983a). However, these three species have sensilli with a dilated sensillar head, and we therefore include them in the subgenus Arcoppia (Arcoppia) (see Mahunka 1988, 1999). Additionally, an identification key to known species of the subgenus Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) is given.

Material and methods Collecting site: Et-13–R: Ethiopia, 8º58'N, 37º51'E, Ambo Plant Protection Research Center, Xerophitic forest on vertisols, 2077 m a.s.l., litter (sifter), 18.06.2013 (collected by L.B. Rybalov and L.G. Rybalova). Methods. Litter was collected by taking 10 samples using a stainless frame (50 × 50 cm) and passed through a sifter (mesh size 2 × 2 cm). Oribatid mites were extracted into 75% ethanol using Berlese’s funnels with room light for the first three days and electric lamps (160 W—distance between lamp and sample is 25–30 cm) from the fourth till the seventh day. All specimens were studied in lactic acid, mounted in temporary cavity slides for the duration of the study, and then stored in 70% ethanol in vials. Body measurements are presented in micrometers. The body length was measured in lateral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the ventral plate. Notogastral width refers to the maximum width in dorsal aspect. Lengths of body setae were measured in lateral aspect. Formulae for leg setation are given in parentheses according to the sequence trochanter–femur–genu–tibia–tarsus (famulus included). Formulae for leg solenidia are given in square brackets according to the sequence genu–tibia–tarsus. Terminology used in this paper mostly follows that summarized by Grandjean (see Travé & Vachon 1975 for references), Weigmann (2006), and Norton & Behan-Pelletier (2009).

Checklist of identified oribatid mite taxa Hermanniellidae — Hermanniella congoensis Balogh, 1958 Damaeidae — Metabelba glabriseta Mahunka, 1982 Gustaviidae — Gustavia longiseta Mahunka, 1984 Damaeolidae — Fosseremus sculpturatus Mahunka, 1982 Oppiidae — Arcoppia (Arcoppia) rugosa (Mahunka, 1973) — Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov. — Neoamerioppia polygonata (Mahunka, 1982) — Paroppia breviseta (Balogh, 1962) Teratoppiidae — Teratoppia ciliata Wallwork, 1961 Suctobelbidae — Suctobelbella (Flagrosuctobelba) penicillata (Balogh & Mahunka, 1966) 198

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— Suctobelbella (Ussuribata) spirochaeta Mahunka, 1983 — Suctobelbila dentata (Hammer, 1961)—The species is recorded for the first time in Ethiopia and the Ethiopian region Tectocepheidae — Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis Trägårdh, 1910—The species is recorded for the first time in Ethiopia Cymbaeremaeidae — Scapheremaeus demeteri Mahunka, 1983 Microzetidae — Berlesezetes glaber Mahunka, 1982 Phenopelopidae — Eupelops torulosus (Koch, 1839) Humerobatidae — Humerobates africanus (Mahunka, 1984) Caloppiidae — Zetorchella nortoni Ermilov, Sidorchuk & Rybalov, 2010 Scheloribatidae — Perscheloribates paratranslamellatus Ermilov & Rybalov, 2014 — Scheloribates (Scheloribates) praeincisus (Berlese, 1910) Galumnidae — Galumna (Galumna) flabellifera Hammer, 1958 — Galumna (Galumna) incisa Mahunka, 1982 — Galumna (Galumna) lanceosensilla Ermilov, Sidorchuk & Rybalov, 2011 Galumnellidae — Galumnella subareolata Mahunka, 1969 Thus, in the course of taxonomic studies of Ethiopian oribatid mite material we have identified 24 species, 20 genera and 16 families. Two species—Suctobelbila dentata and Tectocepheus velatus sarekensis—are recorded for the first time in Ethiopia; of these, Suctobelbila dentata is recorded for the first time in the Ethiopian region.

Description of a new species Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov. (Figs 1–12) Diagnosis The new species is characterized by the combination of the following characters: body size 266– 282 × 143–147; rostrum concave medially; costulae short; transcostula straight; rostral setae longer than lamellar and interlamellar setae; interbothridial region with two pairs of muscle sigillae; sensilli with five to six branches; notogastral setae smooth, c short, other setae of medium size; epimeral and anogenital setae rather short, smooth. Description Measurements. Body length 282 (holotype: female), 266–278 (three paratypes: two females and one male); body width 143 (holotype), 143–147 (three paratypes).

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FIGURES 1–3. Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov.: 1— dorsal view (legs not illustrated); 2— ventral view (palpal setae and legs not illustrated); 3—lateral view (palpal setae and legs except trochanter IV not illustrated). Scale bar 50 μm.

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Integument. Body color light brown. Dorsal and ventral surfaces of body smooth, lateral surfaces microgranulate (granule size up to 4). Prodorsum. Rostrum concave medially. Costulae short, connected anteriorly by straight transcostula. Dorso-lateral parts with a longitudinal row of muscle sigilla (located anteriorly to bothridia) and a transversal, thin ridge (located laterally to costulae). Rostral setae (ro, 28–34) setiform, slightly barbed, inserted dorsally. Lamellar (le, 14–16), interlamellar (in, 24–26) and exobothridial (ex, 14–16) setae setiform, smooth. Interbothridial region with two pairs of muscle sigillae removed from each other. Sensilli (ss, 55–65) pectinate, with five to six setiform branches (one to two of medium size, four long). Notogaster. Anterior notogastral margin almost straight medially. Ten pairs of notogastral setae setiform, smooth: one pair (c, 10–12) shorter than other setae (la, lm, lp, h1–h3, 32–41; p1, 16–20; p2, p3, 24–28). Lyrifissures ia and im distinct, ip, ips and ih poorly visible. Opisthonotal gland openings (gla) located posteriorly to lyrifissures im and insertions of notogastral setae h3. Circumgastric band of muscle sigillae weakly developed. Gnathosoma. Subcapitulum longer than wide: 57 × 49. Subcapitular setae (a, m, h) similar in length (14–16), setiform, smooth. Lateral lips without setae and their alveoli. Palps (length 49) with setation 0–2–1–3–8(+ω). Solenidion short, thickened, blunt-ended, pressed to the palptarsus, not coupled with eupathidium (acm). Chelicerae (length 61) with two setiform, barbed cheliceral setae; cha (20) longer than chb (12). Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions. Apodemes 1, 2, 4 and sejugal apodeme distinct. Epimeral setal formula 3–1–3–3. Setae setiform, thin, smooth: 3c (20) longer than 4b, 4c (14–16) and 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 3a, 3b, 4a (10–12). Pedotecta I (Pd I) small, concave. Discidia (dis) rounded distally. Anogenital region. Six pairs of genital (g1, 10–12; g2– g6, 6), one pair of aggenital (ag, 14–16), two pairs of anal (an1, an2, 8–12) and three pairs of adanal (ad1–ad3, 14–16) setae setiform, smooth. Lyrifissures iad distinct, located near to anal aperture. Ovipositor elongate, narrow (73 × 20); length of lobes 26, length of cylindrical distal part 47. Lobes with 12 thin, smooth setae: ψ1 ≈ τ1 (16–18) longer than ψ2 ≈ τa ≈ τb ≈ τc (10). Coronal setae absent. Legs. Claw of each leg smooth. Morphology of leg segments, setae and solenidia typical for Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) (Woas 1986). Formulae of leg setation and solenidia: I (1–5–2–4–20) [1– 2–2], II (1–5–2–4–16) [1–1–2], III (2–3–1–3–15) [1–1–0], IV (1–2–2–3–12) [0–1–0]; homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1. Famulus (e) short, weakly curved, blunted. Setae p on tarsi II–IV represented by poorly developed thorn-like setae. TABLE 1. Leg setation and solenidia of Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov. Leg

Trochanter

Femur

Genu

Tibia

Tarsus

I

v'

d, (l), bv'', v''

(l), σ

(l), (v), φ1, φ2

(ft), (tc), (it), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv), v', (pl), l'', e, ω1, ω2

II

v'

d, (l), bv'', v''

(l), σ

(l), (v), φ

III

l', v'

d, l', ev'

l', σ

l', (v), φ

(ft), (tc), (it), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv)

IV

v'

d, ev'

d, l'

l', (v), φ

ft'', (tc), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv)

(ft), (tc), (it), (p), (u), (a), s, (pv), l'', ω1,

ω2

Roman letters refer to normal setae (e – famulus), Greek letters refer to solenidia. One apostrophe (') marks setae on anterior and double apostrophe (") setae on posterior side of the given leg segment. Parentheses refer to a pair of setae.

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FIGURES 4–12. Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov.: 4—rostrum (in dissected specimen); 5— sensillus; 6—subcapitulum, right half; 7—palptarsus; 8—anterior part of chelicera; 9—genital plate, left; 10— ovipositor; 11—leg tarsus I, left, paraxial view; 12—trochanter III, right, antiaxial view. Scale bar (4, 7, 9) 10 μm, scale bar (5, 6, 8, 10–12) 20 μm.

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Material examined Holotype (female), three paratypes (two females, one male): Et-13–R (see Material and methods section). Type deposition The holotype is deposited in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; one paratype is deposited in the Siberian Zoological Museum, Novosibirsk, Russia (SZMN); two paratypes are deposited in the collection of the Tyumen State University Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia. Etymology This specific name “minima” refers to the small body size. Comparison Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov. can be distinguished from all known species of the subgenus Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) by the medially concave rostrum (versus tripartite in the other species).

Key to known species of the subgenus Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) 1. Rostrum concave medially; notogastral setae smooth; body size: 266–282 × 143–147 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) minima sp. nov. (Distribution: Ethiopia) - Rostrum tripartite; notogastral setae barbed or roughened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2. Sensillar branches smooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 - Sensillar branches barbed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3. Median rostral apex clearly shorter than lateral ones; notogastral setae la and lm inserted in a transversal line; body size: 275–302 × 132–143 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) directa (Mahunka & Mahunka-Papp, 2007) (see Mahunka & Mahunka-Papp 2007) (Distribution: Kenya) - Median rostral apex little shorter than lateral ones; notogastral setae lm inserted anterior to la; body size: 256–284 × 123–135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) machadoi (Balogh, 1958) (=Arcoppia granulata Mahunka, 1986) (see Balogh 1958; Mahunka 1986, 1999) (Distribution: Ethiopian region) 4. Median rostral apex triangular; rostral setae near to straight; body size: 324–390 × 164–180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) cervifer (Mahunka, 1983) (=Arcoppia longiramosa Woas, 1986) (see Mahunka 1983b; Woas, 1986) (Distribution: Neotropical region) - Median rostral apex dilated in median part; rostral setae curved, divergent in posterior part and convergent in anterior part; body size: 255–284 × 142–149. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Arcoppia (Wallworkoppia) trimucronata (Wallwork, 1961 (see Wallwork 1961; Mahunka 1999) (Distribution: Ghana and Uganda)

Acknowledgements We cordially thank Dr. Elizabeth A. Hugo-Coetzee (National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa) and anonymous reviewer for the valuable comments, Dr. Umukusum Shtanchaeva and Prof. Dr. Luis Subías (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain) for consultations, and L.G. Rybalova (Moscow, Russia) for sampling assistance.

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This work was performed within the framework of the Joint Russian-Ethiopian Biological Expedition financially supported by the Russian Academy of Sciences. We are grateful to our Project Coordinators Dr. Andrey Darkov and Ato Girma Yosef for management of the Expedition.

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