Bulacaridae, FanK & ZhaoK, 2024

FanK, Qing-Hai & ZhaoK, Zeng Qi, 2024, Establishment of a new mite family, Bulacaridae (Acari: Astigmata), Acarologia 64 (4), pp. 1003-1018 : 1005-1006

Bulacaridae fam. nov.

Zoobank: BE0A9218-A682-4E91-AC3F-D274A0B40031

Type genus: Bulacarus gen. nov. (monotypy)

Diagnosis — Idiosomal cuticle smooth. Prodorsal shield divided into a pair of longitudinal parallel sclerites; most dorsal idiosomal setae narrowly lanceolate, barbed and curved; ve not developed, with alveoli only; supracoxal setae scx slender, scarcely barbed; Grandjean’s organ undeveloped; sejugal furrow present, ventral sejugal apodeme prominent; epigynal apodeme elliptical; setae 4a lanceolate and barbed. Chelicera bearing 2 setae cha (and chb). Palpal supracoxal seta elcp attenuate. Legs long and slender; each pretarsus consisting of a long and slightly hooked empodial claw with a pair of stout condylophores surrounded by a reduced ambulacrum.

Description — Idiosomal cuticle smooth, without micro projections or striation. Sejugal furrow present, ventral sejugal apodeme prominent. Prodorsal shield divided into a pair of longitudinal parallel sclerites. Most dorsal setae narrowly lanceolate, barbed and curved. Internal vertical setae (vi) situated between prodorsal sclerites; external vertical setae ve ()

as alveoli. Supracoxal seta scx slender, scarcely barbed. Grandjean’s organ undeveloped. Hysterosomal setation complete. Coxal plates I and II undeveloped. Oviporus inverted Vshaped. Terminus of the oviduct without discernible folds. Epigynal apodeme present, situated immediately anterior to genital opening, flat triangular shaped. Ventral setae 4a lanceolate and barbed. Six pairs of setae ps (1, ps2, ps3, ad1, ad2 and ad3) surrounding anus. Chelicera bearing 2 setae (cha and chb). Palpal supracoxal setae elcp attenuate with minute barbs. Leg tarsi with proral and unguinal setae spine-like, similar in form. Setation of legs (I–IV): femora

1, 1, 0, 0; genua 2 + 1σ, 2 + 1σ, 1 + 1σ, 0; tibiae 2 + 1φ, 2 + 1φ, 1 + 1φ, 1 + 1φ; tarsi 4 attenuate setae + 2 proximal/medial spines + 6 subterminal spines + 3ω + 1ε, 4 attenuate setae

+ 2 proximal/medial spines + 6 subterminal spines + 1ω, 2 attenuate setae + 2 proximal/medial spines + 6 subterminal spines, 2 attenuate setae + 2 proximal/medial spines + 6 subterminal spines.

Male and immature stages unknown.

Remarks — Bulacaridae fam. nov. is tentatively classified within the superfamily Acaroidea which currently includes six families, Acaridae , Gaudiellidae , Glycacaridae , Lardoglyphidae , Scatoglyphidae and Suidasiidae ( Schatz et al. 2011) . It shares several characteristics with these known families, such as having sejugal furrow, distinct sejugal apodemes, well developed pretarsal claws, stout and symmetrical pretarsal condylophores, and indistinct extension of bursa copulatrix. However, it can be distinguished from these families by having a combination of the following features, two distinct setae cha (and chb) on the chelicera, prodorsal shield being in the form of a pair of parallel sclerites; most dorsal setae being lanceolate, barbed and curved; Grandjean’s organ undeveloped; genital opening bearing a small anterior epigynal apodeme; ventral setae 4a lanceolate and barbed; anus distanced from the genital opening; pretarsal ambulacrum vestigial.

The new family can be distinguished from Acaridae by the combination of the following characters, including a prodorsal shield in the form of a pair of sclerites, majority of dorsal setae being lanceolate, barbed and strongly curved; Grandjean’s organ undeveloped; genital opening bearing a small anterior epigynal apodeme; ventral setae 4a lanceolate and barbed.

The new family can be distinguished from Gaudiellidae by having prodorsal shield in the form of a pair of sclerites, sejugal furrow clearly defined, Grandjean’s organ undeveloped, genital opening bearing a small anterior epigynal apodeme.

The new family can be distinguished from Glycacaridae by the absence of microtrichia on the idiosomal cuticle, the rod-like supracoxal setae, the undeveloped Grandjean’s organ, the presence of a small epigynal apodeme anterior to the genital opening, the presence of lanceolate and barbed ventral setae 4a.

The new family can be differentiated from most Lardoglyphidae by the following characteristics: prodorsal shield in the form of a pair of sclerites; most dorsal setae being lanceolate, barbed and curved; Grandjean’s organ undeveloped; genital opening bearing a small anterior epigynal apodeme; ventral setae 4a lanceolate and barbed; empodial claws are not bifurcated in females.

The new family can be differentiated from Scatoglyphidae by the presence of a prodorsal shield in the form of a pair of sclerites, most dorsal setae being lanceolate and curved, Grandjean’s organ undeveloped, genital opening bearing a small anterior epigynal apodeme, ventral setae 4a being lanceolate and barbed, the copulatory opening not being encircled by a large sclerite, and leg segments lacking prominent ridges.

The new family can be differentiated from Suidasiidae by the following characteristics: smooth idiosomal cuticle, prodorsal shield in the form of a pair of sclerites, most dorsal setae being lanceolate and curved, Grandjean’s organ undeveloped, genital opening bearing a small anterior epigynal apodeme, ventral setae 4a lanceolate and barbed, tarsi with proral and unguinal setae of similar shape.