Scleriacarus gilberti, Beard & Seeman, 2025
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5637.1.1 |
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publication LSID |
lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B743993E-AF9C-4A08-9EEC-B8199D1AA343 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15584094 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03E1AB02-FFB1-3566-9AB6-C076FCE1FAF1 |
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treatment provided by |
Plazi |
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scientific name |
Scleriacarus gilberti |
| status |
sp. nov. |
Scleriacarus gilberti sp. nov. Beard & Seeman
( Figs 30–39 View FIGURE 30 View FIGURE 31 View FIGURE 32 View FIGURE 33 View FIGURE 34 View FIGURE 35 View FIGURE 36 View FIGURE 37 View FIGURE 38 View FIGURE 39 )
Material Examined. Holotype. Female, Australia, Queensland, Rungulla National Park , in a small ravine at the edge of a spinifex plateau, 48.3 km south of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19°34’13”S 143°29’09”E, ex. Scleria sphacelata F. Muell. ( Cyperaceae ), 08.v.2022, J.J. Beard GoogleMaps . Paratypes. 6 females, 3 males, 1 larva, same data as holotype ; 3 females, 4 males, 2 protonymphs, 3 larvae, along a small gully beside a spinifex plateau, Rungulla National Park , 26.1 km SSE of the Ranger Station and airstrip , 19°21’35’’S 143°32’35”E, ex. S. sphacelata ( Cyperaceae ), 04.v.2022, J.J. Beard GoogleMaps ; 7 females, 3 males, 2 deutonymphs, open woodland, Rungulla National Park , 28.7 km south of the Ranger Station and airstrip , 19°23’14’’S 143°31’31”E, ex. S. sphacelata ( Cyperaceae ), 09.v.2022, J.J. Beard, M.D. Barrett & G. Turpin GoogleMaps ; 2 females, 1 male, 1 deutonymph, 1 protonymph, along a wooded rocky ridgeline near a creek, Rungulla National Park , 32.1 km SSE of the Ranger Station and airstrip , 19°24’21’’S 143°34’32”E, ex. S. sphacelata ( Cyperaceae ), 11.v.2022, J.J. Beard GoogleMaps .
Other material examined. 12 females, 8 males, 4 deutonymphs, same data as holotype ; 14 females, 3 males, along a small gully beside a spinifex plateau, Rungulla National Park, 26.1 km SSE of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19°21’35’’S 143°32’35” E, ex. S. sphacelata ( Cyperaceae ), 04.v.2022, J. J. Beard GoogleMaps ; 5 females, 2 males, 3 deutonymphs, open woodland, Rungulla National Park, 28.7 km south of the Ranger Station and airstrip, 19°23’14’’S 143°31’31” E, ex. S. sphacelata ( Cyperaceae ), 09.v.2022, J. J. Beard, M. D. Barrett & G. Turpin. All material in QM GoogleMaps .
Diagnosis. As per genus, in addition to: dorsal idiosoma mostly smooth with few longitudinal sulci, folds or plicae. Male dorsum with defined metanotal and pygidial regions; solenidion ω′ on tarsi I–II elongate, inserted proximoventrally. Larva with elongate flagellate h2 setae.
Description
Adult female (19 measured)
Dorsum. ( Figs 30–31 View FIGURE 30 View FIGURE 31 ) Body measurements: v2–h1 207–248 [219], sc2–sc2 96–105 [100], c3–c3 96–108 [100], f2–f2 57–69 [57]. Prodorsal and opisthosomal shields weakly developed, with few longitudinal plicae and mostly unornamented cuticle. Anterior margin of prodorsum with median forked projection forming a notch (6–17) [8]. Several pairs of minute pores often visible on opisthosoma (posteromesad c3 and d3, anterolaterad e1, posterolaterad e1). Dorsal setae all short, smooth, thick acicular, with blunt rounded tips. Setal measurements: v2 5–7 [6], sc1 6–8 [6], sc2 5–8 [6], c3 4–7 [4–5], d1 5–8 [5], d3 4–7 [4–5], e1 4 –7 [5], e3 4 –7 [5], f2 5–7 [5], f3 5–8 [5–6], h1 4–8 [4–5], h2 4–10 [6].
Infracapitulum. ( Fig. 30 View FIGURE 30 ) Cuticle appears smooth; infracapitular setae m (8–11) [8–9]. Palps 3-segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 5–6), femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 7–10 [7], ventral 5–7 [6]).
Venter. ( Fig. 32A View FIGURE 32 ) Ventral cuticle with weak fine striae and plicae of various patterns: longitudinal plicae between setae 1b–1a and on coxae I–II; transverse plicae between setae 1a–3a; widely spaced longitudinal plicae between setae 3a to 4a1–4a2; region of fine transverse striae between setae 4a–ag; few longitudinal plicae on genital flap. Setae g1 inserted just anterior to g2 on genital flap. Most ventral setae short, fine, smooth; except setae 1a and 4a1–2 elongate, fine, and often broken. Setae 4a secondarily multiplied to 4a1 and 4a2. Setae ps3 often obscured within lateral folds of genital opening; large oval pore on body margin laterad anal opening (if body flattened, pore appears posterolaterad dorsal seta f3 ( Fig. 31 View FIGURE 31 )). Setal measurements: 1a 74–110 [74], 1b 13–18 [13], 1c 13–19 [15], 2b 15–21 [15], 2c 13–20 [17], 3a 11–17 [11], 3b 14–18 [14], 4a1 46–97 [90], 4a2 47–76 [67], 4b 13–17 [17], ag 8–12 [9], g1 10–17 [10], g2 12–17 [13], ps2 4–7 [5], ps3 5–11 [8–9].
Spermathecal apparatus. ( Fig. 32B View FIGURE 32 ) Elongate elliptic vesicle visible (9–15 [12] long, 2–3 [2–3] wide).
Legs. ( Fig. 33 View FIGURE 33 ) Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2-2-1-1, tr 1-1-1-0, fe 4-4-2-2, ge 2-2-0-0, ti 5-5-3-3, ta 7(1)- 7(1)-5-5 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1b, 1c; cx II 2b, 2c; cx III 3c; cx IV 4b; tr I–III v′, tr IV nude; fe I–II d, l′, v′, bvʺ; fe III–IV d, ev′; ge I–II l′–lʺ, ge III–IV nude; ti I–II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III–IV d, v′, vʺ; ta I–II ft′, tc′, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ; ta III–IV ft′, tc′, tcʺ, u′, uʺ. No setae are added to the legs in this stage. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (7–9 [8], 6–8 [7–8], respectively); seta ft′ elongate with minute distal club (25–33 [30], 21–25 [23], respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on minute cuneiform tubercles (7–8, 6–7, respectively); setae ft″ and tcʺ absent. Setae ft′ inserted on small tubercles. Femora I–II with dorsal seta d broad, barbed; tibiae I–II with an elongate dorsal seta d (22–25 [24], 18–21 [19], respectively). Tarsal claws and empodia all pad-like.
Adult male. (11 measured)
Dorsum. ( Fig. 34 View FIGURE 34 ) Body measurements: v2–h1 155–181, sc2–sc2 79–92, c3–c3 75–88, f2–f2 37–49. As in female, dorsal cuticle with few longitudinal plicae and mostly unornamented. Anterior margin of prodorsum with median forked projection forming a notch (4–8). Dorsal opisthosoma divided into mesonotal and pygidial shields. Dorsal setae all short, smooth, thick acicular, with blunt rounded tips. Setae h2 can appear inserted ventrally. Setal measurements: v2 5–7, sc1 5–7, sc2 5–7, c3 4–6, d1 5–6, d3 4–6, e1 5 –6, e3 4 –7, f2 5–7, f3 5–7, h1 5–6, h2 7–10.
Infracapitulum. ( Fig. 34 View FIGURE 34 ) Cuticle appears smooth; infracapitular setae m (7–9). Palps 3-segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 5), femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 6–9, ventral 5–6).
Venter. ( Fig. 35 View FIGURE 35 ) Ventral cuticle with some weak fine plicae and smooth regions; with band of widely spaced transverse striae posterior to coxae IV; with few longitudinal plicae surrounding setae ag to anogenital region. Setae g1 inserted just anterior to g2 on anterior margin of anogenital opening. Most ventral setae short, fine, smooth; except setae 1a and 4a1–2 elongate, fine, and often broken. Setae 4a secondarily multiplied to 4a1 and 4a2. Setae ps3 often obscured within lateral folds of anogenital opening; modified into thick, curved accessory genital stylets. Setae ps3 obscured under posterior extension of genital opening. Setal measurements: 1a 66–87, 1b 10–14, 1c 11–14, 2b 13–19, 2c 13–17, 3a 9–13, 3b 11–16, 4a1 56–80, 4a2 47–58, 4b 10–14, ag 8–11, g1 12–15, g2 12–15, ps2 5–7, ps3 6–8.
Aedeagus. ( Fig. 36 View FIGURE 36 ) Sclerotised, elongate, subulate (38–45), with narrow membranous tube emerging from sclerotised section and terminating in a cuneiform or cone-shaped membranous vesicle.
Legs. ( Fig. 37 View FIGURE 37 ) Setal formulae same as adult female except ta I–IV with solenidion ω′ present, 8(2)-8(2)-6(1)- 6(1); ω′ inserted strongly ventroproximally along adaxial margin of tarsi. Tarsi I and II each with two solenidia (ta I adaxial ω′ 15–17, abaxial ωʺ 6–7; ta II adaxial ω′ 17–19, abaxial ωʺ 6–7); seta ft′ elongate, with minute distal club (24–28, 19–21, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ inserted on minute cuneiform tubercles (3–4 on both tarsi); setae ft″ and tcʺ absent. Tarsi III and IV each with adaxial solenidion (10–13, 11–14, respectively). Femora I–II with dorsal seta d broad, barbed; tibiae I–II with an elongate dorsal seta d (19–24, 16–19, respectively).
Deutonymph. (3 measured)
Dorsum. Body measurements: v2–h1 180–212, sc2–sc2 81–92, c3–c3 86–97, f2–f2 37–50. Prodorsal and opisthosomal shields weakly developed, with smooth cuticle; with median notch in anterior margin (4–8). Prodorsum with a few arching striae that form a weak ring; opisthosoma with broad transverse striae to level with setae d1, and with smooth cuticle from setae e1 to h1. Dorsal setae as in adults. Setal measurements: v2 5–6, sc1 5–6, sc2 4–6, c3 4–6, d1 5–6, d3 5–6, e1 4 –5, e3 4 –5, f2 4–5, f3 5–6, h1 4–5, h2 5–7.
Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in adults; infracapitular setae m (5–8). Palps 3-segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 5–5); femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 7, ventral 5–6).
Venter. Ventral cuticle difficult to discern, with patterns of fine plicae; longitudinal plicae between 1b–1a, transverse plicae 1a–ag, and longitudinal plicae ag–ps setae. Ventral setae as in adults. Setal measurements: 1a 57–59, 1b 12–13, 1c 11–13, 2b 12–14, 2c 12–14, 3a 9–11, 3b 10–11, 4a1 32–52, 4b 8–9, ag 7–9, g1 7–8, ps2 4–6, ps3 6–8.
Legs. Setal formulae and chaetotaxy for legs I – IV same as adult female. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5–6, 5, respectively); elongate seta ft′ with minute distal club (25–26, 19–20, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (5–6 on both tarsi). Tibiae I–II with an elongate dorsal seta (17–20, 14–17, respectively). This is the final stage in which setae are added to the legs: setae 2b are added to coxae II; v′ added to trochanters I–II; l′ added to femora I–II; l″ added to genua I–II; tc′–tc″ added to tarsus IV.
Protonymph. (3 measured)
Dorsum. Body measurements: v2–h1 156–173, sc2–sc2 79–87, c3–c3 79–85, f2–f2 35–42. Prodorsal and opisthosomal shields weakly developed, with smooth cuticle; with median notch in anterior margin (7–10). Prodorsum with a few arching plicae; opisthosoma with broad transverse plicae to level with setae e1, and with smooth cuticle from setae e1 to h1. Dorsal setae as in adults. Setal measurements: v2 4–6, sc1 4–6, sc2 4–5, c3 3–4, d1 4–5, d3 4, e1 3 –4, e3 3 –4, f2 3–5, f3 4–5, h1 3–5, h2 7–10.
Infracapitulum. Cuticle as in deutonymph; infracapitular setae m (5–6). Palps 3-segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (both 4); femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 5–6, ventral 4–5).
Venter. Ventral cuticle as in deutonymph. Setal measurements: 1a 41–56, 1b 10–11, 1c 8–9, 2c 9–11, 3a 8–9, 3b 8–10, ag 7–9, ps2 3–5, ps3 4–6.
Legs. Setal formulae for legs I – IV: cx 2-1-1-0, tr 0-0-1-0, fe 3-3-2-2, ge 1-1-0-0, ti 5-5-3-3, ta 7(1)-7(1)-5-3 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: same as larva except 1c, 2b, 3b added to cx I, II, III respectively; l′ added to tr III; and tc′ added to ta I–II. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (5 on both tarsi); elongate seta ft′ with minute distal club (22–25, 17–19, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (4–5 on both tarsi). Tibiae I–II with an elongate dorsal seta (17–18, 15–16, respectively).
Larva. (4 measured)
Dorsum. ( Fig. 38 View FIGURE 38 ) Body measurements: v2–h1 128–151, sc2–sc2 71–75, c3–c3 73–85, f2–f2 29–35. No shields developed; prodorsum with anterior margin smoothly rounded without median notch; with few curved striae forming weak oval pattern mesally. Dorsal opisthosoma with broad band of widely spaced transverse striae between level with sc2 to level with setae d1, and with smooth cuticle from setae e1 to h1. Dorsal setae as in adults. Setal measurements: v2 5, sc1 5–6, sc2 5–6, c3 4, d1 4–5, d3 4–5, e1 4 –5, e3 3 –4, f2 3–4, f3 3–5, h1 4–5, h2 26–37.
Infracapitulum. ( Fig. 38 View FIGURE 38 ) Cuticle as in deutonymph. Palps 3-segmented; palp tarsus with two phaneres (2–3, 4–5); femur-genu-tibia with two setae (dorsal 5–7, ventral 5–6).
Venter. ( Fig. 39 View FIGURE 39 ) Ventral cuticle and setae as in deutonymph, except fine transverse plicae from 1a –leg III, with narrow band longitudinal plicae around anus, and coxae with faint longitudinal striae. Setal measurements: 1a 36–52, 1b 9–10, 3a 8–10, ps2 3–4, ps3 4–5.
Legs. ( Fig. 39 View FIGURE 39 ) Setal formulae for legs I – III: cx 1-0-0, tr 0-0-0, fe 3-3-2, ge 1-1-0, ti 5-5-3, ta 6(1)-6(1)-3 respectively. Leg chaetotaxy: cx I 1b; fe I–II d, v′, bvʺ; fe III–IV d, ev′; ge I–II l′; ti I–II d, l′, lʺ, v′, vʺ; ti III d, v′, vʺ; ta I–II ftʺ, p′ζ, pʺζ, u′, uʺ, ωʺ (ft′ absent); ta III ft′, u′, uʺ. Tarsi I and II each with one abaxial solenidion ωʺ (4, 3–4, respectively); one elongate companion seta ftʺ with minute distal club (24–29, 20–21, respectively); pair proral setae p′ζ, pʺζ (5 on both tarsi). Tibiae I–II with an elongate dorsal seta (14–17, 13–14, respectively).
Colour. These mites were bright red when alive.
Host. Scleria sphacelata F. Muell. ( Cyperaceae ).
Distribution. This mite is so far known only from Rungulla National Park in northern Queensland, Australia, where it was collected at four different sites within the park.
Etymology. The flat mite genus Scleriacarus is named for the sedge host genus Scleria . The species S. gilberti is named after the river that runs through Rungulla National Park, which in turn was named by Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845 to honour the naturalist and member of his expedition, John Gilbert. Gilbert had spent many years exploring and collecting extensively across Australia.
Remarks. Host plant identification made by Queensland Herbarium (BRI vouchers: RNP14, RNP50, RNP68), and Australian Tropical Herbarium (ATH voucher: MDB 6137).
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh |
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University of the Witwatersrand |
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Botanische Staatssammlung München |
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Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève |
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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Tetranychoidea |
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