Pseudofeltria (Acariformes: Pionidae) In Europe: Three Previously Described Taxa, A Species New To Science From The Northern Apennines, And A Redefinition Of Foreliinae
Author
Gerecke, R.
text
Acarologia
2014
2014-03-28
54
1
57
67
http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/acarologia/20142115
journal article
7299
10.1051/acarologia/20142115
60950549-402f-4d66-9f88-46d51e00c4f1
2107-7207
4667251
Genus
Pseudofeltria
Soar, 1904
Diagnosis — Secondary sclerotization extended dorsally (with several plates or one large shield, sexual dimorphism frequent) and ventrally (ventral shield including genital sclerites and excretory pore in males, occasionally also in females). Medial margins of Cx-IV reduced to median angles. Legs without swimming setae. III-L claws without sexual dimorphism, in shape similar to I-II-L claws. Male IV-L-5 dorsal and ventral margins distally diverging, with four to six large blade-like distoventral setae; IV-L-6 with large, unmodified claws and a strong dorsal concavity flanked by numerous peglike setae (long and densely arranged on the proximal margin, short and more distanced from each other on the distal margin). Genital field with 7-30 pairs of acetabula.
FIGURE 2:
Pionacercus
leuckarti
(Italy, I 1293): A – male IV-L-4-6; B – male palp; C – female venter partial view; D – female I-L-6. Bars = 100 µm.
Discussion — Species of
Pseudofeltria
and
Pionacercus
agree, and differ from species of
Forelia
, in the plesiomorphic absence of a sexual dimorphism in III-L. They differ from
Pionacercus
and agree with
Forelia
in the apomorphic polyacetabulate condition of the genital field and differ from both genera in the absence of swimming setae and the presence of unmodified IV-L claws in males. Following a hypothesis of
Cook (1974)
, ancestors of
Pseudofeltria
lost their swimming setae during the immigration into seepage. Further data is needed to decide if
Pseudofeltria
should be considered the sister group of
Forelia
, or the outgroup of [
Forelia
and
Pionacercus
].