A new species of Sevastianoviella (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pygmephoridae) from Crimea Author Khaustov, Alexander A. Author Khaustov, Vladimir A. text Persian Journal of Acarology 2022 2022-07-15 11 3 457 470 journal article 10.22073/pja.v11i3.75412 2251-8169 7173595 ACE71C56-EA7F-46F1-A672-23D4AB21C00A Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. ( Figs. 1–9 ) http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: F75C12EB-016E-4B79-BF23-AE89CF83812B Description Female ( Figs. 1–4 ) – Length of idiosoma 235 (215–235), width 110 (105–115). Gnathosoma ( Fig. 2 ) – Gnathosomal capsule length 24 (23–25) subequal to its width 23 (23– 25); dorsally with two pairs of cheliceral setae ( cha, chb ). Setae cha weakly barbed and blunt-tipped; postpalpal setae ( pp ) smooth and blunt-tipped, situated posterolaterad setae cha , other gnathosomal setae smooth and pointed. Dorsal median apodeme absent. Venter of gnathosoma with a pair of setae m and a pair of small round pits n situated posteriad m . Palps with setae dFe and dGe dorsally; palp tibiotarsus with well-developed tibial claw and tiny peg-like seta distally; accessory setigenous structure club-shaped distally; palpal solenidion ω situated laterad accessory setigenous structure ( ass ). Pharyngeal pumps situated on long oesophagus; pump 1 bow-shaped with hardly discernible transverse striae, situated far posteriad gnathosoma and clearly separated from pumps 2 and 3; pharungeal pumps 2 and 3 contiguous, both ovate and transversely striate ( Fig. 2B ). Length of gnathosomal setae: cha 8 (7–8), chb 11 (10–11), pp 9 (9–11), dFe 8 (8), dGe 11 (10–11), m 12 (11– 12). Figure 1. Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (female) – A. Dorsum of body; B. Venter of body. Legs omitted. Idiosomal dorsum ( Fig. 1A ) – All dorsal shields with hardly discernible tiny puncta; stigmata long; setae sc1 club-shaped and with tiny barbs. All dorsal setae weakly barbed; setae sc2 , c2 , f , h1 , and h2 long, pointed, whip-like; other dorsal setae distinctly shorter and blunt-tipped. All cupules ia on tergite D, im on tergite EF and ih on tergite H small, round. Prodorsal shield with short median apodeme in posterior part. Lengths of dorsal setae: v1 13 (12–14), v2 24 (22–26), sc2 66 (57–69), c1 16 (15–17), c2 64 (55–65), d 18 (14–18), e 10 (8–10), f 58 (48–58), h1 57 (45–57), h2 62 (54–63). Distances between setae: v1–v1 20 (20–21), v2–v2 27 (26–28), sc2–sc2 23 (23–26), c1–c1 39 (36– 39), c1–c2 26 (24–27), c2–c2 76 (70–80), d–d 41 (38–41), e–f 7 (7–8), f–f 52 (44–52), e–e 63 (57– 63), h1–h1 33 (28–33), h1–h2 7 (7). Idiosomal venter ( Fig. 1B ) – All ventral plates with hardly discernible tiny puncta. Setae ps1-2 smooth, other ventral setae weakly barbed; setae 2a , 3a , 3b , 4a , and ps3 blunt-tipped, other ventral setae pointed; setae 1b characteristically not bifurcate; setae 4c absent. In two specimens (including holotype ) one of setae 2a asymmetrically absent; in two specimens one of setae 4b asymmetrically absent. Apodemes ap1, ap2, ap3 and ap4 well developed; appr fused with ap2; apsej developed only laterally; appo fused with ap3 and ap4; ap5 absent. Posterior margin of aggenital plate evenly rounded. Lengths of ventral setae: 1a 15 (13–15), 1b 12 (11–12), 2a 19 (17–19), 2 b 7 (6–8), 3a 9 (7– 9), 3b 10 (9–10), 3c 14 (12–14), 4a 10 (9–10), 4b 15 (14–16), ps1 3 (3–4), ps2 3 (3), ps3 16 (14–16). Figure 2. Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (female) – A. Gnathosoma, dorsal aspect; B. Gnathosoma and pharyngeal pumps, ventral aspect. Legs ( Fig. 3 ) – Leg I ( Fig. 3A ). Leg setation: Tr 1 ( v’ ), Fe 4 ( d , l’ , l” , v” ), Ge 4 ( l’ , l” , v’ , v” ), Ti 6(2) ( d , l’ , l” , v’, v” , k , φ1 , φ2 ), Ta 13(2) ( p’ξ , p”ξ , tc’ ξ , tc” ξ , ft’ , ft” , u’ , u” , pl’ , pl” , pv’ , pv” , s , ω1 , ω2 ). Tarsus with one simple claw. Solenidia ω1 , ω2 , and φ2 digitiform; solenidion φ1 clavate. Length of solenidia: ω1 7 (7), ω2 5 (5), φ1 6 (6–7), φ2 3 (3). Setae ( p ) and ( tc ) of tarsus eupathidlike; seta k of tibia smooth and blunt-tipped; setae ( u ) and ( ft ) smooth, other leg setae weakly barbed; setae v’ of trochanter and l’ of femur blunt-tipped, other setae pointed. Leg II ( Fig. 3B ). Leg setation: Tr 1 ( v’ ), Fe 3 ( d , l’ , v” ), Ge 3 ( l’ , l” , v’ ), Ti 4(1) ( d , l’ , v’, v” , φ ), Ta 7(1) ( tc’ , tc” , u’ , u” , pl” , pv’ , pv” , ω ). Tarsal claws simple, hooked; empodium short, flipper-like. Solenidion ω 5 (5–6) digitiform, solenidion φ 3 (3) peg-like. Setae tc” and ( u ) of tarsus smooth, other leg setae weakly barbed; setae v’ of trochanter and l’ of femur blunt-tipped, other leg setae pointed. Leg III ( Fig. 3C ). Leg setation: Tr 1 ( v’ ), Fe 2 ( d , v’ ), Ge 2 ( l’ , v’ ), Ti 4(1) ( d , l’ , v’, v” , φ ), Ta 7 ( tc’ , tc” , pl” , u’ , u” , pv’ , pv” ). Claws and empodium of same shape as on tarsus II. Solenidion φ 3 (3) peg-like. Setae tc” and ( u ) smooth, other leg setae weakly barbed; all leg setae pointed. Leg IV ( Fig. 3D ). Leg setation: Tr 1 ( v’ ), Fe 2 ( d , v’ ), Ge 1 ( v’ ), Ti 4(1) ( d , l’ , v’, v” , φ ), Ta 6 ( tc’ , tc” , pl” , u’ , pv’ , pv” ). Claws and empodium of same shape as on tarsi II and III. Solenidion φ 2 (2) peg-like. Setae ( tc ) smooth, other setae weakly barbed; seta v” of tibia blunt-tipped, other setae pointed. Figure 3. Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (female) – A. Right leg I, dorsal aspect; B. Right leg II, dorsal aspect; C. Right leg III, dorsal aspect; D. Right leg IV, dorsal aspect. Male ( Figs. 4 , 5 ) – Length of idiosoma 160, width 95. Gnathosoma – Gnathosomal capsule strongly reduced, with palps, cheliceral stylets and pharynx being absent; gnathosoma with three pairs of smooth and pointed setae: ventral m and subterminal dFe and dGe ; accessory setigenous structure club-shaped distally; palpal solenidion ω situated laterad accessory setigenous structure. Idiosomal dorsum ( Fig. 4A ) – All dorsal shields with hardly discernible tiny puncta. Setae d and h2 vestigial; setae h1 smooth, blunt-tipped and slightly widened distally; other dorsal setae weakly barbed; setae sc2 , c2 , and f long and pointed; other dorsal setae much shorter and blunt-tipped. Cupules ia on tergite CD, and im on tergite EF small, round; cupules ih not evident. Prodorsal shield with distinct median apodeme in posterior part; tergite CD with weak apodeme in central part. Lengths of dorsal setae: v1 9, v2 10, sc1 14, sc2 50, c1 14, c2 45, e 8, f 38, h1 5. Distances between setae: v1–v1 8, v2–v2 24, sc1–sc1 24, sc2–sc2 27, c1–c1 39, c1–c2 15, c2–c2 68, d–d 25, e–f 3, f– f 20, e–e 25, h1–h1 19, h2–h2 17. Idiosomal venter ( Fig. 4B ) – All ventral plates with hardly discernible tiny puncta. Setae ps1 very short, spine-like; setae ps2 smooth and blunt-tipped, other ventral setae weakly barbed and blunttipped. Apodemes ap1, ap2, ap3, ap4 and ap5 well developed; appr fused with ap2; apsej absent; appo fused with ap4 and ap5. Aedeagus smooth, short and curved. Lengths of ventral setae: 1a 12, 1b 7, 2a 6, 2 b 7, 3a 7, 3b 9, 3c 8, 4a 6, 4b 7, ps1 2, ps2 7. Figure 4. Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (male) – A. Dorsum of body; B. Venter of body. Legs omitted. Legs ( Fig. 5 ) – Setation of legs as in female. Leg I ( Fig. 5A ). Tarsus with one simple claw. Solenidia ω1 , ω2 , and φ2 digitiform; solenidion φ1 clavate. Length of solenidia: ω1 5, ω2 3, φ1 6, φ2 3. Setae ( p ), ( tc ), and ( ft ) of tarsus eupathid-like; seta k of tibia smooth and blunt-tipped; setae l” of femur and ( u ) of tarsus smooth, other leg setae weakly barbed; setae v’ of trochanter and l’ of femur blunt-tipped, other leg setae pointed. Leg II ( Fig. 5B ). Tarsal claws simple, hooked; empodium short, flipper-like; solenidion ω 4 digitiform, solenidion φ 3 peg-like; setae ( u ) smooth, other setae weakly barbed; setae v’ of trochanter and l’ of femur blunt-tipped, other leg setae pointed. Leg III ( Fig. 5C ). Claws and empodium of same shape as on tarsus II; solenidion φ 3 peg-like. Setae ( u ) smooth, other setae weakly barbed; seta v’ of trochanter blunt-tipped, over leg setae pointed. Leg IV ( Fig. 5D ). Claws thick, empodium absent; solenidion φ 3 peg-like. Setae v’ of femur and genu, tc” and pv’ of tarsus barbed, other setae smooth; setae v’ of genu and tibia and tc” of tarsus pointed, other setae blunt-tipped; seta v” of tibia spine-like. Figure 5. Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (male) – A–D. Right legs I–IV, respectively, dorsal aspect. Larva ( Figs. 6 , 7 ). Length of idiosoma 175–180, width 105–110. Gnathosoma – Gnathosomal capsule length 22–25 subequal to its width 23–25. Dorsally with two pairs of cheliceral setae ( cha, chb ). All gnathosomal setae smooth; setae cha and chb blunt-tipped, setae chb with widened distal part; other gnathosomal setae pointed; postpalpal setae and pits n absent. Dorsal median apodeme absent. Gnathosoma ventrally with one pair of setae m ; palps with setae dFe and dGe dorsally; palp tibiotarsus with well-developed tibial claw and tiny peg-like seta distally; accessory setigenous structure club-shaped distally; palpal solenidion ω situated laterad accessory setigenous structure. Pharyngeal pumps as in female. Length of gnathosomal setae: cha 7, chb 4, dFe 7, dGe 9, m 10. Idiosomal dorsum ( Fig. 6A ) – All dorsal shields smooth; all dorsal setae weakly barbed; setae sc2 , c2 , f , h1 , and h2 long, whip-like and pointed; other dorsal setae distinctly shorter and blunttipped. Cupules ia on tergite D, ip on tergite EF and ih on tergite H small, round. Lengths of dorsal setae: v1 9, v2 9–10, sc1 20, sc2 68–70, c1 16–18, c2 53–58, d 28–29, e 15–18, f 58–62, h1 59–62, h2 45–70. Distances between setae: v1–v1 16, v2–v2 46–47, sc1–sc1 43–45, sc2–sc2 43–44, c1– c1 45–46, d–d 52–54, e–f 13–14, f–f 38–44, e–e 64–71, h1–h1 19–33), h1–h2 9–12. Idiosomal venter ( Fig. 6B ) – All ventral plates smooth. Coxisternal plates I–II and III separated medially. Setae ps1 and ps3 smooth, pointed; other ventral setae weakly barbed and blunt-tipped. Only ap2 clearly visible. Lengths of ventral setae: 1a 9, 1b 5–7, 2a 7–9, 2 b 7–8, 3a 10–11, 3b 11, ps1 10–11, ps2 18–20, ps3 9–10. Figure 6. Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (larva) – A. Dorsum of body; B. Venter of body. Legs omitted. Legs ( Fig. 7 ) – Leg I ( Fig. 7A ). Leg setation: Tr 0, Fe 4 ( d , l’ , l” , v” ), Ge 4 ( l’ , l” , v’ , v” ), Ti 6(1) ( d , l’ , l” , v’, v” , k , φ1 ), Ta 11(1) ( tc’ ξ , tc” ξ , ft’ , ft” , u’ , u” , pl’ , pl” , pv’ , pv” , s , ω1 ). Tarsus with two simple claws. Solenidion ω1 digitiform; solenidion φ1 clavate. Length of solenidia: ω1 5, φ1 5–6. Setae ( tc ) eupathid-like; setae l’ of femur and k of tibia smooth and blunt-tipped, other leg setae pointed; setae l” , v” of femur, l” of genu, d , v’ of tibia, ( ft ), ( pl ), ( u ) of tarsus smooth, other leg setae weakly barbed. Leg II ( Fig. 7B ). Leg setation as in female, except absence of seta v’ on trochanter. Tarsal claws and empodium as in female. Solenidion ω 4 digitiform, solenidion φ 3 peg-like. Setae l’ , v” of femur, tc” and ( u ) of tarsus smooth, other leg setae weakly barbed; seta l’ of femur blunttipped, other leg setae pointed. Leg III ( Fig. 7C ). Leg setation: as in female, except absence of seta v’ on trochanter. Tarsal claws and empodium as in female. Solenidion φ 3 peg-like. Setae l’ of femur and ( u ) of tarsus smooth, other setae weakly barbed; seta l’ of femur blunt-tipped, other leg setae pointed. Type material Holotype female, slide ZISP T-Pygm-009, Crimea , vicinity of Yalta, 44° 29’ N 34° 05’ E , 560 m a.s.l. , 6 April 2022 , under the thin bark of a rotting linden ( Tilia sp. ) twig lying on the ground, coll. Khaustov V .A. paratypes : 5 females , 1 male , 10 larvae , same data. Figure 7. Sevastianoviella taurica sp. nov. (larva) – A–C. Right legs I–III, respectively, dorsal aspect. Type deposition The holotype female, four paratypes females and 5 larvae are deposited in the collection of ZIRAS ; other paratypes are deposited in the collection of the TSUMZ . Differential diagnosis Female of the new species is most similar to S. bohemicus , described from Czech Republic ( Mahunka 1967 ) in having subequal whip-like setae h1 and h2 , setae 4b present, setae 4c absent and setae ( ft) on tarsus I present; it can be distinguished from S. bohemicus in having simple setae 1b (setae 1b bifurcate in S. bohemicus ) and by distinctly shorter dorsal idiosomal setae c1 and d , which are considerably shorter than the distances between their bases (setae c1 and d distinctly longer than the distances between their bases in S . bohemicus ). Etymology The name of the new species is derived from Latin taurica meaning Crimea and refers to its geographical distribution.