Guatustium Haitlinger, 2000

Palenqustium Haitlinger, 2000, syn. nov.

Balaustium leanderi (Haitlinger, 2000) Fuentes, 2013

Diagnosis (after Southcott 1961, but modified)

Adult and Deutonymph. Crista metopica inserted in the scutum. One eye on each side of the prodorsum. A pair of urnulae located posteriorly to the eyes. Odontus with ventral protrusion.

Larva. Crista metopica inserted in the scutum. One eye on each side of the prodorsum. Urnulae absent. Odontus with ventral protrusion. One seta on the palp trochanter, 1–2 setae on the palp femur. f_nCx 1-1-1, f_nTr 3-3-[2-3], f_nbFe 4-4-[2-4]. Posterior claw on tarsi I–III bifurcate, composed of a simple and of pulvilliform branch.

Balaustium leanderi (Haitlinger, 2000), comb. nov.

Palenqustium leanderi Haitlinger, 2000

Diagnosis

Larva. Palp femur with 2 setae. PaGe L/W 1.84–2.80. fD 102–120, NDV 188–219. ISD 66–83. f_nbFe 4-4-4. f_nTr 3-3-3. IP 1662–1893. Setae on palp tarsus smooth.

Deutonymph and Adult (Female). Semipectinalae on palp genu absent. pDS 23–46. PaGe L/W 2.45–3.15 (deutonymph), 3.06–3.63 (adult).

Male. Not known.

For comparison with other taxa see Remarks on taxonomy.

Description

Body oval in shape. Color in life red, with longitudinal rows of whitish setae on opisthosomal dorsum; the pattern weakly marked in larvae (Fig. 1), more distinct in deutonymphs (Fig. 25) and the most contrasting in adults (Fig. 33).

Larva (Figs. 1–24). Metric data are provided in Table 1. Meristic data are based on fifteen specimens.

Gnathosoma. Chelicerae composed of basal segment and movable claw (Fig. 5). Adoral setae (cs) and subcapitular setae (bs) of similar length (c. 23), with few tiny barbs. Setae as (c. 2 µm) short, acicular. Palps slender, PaGe L/W 1.84–2.80. Pedipalp setal formula (fPp) N-NB-NN-NNN-NNNN (Figs. 5 and 6). Odontus with tooth-like protrusion located ventrally at c. 3/5 of the claw length. Palpal supracoxalae (ep, c. 4 µm) thumb-like (Fig. 18).

Idiosoma, Dorsal Side (Fig. 2). Behind the level of crista metopica 102–118 barbed, similar in shape, setae (Figs. 7–9). Scutum (Fig. 4) indistinct, with weakly marked margins. Crista well sclerotized, extending between bases of ASens and PSens. Setae AL, PL and ML (Figs. 12–14) of similar length, all barbed; PL located within or off scutum. AL leveled with ASens or slightly posterior of ASens. ASens shorter than PSens, both barbed distally (Figs. 15–16).

Idiosoma, Ventral Side (Fig. 3). Sternalae la and 2a present between coxae I and II, respectively, 30–35 setae between coxae II–III and 56–66 setae behind coxae III, all nude (Fig. 10). Setae located along the posterior margin of opisthosoma (Fig. 11) barbed, similar to those covering the idiosoma dorsum.

Legs (Figs. 17, 19–24). Leg segmentation formula 7-7-7; leg chaetotaxy: leg I: Cx 1B, Tr 3B, bFe 4B, tFe 5B, Ge 9B + 1σ+ 1κ;, Ti 11B + 2φ; + 1κ;, Ta 33-35B + 2ζ; + 1Cp + 1φ; + 1ε; leg II: Cx 1B, Tr 3B, bFe 4B, tFe 5B, Ge 8-10B + Iκ;, Ti 10-12B + 2ζ, Ta 23-25B + 2ζ; + 1Cp + 1ω; leg III: Cx 1B, Tr 3B, bFe 4B, tFe 5B, Ge 9B, Ti 10-11B + 1φ;, Ta 22-25B + 1ζ;. supracoxala of leg I (eI, c. 3 µm) thumb-like (Fig. 17). Normal setae on legs I–III slightly barbed along the entire stem or close to the tip. On legs II and III (Figs 20, 23) setae with adhering setules, making an impression of seta being nude, are also present. On tarsi I–III several setulated setae resembling the eupathidia, nude and bent apically, with blunt termination most often oriented towards the basal part of tarsus, arise along the ventro-lateral margin of the segment. Dorsal eupathidia on tarsi I–II ciliated along the entire stem, with adjacent companalae. Tarsi I–III terminated with 2 claws and claw-like empodium. Anterior claw sickle-like, ciliated, posterior claw composed of 2 branches: one similar to anterior claw but shorter and another one terminated with discoid, pulvilliform structure.

Deutonymph (Figs. 25–32). Metric data provided in Table 2. Meristic data based on 9 specimens.

Gnathosoma. Palps (Fig. 31) slender. Palp trochanter with 5 setae, of which one (c. 140) is much longer than the remaining ones, palp femur with 19–23 setae, palp genu with 19–21 setae, palp tibia with 7 setae. Setae on PaTr - PaTi either nude or weakly barbed. Palp tarsus (Figs. 31 and 32) with one long, nude seta located proximally and with c. 11 solenidia. Palpal supracoxalae ep (c. 4 µm) thumb-like.

Idiosoma, Dorsal Side. Crista metopica well sclerotized and inserted in scutum (Fig. 26). ASens (Fig. 29) shorter than PSens (Fig. 30), both with tiny barbs in the distal part. A group to 3 to 5 AM setae (Fig. 28), covered with short, adhering setules and placed anterior of, or at the level of ASens. Eight to 12 setae (Figs. 26 and 27) located within scutum, between ASens and PSens. Single eyes at each side of symmetry axis, c. at the level of posterior sensillae. Urnulae placed postero-medially to eyes. Dorsal opisthosomal setae uniform in shape. Setal stem with 3 cuticular ridges, running from the base to the top of seta; along one ridge the relatively long, narrowing apically setules are distributed; 2 other ridges covered with relatively short, robust and not sharpened terminally setules (see Figs. 51 and 52, for adults).

Idiosoma, Ventral Side. Ventral setae acicular, longer than the dorsal setae, either smooth or with very tiny barbs. One seta on coxae I, II and III distinctly longer than the remaining coxal setae. At the level of coxae I and II, medially, 2 pairs of setae much longer than the remaining ventral setae. Another 2–3 pairs of distinctly elongated setae present anterior of and at the level of coxae III–IV.

Legs. Supracoxal setae eI (c. 6 µm) tiny and thumb-like. Two supracoxalae eII (c. 6 µm) present on each of coxae II, dorsally, in antero-lateral position. All legs covered with very weakly barbed or nude setae; setulose setae arise along ventral and ventro-lateral surface of tarsi. Specialized setae of leg I: Ge 3σ + 1κ;, Ti 4φ; + 1κ;, Ta 1ω (in dorsal position), 12–14ω (placed laterally) + 2-3ζ;+ 1εe; leg II: Ge 1–2σ + 1κ;, Ti 3-4φ;, Ta 2&-3ω + 2ζ;; leg III: Ge 1-2σ, Ti 2φ;, Ta 1ω + 2ζ;; leg IV: Ge 2σ, Ti 2φ;, Ta 2ζ;; along the ventral surface of tarsi, several eupathidium-like setae, similar to other setulose setae but with blunt tip present; these setae are especially numerous on tarsus I. Tarsi terminated with paired, covered with fimbriae, claws.

Adult, Female (Figs. 33–52).

Metric data provided in Table 3. Meristic data based on 11 specimens. Body setation more dense than in deutonymphs.

Gnathosoma. Palps slender (Figs. 39 and 40). Palp trochanter with 6 nude setae, of which one (c. 178) is much longer than the remaining setae. Palp femur with 44–48 setae, palp genu with 34–38 setae, palp tibia (Figs. 41 and 42) with 10–12 setae, all setae nude or weakly barbed. Palp tarsus (Figs. 41 and 42) with one long, nude seta and with c. 20 solenidia. Supracoxalae ep thumb-like (c. 5 µm).

Idiosoma, Dorsal Side. Dorsal view as in Fig. 34. Rod of crista metopica extended between bases of ASens and PSens and inserted in well sclerotized, narrowing posteriorly scutum (Fig. 38). ASens and PSens sparsely setulose in distal part (Figs. 38, 44 and 45), ASens always shorter than PSens. Five to 10 non-sensillary setae AM, with adhering setules (Figs. 38 and 43). Circa 32–40 setae, similar in shape to opisthosomal setae, arise on scutum, between the level of ASens and PSens (Figs. 38 and 46). Single eyes at each side of symmetry axis, placed before or at the level of posterior sensillae. Urnulae located postero-medially to eyes (Fig. 34). Dorsal opisthosomal setae (Figs. 47–49, 51 and 52) as in deutonymphs.

Ventral Side of Idiosoma. Dorsal view as in Fig. 35. Ventral setae and setae on coxae similar to those occurring in deutonymphs. At opisthosoma termination ventral setae display transitional form between mid-ventral and dorsal ones. Genital opening elongate, with extrusible ovipositor (Figs. 36 and 37), genital valves covered with setae similar in shape to ventral setae, but shorter (Fig. 50). Anus (Fig. 36) oval, surrounded by distinct sclerite with c. 12 setae.

Legs. One supracoxala eI (8 µm) and 2 supracoxalae eII (8 µm), all tiny, thumb-like, located in dorso-lateral part of coxal plates. Leg segments with weakly barbed or nude setae, setae covered with setules arise along ventral and ventro-lateral side of tarsi. Specialized setae of leg I: Ge 5σ + 1κ;, Ti 14φ; + 1κ;, Ta c. 15ω+ 4ζ; + 1ε; leg II: Ge 2-3σ + 1κ;, Ti 6φ;, Ta c. 6ω + 2-4ζ;; leg III: Ge 2-3σ, Ti 3-4φ;, Ta 3-4ω + 2-4ζ;; leg IV: Ge 4σ, Ti 4φ;, Ta c. 2ω + 2-4ζ;. Setae of eupathidium-type, not sharpened terminally and covered with setules, slightly bent towards proximal part of the segment, especially numerous on tarsus I, present among other setulose setae arising at ventral side of tarsi. Tarsi terminated with paired claws, each claw covered with fimbriae.

Material Deposition

A series of specimens, comprising 4 adult females (ICN-Ac-155-ICN-Ac-158), 4 deutonymphs (ICN-Ac-159-ICN-Ac-162) and 4 larvae (ICN-Ac-163-ICN-Ac-166) is deposited in the “Instituto de Ciencias Naturales ICN, Universidad Nacional de Colombia”. Three adults, 3 deutonymphs and 3 larvae are deposited in the collection of the Laboratory of Entomology, University of Bogotá Jorge Tadeo Lozano. Four slide-mounted adults (OSAL006617—006620) are deposited in the acarological collection of the Ohio State University. Two adults, 2 deutonymphs and 5 larvae - in the collection of the Department of Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences.

Distribution

Colombia, Mexico.

Remarks on Taxonomy

The following set of diagnostic characters allow to differentiate between larvae of Balaustium spp. and of other balaustiine genera: the palp tibial claw with a prominent tooth on ventral surface, one seta on palp trochanter, 1–2 setae on palp femur and 3 setae on trochanter I (see also Diagnosis). Some of these characters, however, can be recognized also in other balaustiine genera known from larvae.

The presence of 2 setae on the palp femur, combined with the presence of one seta on the palp trochanter in larvae has been stated for monotypic Palenqustium Haitlinger, 2000 and also for Pollux kovalamicus Haitlinger, 2002. However, the members of Pollux Southcott, 1961 can be distinguished from Balaustium. spp. by different termination of tarsus III. Palenqustium, with Palenqustium. leanderi was described by Haitlinger (2000) based on 2 larvae collected from plants in Mexico. The simple odontus, without median tooth, 2 setae on the palp femur, bFe 4-4-4, Tr 3-3-3 and Ge 9-9-9, were listed as diagnostic characters for newly erected genus.

Examination of the holotype of Palenqustium leanderi, revealed that the distinct tooth is present at c. half length of the tibial claw, ventrally. Also, one barbed seta and one nude (instead of 2 nude setae) are present on palp femur, whereas the chaetotaxy of tibia II includes 10 normal setae and 2 solenidia. Thus the data contained in the original description should be corrected for fPp N-NB-NN-NNN-NNNNζ;ω, f_nTi 11-10-11 and f_sol ,Ti 2-2-1. Additionally, the AL setae are leveled with ASens (AL anterior of ASens stated in the original description might have been due to the shift of the left side of the idiosoma towards anterior position in relation to the right side of the body). The above verification of diagnostic characters, results in the presence of character states which are observed also in some members of Balaustium.. Hence the separate identity of Palenqustium. Haitlinger, 2000 is not justified anymore and the latter genus should be considered a junior synonym of Balaustium von Heyden, 1826. Moreover, the discrepancy in data contained in the original description, applying to the ISD value (50 — in the diagnosis, 68 and 78 — for the holotype and paratype, respectively — in the table), should be corrected in favor of the value provided in the table. PaGe L/W ratio in Balaustium, leanderi comb. nov. equals 70 in the holotype.

Balaustium leanderi comb. nov. shares generic traits with other members of the genus, as evidenced by data on larvae and active postlarval forms. Difference between the larvae of Balaustium leanderi and of other Balaustium. spp., besides the presence of 2 setae on the palp femur, pertains also to the number of normal setae on the basifemur (f_nbFe 4-4-4). The formula f_nbFe 4-4-4 has been known also for the monotypic Moldoustium Haitlinger, 2008, but the separate generic identity of the latter genus is supported by the absence of setae on the palp trochanter (vs one seta present in Balaustium).

Active postlarval forms of Balaustium leanderi belong to the group of Balaustium, spp. having long and slender palps (PaGe L/W > 2) and lacking semipectinalae on the palp genu. The latter group comprises also Balaustium, hernandezi Mąkol et al., 2012. The most striking differences between these 2 species (except for characters which differentiate larvae) are expressed in the length of dorsal opisthosomal setae (23–46 in B. leanderi vs 45–75 in B. hernandezi) and in the PaGe L/W ratio (2.45–3.15 in DN and 3.06–3.63 in AD of B. leanderi vs 2.29 in DN and 2.7 in AD of B. hernandezi).

For several species known exclusively from active postlarval forms, the data on the PaGe L/W ratio and/or on the presence/absence of semipectinalae have not been described. The latter applies to the following species, from the circumtropical zone: B. aonidiphagus (Ebeling, 1934), B. cristatum. Meyer & Ryke, 1959, B. graminum Meyer & Ryke, 1959, B. medicagoense Meyer & Ryke, 1959, B. southcotti Feider et Chioreanu, 1977. Balaustium leanderi differs from B. aonidiphagus in the body coloration, which in B. aonidiphagus is red but with greenish or bluish iridescence, from B. cristatum — in the number of AM setae in deutonymph (one seta in B. cristatum) and in PaGe L/W ratio (1.25 in B. cristatum, calculated from the drawing), from B. graminum — in the length of dorsal opisthosomal setae (22 in DN of B. graminum) and in PaGe L/W ratio (1.24 in B. graminum, calculated from the drawing), from B. medicagoense — in the lack of papillae-like structures on legs, from B. southcotti — in the length of the palp, excl. palp tarsus (203–261 in females of B. southcotti, 496–556 in females of B. leanderi).

The relatively wide range of morphometric data (Tables 1 and 2) observed in B. leanderi, not known for other Balaustium spp. poses a question on separate identity of species for which the minor differences in metric data served as the only source to distinguish the new taxon.