A new species of cave dwelling Neocarus (Acari: Opilioacaridae) from Bahia state, Brazil, with remarks on taxonomic characters

Author(s)

De Araujo, Marcel Santos ^[1] ; Bichuette, Maria Elina ^[2] ; Bauchan, Gary R. ^[3] ; Ochoa, Ronald ^[4] ; Fazzio Feres, Reinaldo Jose ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Posgrad Biol Anim, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ecol & Biol Evolut, Lab Estudos Subterraneos, Via Washington Luis, Km 235, Caixa Postal 676, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] ARS, Electron & Confocal Microscopy Unit, USDA, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Bldg 012, 5th St, Beltsville, MD 20705 - USA

^[4] ARS, Systemat Entomol Lab, USDA, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Bldg 005, Beltsville, MD 20705 - USA

^[5] Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool & Bot, Rua Cristovao Colombo 2265, BR-15054000 Sao Jose Do Rio Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Zootaxa; v. 4402, n. 2, p. 303-322, MAR 28 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Neocarus coronatus n. sp., is described from caves and the surrounding epigean habitats from a karst area of Sao Desiderio county, Bahia state, Brazil. A dissection procedure is presented for the better use of scarce Opilioacaridae material, especially to analyze gut contents. Sexual dimorphism is presented, mainly differences in the density of setae on the dorsal shield in the prominent triangular anterior region. Females have an ovipositor with 3 pairs of smooth digitiform projections and 6-8 eugenital setae. Adults have a palpal tibiotarsus with 4 d setae. Using Low-Temperature Scanning Electron Microscopy (LT-SEM), evaluation of the chaetotaxy (especially setal shape) and morphology are greatly improved over standard light microscopy techniques enhancing the interpretation of characters for species differentiation. Also, we discuss the fragility of microinvertebrates in cave habitats. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 03/00794-5 - Brazilian subterranean aquatic fauna: biodiversity, biology, evolution, ecology and conservation
• Grantee: Eleonora Trajano
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/13269-0 - Taxonomic review and phylogenetic analysis of genera Neocarus Chamberlin & Mulaik 1942 (Acari, Parasitiformes, Opilioacarida)
• Grantee: Marcel Santos de Araújo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/23824-6 - Taxonomic review and phylogenetic analysis of Opilioacaridae With and Neothyridae Lehtinen (Acari: Parasitiformes)
• Grantee: Marcel Santos de Araújo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/05315-5 - Taxonomic review of Opilioacaridae and Neothyridae species deposited at European institutions
• Grantee: Marcel Santos de Araújo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate