A New Species of Ultratenuipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Brazil and Re-Description of Ultratenuipalpus meekeri (De Leon), the Type Species of the Genus, with DNA Barcodes

Author(s)

Castro, Elizeu B. ; Beard, Jennifer J. ; Ochoa, Ronald ; Bauchan, Gary R. ; Otero-Colina, Gabriel ; Dowling, Ashley P. G. ; Lofego, Antonio C. ; Feres, Reinaldo J. F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANIMALS; v. 13, n. 11, p. 30-pg., 2023-06-01.

Abstract

Species of the genus Ultratenuipalpus bear a broad subquadrate propodosoma with many large, flattened, lanceolate to ovate dorsal setae. They also bear some plesiomorphic character states, such as the presence of three pairs of ventral ps setae. Here, we describe Ultratenuipalpus parameekeri Castro, Ochoa & Feres sp. nov. based on adult females, males, and immatures, collected on ferns from Brazil. We also re-describe Ultratenuipalpus meekeri (De Leon), the type species of the genus, based on types and newly collected material from Mexico, and include additional novel data (e.g., dorsal and ventral ornamentation, leg chaetotaxy, and setal measurements) in a standardized form. We include highly detailed images obtained using LT-SEM, accompanied by DNA barcodes, for both species. The ontogenetic additions of leg chaetotaxy are presented and discussed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/04820-3 - Fauna and flora from forest fragments in the northwest region of São Paulo State: the basis to biodiversity conservational studies
• Grantee: Orlando Necchi Junior
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/01193-5 - Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), including the updating of the world family catalogue
• Grantee: Elizeu Barbosa de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 06/55725-6 - Does forest fragmentation affect the composition and distribution of mite fauna (Arachnida, Acari) associated with the vegetation?
• Grantee: Peterson Rodrigo Demite
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/00458-8 - Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) deposited in the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), and use of LT-SEM technique for a better interpretation of the morphological characters
• Grantee: Elizeu Barbosa de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor