Abo-Shnaf, Reham ¹ ; Kamel, Marwa S. ² ; Shebl, Mohamed A. ³ ; Badawy, Rawda M. ⁴ and Okely, Mohammed ⁵

¹✉ Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, 12611 Dokii, Giza, Egypt.
²Suez Canal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Protection Department, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt.
³Suez Canal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Plant Protection Department, 41522 Ismailia, Egypt.
⁴Ain Shams University, Faculty of Science, Entomology Department, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.
⁵Ain Shams University, Faculty of Science, Entomology Department, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.

2024 - Volume: 64 Issue: 1 pages: 43-55

ZooBank LSID: 160AAABF-A367-424B-975F-704F3F4A1A19

Original research

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction

Family Laelapidae is one of Dermanyssoidea, a superfamily that includes free-living and parasitic forms (Lindquist et al. 2009). Laelapidae including free-living predators that live in soil-litter habitats and arthropod, mammal and bird associates (Faraji and Halliday 2009; Moreira and Moraes 2015).

Genus Dinogamasus Kramer is strictly associated with Xylocopine bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) (Lundqvist 1999), in which females have a chitinous pouch-like acarinarium inside the first metasomal tergum where the mites are live and transport (LeVeque 1930; Watmough 1974; Michener 2007; Makino et al. 2018). Dinogamasus species are symbiotic mites, they are not parasites on bee, but are harmless mites.

A comprehensive taxonomic investigation on the genus Dinogamasus was mad by (Lundqvist 1999), clarifying the diagnostic of the genus, examining the world species, and revising the generic concept and morphological features. Moreover, Moraes et al. (2022) performed the most recent revision of the genus concept.

Genus Dinogamasus has 44 described species so far, almost all of which are from the Africa; Middle East; East, South and Southeast Asia (Moraes et al. 2022).

Most species are associated with Xylocopa, subgenera Mesotrichia or Koptortosoma. Only Dinogamasus inflatus LeVeque, 1930 associated with Xylocopa pubescens (Van Eyndhoven 1964; Moraes et al. 2022) (reported as Mesotrichia aestuans in LeVeque 1930: 15) was recorded from the Western Palaearctic region. The new species was collected from the same host, indicating that to have different mite species on the same host. The Xylocopa pubescens carrying Dinogamasus mites might have extended its range from Africa to the Middle East (Joharchi et al. 2016).

The bees have a special structure called ''acarinaria'' to carry the mites (Madel 1974; Eickwort 1994) whereas Dinogamasus mites exploited for phoresy by other smaller mite species (OConnor 1993; Okabe and Makino 2002).

The Dinogamasus mites are phoretic on carpenter bees, and develop in the cells with the bee larvae (Lundqvist 1999). They are not parasites, they do not seem to harm their hosts in any way, they are to be harmless feeders on only bee exudates, not any other tissues, or predators feed other small associated invertebrates (Skaife 1952). The complex association between Dinogamasus and Xylocopa species shows the actual fitness effects of a mite-bee interaction can be difficult to assess (Walter et al. 2002).

The Dinogamasus mites appear to consume pollen grains that cling to bee larvae and convert the pasty faeces to a firmer, drier state (Houston 1987). While, immature stages develop on the bee larvae or pupae, apparently feeding on secretions by the developing bees and not harming their hosts (Lundqvist 1999; Walter and Proctor 1999).

Observation of Madel (1974) indicated that Dinogamasus mites present around the host juvenile without harming it, where mutualism to remove microorganisms has been suggested (OConnor 1993; Eickwort 1994). Dinogamasus feeds on the surfaces of carpenter bee brood and may confer a benefit to the host by consuming various microbes, therefore keeping cleanness in the nest (Madel 1975; Eickwort 1994). This must mean that the mites are beneficial to the bees.

Only one species of Dinogamasus have so far been recorded in Egypt—Dinogamasus inflatus which was found phoretic on Xylocopa pubescens at Giza, Sharkia, Ismailia, and Beheira governorates (Zaher et al. 1980; El-Kawas 2011). Thus, the main goal of the present work is to describe a new species of genus Dinogamasus associated with X. pubescens bees from Suez-Canal region, Ismailia governorate.

Material and methods

Several bee insects, Xylocopa pubescens were collected at Suez-Canal region, Ismailia governorate using a sweep net. All of the new Dinogamasus specimens were obtained from 14 bee insects collected at three locations at Suez-Canal region, Ismailia governorate during 2022 as follows: 1) the Faculty of Agriculture Farm (30°13′34.46″N, 32°27′56.88″E), Suez-Canal University; 2) Abu Suwayr village (30°34′15.78″N, 32°06′55.12″E); and 3) Serapeum village (30°36′07.31″N, 32°06′55.01″E).

The location where the bee insects were collected is with a dry climate, Ismailia governorate and the collecting localities are located in North-eastern, Egypt at the north and middle terminals of the Suez-Canal. Mango, Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae is the most common fruit grown at Ismailia governorate, though a wide variety of crops and fruits are also grown there. Brassica spp. (Brassicaceae), Medicago sativa L., Trifolium alexandrinum L., and Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae) were the plants from which bees were collected.

All mite specimens were isolated from inside the acarinarium of X. pubscens bees. For examination, mite specimens were examined using a phase contrast (Olympus, BHA©) microscope after mounted in Hoyer's medium on microscope slides. The new mite species' taxonomically significant structures were illustrated with the help of Adobe Illustrator Software (2020). Mite structure measurements are provided in micrometers using a graded ocular micrometer and an eyepiece attached to a phase contrast microscope. Structure measurements demonstrate the average for the total number of individuals followed by the corresponding ranges in parentheses. The length and width of the dorsal shield were taken from the anterior margin anteriad the bases of j1 to the caudal margin posteriad the bases of J5, and at levels indicated as their widest point. Length and width of the sternal and genital shields were measured as the maximum length, and broadest points. The length and width of the anal shield were taken from the anterior margin to the posterior edge of the cribrum, and at levels indicated as their widest point. The length of legs was taken from the base of the coxa to the tip of the tarsus, including the pre-tarsus. The length of fixed and movable cheliceral digits were taken from the bases of the digits to apex of the digits. Leg nomenclature for setal follows Evans (1963a). Nomenclature for the dorsal idiosoma and opisthogastric region is based on Evans and Till (1965) and Lindquist (1994), respectively. Palp setae follows Evans (1963b); proidataxy is based on Athias-Henriot (1975), as interpreted by Kazemi et al. (2014).

Many leg setae variously modified in shape as follows: ''macro'' for long setae, ''micro'' for minute setae, ''conical form'' for thick and distally pointed setae, ''truncated'' for thick and distally blunt setae, ''hooked'' for distally bent and hook shaped setae.

Systematics

Dinogamasus Kramer

Dinogamasus Kramer, 1898: 417.

Type species: Dinogamasus crassipes Kramer, 1898, by monotypy.

Dinogamasus – Joharchi et al. 2016: 792; Moraes et al. 2022: 226.

Genus Dinogamasus has a complex nomenclatural history reviewed by LeVeque 1930, Van Eyndhoven 1941, and Lundqvist 1999.

Diagnosis — The complete diagnosis of genus Dinogamasus was given in Lundqvist (1999).

Short diagnosis was recently done by Moraes et al. (2022).

Dinogamasus pubescensae n. sp. Abo-Shnaf & Kamel

ZOOBANK: B92BB367-42BC-42AF-9700-BAA63D5942DE

Figures (1–5)

Diagnosis

Fixed cheliceral digit less than half the length of movable digit with three teeth and pilus dentilis in subapical tip; dorsal cheliceral seta present; palp-coxal seta (pc) and palp-trochanter seta (pv) with base inflated; several setae thickened and modified on palp-tibia; one long ventral seta on palp-femur not reach tip of palp. Idiosoma strongly reticulate, hypertrichy laterally, opisthonotal median region with some unpaired and asymmetrical setae, dorsal setae overlapping. Sternal with two pairs of long setae (st1-st2), without accessory setae; st1 long enough to reach base of st3; st2 longest, long enough to reach st4; metasternal st4 present; distance st3-st3 shorter than st1-st1; endopodal and metapodal plates present; genital shield shorter than anal shield; more than ten long setae between genital and anal shields; anal shield rectangular, opisthogaster hypertrichy, para-anal setae long enough to reach the base of post-anal seta. Setae ad1-ad3 on femur I, ad1 on femur II, pd1-pd2 on femora I-II macrosetae; seta Pl2 on femur I missing. Setae ad3, pd3 on genu I, av on genu II, all setae on genu III, ad2, pd3 on genu IV conical form. Seta pv on genu and tibia II, ad on tibia and trochanter IV hooked. Setae ad2, pd2 on tibia I, al1 on tibia IV, pl1-pl2 on genua I-II and tibiae I-III conical form. Setae ad3, pd3 on tibia I, av and pv1 on trochanter I truncated; seta pv2 on trochanters I-II with base inflated; setae av and pv1 on trochanter II, al on trochanter III conical form. Setae on coxae I-III truncated, except av of coxa III, conical form.

Female (14 specimens measured, Figs. 1–5)

Gnathosoma (Figs. 1a-d) – Fixed cheliceral digit about less than half the length of movable digit 53 (45–59) long, with three teeth and pilus dentilis in subapical tip; movable digit 118 (106–126) long, with two tiny teeth in addition to apical hook; antiaxial and dorsal lyrifissures and dorsal seta as well distinct (Fig. 1a). Deutosternal groove with no rows. Corniculi parallel to each other, 55 (41–68) long and 28 (18–36) wide basally, distance between tips 22 (16–45); hypostomal setae h2 laterad h3, setae h3 short not reaching palp-coxal setae (Fig. 1b). Palp 294 (275–320) long; palp chaetotaxy (Figs. 1c-d): trochanter 2 (pv with base inflated), femur 5 (one long ventral seta not reach tip of palp), genu 6, tibia 12 (several setae thickened and modified), tarsus 15; palp apotele two-tined. Setal lengths: h1 96 (81–104), h2 63 (50–74), h3 99 (81–122), pc 97 (90–113), av 60 (50–68), pv 73 (63–83); all setae aciculate and smooth, except pc and pv with base inflated.

Dorsum (Figs. 2a-b) – Dorsal idiosoma 1541 (1406–1656) long and 892 (788–981) wide at widest level. Idiosoma with holodorsal shield, covering most of the entire idiosoma (Fig. 2a), strongly reticulate, 1470 (1116–1625) long and 821 (747–882) wide at widest level, holotrichy laterally with approximately 79 pairs of setae, opisthonotal median region with some unpaired and asymmetrical setae. With 14 pairs of distinguishable poroids and six pairs of distinguishable solenostomes. Unsclerotized cuticle laterad dorsal shield hypertrichy, straight. Most dorsal setae overlapping reach the nearest posterior neighbour setae, acute and smooth (Fig. 2b). Length of recognized setae: j1 176 (140–214), j2 151 (122–189), j3 125 (113–149), j4 91 (65–117), j5 82 (70–104), j6 83 (63–199), z5 81 (77–90), J1 63 (45–86), J2 77 (59–95), J3 80 (63–95), J4 83 (70–104), J5 81 (72–90), Jx2 59 (41–72), Jx3 58 (45–63), Z4 77 (54–95), Z5 85 (68–108), S5 84 (72–99).

Venter (Figs. 3a-c) – Tritosternum long, with base about 80 (72–86) long and 41 (38–43) wide basally, with a pair of long pilose laciniae, 75 (68–79) long, separated for about 75% (Fig. 3a). Pre-sternal region with a few transverse striae. Sternal shield punctate, wider than long, 130 (122–135) long and 234 (185–254) wide at st2 level, with slightly concave anterior margin, with two pairs of long setae (st1-st2) and a pair of distinguishable solenostomes (iv1), without accessory setae, st2 longest reach base of st4, st1 long enough to reach the base of st3, distance st3-st3 shorter than st1-st1; with irregularly posterior margin. Setae st3 and solenostomes iv2-iv3 on unsclerotized cuticle, metasternal setae st4 present, on unsclerotized cuticle. Distance between st1 and posterior margin of sternal shield 116 (106–122), st1-st1 140 (126–149), st2-st2 218 (176–234), st3-st3 99 (83–124), st4-st4 188 (162–236). Metasternal plates absent. Endopodal plates represented by three pairs of tri-radiate fragments at level of coxae II, between coxae II-III and III-IV. Genital shield short and tongue-shaped, punctate with a few longitudinal lines posteriorly, 334 (302–378) long and 140 (122–164) wide at posterior corner (Fig. 3c), posterior margin convex; genital setae st5 off the shield, distance st5-st5 164 (146–187). Paragenital solenostomes (iv5) on unsclerotized cuticle posterolaterad st5; with a pair of gland pores (gv2) posterolaterad coxa IV. More than ten pairs of setae between genital and anal shields. Anal shield elongate, much longer than wide, rectangular, punctate with a few striae, longer than the genital shield, 363 (338–383) long and 197 (176–230) wide; with circumanal setae, post-anal seta longer than para-anal setae, para-anal setae reach base of post-anal seta; anal pores indistinct, anus not large, 59 (54–65) long. Opisthogaster hypertrichy. Length of setae: st1 191 (126–225), st2 210 (189–239), st3 185 (167–198), st4 187 (171–200), st5 188 (169–203), para-anal 88 (77–104), post-anal 119 (81–207). All ventral setae aciculate and smooth (Fig. 3b).

Peritreme (Fig. 3b) – Stigmata between coxae III-IV surrounded by peritrematic atrium. Peritreme, poroids and solenostomes near stigmata and post-stigmatal plate indistinct.

Legs (Figs. 4–5) – All pre-tarsi with a pair of claws and a membranous ambulacrum. Leg length: I 1250 (1143–1296), II 1064 (1017–1134), III 1087 (1031–1134), IV 1223 (1197–1278) long. Leg chaetotaxy: coxae: I—0 0/1 0/1 0 (all setae truncated) (Fig. 4a); II—0 0/1 0/1 0 (all setae truncated) (Fig. 4b); III—0 0/1 0/1 0 (av conical form, pv truncated) (Fig. 5a); IV—0 0/1 0/0 0 (av with base inflated) (Fig. 5b); trochanters: I—1 1/1 0/2 1 (av and pv1 truncated; pv2 with base inflated) (Fig. 4a); II—1 0/1 0/2 1 (av, pv1 conical form; pv2 with base inflated) (Fig. 4b); III—1 1/1 0/2 0 (al, pv1 conical form) (Fig. 5a); IV—1 1/1 0/2 0 (ad hooked, pv1 conical form) (Fig. 5b); femora: I—2 3/1 2/3 2 (ad1-ad3, pd1-pd2 macrosetae; av, pv1-pv3 falciform, pl1 conical form) (Fig. 4a); II—2 3/1 2/2 1 (ad1, pd1-pd2 macrosetae; ad3 microseta) (Fig. 4b); III—1 2/1 1/1 1 (ad1, al conical form, pd, pl thick) (Fig 5a); IV—1 2/1 1/1 1; genua: I—2 3/2 3/1 2 (ad3, pd3, pl1-pl2 conical form, ad1-ad2, pd1-pd2 thick) (Fig. 4a); II—2 3/1 2/1 2 (pl1-pl2, av conical form, pv hooked) (Fig. 4b); III—2 2/1 2/1 2 (all setae conical form) (Fig. 5a); IV—2 2/1 3/1 2 (ad2, pd3 conical form) (Fig. 5b); tibiae: I—2 3/2 3/1 2 (ad3, pd3 truncated, ad2, pd2, pl1-pl2 conical form) (Fig. 4a); II—2 2/1 2/1 2 (pl1-pl2 conical form; pv hooked) (Fig. 4b); III—2 1/1 2/1 2 (al1, pd2, pv thick; pl1-pl2 conical form) (Fig. 5a); IV—2 1/1 3/1 2 (ad hooked, al1 conical form, al2, pd2 thick) (Fig. 5b). Tarsi I not counted, tarsi II-IV with 18 setae each. Apical seta of tarsus II modified (large claw-like) (Fig. 4b).

Type material

One holotype female and six paratype females collected from first metasomal tergite of Xylocopa pubescens, at Serapeum village (30°36′07.31″N, 32°06′55.01″E), Suez-Canal, Ismailia governorate, at Apr. 2022; four paratype females collected from the same previous host and location, at 29 Feb. 2022; three paratype females collected from the same previous host, at Abu Suwayr village (30°34′15.78″N, 32°06′55.12″E), Suez-Canal, Ismailia governorate, at 28 Feb. 2022; collected by M.S. Kamel; all mite specimens are deposited in the mite reference collection of the Egyptian Society of Acarology Museum (ESAM), Zoology and Agricultural Nematology Department, the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza governorate, Egypt.

Etymology

The epithet pubescensae delivered from ''pubescens'' the species name of the host insect (Xylocopa pubescens), from which type specimens were isolated.

Remarks

According to the phylogenetic analysis of the genus by Lundqvist (1999), the 36 characteristics for Dinogamasus pubescensae n. sp. as follows: 1) length of dorsal shield (1300–1800 long); 2) dorsum hypertrichy; 3) dorsal setae reach the nearest posterior neighbors (overlapping); 4) all dorsal setae straight; 5) with holodorsal shield; 6) internal posterior hypostomal setae (h3) short, not reach the insertion of the palp-coxal setae (pc); 7) one long ventral seta on palp-femur, not reach tip of palp; 8) several setae thickened and modified on palp-tibia; 9) fixed cheliceral digit less than half the length of movable digit; 10) sternal shield with two pairs of long setae; 11) with no accessory setae on sternal shield; 12) st2 longest pair of sternal setae; 13) st1 reach the insertion of st3; 14) distance between insertion of st3 shorter than distance between st1; 15) setae st4 present; 16) more than ten pairs of long setae between genital and anal shields; 17) anal shield longer than genital shield; 18) para-anal setae reach the insertion of post-anal seta; 19) anal shield rectangular; 20) chaetotaxy; no deviation in the number of setae on podomeres of legs III and IV from the formula given as typical for the genus, except for trochanter III (ad present, pl absent); 21–23) all ventral setae of trochanter I modified (av, pv1 truncated; pv2 with base inflated); 24) seta pv of femur I modified (setae pv1-pv3 falciform); 25, 26) ventral setae of trochanter II modified (av, pv1 conical form; pv2 with base inflated); 27) setae ad1-ad2, pd1-pd2 of genu I thick; 28) seta ad3 of tibia I modified (truncated); 29) setae on coxa I-III modified (all setae truncated, except av of coxa III, conical form); 30, 31) seta pl1 of genu and tibia I modified (conical form); 32) seta pv of genu and tibia II hooked; 33) three pv setae on femur I; 34) five setae on trochanter IV; 35) apical seta of tarsus II large claw-like; 36) seta av of femur II not modified (setiform and thick).

Based on the matrix analysis of the previous characters given by Lundqvist (1999) and Attasopa et al. (2021), the new species is resamples Dinogamasus acutus LeVeque, 1930, D. affinis (Berlese, 1918), D. braunsi (Vitzthum, 1914), D. heteraspis LeVeque, 1930, D. hirtissima (Berlese, 1910), D. inflatus LeVeque, 1930, D. kazerunensis Joharchi, Khodaparast & Moghadam, 2016, and D. oudemansi LeVeque, 1930.

The most important differences are: Dinogamasus acutus differs from the new species by having one long ventral seta on palp-femur, reach tip of palp (characters 7) (not reach tip of palp in D. pubescensae n. sp.); anal shield semicircular (character 19) (rectangular in D. pubescensae n. sp.), anal shield shorter than genital shield (character 17) (longer than genital shield in D. pubescensae n. sp.); ventral setae of trochanter I long (character 23) (setae av and pv1 truncated; pv2 with base inflated in D. pubescensae n. sp.), seta pv3 of femur I conical form (character 24) (falciform in D. pubescensae n. sp.), setae ad2 and pd2 of genu and tibia I setiform (characters 27) (conical form in D. pubescensae n. sp.), seta pl1 of genu and tibia I large setiform (characters 30, 31) (conical form in D. pubescensae n. sp.). Dinogamasus affinis having length of dorsal shield less than 1300 long (character 1) (1541 long in D. pubescensae n. sp.); no modified setae on palp-tibia (character 8) (three modified setae in D. pubescensae n. sp.); with accessory setae on sternum (character 11) (absent in D. pubescensae n. sp.), distance st3-st3 more than half-length of distance st1-st1 (character 14) (shorter than distance st1-st1 in D. pubescensae n. sp.), about 5–8 setae between genital and anal shields (character 16) (more than ten setae in D. pubescensae n. sp.), anal shield semicircular, shorter than genital shield, para-anal setae not reaching post-anal seta (character 18) (reaching post-anal seta in D. pubescensae n. sp.); seta pv2 of trochanter I bulbiform, seta pv3 of femur I setiform, seta pl1 of genu and tibia I large setiform. Dinogamasus braunsi having length of dorsal shield less than 1300 long; with accessory setae on sternum, about 8–10 setae between genital and anal shields, anal shield semicircular, anal and genital shields equal in length, para-anal setae not reaching post-anal seta; seta pv2 of trochanter I bulbiform, seta av of trochanter I conical form (character 22) (truncated in D. pubescensae n. sp.), ventral setae of trochanter I long, seta pv3 of femur I truncated, seta pv2 of trochanter II bulbiform (character 25) (with base inflated in D. pubescensae n. sp.), seta pl1 of genu and tibia I large setiform. Dinogamasus heteraspis having two thick setae on palp-tibia; anal and genital shields almost equal in length, para-anal setae not reaching post-anal seta; seta pv3 of femur I truncated, seta pl1 of genu and tibia I large setiform. Dinogamasus hirtissima having length of dorsal shield 1700 long; with no modified setae on palp-tibia; para-anal setae not reaching post-anal seta; ventral setae of trochanter I long, seta pv3 of femur I conical form, seta pl1 of genu and tibia I large setiform, tarsus II with two modified setae (character 35) (with one apical seta, large claw-like in D. pubescensae n. sp.). Dinogamasus inflatus having length of dorsal shield less than 1300 long; with no modified setae on palp-tibia; anal and genital shields equal in length, para-anal setae not reaching post-anal seta; ventral setae of trochanter I long, seta pv3 of femur I conical form, seta pl1 of genu and tibia I large setiform, tarsus II with two modified setae (distally: hooked, claw-like, second: long, ensiform). Dinogamasus kazerunensis having anal shield shorter than genital shield, para-anal setae not reaching post-anal seta; seta pv3 on femur I conical form, seta ad3 on tibia I conical form (character 28) (truncated in D. pubescensae n. sp.), only seta pv on tibia II hooked (character 32) (seta pv of genu and tibia II hooked in D. pubescensae n. sp.). Dinogamasus oudemansi having length of dorsal shield less than 1300 long; fixed cheliceral digit about half the length of movable digit (character 9) (less than half the length of movable digit in D. pubescensae n. sp.), one long seta on palp-femur, reach tip of palp, three thick setae on palp-tibia; anal shield semicircular, shorter than genital shield; setae av and pv1 of trochanter I ensiform and pv2 bulbiform, seta pv3 of femur I truncated, setae ad1-ad2 and pd1-pd2 of genu and tibia I setiform, seta pl1 of genu and tibia I large setiform.

Chaetotaxy formula of legs I-IV typical for the genus according to Lundqvist (1999), except for femur I of the new species has 13 setae (pd3 absent: 2 3/1 2/3 2), trochanter III (ad present, pl absent: 1 1/1 0/2 0).

Modification of the key of Lundqvist's (1999) to allow identification of D. pubescensae n. sp.

The couplet 6 is modified as follows:

6A. Fixed digit of chelicera half the length of movable digit, small sized (Lundqvist 1999, p. 85)
...... D. oudemansi

— Fixed digit of chelicera less than half the length of movable digit; middle sized
...... 6B

6B. One long ventral seta on palp-femur, reach tip of palp; anal shield semicircular, shorter than genital shield (Lundqvist 1999, p. 46)
...... D. acutus

— One long ventral seta on palp-femur, not reach tip of palp; anal shield rectangular, longer than genital shield
...... D. pubescensae n. sp.

Discussion

Differently from what was reported by Joharchi et al. (2016), this is the fourth study report on the genus Dinogamasus from the Middle East after Zaher et al. (1980) and El-Kawas (2011) both in Egypt and Joharchi et al. (2016) in Iran. All together including the new species herein described are three species.

Dinogamasus pubescensae n. sp. is a typical member of the braunsi group associated with the subgenera Koptortosoma of the genus Xylocopa for the African continent; this strongly supports the theory that Xylocopa pubescens originated on the African continent and migrated eastward, rather than being an Asiatic species that migrated westward.

New concept of genus Dinogamasus

The new species is consistent with the diagnosis of the genus Dinogamasus, with the exception of a dorsal seta present on the chelicera and the presence of endopodal and metapodal plates, which have never been observed before among species of this genus.

These unusual character states are specifically excluded in the diagnosis of the genus. Based on the observation of the new species herein described, changing the taxonomic concept of the genus is important. Therefore, the new concepts of the genus are: 1) chelicera with dorsal seta present; 2) endopodal and metapodal plates present.

The new species obviously belongs in Dinogamasus, but it lacks some character states that are usually diagnostic for the genus. If the loss of the dorsal cheliceral seta and the endopodal plates are apomorphic character states for the genus, this species could be an early derivative form that represents the sister group to all the rest of the genus. This is an important point that discussed in this paper.

These important characters should be considered and included in the diagnosis of the genus given in Moraes et al. (2022: 49–50); however, genus Dinogamasus can still be identified correctly in the key to genera in Moraes et al. (2022).

Relationship of Dinogamasus to its related genera Raymentia Womersley and Stigmatolaelaps Krant

Only Dinogamasus species have a nude genital shield among bee-associated laelapids; however, Raymentia shares none of the other striking synapomorphies of Dinogamasus species, such as the absence of deutosternal denticles, loss of peritreme, sternal shield with 1–2 pairs of setae, blunt corniculi, retention of the protonymphal chaetome on the palp-tibia of the adult, and extensive idiosomal hypertrichy (Lundqvist 1999).

A nude genital shield, eroded sternal shield, and the enlarged peritrematal atrium of Raymentia argue for a relationship to the Dinogamasus-Stigmatolaelaps clade (Krantz 1998; Lundqvist 1999). The stigma is typically about the same width as the peritreme, but distinctly enlarged in Raymentia, Stigmatolaelaps and Dinogamasus (Moraes et al. 2022).

Raymentia species, according to Walter et al. (2002), are primarily pollenkitt-feeders, as the tong-like chelicerae would be well suited to capturing nectar-coated pollen grains and keeping them during external digestion (Royce and Krantz 1989). This form of interaction is probably best considered kleptoparasitism or food theft, and appears to be at least marginally harmful to the developing bee larvae.

However, as the complex relationship between Dinogamasus and Xylocopa spp. demonstrates, the actual fitness implications of a mite-bee interaction can be challenging. Given the relatively large size of Raymentia species, the pollen resource drain on developing bees could be severe. The two large genera of laelapid bee mites, Dinogamasus and Stigmatolaelaps, are nest associates of carpenter (Xylocopinae) and leaf-cutting (Megachilidae) bees in Asia and Africa (Krantz 1998; Lundqvist 1999).

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are to Dr Bruce Halliday (Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Australia) for his invaluable help for providing necessary publications used to conduct the present work. Grateful thanks are to Dr Sally F.M. Allam's Laboratory (Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt) for offering many facilities to finish the current work.

References

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