Revelo-Tobar, Harol ¹

¹✉ Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico.

2024 - Volume: 64 Issue: 3 pages: 687-696

ZooBank LSID: 49CC3B53-D6A8-4AB3-A28D-E131D6E8C679

Original research

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction

The genus Cavernocepheus proposed by Balogh and Mahunka (1969), is distinguished within the family Otocepheidae by the presence of a deep cavity in the sejugal region. Ermilov and Starý (2018) established two subgenera, Cavernocepheus (Cavernocepheus), which includes the neotropical species: C. (C.) monstruosus Balogh & Mahunka, 1969 from Brazil and Costa Rica, C. (C.) monticola P. Balogh, 1989 from Ecuador, C. (C.) acutus, C. (C.) furcatus and C. (C.) fusifer P. Balogh & Palacios-Vargas, 1997 from Mexico, C. (C.) obliquus and C. (C.) undulatus P. Balogh, 2002 from Costa Rica and C (C.) longicristatus Ermilov, 2024 from Guatemala. These species are essentially characterized by the presence of three pairs of genital setae and the absence of median prodorsal condyles. The second subgenus, Cavernocepheus (Paracavernocepheus) comprises the Afrotropical species: C. (P.) concavus and C. (P.) nortonroyi, both described by Ermilov and Starý (2018) from Cameroon, as well as C. (P.) hlavaci and C. (P.) mulanjensis, described by Ermilov and Starý (2022) from Malawi. These species are characterized by the presence of four pairs of genital setae and median prodorsal condyles.

Ermilov and Starý (2018, 2022) and Ermilov (2024) offer a revised diagnosis for Cavernocepheus, along with dichotomous keys for all species of the genus. Additionally, they provide a detailed description and high-quality illustrations of the morphology of the three body views (dorsal, ventral and lateral), gnathosoma, chelicerae, palps and legs. Contrary to the neotropical species, which have brief and not very detailed descriptions (Balogh and Mahunka 1969; Balogh and Palacios-Vargas 1997) or nonexistent as in the case of C. (C.) obliquus and C. (C.) undulatus (Balogh & Balogh 2002). The Neotropical species require an urgent revision and redescription due to the current situation, which prevents a thorough comparison and discussion of their morphological variation. This paper aims to describe two new species of the genus Cavernocepheus.

Material and methods

Sampling and observations

For the extraction of oribatid mites, Berlese-Tullgren funnels were used. Specimens were macerated with 85% lactic acid for two weeks and permanent preparations were made, using Hoyer liquid as an mounting medium; the preparations were left to dry for two weeks at 45 °C and sealed with enamel paint for permanent preservation (Walter and Krantz 2009). To illustrate and measure the new species, some specimens were mounted in temporary preparations with lactic acid on excavated slides. Measurements of the structures were made on photographs of the specimens, which were taken with a Canon Rebel T6® camera, adapted to a Carl Zeiss® Photomicroscope III differential interference contrast microscopy and an AmScope® B660B compound microscope using an AmScope NDPL-2 adapter (2x). For full-body illustrations (ventral, dorsal and lateral), one individual was placed on a dark base and photographed with a 10x objective. Rendering was performed with the Helicon Focus 7® program, using method B (depth map). Final editing and drawings were done with GIMP version 2.10.20, using a transparent layer superimposed on a high-resolution photograph.

Body length was measured in ventral view, from the tip of the rostrum to the posterior edge of the notogaster, while the width of the notogaster was measured dorsally at the level of lm setae. Legs and gnathosoma were dissected for photographing and measuring. Both sides of genital and anal plates were measured together. Formulas for leg setation are presented in the following order: trochanter, femur, genu, tibia and tarsus (including famulus), the solenidia are placed in parentheses according to the order: genu, tibia and tarsus. All measurements are given in micrometers (μm).

Terminology

The present work adopts the terminology established by F. Grandjean (Norton, 1977) for legs, Ermilov and Starý (2018, 2022) for Cavernocepheus description, and (Norton and Behan-Pelletier 2009) for a general overview.

Abbreviations

Prodorsal setae: rostral ro, lamellar le, interlamellar in, bothridial bs, exobothridial ex; costulae cos; tutoria tu; lateral prodorsal condyles co.pl.; lateral notogastral condyles co.nl.; projections of lateral notogastral condyles p. co.nl.; notogastral setae c, la, lm, lp, h1, h2, h3, p1, p2, p3; notogastral lyrifissures ia, im, ih, ips, ip; opisthonotal glands opening gla; cristae cr; subcapitular setae h, m, a; cheliceral setae cha, chb; Trägårdh's organ Tg; palps setae v, l, d, vt, cm, acm, ul, sul; pedotecta I, II: Pd I, Pd II; epimeral setae 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 4c; discidium dis; aggenital lyrifissures iag; genital setae g1-3; aggenital setae ag; anal setae an1-2; adanal setae ad1-3; preanal organ p.o.; ventral ridge vr; leg setae v, ev, d, l, bv, ft, tc, it, p, u, a, s, pv; solenidia tarsi ω, tibiae σ, genua φ; famulus ɛ; porose area p.a.

Taxonomy

Family Otocepheidae Balogh, 1961

Genus Cavernocepheus Balogh & Mahunka, 1969

Subgenus Cavernocepheus (Cavernocepheus) Balogh & Mahunka, 1969

Type species: Cavernocepheus (Cavernocepheus) monstruosus Balogh & Mahunka, 1969

Cavernocepheus (Cavernocepheus) icpallitelleriani n. sp.

ZOOBANK: 38F9DC65-AAE6-41EF-915C-52861D4301CE

(Figures 1–2)

Diagnosis

Body length: 679–732 µm . Prodorsal setae (ro, le, in) setiform and slightly barbed. Exobotridial seta small. Bothridial seta long and clavate, head only slightly broader than stalk and slightly covered with spines. Lateral prodorsal condyles rounded, medial prodorsal condyles absent. Lateral notogastral condyles subtriangular anteriorly, medial end forming an elongated and pointed projection. Elongated cristae reaching level of seta h1. Notogaster with 10 pairs of medium, setiform and finely barbed setae. Three pairs of small, setiform and very slender genital setae and longer aggenital setae, with a flagelliform tip. Two pairs of rigid anal setae. Setae u of all legs spiniform.

Description of adult

Measurements — Body length: 732 µm (holotype, male), 679–732 (two paratypes, males); notogaster width: 326.3 (holotype), 303–326 (two paratypes). Body ratio: 2.1–2.2.

Integument — Desaturated orange color on notogaster, more intense on edges of genital, anal, epimeral and gnathosomal plates; bright reddish orange in lateral notogastral condyles projections, genae and legs (more intense on femurs and trochanters). Costula and tutorium foveolate basally. Body surface completely covered by cerotegument microgranules. Reticulate pattern in the cuticle between pedotecta I–II, tubercles of different sizes between pedotecta II–III.

Prodorsum — Rostrum rounded. Costula long, beginning at bothridium and ending shortly after insertion of lamellar seta. Prodorsal (ss\textgreater le\textgreater ro\textgreater in\textgreater ex); rostral (74–78) and lamellar (78–90) setae setiform, finely barbed, curved. Interlamellar seta (46–46) setiform, rigid and finely barbed. Exobotridial seta setiform, minute (5). Bothridial seta (174–179) slightly clavate, head (4–6) covered with dispersed barbs. Tutorium present. Lateral prodorsal condyle rounded.

Notogaster — Typical concavity of Cavernocepheus along the sejugal area. Lateral notogastral condyle with small subtriangular projection anteriorly, inner end forming an elongated and pointed projection, anterior half of projection transverse, the posterior half is directed posteriorly, parallel (1–1.5 times their width separated) or diagonally (in some paratypes); in the latter case, tips crisscrossed. Medial notogastral condyles absent. Crista well developed, forming a canal reaching level of alveoli of seta h1, more widely spaced in anterior portion. Notogaster with 10 pairs of small (27–33), setiform and finely barbed setae. Lyrifissure ia posterior to seta c, im posterolateral to la, ih anterior to h3, ips diagonal closer to p3 than to h3, ip almost transverse between p3 and p2. Opisthonotal gland at same level as im.

Gnathosoma — Subcapitulum size 146 x 106. Subcapitular setae (h\textgreater m\textgreater a) setiform, barbed, h (46–48) curved and thinner, m (43) straight and a (26) slightly curved at the base and bacilliform. Palp (80), setal formula 0-2-1-3-8 (+ω); solenidia of palptarsi lateral, 1/2 length of tarsus. Postpalpal setae (10) spiniform and smooth. Chelicera (152.5) with two setiform and barbed setae, cha (46-50) longer than chb (18).

Epimeral and lateral podosomal region —Epimeral formula 3-1-3-3; setae setiform and slightly barbed; 1b and 3c (51–58) longer than 3b, 4a (44–45) and 1c, 4b, 4c (30–31), 1a, 2a, 3a (17–23) smallest. Discidium triangular with rounded apex. Pedotecta I and II well developed.

Anogenital region — Genital plates size (62 x 68–70); two longitudinal ridges originating at level of seta 4a terminating anterior of level of aggenital setae. Three pairs of short genital setae (18–23), setiform, slender, slightly barbed. Lyrifissure iag, curved, located anterolateral to the genital plate. Aggenital setae (37–48) setiform, finely barbed, with short flagellate tip. Anal plates size (103–108 x 119–123); two pairs of anal setae (24–25), setiform, small, rigid. Adanal setae small (26–27), setiform, barbed. Lyrifissures iad absent or inconspicuous.

Legs — (Table 1): Legs typically monodactylous, with a strong and large claw. Femora I–II and genua III–IV with pointed lateral and anterior tooth, tooth on genu smaller than on femur. Porose areas on medial section of femora III–IV. Formula of setae and leg solenidia: I (1-4-3-4-16) [1-2-2], II (1-4-3-3-15) [1-1-2], III (2-2-1-2-15) [1-1-0], IV (1-2-2-2-12) [0-1-0] (table 2). Tarsal solenidia of leg I longer than on leg II, famulus small, ending in tip and located posterior of solenidion ω1.

Material examined

Holotype, male; two paratypes, males: primary forest, mainly consisting of Pinus michoacana Martínez (Pinaceae) and Quercus rugosa Née (Fagaceae) in the municipality of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro (19°23′27.87″ N 102°10′30.87″ W) at 2160 m a.s.l. in Michoacan State, Mexico.

Type deposition

The holotype (preserved in 70% alcohol and glycerin) and two paratypes: one in 70% alcohol and glycerin and another in permanent preparations of Hoyer's liquid, were deposited in the collection of CNAC México.

Etymology

The name ''icpallitelleriani'' is derived from the combination of two words: ''icpalli'' (meaning'seat' in Nahuatl) and ''telleriani'' (from the Codex Telleriano-Remensis). This name is attributed to the distinctive manner in which the seats, upon which the Mexica gods repose, are depicted in this significant Nahua codex. These illustrations bear an exceptional resemblance to the lateral notogastral condyles, which constitute the primary diagnostic feature of this species.

Remarks

Cavernocepheus (Cavernocepheus) icpallitelleriani n. sp. differs from all species of the subgenus, by the presence (versus absence) of an elongate, pointed projection of the lateral notogastral condyles.

Cavernocepheus (Cavernocepheus) xipetoteci n. sp.

ZOOBANK: 5983FCAF-E370-40F5-8AA9-E6C44AE46DCF

Figures (3–4)

Diagnosis

Body length: 577–728 μm. Rostral and lamellar setae setiform, interlamellar bacilliform. Exobotridial seta small. Bothridial seta long and rod-shaped, head only slightly wider than stalk and flat. Lateral prodorsal condyle subtriangular; lateral notogastral condyle rectangular, with rounded anterior edge. Crista elongate to median region between setae h1 and h2. Notogaster with 10 pairs of medium-sized, rigid, minutely barbed setae. Three pairs of small, setiform and very slender genital setae; two pairs of rigid anal setae, adanal setae ad1>ad2>ad3. Setae u of all legs spiniform.

Description of adult

Measurements — Body length: 577 (holotype, male) and 620–728 (four paratypes, females); notogaster width: 250 (holotype) and 272–303 (four paratypes). Body ratio: 2.1–2.5.

Integument — Color desaturated orange on notogaster, more intense on edges of genital, anal, epimeral and gnathosomal plates; bright reddish orange on genae and legs (more intense on femurs and trochanters). Body surface completely covered with cerotegument microgranules. Tutorium foveolate basally. Tubercles of different sizes arranged laterally, between pedotecta I–III.

Prodorsum — Rostrum rounded. Costula long (167–169) beginning at insertions of interlamellar seta and ending shortly (21–26) posterior to lamellar seta. Prodorsal (ss>le>ro>in>ex); rostral (60–83) and lamellar (67–87) setae setiform, slightly barbed, and curved, with very fine tip. Interlamellar seta (44–54) bacilliform, slightly barbed (inconspicuous at 40x), rigid, with rounded tip, only slightly less narrowed than base. Exobotridial seta setiform and minute. Bothridial seta (109–124) smooth, slightly fusiform; head (6–7) flattened, with small incision, slightly wider than stalk. Tutorium (134) arched present. Lateral prodorsal condyle rounded.

Notogaster — Typical concavity of Cavernocepheus along the sejugal area. Lateral notogastral condyle quadrangular, anterior edge (width 41–45) rounded and with a small incision at lateral end, condyle separation: 49–52. Crista (216–234) well developed, forming a channel projecting and narrowing halfway between setae h1 and h2. Notogaster with 10 pairs of medium-sized setae (36–46), size variable among different specimens but uniform among setae, setae la (44–54) slightly larger than other, setiform, barbed and rigid (appearance similar to in, although thinner). Lyrifissure (14–18), ia transverse posterior to c; im longitudinal and posterolateral to la; ih, ips and ip diagonal. Opisthonotal gland separated from im an equivalent to the length of this lyrifissure.

Gnathosoma — Subcapitulum size 110 x 94. Subcapitular setae (h>m>a) setiform and barbed, h (31–37) curved and thinner than others, m (29–31), a (21–27) straight. Rutellum dentate, with the lateral tooth larger, rutellar brush, size: three-quarters length of lateral tooth. Palp (61), setal formula 0-2-1-3-8 (+ω); solenidion of palptarsi lateral, 1/2 length of tarsus. Postpalpal setae spiniform and smooth. Chelicera (115) with two setiform and barbed setae, cha (37–38) longer than chb (14). Trägårdh organ (43–50) triangular.

Epimeral and lateral podosomal region — Epimeral formula 3-1-3-3; setae setiform and slightly barbed; 3c (39–43) longer than 1b (34–36), 3b, 4a and 4c (27–31), 1a, 1c, 2a, 3a, 4b smallest (13–17). Triangular discidium with rounded tip. Pedotecta I and II well developed.

Anogenital region — Genital plates size (48–60 x 58–69), three pairs of short genital setae (22–28), setiform, thin and slightly barbed. Lyrifissure iag, curved, located anterolateral to the genital plate. Aggenital seta (42) setiform, finely barbed, with short flagellate tip. Anal plate size (81–96 x 88–100), anal setae (21–25), setiform, finely barbed and rigid, adanal setae similar to anal setae: ad1 (35–40), ad2 (31–33), ad3 (23–30). Lyrifissure iad absent or inconspicuous.

Legs — (Table 3): Legs typically monodactylous, with strong and large claw. Femora I–II and genua III–IV with pointed lateral and anterior tooth. Porose areas on medial section of femora I–II and posterior section of femora III–IV. Formula of setae and solenidia: I (1-4-3-4-16) [1-2-2], II (1-4-3-3-15) [1-1-2], III (2-2-1-2-15) [1-1-0], IV (1-2-2-2-12) [0-1-0] (table 4). Solenidia ω1 and ω2 bacilliform; ω1 on leg I terminating in fine tip, others in rounded tip. Famulus of tarsus I small, ending in tip and situated posterior to solenidion ω1. Setae u spiniform on all legs. Setae v′ (32 µm) on genu II prominent, equal to half size of tibia II, strongly ciliated.

Material examined

Holotype, male; four paratypes, females: mesophilic mountain forest at Cerro de la Escamela (18°52′05.47″ N 97°05′15.87″ W) at 1587 m a.s.l. in Orizaba, Veracruz State, Mexico.

Type deposition

The holotype (female), and four paratypes (females) preserved in 70% alcohol and glycerin were deposited in the CNAC Mexico collection.

Etymology

The name ''xipetoteci'' refers to the Mexica God ''Xipe Tótec'' God of life, death, resurrection, agriculture and vegetation. It represents renewal, the shedding of what is no longer useful, as well as the regeneration of dry soil into fertile soil, which is completely related to the ecological importance of oribatid mites in ecosystems.

Remarks

Cavernocepheus (Cavernocepheus) xipetoteci n. sp. is similar to C. (C.) longicristatus Ermilov, 2024 in the shape of the lateral notogastral condyle, the elongate crista reaching or surpassing the level of the lp setae, and in having a foveolate tutoria. However, the new species is distinguished from the other one by the bothridial seta with a fusiform (vs. setiform) head, size of the notogastral setae 36–46 (vs. 22–26) and seta u on leg I spiniform (vs. setiform).

Acknowledgments

To CONAHCYT (Consejo Nacional de Humanidades Ciencia y Tecnología) for supporting the author's master's degree studies, to Biol. Gerardo Quintos for making the illustrations, to Dr. Pablo Antonio Martínez (Universidad del Mar del Plata) and two anonymous reviewers for his valuable suggestions to improve the manuscript.

References

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2. Balogh J., Mahunka S. 1969. The scientific results of the Hungarian soil zoological expeditions to South America. 10. Acari: Oribatids, collected by the second expedition. Acta Zool. Acad. Sci. Hung., 15 (1-2): 1-21.
3. Balogh P. 1989. Oribatid mites from Ecuador (Acari) II. Acta Zool. Hung. 35:17-28.
4. Balogh P., Palacios-Vargas J.G. 1997. Three new Cavernocepheus species (Acari: Oribatei: Otocepheidae) from Mexico. Opusc. Zool. Budapest, (29-30): 31-34.Ermilov S.G. 2024. New Species of Oribatid Mites (Acari, Oribatida) of the Genera Arcoppia (Oppiidae) and Cavernocepheus (Otocepheidae) from Guatemala.» International Journal of Acarology 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2024.2337204
5. Ermilov S.G., Starý, J. 2018. Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Cavernocepheus (Acari, Oribatida, Otocepheidae). Syst. Appl. Acarol., 23 (3): 489-500. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.23.3.8
6. Ermilov S.G., Starý J. 2022. Two new species of Cavernocepheus (Acari, Oribatida, Otocepheidae) from Malawi. Acarologia, 62 (2): 396-403. https://doi.org/10.24349/eyzw-dpwh
7. Norton R.A. 1977. A review of F. Grandjean's system of leg chaetotaxy in the Oribatei (Acari) and its application to the family Damaeidae. In: Dindal D.L: (Ed.). Biology of oribatid mites. Syracuse: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. pp. 33-61.
8. Norton R.A., Behan-Pelletier V. 2009. Suborder Oribatida. In: Krantz G.W., Walter D.E. (Eds.). A manual of acarology (TX). Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. Chapter 15. pp. 430-564.
9. Walter D.E., Krantz G.W. 2009. Collection, rearing, and preparing specimens. In: Krantz G.W., Walter D.E. (Eds.). A manual of acarology (TX). Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. Chapter 7. pp. 430-564.

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