New Leptogamasus mite species (Parasitiformes: Parasitidae) from Europe. III. Northern and Central Italy

This paper describes five new species of mites in the family Parasitidae from Italy, namely, Leptogamasus (Leptogamasus) bucerus n. sp., Leptogamasus (L.) cortinis n. sp., Leptogamasus (L.) silvestris n. sp. and Leptogamasus (L.) parasilvestris n. sp. from northern Italy, and Leptogamasus (L.) monteamiatus n. sp. from Tuscany.


Introduction
Mites belonging to the genus Leptogamasus Trägårdh, 1936 and subgenus Leptogamasus s. str. are commonly found in forest litter in Europe. Their general features have been outlined in previous papers (Witaliński, 2019; Witaliński, 2020, and new species were recently described from northern Italy (Witaliński, 2021). At least 12 new species are present in collections, and they will be described in a series of papers discussing the species from Romania, Karawanki Mts, and Austria, as well as from two areas in Italy, i.e. Tuscany (Vallombrosa) and Sardinia. In the present study, the following four Leptogamasus (Leptogamasus) species from northern Italy are described, as well as one new species from Tuscany. The main features of these species are the same as in the other members of Leptogamasus Trägårdh, 1936 s. str. subgenus (Witaliński, 2021).

Materials and Methods
The methods applied in the present study were described in detail in the previous paper in this series (Witaliński, 2020). The structure of the podonotum in these species is very uniform, so it is not described in detail for every species. The studied material was collected by the author, otherwise indicated.  Abbreviations: II-IV the openings for coxae II to IV; Ad and PA adanal and postanal setae, respectively; gv1-gv3 gland openings; st1-st5 sternal setae; JV, ZV and SV series of opisthogastric setae; iv1-iv3, iv5, ivo2, ivo3 pore openings.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 3G) trispinate, with pointed, similarly narrow and moderately long prongs, the central one somewhat longer. Corniculi conical, hypostome with 11 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 barbed. Chelicera (Fig. 3H) -movable digit with four teeth, the proximal one larger. Fixed digit with two distant teeth in front of pilus dentilis and two behind it, followed by a lamellar edge.
Legs. Setae al1, al2 on Fe II short and thick, the anteroventral seta enlarged and barbed. Ti II with thickened and barbed ventral setae. Leg IV: posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur thick and short, posteroventral seta on the tibia thickened and barbed. Some ventral and posterolateral setae on the tarsus, as well as the posteroventral seta on the basitarsus, thickened and terminally barbed. Tr IV without the dorsal tubercle. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 4C) prongs similar and shorter than in the female. Corniculi (Fig. 4D) adaxial margin sinuous, hypostome with 13 rows of denticles, hypostomal setae simple, palpcoxal setae barbed and slightly larger than hypostomals. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 larger and barbed. Chelicera (Fig. 4E,F) -movable digit ( Fig. 4F) with one tooth followed by a semicircular edge proximally, fixed digit nearly straight, blunt and widened apically, and with an arcuate elevation of the external (dorsal) margin. Teeth absent except for the lamellar minute tooth-like protrusion between pilus dentilis and the apex of digit.
Legs. Ventral seta v1 of Tr I simple, seta v2 barbed. Tibia II shows a characteristic distal tubercle on the anterolateral surface. Leg II is spurred as follows: when observed from the ventral side (Fig. 5A), femoral main spur is finger-shaped, axillary process hooked and directed posterolaterally, genual spur is oriented obliquely to the article axis, the tibial spur is oriented axially. When viewed from the lateral side, leg II (Fig. 5B) shows finger-like femoral main spur, axillary process half-moon shaped, and spurs on the genu and tibia conical, located at some distance from the distal article margin. Tibial spur is somewhat longer than the genual one. Most of setae on leg II are simple, but setae al1 and al2 on tibia and pv1 on the genu are barbed. Anterolateral setae on basitarsus and tarsus thickened and finely barbed. Setae al2 and ad2 on the femur shorter and thicker, seta al1 thickened, ad3 needle-like. Leg IV setation as in the female. Tubercle on Tr IV absent. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.   2003, other data as in the holotype; 11 females, 7 males (slides no. 1819, 1922 C, 1930, 1931 A-C, 1937 C, 1955, 1963 A), litter and moss on the rocks, other data as in the holotype, leg. in part by M. Skorupski.

Material examined
Type deposition. The types are deposited in the Zoological Division of the Nature Education Centre, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.

Etymology
The specific name bucerus (lat. (from gr.) bucerus = boasting large horns) refers to the large and forked stipule of the female endogynium.
Female. Presternal plates moderately distant, with axially directed protrusions; sternal shield anterior margin arcuate; the anterior margins of epigynial shield slightly wavy, posterolateral ones short and convex, internal (dorsal) surface of the epigynium with two prominent teeth; endogynium with elongated spherules, their pointed anterior poles close together, endogynial sac walls with one pair of tubercles dorsally to the spherules; two lamellar teeth present below or in front of the spherular tips, stipule large and wide, usually directed ventrally, bearing several denticles in the central part.
Male. Genital lamina anterior and lateral margins concave, anterior corners rounded; presternal plates with circular central area; corniculi with tubercular protrusion on the ventral side; hypostome with arcuate thickenings at the corniculi level; chelicera movable digit with obliquely cut tip and one tooth, fixed digit narrow, bearing lamellar protrusion on the ventral margin in between pilus dentilis and digit apex, as well as a tubercular protrusion on the dorsal margin, followed be the margin incision; leg II from the lateral perspective with the femur main spur straight, finger-shaped, the axillary process half-moon shaped, spur on the genu rectangular, spur on the tibia conical, genual and tibial spurs in some distance from the distal article margins; posteroventral seta on the Ti IV thickened and barbed. In holotype 35 (st1), 38 (st2), 38 (st3), 39 (st4), 38 (st5), 37 (JV1), 24 (ZV1). Ventral setae simple, reticulation of the opisthogaster scale-like. Anterior margin of the sternal shield arcuate, presternal plates moderately distant at the thickness of tritosternum, each one with an adaxial protrusion, the area between the presternal plates and the sternum margin with reticulation. The pores gv1 located axially, not far one another, and close to the posterior margin of the sternum. Paragynial shields (Figs 7A, 8A) with arcuate metagynial sclerites. Epigynial shield (Figs 7A, 8B), the anterior margins slightly wavy, posterolateral ones convex, and the posterior margin straight. A less pigmented area is located subapically. Two prominent teeth present on the internal (dorsal) surface of the epigynium. Endogynium (Figs 7A, 8C-E) with elongated spherules, their anterior poles pointed and convergent, dorsally to the spherules the endogynial sac walls bear one pair of axially directed tubercles (Fig. 8C,D), two lamellar teeth are present below or in front of the spherular tips (Fig. 8D). Stipule (Fig. 8C, E) is large and wide, usually directed ventrally, with several denticles in its central part. Gland pores gv2 with one opening; iv5, ivo2, ivo3, and gv3 clearly visible.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 8F) trispinate, all prongs similar, narrow and acute, the central one somewhat longer. Corniculi conical, hypostome with 10 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 larger and barbed. Chelicera (Fig. 8G) -movable digit with four teeth, the proximalmost larger. Fixed digit with two teeth in front and two behind pilus dentilis, followed by a low lamellar protrusion. Legs. Setae al on Tr I and ad2 on Fe I short and somewhat thickened. Fe II anteroventral seta larger and barbed, setae al1 and al2 short and thick. Seta al1 on Ge II, anteroventral seta and both anterolateral setae on Ti II barbed. Leg IV: posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur shorter and thicker, posteroventral seta on the genu finely barbed, posteroventral seta on the tibia enlarged and barbed (Fig. 7B). Some setae on the tarsi barbed. Tr IV without tooth/ tubercle. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.
Male ( (Fig. 9A) -anterior margin of genital lamina concave, lateral margins slightly concave, the anterior corners rounded (Fig. 9A,B). Presternal plates with circular central area, rounded, with sharp anterior protrusions (Fig. 9A). Gland pores gv1 close to the st3 setae level, followed by two pairs of thickenings of the sternal cuticle. The anterior thickenings are quite indistinct and axially elongated, the posterior ones well developed, rounded and small, distributed more laterally. Pores gv2 with one opening, pore iv5 halfway between st5 and ZV1 setae, ivo2, ivo3, and gv3 well developed.   9D) with arcuate thickenings between corniculi at the base of the internal malae, followed by 9-10 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 thicker and barbed. Chelicera ( Fig. 9F-H) -laterally both digits narrow, the movable digit with obliquely cut apex and one tooth; fixed digit with small tubercle on the dorsal edge followed by an incision, digit ventral edge toothless, except for a lamellar protrusion, usually discernible between the apex and pilus dentilis.
Legs. Leg II (Fig. 10A,B) spurred as follows: when viewed from the ventral side, the femoral main spur straight and relatively wide, finger-shaped, the axillary process pointed posterolaterally (Fig. 10A). From a lateral perspective (Fig. 10B), the femoral main spur straight, the axillary process half-moon shaped. The spur on the genu rectangular, tibial  spur conical, both spurs located at some distance from the distal article margins. An arcuate elevation is present on the anterolateral side at the distal end of the tibia. Setae on leg II simple, femoral setae al1 thicker, al2 and ad2 thicker and shorter, ad3 needle-shaped. Leg IV: trochanter without tooth/tubercle, posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur shorter and thicker, posteroventral seta on the tibia thickened and barbed (Fig. 10C). Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable. Type deposition. Types are deposited in the Zoological Division of the Nature Education Centre, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, all remaining material is held in the author's collection.

Etymology
The specific name cortinis refers to immediate surroundings of Cortina d'Ampezzo, where all the types were collected.
Female. Presternal plates distance similar to the thickness of tritosternum; sternal shield anterior margin with shallow concavity; the anterior margins of the epigynial shield straight, posterolateral ones short and convex, the apical part of the epigynium less pigmented; the internal (dorsal) surface of the epigynium without teeth; endogynial spherules roundish posteriorly and tapered anteriorly, with anterior parts convergent and bearing 3-4 teeth each; stipule short, richly dentate, located between the spherular posterior parts.
Male. Genital lamina with the anterior corners rounded; presternal plates subrectangular, with anterior protrusions and a rounded posterior margin; corniculi with adaxial elevation and slightly thickened antiaxial margins; cheliceral fixed digit straight and narrow, its apex cut obliquely, an arcuate lamellar protrusion present between the apex and the pilus dentilis, posteriorly to the pilus dentilis the edge of the digit forms a low, acute culmination; leg II femoral main spur straight, the axillary process half-moon to finger-shaped; genual and tibial spurs at some distance from the article distal margin, the genual spur tuberculate, the tibial spur conical, larger and pointed.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 13D) trispinate, all prongs narrow and acute, similar in shape, the central one slightly longer. Corniculi conical, hypostome with 10-11 rows of  denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 barbed. Chelicera (Fig. 13E,F) -movable digit with four teeth, the proximal one larger, fixed digit with 2 distant teeth in front of the pilus dentilis, arcuate tooth by the side of the pilus dentilis, and two teeth behind the pilus dentilis, followed by a lamellar edge.
Legs. Setae al on Tr I somewhat shorter and thicker. Leg II: anterolateral seta on Tr II and anterolateral setae al1, al2 on Fe II shorter and thicker, anteroventral setae on Fe II, Ge II and Ti II larger and barbed. Leg IV: posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur thick and short, posteroventral setae on the tibia, posterolateral setae on the basitarsus and the tarsus thickened and terminally barbed. Tr IV without tubercle. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.
Male (Figures 14, 15 (Fig. 14A) -the anterior margin of genital lamina straight, with minute undulations, the anterior corners rounded. Presternal plates subrectangular, with a rounded posterior margin and clear central area. Sternum with gland pores gv1 between iv2 pores and st3 setae levels, followed by two pairs of thickenings of the sternal cuticle, the anterior ones elongated and the posterior ones minute and button-shaped. Pores gv2 with two distinct openings, pores iv5 halfway between st5 and ZV1 setae, ivo2, ivo3, and gv3 clearly visible.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 14B) trispinate, central prong longer and wider basally. Corniculi (Fig. 14C) with an elevation on the adaxial surface and the thickened antiaxial margins, hypostome with 11 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 barbed (Fig. 14C). Chelicera (Fig. 14D). When observed from the ventral side, mobile digits curved adaxially and shorter than the straight fixed ones. Laterally (Fig. 14D), mobile digit with one tooth followed by an arcuate edge proximally; fixed digit straight and narrow with obliquely cut apex, bearing a low and arcuate lamellar protrusion between the apex and the pilus dentilis, and a low acute culmination behind the pilus dentilis.
Legs. Leg II (Fig. 15A-D) spurred as follows: when viewed from the ventral side ( Fig.  15A-C), the femoral main spur slightly curved, the axillary process curved posterolaterally, genual spur smaller than the tibial one and variably directed (Fig. 15A,C). From a lateral perspective (Fig. 15D), the femoral main spur straight, the axillary process half-moon to finger shaped. The spur on the genu tubercular and low, tibial spur conical and pointed, both spurs located at some distance from the distal article margins. Setae on leg II simple, femoral seta al1 thicker, al2 and ad2 thicker and shorter, ad3 needle-shaped. Leg IV: trochanter without tooth/tubercle, posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur shorter and thicker, posteroventral seta on the tibia thickened and barbed terminally. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable. Type deposition. Types are deposited in the Zoological Division of the Nature Education Centre, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland, all remaining material is held in the author's collection.

Etymology
The specific name silvestris (lat., living in the forest) refers to a large forest (Bosco di Cansiglio) where all the types were collected.
Leptogamasus (Leptogamasus) parasilvestris n. sp. Female. Presternal plates distance similar to the thickness of the tritosternum; sternal shield anterior margin with shallow concavity; the anterior margins of epigynial shield straight, posterolateral ones short and convex, the apical part of the epigynium less pigmented; the internal (dorsal) surface of epigynium bears two small teeth close to the anterior margins; endogynial spherules roundish posteriorly and narrowed anteriorly, due to the concavity of lateral margins, with anterior parts bearing usually 2-3 teeth, but sometimes 1 or 4; stipule moderately long, richly dentate, located behind the spherular posterior parts.
Male. Genital lamina with the anterior corners rounded; presternal plates subrectangular with anterior protrusions and a narrow posterior margin; corniculi with the adaxial elevation and thickened antiaxial margins; hypostome with two bean-shaped thickenings at the base of internal malae; cheliceral fixed digit wavy and narrow, between the apex and the pilus dentilis a small tooth, followed by an arcuate lamellar protrusion, posteriorly to pilus dentilis the edge of the digit forms a low, acute culmination; leg II femoral main spur arcuate, the axillary process half-moon shaped; genual and tibial spurs at some distance from the article distal margin, the genual spur roundish, the tibial one conical.
Ventral idiosoma. (Fig. 17   pigmented, the anterior margins straight, the posterolateral ones short and convex. The internal (dorsal) surface of the epigynium bears two small teeth close to the anterior margins. Spherules of endogynium (Figs 17, 18D-G) roundish posteriorly and narrowed anteriorly, due to the lateral margins being evidently concave. Each anterior part terminates into two to three teeth, occasionally into 1 or 4. Stipule is located behind the spherules, moderately long and richly dentate; the teeth both anteriad and posteriad, as well as ventrally directed, occasionally long (Fig. 18D). Gland pores gv2 with double openings, iv5, ivo2, ivo3, and gv3 clearly visible.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 19A) trispinate, all prongs narrow and acute, similar in shape, the central one longer. Corniculi conical, hypostome with 11 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 barbed. Chelicera (Fig. 19B) -movable digit with four teeth, the proximal one larger, fixed digit with two teeth in front of the pilus dentilis, and two teeth behind the pilus dentilis, followed by 2 lamellar projections and more solid proximal edge.
Legs. Setae al on Tr I somewhat shorter and thicker. Leg II: Fe anterolateral setae al1, al2 shorter and thicker, anteroventral setae on Fe II, Ge II and Ti II somewhat thicker and barbed terminally. Leg IV: posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur thicker and shorter, posteroventral setae on the tibia, posterolateral setae on basitarsus and tarsus slightly thickened and terminally barbed. Tr IV without tubercle. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 20B) trispinate, the central prong longer and wider basally. Corniculi (Fig. 20C) with an elevation on the adaxial surface and the thickened antiaxial margins; hypostome with a pair of bean-shaped thickenings at the base of internal malae. Hypostome with 11 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 barbed (Fig. 20C). Chelicera (Fig. 20D-F) -when observed from the ventral side, mobile digits curved adaxially, slightly shorter than the straight fixed digit. Fixed digit (Fig. 20E) with antiaxial protrusion. Laterally, mobile digit (Fig. 20D) with a single tooth, followed by an arcuate edge proximally; fixed digit narrow and wavy, bearing a small tooth followed by an arcuate lamellar protrusion between the apex and the pilus dentilis; posteriorly to the pilus dentilis the digit ventral edge forms a low, pointed culmination (Fig. 20F).
Legs. Leg II (Fig. 21) spurred as follows: when viewed from the ventral side, the femoral main spur slightly curved, the axillary process directed posterolaterally, the genual and tibial spurs oriented axially, the latter one somewhat longer. From a lateral perspective, the femoral main spur straight, the axillary process half-moon shaped. The spur on the genu roundish, tibial spur conical and more or less pointed, both spurs located at some distance from the distal article margins. Setae on leg II simple, femoral setae al2 and ad2 thicker and shorter, ad3 needle-shaped. Leg IV: trochanter without tooth/tubercle, posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur shorter and thicker, posteroventral seta on the tibia thickened and barbed terminally. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.

Etymology
The specific name parasilvestris is owed to the fact that the species is very similar to L. (L.) silvestris n. sp., as previously described further above.

Diagnosis
Female and male. Gnathotectum trispinate with pointed, similar prongs, in the male shorter; gland pore gv1 present; podonotum with 21 pairs of setae, opisthonotum with 24 pairs of setae, plus 1 or 2 supplementary setae located marginally; Tr IV without tubercle.
Female. Presternal plates subtriangular with posterior margin arcuate; sternal shield anterior margin concave; gland pores gv1 close to central axis of the sternum and posterior sternal margin; epigynial shield with less pigmented band subapically, the anterior margins straight, posterolateral margins arcuate, the internal (dorsal) surface with two distinct teeth; spherules of the endogynium distant, each one forming anteriorly an acute pyramidal protrusion, accompanied by the less prominent tooth or tooth-like protrusion; stipule long but narrow, richly dentate, usually ventrally oriented and bearing large lateral teeth. Male. Genital lamina with concave anterior margin and rounded corners; presternal plates subrectangular; corniculi with an elevation on the adaxial margin; cheliceral fixed digit featuring arcuate lamellar protrusion in front of the pilus dentilis and a row of ca. 8-9 small teeth behind it; leg II in the ventral view: femoral main spur, as well as the genual and tibial ones oriented axially; leg II in the lateral view: femoral main spur straight, axillary process semilunar to finger-shaped, spurs on the genu and tibia conical, located farther from (tibial spur) or closer (genual one) to the distal article margin.
Ventral idiosoma. (Fig. 23 (Figs 23, 24B) with the anterior margins straight, posterolateral margins arcuate, the posterior one slightly concave, forming a distinct soft cuticular band between the epigynium and the opisthogaster. Subapically, the epigynium shows less pigmented band, followed by two distinct teeth on the epigynial internal (dorsal) surface. Endogynium (Figs 23, 24C-F) with rather distant spherules, each one with anterior acute pyramidal protrusion, accompanied laterally or ventrally by the less prominent tooth or tooth-like protrusion; stipule long and narrow, richly dentate, usually ventrally oriented, and boasting large lateral teeth. Gland pores gv2 (Fig. 23) with double channels; iv5, ivo2, ivo3 and gv3 clearly visible.
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 24G) trispinate, all prongs acute and moderately long, the central one somewhat longer. Corniculi conical, hypostome with ca. 11 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 barbed. Chelicera (Fig. 24H) -movable digit with four teeth, the proximal one the largest, fixed digit with two distant teeth separated by a tiny lamellar one in front of the pilus dentilis, and two teeth followed by a lamellar edge behind the pilus dentilis.
Legs. Setae al on Tr I somewhat shorter and thicker. Leg II: Fe anterolateral setae al1, al2 and anterodorsal (ad2) seta shorter and thicker, anteroventral seta on Fe II larger and barbed, anteroventral setae on Ge II and Ti II somewhat thicker and finely barbed. Leg IV: posterodorsal and posterolateral setae on the femur thicker and shorter, posteroventral setae on the genu and tibia, as well as the posterolateral setae on the basitarsus and tarsus thickened and terminally barbed. Tr IV without tubercle. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.
Male (Figures 25, 26 (Fig. 25A) genital lamina with the rounded corners and shallow concavity of the anterior edge. Presternal plates subrectangular. Sternum with gland pores gv1 slightly anteriorly to the st3 setae level, followed by two elongated, moderately pronounced thickenings of the sternal cuticle, and two more pronounced thickenings at the iv3 level. Pores gv2 with distinct and distant two channels, pore iv5 halfway between st5 and ZV1 setae or somewhat closer to st5 seta. Sternum, opisthogaster and opisthonotum reticulation scale-like, sometimes less at iv3 pores level (Fig. 25A).
Gnathosoma. Gnathotectum (Fig. 25B) trispinate, central prong somewhat longer. Corniculi (Fig. 25C) with an elevation on the adaxial margin, hypostome with ca. 11 rows of denticles, hypostomal and palpcoxal setae simple. Palptrochanter seta v1 simple, v2 barbed. Chelicera -when observed from the ventral side, the mobile digits nearly straight, and the fixed digits straight. Laterally (Fig. 25D), movable digit with a single tooth, followed by a sinuous edge proximally, fixed digit straight, featuring an arcuate lamellar protrusion in front of the pilus dentilis, and a row of ca. 8-9 small teeth behind it.
Legs. Leg II ( Fig. 26A-C) spurred as follows: when viewed from the ventral side (Fig.  26A,B), the femoral main spur, as well as the genual and tibial ones, are oriented axially. When leg II is viewed from the lateral perspective (Fig. 26C), the main spur is straight, the axillary process semilunar to finger-shaped, the genual and tibial spurs are conical, located farther from (tibial spur) or closer (genual one) to the distal article margin. Setae on leg II simple, setae al1, al2 and ad2 on the femur short and thicker, ad1 normal, ad3 needle-like. Seta al on Tr I short and thick, leg IV setation as in the female. Tubercle on Tr IV absent. Other aspects of legs I-IV unremarkable.
Type deposition. The types are deposited in the Zoological Division of the Nature Education Centre, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.

Etymology
The specific name refers to Monte Amiata, a mountain of volcanic origin located in central Italy where the material had been encountered and collected.

Differential taxonomy
The currently described new species of Leptogamasus (Leptogamasus) show very unusual characteristics not encountered in any previously acknowledged species. As far as the females The female of Leptogamasus (L.) monteamiatus is similar to L. (L.) alstoni, owing to the endogynium structure, but in the latter species the spherules are relatively larger, and the stipule has different shape. Some additional teeth, possibly in the endogynial sac, may also be encountered in L. (L.) alstoni but not in L. (L.) monteamiatus. Originally, Bhattacharyya (1963) described the female, and the male was described by Karg (1971). The male has a relatively long and narrow cheliceral digits, and the fixed digit is edentate behind the pilus dentilis, in L. (L.) monteamiatus it bears a row of 8-9 small teeth. Leptogamasus (L.) parasilvestris female is characterised by two tiny teeth on the dorsal side of the epigynial shield, located marginally. The teeth similar to a certain extent may be encountered in Leptogamasus (L.) belligerens Witaliński, 1973, but other features do not match. Especially, the endogynial stipule in L. (L.) belligerens is double and lamellar, in L. (L.) parasilvestris is single and solid. Also the shape of the spherule is completely different. The main difference between the males in the two species under study consists in the cheliceral fixed digit: in L. (L.) parasilvestris with edentate edge behind the pilus dentilis, featuring numerous small teeth in L. (L.) belligerens.
The epigynial shield in L. (L.) silvestris female does not bear any teeth on the dorsal surface. The shape of the endogynial spherules is very characteristic and not encountered in any other Leptogamasus species, except for the newly described L. (L.) parasilvestris (see the taxonomic remarks further above). In Leptogamasus (L.) paracarpaticus Juvara-Bals, 1981, the spherules are slightly convergent anteriorly, and the short stipule is located between their posterior ends, but the anterior poles of the spherules are rounded, not boasting several teeth, as in the L. (L.) silvestris The males in both species differ in respect of leg II armature, i.e. the femoral main spur is more stout in L. (L.) paracarpaticus, as opposed to L. (L.) silvestris, and the genual spur is conical rather than tuberculate, as in the latter species.