A new genus and five new species of Eriophyoidea (Prostigmata) associated with palm trees from Brazilian Amazon 1

Transcription

1 Zootaxa : (2005) Copyright 2005 Magnolia Press ISSN (print edition) ZOOTAXA ISSN (online edition) A new genus and five new species of Eriophyoidea (Prostigmata) associated with palm trees from Brazilian Amazon 1 DENISE NAVIA * & CARLOS H. W. FLECHTMANN ** * Researcher, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal, C. P , Brasília, DF, Brazil; navia@cenargen.embrapa.br ** CNPq-Brazil Researcher, Universidade de São Paulo/ESALQ, Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil; chwflech@carpa.ciagri.usp.br Abstract A new genus and five new species of eriophyoid mites associated with native palm trees (Arecaceae) are described from Brazilian Amazon. The new genus and two new species are in the family Eriophyidae: Euterpia fissa n. gen. & n. sp. from Euterpe precatoria and Notostrix spinula n. sp. from Mauritia flexuosa. Three new species belong to the family Phytoptidae: Palmiphytoptus barbosae n. sp. from Astrocaryum acaule; Propilus alternatus n. sp. from Mauritia flexuosa and Propilus tavaresi n. sp. from Elaeis oleifera. Key words: Acari, Prostigmata, Arecaceae, plant feeding mites, South America, taxonomy Introduction There is a large diversity of palm trees (Arecaceae) in tropical regions and several of them are of socio-economical importance. The production area of palm trees is increasing substantially in Brazil. Eriophyoid mites are strictly phytophagous and many species reach pest status in agricultural crops around the world (Lindquist et al. 1996). Knowledge on the eriophyoid mite fauna associated with palms can be useful in their future recognition in commercial palm crops and, in this way, facilitate understanding possible alterations in agroecosystems which could favour a mite species in such a way that it became a pest. The 1. This paper was started during development of a thesis submitted by the senior author to the University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil, advised by Prof. Gilberto J. de Moraes, in partial fullfillment of the requirement for the Ph.D degree. Accepted by Z.-Q. Zhang: 21 Sept. 2005; published: 7 Nov

2 coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae), represents a major pest of this crop in several production areas. The main host plant of A. guerreronis in most of its occurrence area, from the economic point of view, is coconut, Cocos nucifera L.. However, there are indications that it is not its original host (Moore & Howard 1996). It is possible that A. guerreronis has adopted coconut as a host plant since expansion of coconut distribution area in America and Africa and has as original host plant an unknown palm tree. Surveys of eriophyoid mites on palm trees can provide new information on the host range of A. guerreronis. Eriophyoid mites associated with native and exotic palm trees in Brazil have been surveyed in Southeast, Northeast and Central Brazil (Robbs & Perachi 1965; Flechtmann 1989, 1994, 1998; Santana et al. 1994; Flechtmann & Santana 1997; Santana & Flechtmann 1998; Gondim et al. 2000; Navia & Flechtmann 2002, 2003). In this paper a new genus and five new species of eriophyoid mites collected from native palm trees from Amazon forest in North region of Brazil are described. Measurements are given in micrometers. For females, each measurement of the holotype precedes the corresponding range for the paratypes. Some measurements of paratypes could not be taken because of the orientation it was mounted. In the description of the eriophyid mite ventral opisthosomal annuli count starts from genitalia rear margin and dorsal opisthosomal annuli count from mid prodorsal rear margin. Euterpia n. gen. (Fig. 1) (Eriophyidae, Phyllocoptinae, Phyllocoptini) Diagnosis. Body fusiform, shield sculptured, with frontal lobe and with scapular setae well ahead of rear shield margin; gnathosoma small. Opisthosoma with a dorsal central ridge. Dorsal palp genual seta (antapical seta) bifurcate. Tibial I (l ) and genual I and II (l ) setae present, empodium entire; femoral seta missing. Opisthosomal setae I (d) and II (e) missing. Type species: Euterpia fissa n. sp. Etymology. The generic name, Euterpia, is derived from the genus of the host plant, Euterpe, plus the suffix ia, Latin, pertaining to. Gender: feminine. Remarks. Euterpia n.g. is near Neodicrothrix Mohanasundaram 1984 in presenting bifurcate antapical seta and in the lack of ventral opisthosomal setae I (d) and II (e). It differs in the presence of tibial (l ) and genual (l ) setae, both missing in Neodicrothrix and in the absence of femoral setae (bv), which are present in Neodicrothrix Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

3 FIGURE 1. Euterpia fissa n. gen n. sp. D. Dorsal habitus of female. V. Ventral habitus of female. CGM. Coxigenital region of male. L1. Leg I. L2. Leg II. E. Empodium. ANT. Antapical seta (d). ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 43

4 Euterpia fissa n. sp. (Fig. 1) FEMALE. (Measurements of holotype and range of 4 paratypes) Body fusiform, 146 ( ) long, 54 (54 59) wide; colour in life white-yellowish. Gnathosoma projecting downwards, 23 (23 28) long; basal seta (ep) 4 (3 4) long; antapical seta bifurcate, with proximal region 5 (5 7) long and distal longer branch 8 (8 10) long, shorter branch minute. Chelicerae 18 (18 24) long; oral stylets 13 (13 16) long. Prodorsal shield 57 (57 60) long, 50 (50 51) wide, subcircular, sculptured and slightly ornated with granules and sinuous faint lines. Scapular seta (sc) 11 (9 11) long, directed up, slightly backward, on prominent tubercles placed well ahead of posterior shield margin, 21 (21 22) apart, on a shield elevation. Prodorsal shield bend around latero-ventrally, with granules on its ventral extension. Shield design of two trapezoidal cells with rounded corners on 1/3 anterior median shield; two longitudinal lines extending over whole shield, internally to prodorsal tubercles, anteriorly divergent and posteriorly convergent, joined near posterior shield margin forming a triangular extremity; a central depression between these longitudianl lines. Frontal lobe apically rounded, broad-based, thick, extending over gnathosoma, 9 (9 11) long, 24 (20 24) wide. Legs lacking femoral setae (bv) I and II. Legs I 23 (23 28) long; femur 11 (11 13) long, femoral seta (bv) absent; genu 4 long, genual seta (l ) 21 (21 25) long; tibia 2 (2 3) long, tibial seta (l ) 2 (2 3) long; tarsus 4 long, lateral seta (ft ) 19 (19 20) long, dorsal seta (ft ) 14 (14 15) long, unguinal seta (u ) bifurcate 7 (7 8) long, solenidion 10 (10 11) long, blunt; empodium 4 (4 5) long, 3-rayed. Legs II 20 (19 20) long; femur 9 (9 12) long, bv absent; genu 3 long, l 10 (10 13)- long; tibia 3 (2 3) long; tarsus 4 long, ft 16 (16 18) long, ft 2 (2 3) long, u bifurcate, 5 (5 6) long, solenidion 5 long, blunt; empodium 4 long, 3-rayed. Coxae smooth. Sternal line conspicuous, 12 (12 13) long. Coxal seta I (1b) 9 (7 10) long, 10 apart; coxal seta II (1a) 12 (12 15) long, 4 (4 5) apart; coxal seta III (2a) 28 (25 29) long, 15 (15 16) apart; 7 (7 8) coxigenital semi annuli, smooth. Genitalia 20 (19 20) wide, 12 (12 15) long, smooth; epigynum with two somewhat separated groups of 5 (5 6) transversal curved lines convergent to mid rear region; genital seta (3a) 12 (10 12) long. Opisthosoma with 33 (33 36) dorsal annuli, smooth; ventrally with 33 (33 38) annuli, with microtubercles slightly elongate, restricted to the median ventral area, except on telosome (caudad of line across bases of seta f) where microtubercles are more elongated and occupy whole annuli. Dorsal opisthosoma with a central ridge. Lateral seta (c 2 ) 10 (10 12) long, in line with 23 (24) ventral annulus. Ventral seta I (d) and II (e) absent; ventral seta III (f) lateral, 14 (14 16) long, 14 apart, 16 (16 17) microtubercles apart, on annulus 2930 (29 32). Caudal seta (h 2 ) 30 (30 36) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) absent. MALE. (Measurements of 3 paratypes) Smaller than female, long, wide. Gnathosoma long; basal seta (ep) 3 long; antapical seta as in female, with proximal region 6 long and distal region 9 long. Chelicerae long; oral stylets long. Prodorsal shield as in female, long, 54 wide. Scapular seta (sc) 8 11 long, on Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

5 tubercles 24 apart. Frontal lobe 8 10 long, base wide. Legs as in female. Leg I long; femur long, femoral seta (bv) absent; genu 4 long, genual seta (l ) 24 long; tibia 34 long, tibial seta (l ) 3 long; tarsus 4 long, lateral seta (ft ) long, dorsal seta (ft ) long, unguinal seta (u ) bifurcate, 6 7 long, solenidion long; empodium 4 5 long, 3-rayed. Legs II 20 long; femur long, bv absent; genu 3 long, l long; tibia 2 long; tarsus 4 long, ft long, ft 2 3 long, u bifurcate 5 6 long, solenidion 5 long; empodium 4 long, 3-rayed. Coxae as in female. Sternal line 11 long. Coxal seta I (1b) 7 10 long, 10 apart; coxal seta II (1a) long, 4 apart; coxal seta III (2a) long, 12 apart; 6 8 coxigenital semi annuli, smooth. Genitalia 17 wide, 1112 long, smooth, papillae as figured; genital seta (3a) 79 long. Opisthosoma as in female, with dorsal annuli; ventral annuli. Lateral seta (c 2 ) 11 long, on line with annulus 02. Ventral seta I (d) and II (e) absent; ventral seta III (f) lateral, long, 15 apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus Caudal seta (h 2 ) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) absent. Type material. Female holotype, 4 female and 3 male paratypes, from Euterpe precatoria Mart. (Arecaceae), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 3º04 S 59º55 W, 28 September 2003, collected by D. Navia and A. M. Tavares, on 3 microscopic preparations, in the collection of Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil and paratypes in the collection of Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, ESALQ, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Relation to host. Mites are vagrants on inner surface of leaves, along midribs, causing no apparent damage. Etymology. The specific designation fissa is derived from fissus, a, Latin, split, and refers to the bifurcate unguinal seta (u ) on leg tarsus I and II. ZOOTAXA Notostrix spinula n. sp. (Fig. 2) (Eriophyidae: Phyllocoptinae: Anthocoptini) Diagnosis Prodorsal shield anterior lobe elongate, acuminate; scapular seta very short, spinelike; coxae beset with faint lines; genitalia quadrangular, approximately as long as wide; 26 dorso-opisthosomal annuli; empodium undivided. FEMALE. (Measurements of holotype and ranges of five paratypes) Body slender, elongate, 230 ( ) long, 46 (44 49) wide; colour in life white-yellowish with wax flakes along sides of the opisthosoma, a wax belt surrounding anterior and lateral prodorsal shield. Gnathosoma projecting downwards, 22 (19 22) long; basal seta (ep) 2 (2 4) long; antapical seta 3 (3 4) long. Chelicerae 20 (18 20) long; oral stylets 13 (12 13) long. Prodorsal shield 53 (49 53) long, 43 (43 46) wide, subtriangular, smooth. Scapular seta (sc) 3 (2 3) long on prominent tubercles 15 (15 16) apart, inserted on ¾ posterior ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 45

6 shield, directing seta up and backwards. Shield design absent except for a submarginal line parallel to the anterior and lateral shield margin. Frontal lobe subtriangular, broad based, pointed apically, extends over rostrum, 12 (11 12) long, base 17 (15 17) wide. Legs lacking genual seta (l) II. Leg I 24 (23 26) long; femur 11 (10 11) long, femoral seta (bv) 9 (8 9) long; genu 4 long, genual seta (l ) 18 (15 18) long; tibia 4 long, tibial seta (l ) 12 (12 14) long; tarsus 5 long, lateral seta (ft ) 12 (12 14) long, dorsal seta (ft ) 12 (11 12) long, unguinal seta (u ) 3 long, solenidion 5 (5 6) long; empodium undivided, 5 long, 7- rayed. Leg II 20 (20 23) long; femur 10 long, bv 8 (7 9) long; genu 3 long, l missing; tibia 4 (3 4) long; tarsus 4 (4 5) long, ft 14 (13 15) long, ft 5 (4 5) long, u 3 (2 3) long, solenidion 9 (9 10) long; empodium as in leg I, 5 long, 7 (6 7)-rayed. Coxigenital area with faint curved lines. Sternal line 6 (6 7) long. Coxal seta I (1b) 7 (6 7) long, 8 (7 8) apart; coxal seta II (1a) 18 (17 18) long, 7 (6 8) apart; coxal seta III (2a) 21 (20 21) long, 19 (19 20) apart. Six coxigenital semi annuli, with few microtubercles. Genitalia 18 (16 18) wide, 16 (15 17) long; epigynum with 24 (20 24) longitudinal lines, some of them are anteriorly or posteriorly joined by curved lines (or are folded), anteriorly granulated; genital seta (3a) 10 (10 12) long. Opisthosoma with 26 (25 27) dorsal annuli, smooth, with a shallow broad central furrow; ventrally with 78 (70 80) annuli, with small rounded microtubercles placed slightly ahead of border of annuli, more elongated on on telosome (caudad of line across bases of seta f). Lateral seta (c 2 ) 16 (15 18) long, on annulus 5 (5 6). Ventral seta I (d) 55 (49 55) long, 21 (21 24) apart, 27 (25 32) microtubercles apart, on annulus (18 22); ventral seta II (e) 49 (44 52) long, 15 (15 18) apart, 16 (16 21) microtubercles apart, on annulus 4344 (36 46); ventral seta III (f) lateral, 27 (23 28) long, 20 (20 21) apart, 31 (24 31) microtubercles apart, on annulus (60 72). Caudal seta (h 2 ) 36 (31 36) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) absent. MALE. (Measurements of 2 paratypes) Smaller than female, long, wide. Gnathosoma long; basal seta (ep) 3 long; antapical seta 3 long. Chelicerae 20 long; oral stylets 12 long. Prodorsal shield long, 35 wide. Scapular seta (sc) 2 3 long, 14 apart. Frontal lobe long, base 16 wide. Legs as in female. Leg I long; femur long, femoral seta (bv) 7 8 long; genu 3 4 long, genual seta (l ) long; tibia 4 long, tibial seta (l ) long tarsus 5 long, lateral seta (ft ) long, dorsal seta (ft ) 11 long, unguinal seta (u ) 2 long, solenidion 6 long; empodium as in female, 4 5 long, 6 rayed. Leg II long; femur 10 long, bv 6 long; genu 3 long, l missing; tibia 3 long; tarsus 5 long, ft long, ft 4 long, u 2 long, solenidion 8 long; empodium 5 long, 6-rayed. Coxigenital area as in female. Sternal line 7 long. Coxal seta I (1b) 6 7 long, 7 apart; coxal seta II (1a) long, 6 apart; coxal seta III (2a) 27 long, 16 apart; 8 10 coxigenital semi annuli, smooth. Genitalia 12 wide, 12 long, posteriorly granulated, papillae as figured; genital seta (3a) 12 long. Opisthosoma as in female, with dorsal annuli; ventral annuli. Lateral seta (c 2 ) long, on annulus 3. Ventral seta I (d) long, 17 apart, 20 microtubercles apart, on annulus 14 15; ventral seta II (e) long, 10 apart, 13 microtubercles apart, on annulus 32 35; ventral seta III Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

7 (f) long, 17 apart, 20 microtubercles apart, on annulus Caudal seta (h 2 ) 37 long; accessory seta (h 1 ) absent. ZOOTAXA FIGURE 2. Notostrix spinula n. sp. D. Dorsal habitus of female. V. Ventral habitus of female. L. Lateral habitus of female. CGM. Coxigenital region of male. L1. Leg I. L2. Leg II. E. empodium. ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 47

8 Type material. female holotype, 5 female and 2 male paratypes, from Mauritia flexuosa L. (Arecaceae), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 2º57 S 59º57 W, 29 September 2003, collected by D. Navia and R. B. Querino, on 2 microscopic preparations, in the collection of Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil and paratypes in the collection of Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, ESALQ, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Relation to host. Vagrants on inner surface of leaves causing no apparent damage. Etymology. The specific designation spinula, from the Latin, feminine, diminutive spina, thorn, refers to the short, spinelike scapular seta. Remarks. Notostrix spinula n. sp. is similar to N. jamaicae Keifer 1970 in the general aspect of the prodorsal shield including scapular seta but differs in the number of opisthosomal dorsal annuli (26 in the N. spinula n. sp., 36 in N. jamaicae) and in the genitalia (as wide as long in N. spinula n. sp., wider than long in N. jamaicae). It shares the general aspect of the epigynum with N. vasquezae Navia & Flechtmann 2003, but differs in the frontal lobe of the prodorsal shield (acuminate in N. spinula n. sp., rounded in N. vasquezae), in the scapular seta (very short, spinelike in N. spinula n. sp.; long, setiform in N. vasquezae) and in the number of dorso-opisthosomal annuli (26 in N. spinula n. sp., 48 in N. vasquezae). Palmiphytoptus barbosae n. sp. (Fig. 3) (Phytoptidae: Sierraphytoptinae: Mackiellini) Diagnosis. Prodorsal shield with median and admedian lines; empodium 12-rayed; dorso opisthosomal annuli smooth. FEMALE. (Measurements of holotype and ranges of five paratypes) Body robust, fusiform, colour in life white-yellowish; 136 ( ) long, 68 (65 71) wide; colour in life white-yellowish. Gnathosoma projecting downwards, 28 (27 32) long; basal seta (ep) 2 (2 3) long; antapical seta 6 (5 6) long. Chelicerae 22 (22 24) long; oral stylets 13 (12 16) long. Prodorsal shield 33 (31 34) long, 67 (60 67) wide, subretangular, smooth. Scapular seta (sc) absent. Vertical external seta (ve) 4 (3 4) long, on minute tubercles, 26 (25 27) apart, on 1/3 anterior shield, directing seta up and forwards. Shield design of a median line bifurcated to the rear, forming an inverted upsilon, extending on anterior half of shield; admedian lines extending from frontal lobe base to posterior shield; diagonal sinuous lines on lateral shield. Frontal lobe broad-based subtriangular, with concave lateral margins, rounded apically and basally flexible; 6 (6 7) long, base 20 (18 20) wide, broad and convex base. Legs lacking seta on tibia I (l ). Legs I 20 (17 20) long; femur 6 (4 6) long, femoral seta (bv) 6 (4 6) long; genu 4 (3 4) long, genual seta (l ) 26 (24 27) long; tibia 3 long; tarsus 3 (3 4) long, lateral seta (ft ) 14 (12 14) long, dorsal seta (ft ) Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

9 (10 12) long, unguinal seta (u ) 6 (4 6) long, solenidion 8 (8 9) long; empodium 10 (8 10) long, 12-rayed. Legs II 20 (20 21) long; femur 5 long, bv 5 (5 6) long; genu 4 long, l 19 (19 20) long; tibia 3 long; tarsus 4 (3 4) long, ft 15 (12 15) long, ft 7 (5 9) long, u 4 (4 5) long, solenidion 8 (8 9) long; empodium 8 (7 9) long, 12 (11 12)-rayed. Coxae smooth. Sternal line slight, 5 (5 7) long. An apronlike, trapezoid area, bounded laterally by one pair of lines extending from outsides of bases of coxal setae I (1b) divergently backwards and posteriorly by a transversal line just anterior to bases of coxal setae II (1a). Coxal seta I (1b) 7 (7 9) long, 14 (13 15) apart; coxal seta II (1a) 19 (19 21) long, 13 (12 15) apart; coxal seta III (2a) 25 (25 28) long, 31 (29 31) apart. Five (5 7) coxigenital semi annuli, microtuberculated. Genitalia 22 (21 22) wide, 7 (5 7) long; epigynum smooth; genital seta (3a) 3 (3 4) long. Opisthosoma with 51 (51 54) dorsal annuli, smooth; ventrally with 49 (48 51) annuli, with microtubercles, placed slightly ahead of rear border of annuli, more elongated on telosome (caudad of line across bases of seta f). Lateral seta (c 2 ) 18 (18 20) long, on annulus 2 (2 3). Ventral seta I (d) 31 (28 33) long, 41 (40 41) apart, 36 (35 40) microtubercles apart, on annulus 12 (12 14); ventral seta II (e) 29 (26 29) long, 27 (26 29) apart, 14 (14 17) microtubercles apart, on annulus 26 (25 29); ventral seta III (f) lateral, (25 28) long, 27 (25 27) apart, 29 (25 29) microtubercles apart, on annulus 46 (45 48). Caudal seta (h 2 ) 44 (44 49) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) minute. MALE. (Measurements of 2 paratypes) Smaller than female, long, wide. Gnathosoma long; basal seta (ep) 2 long; antapical seta 45 long. Chelicerae 20 long; oral stylets 12 long. Prodorsal shield long, wide. Scapular seta (sc) absent. Vertical external seta (ve) as in female, 3 4 long, apart. Frontal lobe 5 6 long, base wide. Legs as in female. Legs I long; femur 4 long, femoral seta (bv) 4 long; genu 34 long, genual seta (l ) 21 long; tibia 3 long; tarsus 3 long, lateral seta (ft ) long, dorsal seta (ft ) 10 long, unguinal seta (u ) 4 long, solenidion 8 9 long; empodium 7 long, as in female, rayed. Legs II 17 long; femur 5 6 long, bv 4 long; genu 34 long, l long; tibia 3 long; tarsus 3 long, ft 12 long, ft 4 long, u 4 long, solenidion 8 9 long; empodium 7 long, rayed. Coxae I with few granules; faint longitudinal lines on coxae I and II. Coxae smooth. Sternal line as in female, 4 5 long. Coxal seta I (1b) 5 6 long, apart; coxal seta II (1a) long, apart; coxal seta III (2a) long, apart; 4 6 coxigenital semi annuli, microtuberculated. Genitalia wide, 6 7 long, smooth, papillae as figured; genital seta (3a) 2 3 long. Opisthosoma with dorsal annuli; ventral annuli. Lateral seta (c 2 ) long, on annulus 5 6. Ventral seta I (d) long, 33 apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus 12 14; ventral seta II (e) long, apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus 24 27; ventral seta III (f) long, apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus Caudal seta (h 2 ) 36 long; accessory seta (h 1 ) minute. Type material. female holotype, 5 female and 2 male paratypes, from Astrocaryum acaule Mart. (Arecaceae), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 2º57 S 59º57 W, 29 September ZOOTAXA ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 49

10 2003, collected by D. Navia and R. B. Querino, on 2 microscopic preparations, in the collection of Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil and paratypes in the collection of Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, ESALQ, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. FIGURE 3. Palmiphytoptus barbosae n. sp. D. Dorsal habitus of female. V. Ventral habitus of female. CGM. Coxigenital region of male. L1. Leg I. L2. Leg II. E. Empodium Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

11 Relation to host. Mites are vagrants on inner surface of leaves causing no apparent damage. Colonies were observed protected under a dense layer of loose trichomes along the midrib. Etymology. This species is named after Ranyse Querino Barbosa, Entomologist at Unimontes, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in appreciation of her inestimable help in collecting this material. Remarks. Palmiphytoptus barbosae n. sp. is the second species described in this genus. It differs from the type species, P. oculatus Navia & Flechtmann 2002, in the fusiform body shape (elongate, vermiform in the type species), in presenting median and admedian lines on the prodorsal shield (central shield area not ornamented in P. oculatus); in the absence of eye-like structures (present in P. oculatus) and in smooth dorsoopisthosomal annuli (microtuberculated in P. oculatus). Inadvertently Amrine et al. (2003, p.18) included the eye like structures, a specific character of the type species, as a generic character for Palmiphytoptus, in the key to genera. ZOOTAXA Propilus alternatus n. sp. (Fig. 4) (Phytoptidae: Sierraphytoptinae, Mackiellini) Diagnosis. Vertical external seta on anterolateral margin of prodorsal shield; dorso opisthosomal annuli expanded laterally in alternating shorter and longer projections. FEMALE. (Measurements of holotype and range of 4 paratypes) Body fusiform, 136 ( ) long, 67 (53 67) wide; colour in life white-yellowish. Gnathosoma projecting downwards, 20 (18 20) long; basal seta (ep) 4 (4 5) long; antapical seta geniculate, 12 long. Chelicerae 19 (15 19) long; oral stylets 15 long. Prodorsal shield 50 (39 55) long, 64 (48 64) wide, sub quadrangular, smooth. Scapular seta (sc) absent. Vertical external seta (ve) 6 (4 6) long, on prominent tubercles on anterolateral margin (humeral angles) of prodorsal shield, 40 (30 40) apart, directed forward, slightly divergent. Shield design of two longitudinal median lines slightly curved, extending on ¾ posterior shield; between these longitudinal lines two short, diagonal lines on ¾ posterior shield, joined by a transversal line. Frontal lobe apically rounded, broad-based, extending over gnathosoma, 4 long, 33 (23 33) wide. Legs lacking seta on tibia I. Legs I 29 (23 29) long; femur 10 (8 10) long, femoral seta (bv) 13 (11 13) long; genu 4 long, genual seta (l ) 20 (16 20) long; tibia 4 (4) long; tarsus 6 (5 6) long, lateral seta (ft ) 16 (13 16) long, dorsal seta (ft ) 14 (11 14) long, unguinal seta (u ) 5 (4 5) long, solenidion 4 (4 5) long; empodium 5 (4 5) long, 7-rayed. Legs II 23 (20 23) long; femur 10 (8 10) long, bv 8 (7 8) long; genu 4 long, l 17 (12 17) long; tibia 3 (34) long; tarsus 6 (5 6) long, ft 15 (12 15) long, ft 6 (6 7) long, u 3 (3 4) long, solenidion 4 (4 5) long; empodium 5 (4 5) long, 7 (6 7)- rayed. Coxae smooth. Sternal line not visible. Coxae I fused, with an apronlike line flap, anterior to bases of coxal seta II (1a), extending laterally outsides of bases of coxal setae I ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 51

12 (1b). Coxal seta I (1b) 6 (6 7) long, 16 (12 16) apart; coxal seta II (1a) 15 (13 15) long, 11 (9 11) apart; coxal seta III (2a) 20 (18 20) long, 30 (22 30) apart; 3 (3 4) coxigenital semi annuli, smooth. Genitalia 21 (20 22) wide, 15 (13 15) long, smooth; epigynum shorter than genitalia, with posterior margin relatively distant from posterior genitalia; genital seta (3a) 11 (11 13) long. Opisthosoma with 15 (15 17) dorsal annuli, smooth, with alternating short and long lateral projections; ventrally with 36 (32 36) annuli, with microtubercles placed slightly ahead of rear border of annuli, more elongated on telosome (caudad of line across bases of seta f). Lateral seta (c 2 ) 19 (17 19) long, on annulus2 (2 3). Ventral seta I (d) 10 (10 12) long, 28 (23 28) apart, on annulus 10 (10 11); ventral seta II (e) 11 (9 11) long, 14 (12 14) apart, on annulus 19 (18 20); ventral seta III (f) lateral, 15 (12 17) long, 17 (17 18) apart, (14 15) microtubercles apart, on annulus 32 (28 32). Caudal seta (h 2 ) 34 (27 34) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) minute. MALE. (Measurements of 4 paratypes) Smaller than female, long, wide. Gnathosoma 21 long; basal seta (ep) 2 long; antapical seta 4 long. Chelicerae long; oral stylets 11 long. Prodorsal shield long, wide. Scapular seta (sc) 9 10 long, on tubercles apart. Frontal lobe 2 3 long, base 4 wide. Legs I long; femur 9 long, femoral seta (bv) 7 8 long; genu 4 long, genual seta (l ) long; tibia 4 5 long, tibial seta (l ) long; tarsus 5 6 long, lateral seta (ft ) long, dorsal seta (ft ) long, unguinal seta (u ) 3 4 long, solenidion 6 7 long; empodium 6 long, as in female, 7-rayed. Legs II long; femur 8 9 long, bv 5 6 long; genu 3 long; tibia 3 4 long; tarsus 4 5 long, ft long, ft 7 8 long, u 3 long, solenidion 8 9 long; empodium 6 long, 6 7-rayed. Coxae as in female. Coxal seta I (1b) 7 8 long, 7 8 apart; coxal seta II (1a) long, 45 apart; coxal seta III (2a) long, apart; 8 9 coxigenital semi annuli, microtuberculated. Genitalia 12 wide, long, granulated on the posterior region, papillae as figured; genital seta (3a) 7 9 long. Opisthosoma with dorsal annuli; ventral annuli. Lateral seta (c 2 ) 9 11 long, on annulus 02. Ventral seta I (d) long, 18 apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus 13 15; ventral seta II (e) 9 10 long, 9 apart, on annulus 31 34; ventral seta III (f) lateral, long, apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus Caudal seta (h 2 ) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) minute. Type material. female holotype, 4 female and 1 male paratypes, from Mauritia flexuosa L. (Arecaceae), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 2º57 S 59º57 W, 29 September 2003, collected by D. Navia and R. Q. Barbosa, on 2 microscopic preparations, in the collection of Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil and paratypes in the collection of Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, ESALQ, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Relation to host. Mites are vagrants on inner surface of leaves, along midribs, causing no apparent damage Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

13 FIGURE 4. Propilus alternatus n. sp. D. Dorsal habitus of female. V. Ventral habitus of female. CGM. Coxigenital region of male. L1. Leg I. L2. Leg II. E. Empodium. Etymology. The specific designation alternatus, from the Latin, alternating, refers to the alternating shorter and longer lateral expansions of the dorsal opisthosomal annuli. ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 53

14 Remarks. Propilus alternatus n. sp. is distinct in presenting alternating short and long lateral projections on the dorso opisthosoma annuli. In other described species these projections are of uniform size, either with or without prominent spines. Propilus tavaresi n. sp. (Fig. 5) (Phytoptidae: Sierraphytoptinae, Mackiellini) Diagnosis. Dorsal opisthosomal annuli with elongate microtubercles except in caudal 4 annuli, which are smooth; lateral projections attenuate. Vertical external setae slightly backwards from antero lateral shield margin, pointing up and forward. Female. (Measurements of holotype and ranges of 9 paratypes) Body fusiform, 125 ( ) long, 55 (52 63) wide; colour in life white yellowish. Gnathosoma projecting downwards, 18 (18 20) long; basal seta (ep) (2) long; antapical seta (8 10) long. Chelicerae 16 (16 19) long; oral stylets 12 (10 12) long. Prodorsal shield 28 (27 29) long, 46 (43 51) wide, semicircular, smooth. Scapular seta (sc) absent. Vertical external seta (ve) 5 (4 5) long, on tubercles 23 (22 26) apart, directed up and forwards, inserted on 1/3 anterior shield reaching anterior shield margin. Shield design consisting in a median concave line slightly ahead of posterior shield margin; longitudinal admedian lines extending on posterior half of shield; two lateral lines forming arches extending on 2/3 posterior shield. Frontal lobe subtriangular, apically rounded and broad based, wider than long, 4 (4 5) long, base 11 (11 12) wide, not extending over gnathosoma. Legs lacking seta on tibia I (l ). Legs I 19 (18 21) long; femur 6 (5 7) long, femoral seta (bv) 5 (4 5) long; genu 3 (3 4) long, genual seta (l ) 16 (16 18) long; tibia 4 (3 4) long; tarsus 4 (4) long, lateral seta (ft ) 12 (12 15) long, dorsal seta (ft ) 7 (6 7) long, unguinal seta (u ) 4 (4) long, solenidion 6 (6 7) long; empodium 5 (5) long, 8 ayed. Legs II 17 (16 20) long; femur 4 (4 5) long, bv 4 (4) long; genu 3 (34) long, l 11 (11 13) long; tibia 3 (3 4) long; tarsus 4 (4) long, ft 12 (12 14) long, ft 4 (4) long, u 4 (3 4) long, solenidion 6 (6 7) long; empodium 5 (5 6) long, 8 (7 8)-rayed. Coxae smooth. Sternal line 8 (7 10) long. Coxal seta I (1b) 7 (7 8) long, 7 (7 9) apart; coxal seta II (1a) 16 (14 17) long, 10 (8 10) apart; coxal seta III (2a) 22 (22 24) long, 26 (24 28) apart. Seven (6 8) coxigenital semi annuli, smooth. Area with granules anteriorly to coxigenital semi annuli. Genitalia semicircular, 21 (19 21) wide, 7 (7 9) long; granulated area anterior to epigynum; genital seta (3a) 6 (6 7) long. Opisthosoma with 18 (18 23) broad dorsal annuli (from rear shield margin), evenly arched, with sparse and elongated microtubercles, except the 45 smooth caudal annuli; ventrally with 32 (30 38) annuli, with slender and elongated microtubercles, placed slightly ahead of rear border of annuli, sparse on lateral region between lateral and ventral seta II (c and e); attenuate lateral projections. Lateral seta (c 2 ) 15 (13 16) long, on annulus 23 (23). Ventral seta I (d) 18 (16 19) long, 33 (33 39) apart, 42 (33 44) microtubercles apart, on annulus 7 8 (7 10); ventral seta II (e) 20 (17 22) Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

15 long, 17 (17 20) apart, 16 (14 18) microtubercles apart, on annulus (15 19); ventral seta III (f) 15 (15 18) long, 25 (21 27) apart, 19 (16 22) microtubercles apart, on annulus (26 33). Caudal seta (h 2 ) 36 (33 37) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) minute. MALE. (Measurements of 5 paratypes) Smaller than female, long, wide. Gnathosoma long; antapical seta 68 long. Chelicerae long; oral stylets 7 11 long. Prodorsal shield long, wide. Scapular seta (sc) absent. Vertical external seta (ve) 4 5 long, apart. Frontal lobe 4 long, base 7 11 wide. Legs as in female. Legs I long; femur 5 6 long, femoral seta (bv) 4 long; genu 3 4 long, genual seta (l ) long; tibia 3 4 long; tarsus 4 long, lateral seta (ft ) long, dorsal seta (ft ) 4 5 long, unguinal seta (u ) 3 4 long, solenidion 7 8 long; empodium 5 long, 7 8-rayed. Legs II long; femur 4 5 long, femoral seta (bv) 4 long; genu 3 4 long, l 12 long; tibia 3 long; tarsus 4 long, ft long, ft 4 long, u 2 3 long, solenidion 7 long; empodium 4 5 long, 7 8-rayed. Coxae smooth. Sternal line clear, 68 long. Coxal seta I (1b) 5 6 long, 6 8 apart; coxal seta II (1a) 9 12, 7 9 apart; coxal seta III (2a) long, apart; 3 4 anterior smooth coxigenital semi annuli and 5 7 posterior microtuberculated coxigenital semi annuli. Genitalia wide, 5 6 long, smooth, papillae as figured; genital seta (3a) 4 6 long. Opisthosoma as in female, with dorsal annuli; 3136 ventral annuli. Lateral seta (c 2 ) long, on annulus 1 2. Ventral seta I (d) long, apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus 7 9; ventral seta II (e) long, apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus 16 19; ventral seta III (f) long, apart, microtubercles apart, on annulus Caudal seta (h 2 ) long; accessory seta (h 1 ) minute. Type material. female holotype, 9 female and 5 male paratypes, from Elaeis oleifera (Kunth) Cortés (Arecaceae), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, 3º04 S 59º55 W, 28 september 2003, collected by D. Navia and A. M. Tavares, on 7 microscopic preparations, in the collection of Laboratório de Quarentena Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil and paratypes in the collections of Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Manaus, AM, Brazil and Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, ESALQ, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Relation to host. Mites are vagrants on inner surface of leaves causing no apparent damage. Colonies were observed protected under a dense layer of loose of trichomes along midrib. Etymology. We take pleasure in naming this species after Adauto Maurício Tavares, Entomologist at Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, for his most valuable support in collecting this material. Remarks. Propilus tavaresi n. sp. is distinct in presenting microtubercles on dorsal opisthosomal annuli (these are smooth in all other described species), and in the posterior position of the vertical setae on the prodorsal shield (either on anterior margin or on the ventrally bend anterior part of the shield in the other species). ZOOTAXA ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 55

16 FIGURE 5. Propilus tavaresi n. sp. D. Dorsal habitus of female. V. Ventral habitus of female. CGM. Coxigenital region of male. L1. Leg I. L2. Leg II. E. Empodium Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN

17 Acknowledgments To James Amrine Jr., WVU, USA, for inestimable colaboration through discussions about taxonomic placement of the new genus. To Ranyse Q. Barbosa, Unimontes, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil and Adauto M. Tavares, Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil for helping in the collection of the plant material. To CNPq- Brazil for the Ph.D fellowship and for supporting collection costs. This work was partially supported by the State of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) within the BIOTA/FAPESP The Biodiversity Virtual Institute Program ( ZOOTAXA References Amrine Junior, J.W.; Stasny, T.A.H. & Flechtmann, C.H. (2003) Revised keys to world genera of Eriophyoidea (Acari: Prostigmata). Indira Publishing House, West Bloomfield, 244 pp. Flechtmann, C.H.W. & Santana, D.L.Q. (1997) Ocorrência de Notostrix attenuata Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) em coqueiros no Brasil. 16 o Congresso Brasileiro de Entomologia, Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil, Salvador, Bahia, 40. Flechtmann, C.H.W. (1989) Cocos weddelliana H. Wendl. (Palmae: Arecaceae), a new host plant for Eriophyes guerreronis (Keifer, 1965) (Acari: Eriophyidae) in Brazil. International Journal of Acarology, 15 (4), 241. Flechtmann, C.H.W. (1994) Amrineus cocofolius n.g., n.sp. (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Brazil. International Journal of Acarology, 20 (1), Flechtmann, C.H.W. (1998) Mite (Arthropoda: Acari) associates of palms (Arecaceae) in Brazil. IV. Descriptions of two new species in the family Eriophyidae. International Journal of Acarology, 24 (2), Gondim Jr., M.G.C.; Flechtmann, C.H.W. & Moraes, G.J. (2000) Mite (Arthropoda: Acari) associates of palms (Arecaceae) in Brazil. IV. Descriptions of four new species in the Eriophyoidea. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 5, Keifer, H.H. (1970) Eriophyid studies C-4. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 24 pp. Lindquist, E.E.; Sabelis, M.W. & Bruin, J. (1996) Eriophyoid mites: their biology, natural enemies and control. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 790 pp. Mohanasundaram, M. (1984) New eriophyid mites from India (Acarina: Eriophyoidea). Oriental Insects, 18, Moore, D. & Howard, F.W. (1996) Coconuts. In: Lindquist, E.E.; Sabelis, M.W. & J. Bruin (Org.). Eriophyoid mites: their biology, natural enemies and control. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp Navia, D. & Flechtmann, C.H.W. (2002) Mite (Arthropoda: Acari) associates of palms (Arecaceae) in Brazil: VI. New genera and new species of Eriophyidae and Phytoptidae (Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea). International Journal of Acarology, 28 (2), Navia, D. & Flechtmann, C.H.W. (2003) Mites (Acari) of the genus Notostrix Keifer (Eriophyidae): new records, descriptions of six new species and key to the world species. Acarologia, XLIII, Robbs, C.F. & Peracchi, A.L. (1965) Sobre a ocorrência de um ácaro prejudicial ao coqueiro (Cocos nucifera L.). Anais da 9 a Reunião Fitossanitária, Ministério da Agricultura, Rio de Jan- ERIOPHYOIDEA 2005 Magnolia Press 57

18 eiro, p Santana D.L.Q.; Flechtmann C.H.W. & Lima (M.F. 1994) Novos ácaros do coqueiro no Brasil. Comunicado Técnico, 3, CPATC, EMBRAPA, Aracaju, 5 pp. Santana, D.L.Q. & Flechtmann, C.H.W. (1998) Mite (Arthropoda: Acari) associates of palms (Arecaceae) in Brazil. I. Present status and new records. Revista Brasileira de Zoologia, 15, Magnolia Press NAVIA & FLECHTMANN