Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 52B(1-2) 2009
Issue:
VOL 52B(1-2) 2009
DOI:
10.3409/azc.52b_1-2.61-72
Keywords:
Feather mites, Astigmata, Pterolichidae, falconets, new taxa
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Szeptyckiana, a new genus of the feather mite family Pterolichidae (Acari, Astigmata, Pterolichoidea) from the Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius (Falconiformes, Falconidae)
Abstract:
Szeptyckiana, a new genus of the feather mite family Pterolichidae (Pterolichoidea), is described based on two new species, S. macrosetosa sp. n. (type species), and S. microsetosa sp. n., collected from the wing feathers of museum specimens of the Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius (DRAPIEZ, 1824) (Falconidae). This highly plesiomorphic new genus is characterized by pseudorutellar membranes with net-like pattern of hexagonal cells, complete idiosomal chaetotaxy, lanceolate setae c3, free epimerites I, and dagger-like setae cG on genua I and II. Males have very short opisthosomal lobes with tongue-shaped terminal membranes, genital and anal region not sclerotized, medium-sized aedeagus and minute adanal discs, not modified legs similar in size, tarsi IV with small apico-ventral claw, and setae d on tarsi IV shaped as short sticks; seta e absent. Females have large horseshoe-shaped epigynum, 1.4-1.7 times longer than wide, and the ends of legs IV not reaching posterior rounded margin of the body. The occurrence of two Szeptyckiana species on a single individual of M. fringillarius is the first record of feather mite lineage duplication on falconiform birds.
