271

TOME 100 MARS 1964 NUMERO 6

BULLETIN 6' ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ROYALE D'ENTOMOLOCIE DE BELCIQUE

Association sans but lucratif, fondée le 9 avril 185'5

Publié avec le concours .... Ministère de l'Education Nationale et de la Culture et de la Fondation Universitaire de Belgique

OPHIOCELAENO SELLNICKI, A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF DIPLOGYNIIDAE ASSOCIATED WITH SNAKES (-) (')

Donald E. JOHN5TON (2) and Alex FAIN (3)

The mesostigmatid of the superfamily Cdaenopsoidea kurrently comprised of the families Celaenopsidae, Euzerconidae, Diplogyniidae, and Schizogyniidae) are typically associated with or free-living, as adults. A prominent exception to this ecological generalization is the schizogyniid, Indogynium lindbergi Sellnick, 1950, which was described from specimens colleded from three genera of snakes in the Palni Mts. of southern India. Tiheassociation of Indogynium with a reptile has been questioned by Strandtmann and Wharton (1958) who correctlypoint out that snch an instance runs 'COunter to what we know of the Ce1aenop­ soidea. It must be admitted, however, that not much is really known about celaenopsoid mites and, further, there is a paralle1 (and in this instance, undoubted) case in the Antennophoroid'ea in

which a single genus, OphiomegistusJ is a parasite of snakes and

(1) Based on work supported, in part, by National Science Foundation Grant G. 19325. (2) Institute of AQarology', Ohio Agricultural E~periment Station, Wooster, Ohio, U.S.A. (3) Institut de Médecine Tropicale, Anvers, Belgique. 80 Bull. A ml. Soc. Roy. Ent. Betg., 100, 1<)64 BuLl. Ann. Soc. Roy. E'I" lizards although alI other genera are associates of arthropods. This question of true vertebrate- association is again opened for the Celaenopsoidea by the 3ippearance of a second lot of specimens associated with snakes. This material ,consists of II4 adult males and females, representing a new genus and species of Diplogy­ niidae, taken from Typhlops sp. in Bougainville. The specimens weI1e among a large lot of Acari received recently from Dr. H.M!. Levi of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, and we are most grateful to Dr. Levi for this interestingmaterial.

DIPLOGYNIIDAE

Ophioce1aeno n.'gen. (4)

Idiosoma broadest at leve1 of region ,between coxae III aI1Jd IV; narrowed in region of opisthosoma; not acute posteriorly. Dorsal shield markedly hieterotrÏ>chous; with alI interior setae reduced. Marginal dorsal setae short, spine-like laterally {ra pairs) ; e1on­ gate posteriorly (5 pairs). IWith 3 pairs of elongate sUlbmarginals. No dorsal neotrichy. Sternal shield of female relatively long and with sternal setae II dose together; sternals l and III well sepa­ rated; all sternal sebae at separate leve1s. LaÜgynial shields not excavated anteriorly; with 2 pairs of setae. Ventral and anal shi'elds fused; no ventral neotrichy. Cheliœrae with digits relati­ vely narrow; with many smalI, closely-set teeth. Male with late­ rally :flattened, spoon-shaped process on fixed digit and horn-like process on disti-ventral margin of cheliceral base. Tectum with median rib reduced in anterior half. AlI legs relatively short, stout. Type species: Ophiocelaeno sellnicki n.sp.

Ophiocelaeno sellnicki n.sp. (5)

FEMALE. Idiosoma rounded anteriorly, with moderate shoulders; widest at level between coxae III and IV and narrowed poste­ riorly. Length of idiiosoma 789-853 [J. in II specimens measured.

FIG. 1.

(4) Because of the lack of comparative studies in the Diplogyniidae, this and an previous generic diagnoses should not be taken too seriously. (5) This s,pecies is named for our friend and colleague, Dr. Max Sell­ nick (Deutschland). ~y. Ent. BÛg., 100, IC)64 Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. Bûg., 100, IC)64 8r

.ciates of arthropods. :l is again opened for =cond lot of specimens ;ts of II4 adult males " , ,/f---,!) --. "'-f :l species of Diplogy­ ®@w"------'/:':~/\~1\ " :Iville. The specimens ;./ ---li> li> ':t\~ ently from Dr. H .,W. ;:;.' . ~~~. J Harval'd University, . /", " ".{\' :; interesting materia1. ff;f: ~ .'. ~'t\~ '3 Qo \, ))\ \ 1 /1 r,' . .. Il ~,o"g".,,~(1), • 0 0 ~.\\• ,\~l (l, r::,'." 0, Cl, 0,,0,"cff",'o@ 1~ 'iD / ' ID%Q~,s.o'0 "" Ç) '/1/1 1 0 ~n coxae III and IV; '1/1 / ' ., ° :;' "''' '.'\ .te posteriorly. Dorsal li ." ". 'r )"<1'. 1 1 nterior setae reduced. r ~, (l "V\ ' . .; :-ally (ro pairs) ; elon­ JI' , .. " 1 ' l" " •••••., ." • 1 , longate swbmarginals. le relatively long and !:\,'~ ". . . "'.,/<~ "' .• y\ e=­ , '>'''" , s l and III weIl sepa­ ~ ,", 3-' M' "''''.(!) {18 • "" / " \1 ::"atigynial shields not 'o.~ /'Nli~ '1 .' /'-,;.' 0 "'-'j' .. :le. Ventral and anal ~i ~ \ "N---.' 0 rae with digits relati­ Il!) 0 0 // ~J " , '>~'---r' 1 10 f(J/ J--J-,.-J/,,/ 0 -;Q\1G ' leeth. Male with late­ ' \ ' \ I_~ /'j '~ '.____>\ //À , ~/ ,':1--.../t>"----~o II-x,/,-. /\: • :lI base. Tectum with '

  • '.?'--. \ _ / • p. \'hi":" ; ...... , .. '- ':----; (il ~ (il ly . (5) ~ '1 h moderate shoulders ; and narrowed poste­ specimens measured.

    FIG. 1. - Dorsal view of idiosoma of female.

    ~s in the Diplogyniidae, .t be taken too seriously. ~ol1eagcue, Dr. Max Se1l­ Bull. Ann. Soc. R ay. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. E

    Dors'llm. \IF' Lg'llre 1 withcomplex parata . a.ddition to l 'lln1J postenarIn . ta 1,. . Setal

    FIG. 3. ­

    estigial setae; 3 FIG. 2. - Ventral Vlew. of 1'dosoma of female.. or v . 1 ç 15 palrs. of margIna ~ Venter. (Figures ~ lacInlae... Sternal shle y. Elit. Bûg., roo, rC)64 BuU. Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belg., roo, r964 83

    Dorsum. {Figure I) Dorsal shield markedly heterotrichous and withcomplexporotaxy. Forty-two pairs of dorsal setae present in addition to l unpail1ed (and often assymetrically placed) seta j---~ posterior to i,. Setal complement consisting of 24 pairs of short ~ \ U v li

    .3

    FIG. 3. Sterni-genital region of female.

    or vestigial setae; 3 pairs of long, curved submarginal setae; . of f,emale. I5 pairs of marginal setae of which posterior 5 pairs are enlarged. Venter. (Figmes 2 and 3) Tritosternum normal; with 2 spinose laciniae. Sternal shield with thickened anterior margin. Sternal Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. El setae I long, s'pine-like; reaching to leve1 of sternal setae II. SternaIs II small; in center of sternal shield; about one-third as far apart as sternals r. Sternals III short; about the same distance 3Jpart as sternals r. Metasternal shidds free; setae very small. Latigynial shields with antero-Iateral margins concave, not incised; with 2 pairs of setae. Latigynials I approximate1y in center of shie1d; latigynials 2 on median margin just anterior to the small, triangular mesogynial shield. Ventral shie1d fused with peritremal-pampodal complex and with anal shie1d; V-shaped, with slightly convex sides; reaching almost to posterior margin of opisthosoma. Ventral shield bearing 4 pairs of ventral and 2 pairs of paranal setae. Ventri-Iateral shields each with long, sigmoid ridge in the posterior half; a pair of setae at the hind margin. Anus surrounded by a group of branched integumentary (? glandular) canals. Gnathosoma (6). (Figures 4 and 5) Tectum triangular in out­ line; sides smooth and gently concave; extending almost to distal end of palp femur; median rib restricted to basal half. Suibcapi­ tuh1m large; well sc1erotized. Hypotome well developed, reaching past level of palp trochanter; distally expanded and bifurcate. (( Hypopharyngeal »processes filamentous, smooth, œntrrally rihbed; long, reaching past leve1 of palp genu. Hypostomal pro­ cesses pres'ent, originating just mediad of corniculi; reaching almost to level of tip of corniculus. Corniculi heavy, saber-like; reaching to or slightly beyond leve1 of distal margin of palp trochanter. Hypostomal setae in oblique row; lightly serrate; de­ creasing slightly in length from anterior to posterior pair.. Sub­ capitular setae serrate; subequal in length with posterior hypos­ tomaIs. (( Deuterosternal » column with (modal) 3 finetooth files. La:brum {epipharynx of Gorirossi) finely s']Jinose dorsally; smooth ventrally. Chdioeral digits (Figure 5) relatively long, thin; with many small, c1osely-set teeth in addition to basal locking teeth. Pilis dentilis vestiga1. Dorsal seta of chelicera not observed. Mo­ vable digit with 2 tree-like ex'cresences and. a single saber-like excresence with small setules. Chaetotaxy of palp trochanter, femur, genu and tibia: 2-5-7-15. Pretarsus with 2 claws. Legs re1ativdy short; II-IV quite stout. Pretarsus present on FIG. 4. - V

    (6) The terminology applied to the gllathosoma fol1ows, in gelleral, thjat of Gorirossi (1955). JY. Ent. Berg., 100, 1'164 Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 85

    _ of sbernal setae II. jeld; about one-third :lort; about the same l~elds free; setae very _margins çoncave, not ;s l approximately in largin just anterior ta :ltrai shield fused with laI shield; V-shaped, ;t to posterior margin pairs of ventral and jelds eaà with long, ~ of sdae at the hind .anched integumentary

    um triangular in out­ ~nding almost to distal

    0() basal half. Suibcapi­ ~ll developed, reaàing panded and ,bifurçate. us, smooth, œntmlly -enu. Hypostomal pro­ )f corniculi; reaching :uli heavy, saber-like; Estal margin of pal.p N; lightly serrate; de­ :0 posterior pair._ Sub­ la"Ah l • t, with posterior hY'pos­ lodal) 3 finetooth files. JI''':::::'~:1 inose dorsally ; smooth «t r....· J :ively long, thin; with 1 \.., :0 basal locking teeth. ~era not observed. Mo­ nd a single saber-like y of palp trochanter, nn with 2 claws. Pretarsus present on FIG. 4. - Ventral view of gnathosoma of femaàe.

    :mla follows, in gelleral, 86 BulL A I1n. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. E legs II-IV; lacking on leg 1. Chaetotaxy of legs as follows (using the system of Evans, 1903) :

    l II III IV .. COXA 2 2 2 TROCH 1-1/3-1 5 5 5 FEMUR 1-2/1; 2/3-1 2-2/1; 2/2-1* I-2/1; 2/1-0 1-2/1 j 2/1-1 GENU 1-3/1; 2/1-1 1-3/1; 2/1-1 1-2/1 j 2/1-1 1-2/1; 3/1-1** TIBIA 2-3/2;2/2-2 1-1/1; 2/1-1 1-1/1; 2/1-1 [-1/2; 2/1-1*** 1 TARSUS***'" 19 19 20 * AL. and PV. on basifemur. ** PD, is a mastiseta. ..* PV is stout, heart-shaped. **** Count includes « proraIs ».

    Femalescontained a maximUl1ll. of 4 eggs. Measurements of holotype femak Length of idiosoma 821 [J.. Maximum width of idiosoma 581 [J.. Distance between centers of bases of sternal setae l 88 1.1.; sternals II 28 [J.; sternals III 93 1.1.. Length of sternal shield along median line 73 [J.. Maximum l-ength ...... "'... '. \, of llatigynial shield Ils [J.; maximum width 83 1.1.. Length of ...... tarsus l 13 1 [J.. MALE. Length of idiosoma 736-853 [J. in 8 specimens measured. Dorsumas in female. Venter {F~gure 8) normal. Genital aperture at anterior margin oiE sternal shield. (l Glandular Il porose area in center of sternal shield behind genital aperture. Peritremal, para,pooal, sternal, ventral, and anal shields fused; separatôd by oblique suture from ventri-l,ateral shields. Six pairs of sterni-g-enital seta,e present (S:r I-IV; G 1-2) and 4 pairs of ventrals {V 1-4)arud 2 pairs of 1 paranals (PA 1-2); total complement as in female. Gnathosoma similar ta that of female except in following fea­ J t'Ures: Corniculi (Figure 7) long, curvled, setiform; reaching past tip of hypostome. Second hypostomal process present; arising antero-mediad of more lateral proeess. Chelicerae (Figure 6) with but a single, distally bifurcate treelike exeresence and with a blunt, laterally compressed, spoon-shaped process on fixed digit. FIG. 5-6. ­ Distal portion of cheliceralbase with ventral, horn-like, hyaline process. Legs similar ta those of female eXlcept that trochanter IV bears a prominent, semi~circular, scale-like process (present but less dewloped. on trochanters II and III). _oy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 Bun. Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. BÛg., 100, 1964 87

    legs as follows :( using

    III IV

    2 5 5 1; 2/1-0 1-2/1; 2/1-1 1; 2/1-1 1-2/1; 3/1-IH 1; 2/1-1 1-1/2; 2/1-1··· 19 20

    -. :th of idiosoma 821 \1. . nce between centers of 1.' ~ 3 iJ.; sternals III 93 !Jo. ".' .,.".... ::.it{~~'i;l\~::,:.:" ....,' 73 \1. Maximum l>ength ...... "'...l

    .." ...... '1 ....." ~'''''''' ~dth 83 !Jo. Length of .. " ...... , •••,. u g specimens measured. ure at anterior margin ~a in center of sternal J, pampodal, sternal, ed by oblique suture Ili-genital setae 'present (V 1-4) and 2 pairs of 1 1 female. (cept in following fea­ 1 i, set.ifor1n:; reaching rocesspresent; arising 6 icerae (Figure 6) with xcresence and with a process on fixed digit. FIG. 5-6. - Chelicea-ae of female (5) and male (6). raI, horn-like, hyaline at trochanter IV hears ::ess (present but less ss BulL Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 Bull. A nn. Soc. Roy. Er

    Holotype female deposited in the U.S. National Museum, Washington, and bearing the following data: Ex Typhlops sp. (spotted type only) : Solomon Islands: Bougainville Is1.. : Kieta: Nov. 1960: Fred Parker. Paraty:pe males and females (ail with same data as holotype) deposited in the British Mus'eum (Nat. Hist.) , London; the U.S. National Museum ; the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge; the Snow Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence j the Musee d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris; the Institut de Medecine Tropicale, Anvers; and the Institute of Aca­ roIogy• :Wooster.

    7 FIG. 7. - Partial ventral view of g1li~thosoma of male showing corniculus.

    DISCUSSION

    In addition to those cited in Baker and ,Wharton, 1952 ~whose list is ibased on the partial monograph of Tragardh, 1950), the following genera have been referred to the Diplogyniidae: Neo­ lobogynium Hicks, 1957 {type species: N. americana (Banks, Hf06) = lateriseta Hi'cks, 1957; see Johnston 1960); Lobogyniella Krantz, 1958 (type species : L. tragardhi Krantz, 1958); Monodi­ plogynium !Womersley, 1958 (type species: M. carabi ,Womersley, 1958) ; Paradiplogynium 'Woilliersley, 1958 (type species: P. pa­ nesthia 'YVomersley, 1958); and Crenamargo Hicks, 1958 (type FIG. 8. -­ species: C. binuseta Hicks, 1958). There are also recent short papers on Diplogyniidae by Samsinak, 1957; Fox, 1957; and Hicks, 1959. jY. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 BuH. Ann. SOC. Roy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 89

    . National M'useum, la: Ex Typhlops sp. gainville 1s1..: Kieta: and females (all with :ritish Museum (Nat. U1Ill; the Museum of

    J Museum, University Naturelle, Paris; the J. the 1nstitute of Ac.a­

    nale showing corniculus.

    Wharton, 1952 ~W1hose Tragârdh, 1950), the Diplogyniidae: N eo­ 1. americana (Banks, l 1960); Lobogyniella rantz, 1958); Monodi­ 8 M. carabi ,Womersley, .( type species: P. pa­ g-o Hicks, 1958 {type FIG. 8. -- Ventral vie.v of idioscmn of male. are also recent short )57; Fox, 1957; and Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1964 Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. Er.

    In this paper we shal1 make no attempt to compare Ophioce­ HICKS, E.A., 1959, The rina, Diplogyniidae) ( laeno with other named genera of Diplogyniidae other than }OHNSTON, D.E., 19OO, • tJhrough the ,presentation in the generic diagnosis of that combi­ Laelaptidae and Diplo types of Mesostignnat nation of features by whi,ch the new genus differs from al1 others. KRANTZ, G.W. 1958, Lot The family Diplogyniidae, as with other œlaenopsoid groups, d1plogyniid asso. rina, Diplogyniidae) (_ seems not so amenable to routine taxonomie procedures, and ana­ SAMSINAK, K., 1957, Die: lysis of the group by the techniques of numerical ap­ niidae (Acari) (Acta ::. SELLNICK, M., 1954, Ine pears a requisite in dealing with the classification of these mites. neue Acaride ans Indi Such an analysis is heing undertaken by R. Funk and J.H. Carnin STRANDTMANN, R.W. and tid Mites Plarasitic or of the University of Kansas. rology. i-xi, 1-330, pl TRAGARDH, 1., 1950, Sb Our study of Ophiocelaeno sellnicki has not revealed any fea­ Schizogyniidae (AcaTIÏ tures which can he interpreted with certainty as correlated with WOMERSLEY, H., 1958, 0 paraphagic upon mil: parasitism or any other type of association with the snake hosto Ji3JlIlily Passalldae (Tr Thecheliceral digits are relatively longer and narrower than in many diplogyniids and the hypostome is more ela:borately deve­ loped than usual, rbut an interpretation of the signifioanèe of these features must await a comparative study of the family.

    ADDITION Ta F AIN'S (r962) LIST OF MESOSTIGMATID MITES ASSOCIATED WITH SNAKES SCHIZOGYNIIDAE lndogynium lindbergi Sel1nick, 1954. Ex Platyplectrurus ,1n,adurensis Bed., Uropeltis pulnejensis (Bed.), and Teretrurus rhodogaster ('Wall.) in Kodikanal, Palni Mts., India (Sel1nick, 1954).

    REFERENCES CITED BAKER. E.W. and WHARTON, G.W., 1952, An Introduction to Acarology. (New-York. i-xiii + 1-465). EVANS, G.O., 1963, Observations on the chaetotaxy of the legs in the freeliving Gamasina (Acari: Mesostigrrua.ta). (Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.), Zoo1., 10 (5): 275-303). FAIN, A., 1962, Les acariens mesostigmatiques ,ectoparasites des serpents. (Bull. Inst. Royal Sci. Nat. Belgique XXXVIII (18): 1-149). Fox, 1., 1959, A new mite1JaJken with in Puerto Rico (Acarina : DipJogyniidae) (Acarologia l (3): 296-2g8). GORIROSSI, F.E., 1955, '-(he gnathosoII1la of the Celaenopsina, )Acarina Mesostigmata) (A mer. Mid!. Nat. 54 (1): 153-167). HICKS, E.A., 1957, A new genus and species of the fami.1y Diplogyniidae (Acarina) (Proc. Iowa Acad. Sei. 64: 614-620). HICKS, E.A., 1958, A new genus and species of diplogyniid from Nica­ ragua (order Acarina, family Diplogyniidae) (Iowa State Journ. Sei. Imprimé en Belgique· IMPRI 33 (2): 103-IIO). ~oy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1{)64 Bull. Ann. Soc. Roy. Ent. Belg., 100, 1{)64 9I

    i to com,pare 0phioce­ HICKS, E.A., 1959, The male of Lobogynioides obtusum Triigârdh (Aca­ rina, Diplogyniidae) (Proc. Iowa Acad. Sei. 66: 474-476). 10gyniidae other than JOHNSTON, D.E., lcjSo, Sorne new synonymy in the Haemogamasidae, ~agnosis of that combi­ Laelaptidae rand Diplogyniidae indicated by an examination of Banks' types of Mesostig;mata (Acarina) (Psyche 66 (4): 60-62). differs frorn a11 others. KRANTZ, G.W. 1955, Lobogyniella tragardhi, a new ,genus and species of :: ce1aenopsoid groups, diplogyniid mite ,assœiated with dampwood termites in Oregon (Aca­ rina, Diplogyniidae) (Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. 60 (3): 127-131). _c procedures, and ana­ SAMSINAK, K., 1957, Die mitteleuropaischen Arten der Familie Diplogy­ .lrnerical taxonomy ap­ niidae (Acari) (Acta Soc. Ent. Cechosloveniae 54 (1): 1-6). SELLNICK, M., 1954, Indogynium lindbergi nov. gen., nov. spec., eine :fication of these mites. neue Acaride ans Indien (Ent. Tidskr. 75 (2-4): 285-291). Funk and J.H. Carnin STRANDTMANN, R.W. and WHARTON, G.W., 1958, A Manual of Mesostigma­ tid l\1ites P,arasitic on Vertebrates (Contrib. No. 4, Institute of Aca­ rology. i-xi, 1-330, pIs 1-69). : not revealed any fea­ TRAGARDH, L, 1950, Studies on the Ce1aenopsidae, Diplogyniidae and Schizogyniidae (Acarrina) (Ark. f. ZooL, Ser. 2, 1 (25): 361-451). _nty as iCOrrelated with \VOMERSLEY, H., 1958, On sorne Acarina from Australia and New Guinea paraphagic upon millipedes and cockroaches, and on of the :1 with the snake hosto fiamily (Trans. Royal Soc. South Austral. 81: 13-29). and uarrower than in more ela:borately deve­ he signifi.œnce of these : the farnily.

    ; (r962) D MITES ""ARES

    Uropeltis pulnejensis :Wall.) in Kodikflllal,

    Itroduction to Acarology. )taxy of the legs in the (Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. :toparasites des serpents. ru (IS): 1-149). 1 Puerto Rico (Acarina :

    ~ Celaenopsina, )Acarina 167). the family Diplogyniidae f diplogyniid from Nica­ (Iowa State Tourn. Scï. Imprimé en Belgique - IMPRIMERIE DES SCIENCES s.a., 75, av. Emile de Beeo, Bruxelles 5