Biologia 67/3: 540—545, 2012 Section Zoology DOI: 10.2478/s11756-012-0033-x

Description of larva and protonymph of Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (: Parasitidae)

Ewa Teodorowicz,DariuszJ.Gwiazdowicz & Jacek Kamczyc

Poznan University of Life Sciences„ Department of Forest Protection, Wojska Polskiego 71C, PL–61689 Poznan, Poland; e-mails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract: The study presents a detailed description of a larva and a protonymph of Vulgarogamasus kraepelini together with their biometric data obtained from the analysis of 37 specimens. Moreover, the study includes complete figures that take chaetotaxy of palps and legs into consideration. Key words: ; Vulgarogamasus; Parasitidae;

Introduction figures. In the future this will facilitate the identifica- tion of this species and also comparative studies with The mites of the family Parasitidae, are among the most other developmental stages within this family, which common and widely distributed of the Mesostigmata may further result in a preparation of keys to the iden- to be found in litter and humus. In addition, many tification of larvae or protonymphs. Chaetotaxy, sym- species are also found in other microhabitats such as bols and the numbering system of setae on the dorsal rotting wood, anthills, compost, dung, and also on in- and ventral side are after Hyatt (1980). Chaetotaxy of sects, small mammals and in their nests. They are es- legs and palps follows that of Evans (1963, 1969). sentially predatory and feed upon other microarthro- pods, including their eggs (Hyatt 1980; Lindquist et al Material and methods 2009). Even though 400 species of this family are known Mites were collected from litter in the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest located in the Siemianice Experimen- throughout the world, all developmental stages of only ◦ ◦ a few of them are known (Micherdzi´nski 1969; Hy- tal Forest near K˛epno, Central Poland (51 14 N, 18 06 att 1980). The description of larval or protonymphal E). Samples were collected on 15.04.2009, 14.07.2009 and 16.10.2009, leg. A. Jagodzi´nski, J. Kamczyc, R. Rakowski. stages and keys to determine them are missing in most Mites were extracted in Berlese Tullgren funnels for 72 hours cases, even in monographic studies (Holzmann 1969; and fixed in 70% ethanol. Forwardly, the permanent slides Tichomirov 1977; Karg 1993). were made with a use of Hoyer’s medium. A key prepared Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (Berlese, 1905) is a by Hyatt (1980) was used to identify the species, and the species of the family Parasitidae that is one of the data provided by Micherdzi´nski (1969) were also analysed. most commonly found in forest habitats of many Eu- Examinations were taken with a Zeiss Axioscop at 40–100× ropean countries of the Palearctic region, including fol- magnifications. Initial pencil drawings were prepared using lowing countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, a drawing tube compound. Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Poland, Slovakia, Swe- The known synonyms are given to facilitate data syn- thesis on this species. Individuals of V. kraepini are de- den, Switzerland (Micherdzi´nski 1969). This species posited in the collection of Department of Forest Protection, was recorded in many diverse microhabitats, most fre- University of Life Sciences in Poznan, Poland. quently in litter. It was found both in lowland and in mountainous areas at the height of 2700 m a.s.l. Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (Berlese, 1905) However, not all developmental stages of this species are completely known and described. The larva has Synonyms: Gamasus kraepelini (Hull, 1918), Eugamasus not been known yet. However, Micherdzi´nski (1969) kraepelini (Schweizer, 1961), kraepelini (Micher- presented a short description and several figures of a dzi´nski, 1969), Parasitus intermedius (Berlese, 1882 sic) sensu Turk & Turk, 1952), Paracarpais (Aceocarpais) krae- protonymph of V. kraepelini based on only one speci- pelini (Athias-Henriot, 1978). men. The aim of this study is to describe both the larva and the protonymph of Vulgarogamasus kraepelini, and Description. Larva (n =12).Ovalbodyofmilky- to present their detailed biometric data with complete white color, with the length of idiosoma ranging from

c 2012 Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences Description of larva and protonymph of Vulgarogamasus kraepelini 541

Fig. 1. Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (larva): A – dorsal view; B – ventral view (pa. s. paranal setae, po. s. – postanal seta, eu. s. – euanal setae). Scales 100 µm.

320 to 475 µm; the average length is 407 µm. The lose setae is located in the anterior part of the dorsal width of idiosoma ranges from 200 to 300 µm; the side (Fig. 1A). Setae s4 (110–115 µm) and z5 (110– average width is 246 µm. The pronotal shield (230– 115 µm) are the longest ones. Other setae are sig- 235 × 225 µm) with irregular edges and 9 pairs of pi- nificantly shorter: j1 (36–40 µm), j3 (21–23 µm), j4 542 E. Teodorowicz et al.

Fig. 2. Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (protonymph): A – dorsal view; B – ventral view (pa. s. paranal setae, po. s. – postanal seta, eu. s. – euanal setae). Scales 100 µm.

(42–45 µm), j5 (30–31 µm), j6 (34–35 µm), z2 (25– is triramous. Two lateral apices are higher and thin, 27 µm), z4 (47–49 µm). There is no ornamentation on the central one is lower and wide at the base (Figs 3A, this shield. 9 pairs of pilose setae, variable in length, are B). Fixed digit with 5 teeth and pilus dentilis, while also located below the pronotal shield: J2 (29–31 µm), movable digit (42 µm) with 3 teeth (Fig. 3G). J3 (43–47 µm), J4 (56–60 µm), J5 (37–39 µm), s6 (32– The pedipalps 270–275 µm long have five free seg- 34 µm), S2 (25–27 µm), S3 (21–23 µm), S4 (26–0 µm), ments. The chaetotaxy is shown by the following for- S5 (41–43 µm). mula – trochanter 0 (no setae), femur 4, genu 5, tibia The sternal shield (162–165 × 92–97 µm) with a 12, tarsus 11. The anterolateral setae (al) on the fe- pair of setae st1 (30–31 µm) is located on the ventral mur and genu are variously modified. Tarsus bears shield. Setae st2 (31–33 µm) and st3 (29–30 µm) are on its inner basal angle a movable flattened fork-like outside the shield (Fig. 1B). Tritosternum with a base structure – apotele (Fig. 3K). Legs variable in length: measuring 32 µm and laciniae measuring 54–58 µm I (520–550 µm), II (350–375 µm), III (360–380 µm). (Fig. 3E) is located above the shield. 4 pairs of pilose se- Setation of leg segments I–III follows given scheme: tae, variable in length (from 23–27 to 43–45 µm), are lo- antero-laterals – dorsals/ventrals – posterolaterals, re- cated below the sternal shield. A delicate, reticulate or- spectively: coxae I: 0-0/2-0, II: 0-0/2-0, III: 0-0/2-0; namentation and very long paranal setae (94–101 µm) trochanters I: 1-0/2-1, II: 1-0/2-1, III: 1-0/2-1; femora and a postanal seta (220–225 µm) are located on the I: 2-4/3-1 II: 1-4/1-1, III: 1-2/1-1; genua I: 1-4/2-1, II: anal shield (45–55 × 78–80 µm). A pair of euanal setae 1-4/0-1, III: 1-4/0-0; tibiae I: 2-2/3-1, II: 1-3/2-1, III: present. Stigmata and peritremes are absent. 1-3/2-1; tarsi I: 28; II: 14; III: 14. (Figs 4A–D). Corniculi horn like (24–25 µm). Pilose hypostomal setae of similar length: h1 (36–37 µm), h2 (38 µm). Description. Protonymph (n = 25). Oval body with 11 rows with tiny denticles in the center of hypostome. the length of idiosoma ranging from 460 to 580 µm; the From 12 to 28 denticles (Fig. 3I) per row. The epistome average length is 524 µm. The width of idiosoma ranges Description of larva and protonymph of Vulgarogamasus kraepelini 543

Fig. 3. Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (larva): A, B – epistom; E – tritostermum; G – chelicerae; I – gnathosoma; K – pedipalp; (protonymph): C, D – epistom; F – tritostermum; H – chelicerae; J – gnathosoma; L – pedipalp. Scale 25 µm. 544 E. Teodorowicz et al.

Fig. 4. Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (larva): A – tasus I; B – leg I; C – leg II; D – leg III; (protonymph): E – leg I; F – leg II; G – leg III;H–legIV.Scales100µm. from 260 to 370 µm; the average width is 297 µm. J5 (69–75 µm). 9 pairs of setae are located between the On the dorsal side are a pronotal shield (280–290 × pronotal and the pygidial shields; seta R1 (14–15 µm) 265 µm) and a pygidial shield (93 × 120–130 µm); two is the shortest one and Z1 (62–67 µm), Z2 (60–67 µm), pairs of mesonotal scutellum (9–11 × 11–14 µmand J2 (60–65 µm), S4 (60–65 µm) and S5 (60–63 µm) are 3–5 × 4–6 µm) between them (Fig. 2A). 11 pairs of pi- the longest ones. The two shields are covered with a lose setae, variable in length, are located on the prono- delicate, reticulate ornamentation. tal shield. The longest setae are the follows: z5 (119– Tritosternum more likely as for an adult form with 124 µm), s4 (82–87 µm), s5 (69–71 µm), j5 (65–70 µm); abase40µm long and laciniae with the length of 65 µm while the shortest are: j2 (39–44 µm), z2 (48–52 µm). (Fig. 3F) is located on the ventral side above the ster- Setae r2 (42–45 µm), r3 (160–166 µm), r5 (17–20 µm) nal shield. 3 pairs of setae are located on the sternal and s6 (31–34 µm) are outside the shield. 5 pairs of shield (184–210 × 105–123 µm); seta st1 (46–47 µm) pilose setae are located on the pygidial shield: J3 (52– is longer than st2 and st3 (37–38 µm) (Fig. 2B). The 55 µm), J4 (55–65 µm), J4 (72–96 µm), Z3 (59–65 µm), anal shield (41–50 × 54–75 µm) with two paranal se- Description of larva and protonymph of Vulgarogamasus kraepelini 545 tae. The paranal setae (29–32 µm) are shorter than the References postanal (42 µm) seta, all revealing a fine pilosity. A delicate ornamentation is visible on the shield. 6 pairs Athias-Henriot C. 1978. Paracarpais n.g (type Gamasus furcatus G. et R. Canestrini, 1882) et redescription de Paracarpais in- of setae, variable in length: from 11–12, through 25–31, fernalis (Wilmann, 1940) (, Parasitidae). Rev. to 40–46 µm are located between the sternal and anal Suisse Zool. 85 (1): 47–53. shields. Peritreme is short (45 µm)locatedintheregion Berlese A. 1905. Acari nouovi. Materiali pel ‘Manipulus V’. Redia of coxae III/IV. 2: 231–238 µ Evans G.O. 1963. Observations on the chaetotaxy of the legs in Corniculi horn like (31–35 m). Hypostomal setae the free-living Gamasina (Acari: Mesostigmata). Bull. Brit. are pilose and variable in length: h1 (42–50 µm), h2 Mus. Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser. 10 (5): 275–303. (44–45 µm), h3 (32–37 µm), h4 (40–45 µm). 11 rows Holzmann C. 1969. Die Familie Parasitidae Oudemans 1901 (eine 13: with tiny denticles in the center of hypostome. From systematische Studie aus dem Jahre 1955). Acarologie 3– 55. 17 to 37 denticles (Fig. 3J) per row. The epistome is Hull J.E. 1918. Terrestial Acari of the Tyne Province. Trans. Nat. triramous. The apices are most frequently furcate and Hist. Soc. Northtumb. 5 (1): 13–88. the central one is the lowest one (Figs 3C, D). Fixed Hyatt K.H. 1980. Mites of the subfamily Parasitinae (Mesostig- mata: Parasitidae) in the British Isles. Bull. Brit. Mus. Nat. digit has 6 teeth and pilus dentilis, while movable digit 38 5 : µ Hist. Zool. ( ) 237–378. (58–59 m) has 3 teeth (Fig. 3H). Karg W. 1993. Acari (Acarina), Milben Parasitiformes (An- Palps are 210–215 µm long. The chaetotaxy is actinochaeta), Cohors Gamasina Leach. Raubmilben. In: Die shown by the following formula – trochanter 1, femur Tierwelt Deutschlands und der angrenzenden Meeresteile 4, genu 5, tibia 12, tarsus 15. The anterolateral setae nach ihren Merkmalen und ihrer Lebensweise, 59. Teil, 2. Uberarbeitete¨ Auflage, VEB Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena, 523 (al) on the femur and genu are variously modified. Tar- pp. ISBN: 3-93137448-3 sus bears on its inner basal angle a movable flattened Lindquist E.E., Krantz G.W. & Walter D.E. 2009. Order fork-like structure – apotele (Fig. 3L). Legs variable Mesostigmata, pp. 124–232. In: Krantz G.W. & Walter D.E. in length: I (685–705 µm), II (470–485 µm), III (465– (eds), A manual of Acarology (Third Ed.), Texas Tech. Univ. Press, Lubbock, 816 pp. ISBN-10: 0896726207, ISBN-13: 978- 485 µm), IV (755 µm). Setation of leg segments I–IV 0896726208 with scheme aplied: antero-laterals – dorsals/ventrals – Micherdzi´nski W. 1969. Die familie Parasitidae Oudemans posterolaterals, respectively: coxae I: 0-0/2-0, II: 0-0/2- 1901 (Acarina, Mesostigmata). Pa´nstwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Kraków, 660 pp. 0, III: 0-0/2-0, IV: 0-0/1-0; trochanters I: 1-0/2-1, II: Schweizer J. 1961. Die Landmilben der Schweiz (Mittelland, 1-0/2-1, III: 1-0/2-1, IV: 1-1/2-0; femora I: 2-4/3-1 II: Jura und Alpen.) Parasitiformes Reuter. Denkschr. Schweiz. 0-4/3-1, III: 1-3/1-0, IV: 1-3/0-0; genua I: 1-4/2-1, II: Naturforsch. Ges. 84: 1–207. ISBN-10: 3764380632, ISBN-13: 1-4/0-1, III: 1-4/0-1, IV: 1-4/0-0; tibiae I: 2-2/3-1, II: 978-3764380632 Tichomirov S.I. 1977. Seme˘ıstvo Parasitidae [Family Parasitidae 1-3/2-1, III: 1-3/2-1, IV: 1-3/2-1; tarsi I: 30; II: 15; III: Oudemans, 1901], pp. 55–107. In: Gilyarov M.S. & Bregetova 15, IV: 15. (Figs 4E-H). N.G. (eds), Opredeliteľ obitayushchikh v pochve kleshche˘ı, Mesostigmata [Key to the Soil-inhabiting Mites, Mesostig- Differential diagnosis. Actually, only one drawing mata], Nauka Press, Leningrad, 718 pp. of the dorsal side of a protonymph and figures of its Received June 2, 2011 tectum, chelicera, the third tarsus and the fourth leg Accepted February 10, 2012 are that of Micherdzi´nski (1969). They are alike all fig- ures given herein, although between pronotal and py- gydial shields two pairs of mesonotal scutellum are ab- sent, probably due to their inconspicous character. Also worth mentioning are finley pilose paranal setae, which according to Micherdzi´nski’s (1969) short description of a ventral side, are said to be simple.