Neoaulonastus aegithalos Skoracki 2011, sp. nov.

Neoaulonastus aegithalos sp. nov.

(Fig. 87)

Type host: Aegithalos caudatus (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Aegithalidae) from Poland.

Description. FEMALE (holotype). Total body length 515 (500–515 in 5 paratypes). Gnathosoma. Infracapitulum punctate. Stylophore rounded posteriorly, 135 long (135–140). Each medial branch of peritremes with 2 chambers, each lateral branch with 6–8 chambers. Idiosoma. Propodonotal shield well discernible only near bases of setae ve and si. Length ratio of setae ve: si 1:1. Hysteronotal shield absent. Pygidial shield present, sparsely punctate near bases of setae f2. Length ratio of setae f1: f2 1:2–2.3. Length ratio of aggenital setae ag1: ag2: ag3 1.6–1.8:1:1.8–2. Pseudanal setae ps1 and ps2 subequal in length. Both pairs of genital setae subequal in length. Genital plate absent. All coxal fields weakly sclerotized, sparsely punctate. Setae 3c 1.8–2 times longer than 3b. Legs. Fan-like setae p’ and p” of legs III and IV with 5–6 tines. Setae tc”III–IV about 1.7–1.8 times longer than tc’III–IV. Lengths of setae: ve 30 (30–35), si 30 (30), se 220 (190–210), c1 245 (215–230), c2 140 (145–170), d1 120 (120–140), d2 115 (75), e2 110 (110–125), f1 35 (25–35), f2 70 (70–80), h1 25 (25), h2 320 (310), g1 and g1 (30), ps1 and ps2 (15), ag1 90 (70–90), ag2 50 (45–50), ag3 95 (95), tc’III–IV 25 (25–30), tc”III–IV 45 (45–50), 3b 25 (25–30), 3c 45 (40–50).

MALE. Unknown.

Type material. Aegithalos caudatus (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Aegithalidae): female holotype and 6 female paratypes (AMU –SYR.112) (rec.); POLAND, Opolskie, Turawa Lake, 7 February 2004, coll. G. Hebda.

Type depository. All material deposited in the AMU, except 1 female paratype in the ZISP.

Host range and habitat. Monoxenous species inhabiting quills of rectrices of Aegithalos caudatus.

Distribution. Poland.

Etymology. The name aegithalos refers to the generic name of the host.

Differential diagnosis. See differential diagnosis of N. caligatus described above.