Aculops spodiasis Chakrabarti & Sarkar, 2011, n. sp.

Aculops spodiasis n. sp.

(Figs. 1–6.)

Diagnosis. This species is distinguished by the following combination of characters: scapular tubercles with setae located almost at posterior margin of prodorsal shield, presence of incomplete median line, non granular prodorsal shield margin, prodorsal shield shows symmetrical cells and lines, presence of 7 columnar cells at anterior margin of prodorsal shield, 5 rayed tarsal empodium, smooth dorsal annuli, h1 seta present, surface of coxa I ornamented with curved lines where as that of coxa II is almost smooth except two curved parallel lines at distal ends, 1b tubercles with setae located ahead of anterior coxal approximation, epigynium is almost smooth except a median sinuate line.

FEMALE (n=10): Body 140.9 (139.8–140.9) long, 60.6 (58.3–61.2) wide. Gnathosoma 17.2 (15.2–17.2) long, curved down, dorsal pedipalp genual seta d 5.6 (5.3–5.9). Prodorsal shield 40.1 (40.1–41.2) long, 56.0 (55.3–56.0) wide, nongranular and with an acuminate shield lobe; anterolateral region of prodorsal shield shows 7 columnar cells running parallel to each others, between the lateral margin of prodorsal shield and submedian line there are 2 cells of unequal size, median line incomplete and present only on rear end, two carinae from the admedian line meet the anterior tip of the median line, admedian lines complete, sinuate and connected with each others at two sites by transverse lines, the transverse connection between admedian line at middle region has two lateral extensions, submedian lines sinuate, diverge and bifurcate above the base of dorsal tubercles, dorsal tubercles almost on rear shield margin, scapular seta sc 4.5 (4.5–5.6). Leg I from base of trochanter 43.8 (43.8–44.8); femur 10.2 (10.2–11.2), basiventral femoral seta bv 11.2 (9.3–11.2); genu 5.6 (5.1–5.6), antaxial genual seta 1 ʺ 14.9 (14.9–15.8); tibia 5.6 (5.6–6.5), paraxial tibial seta 1 ʹ 3.7 (3.7–4.1); tarsus 6.5 (5.6–6.5); paraxial fastigial tarsal setae ft ʹ 17.7 (16.9–17.7), antaxial fastigial tarsal seta ft ʺ 14.0 (13.9–14.0); paraxial unguinal tarsal seta u ʹ 3.7 (3.7– 4.4), tarsal solenidion ω highly curved, knobbed and 7.4 (6.8–7.4), 5 rayed, tarsal empodium em 6.5 (5.6–6.5). Leg II from base of trochanter 40.1 (39.2–40.1); femur 9.3 (8.4–9.3), basiventral femoral seta bv 5.6 (5.6–6.5), genu 4.5 (4.1–4.5), antaxial genual seta 1 ʺ 9.3 (9.3–9.8); tibia 10.2 (9.8–10.2) without paraxial tibial seta 1 ʹ; tarsus 6.5 (5.6– 6.5), paraxial fastigial tarsal setae ft ʹ 19.6 (18.4–19.6), antaxial fastigial tarsal seta ft ʺ absent, paraxial unguinal tarsal seta u ʹ 4.5 (4.1–4.5), tarsal solenidion ω strongly curved, knobbed and 7.4 (6.8–7.4); 5 rayed, tarsal empodium em 6.5 (6.5– 5.6). Coxae I 18.6 (17.9–18.6) and contiguous; coxal surface ornamented with curve lines; 1b tubercles and seta present well above the sternal line; seta 1b 7.4 (7.4–8.4) and 10.1 (9.4–10.1) apart, 1a tubercles with seta present a little ahead of line across the 2a tubercles; seta 1a 13.0 (13.0–14.0) and 6.9 (6.9–7.3) apart; the distance between setae 1a and 1b is 8.1 (7.9–8.2); coxa II comparatively smooth except two curve lines along the anterior margin of coxae and 14.9 (14.0–14.9), seta 2a 39.2 (37.3–39.2) and 18.2 (17.2–18.2) apart. Opisthosoma with 39 (37–39) smooth dorsal annuli and 72 (70–72) ventral annuli; microtubercles rounded and located on first 63 annular lines; last 9 ventral annuli have microstriations, seta c2 30.8 (28.0–30.8) present on annulus 14 (13–14), seta d 42.0 (41.0–42.0) on annulus 28 (28–29); seta e 27.0 (26.1–27.0) on ventral annulus 40 (38–40); seta f 26.1 (25.9–26.1) on ventral annulus 61(59–62); seta h1 1.8 (1.2–1.8), seta h2 39.2 (39.2–37.3). Epigynium 9.3 (8.4– 9.3) long, 14.9 (13.8–14.9) wide, smooth except a median sinuate line and semi circular in shape; seta 3a 22.4 (19.6–22.4).

MALE: Not observed

Type material. Holotype: Female (marked) on slide (no. 1300/19/2006), India: West Bengal: Malda, Englishbazar, Latitude: 24°50ʹ40ʺ N and Longitude: 87°55ʹ50ʺ E, 23 June, 2006 from Spondias pinnata Kurz (Anacardiaceae), Coll. S. Sarkar. Paratypes: 11 females on slide bearing holotype and 42 females on 5 slides (nos. 1301- 1305 /85/2006); collection data same as in holotype.

Relation to host. Light brown, fusiform mites are found as under surface leaf vagrants.

Etymology. The specific epithet derived from ‘ Spondias ’ genus of the host plant.

Remarks. The new species shows similarities with A. morindae Ghosh & Chakrabarti, 1989 by having ornamented coxae, 5 rayed tarsal empodium, incomplete median line, and 1b tubercles ahead of anterior coxal approximation, but differs from the latter by having smooth epigynium and in location of scapular tubercles. The new species also resembles A. privae Mohanasundaram, 1980 by incomplete median line on prodorsal shield, ornamented coxae and presence of h1 setae but differs from the latter by its smooth prodorsal shield margin and dorsal annuli.