Systematics
Family: Eriophyidae Nalepa, 1898.
Subfamily: Eriophyinae Nalepa, 1898.
Tribe: Aceriini Amrine and Stasny, 1994.
Genus: Aceria Keifer, 1944.
Description: Female (n = 15). Body vermiform, 191 (185–202, including gnathosoma), 48 (43–48) wide, 44 (42–46) thick. Gnathosoma 19 (18–21), projecting obliquely downwards, pedipalp coxal setae ep 2 (2–3), dorsal pedipalp genual setae d 3 (2–4), unbranched, palp tarsus setae v 1 (1–2), cheliceral stylets 18 (18–20). Prodorsal shield 29 (27–30), including frontal lobe, 38 (33–38) wide; with a short flexible distally rounded frontal lobe, 3 (3–5), over gnathosomal base. Median lines and admedian lines are present on the posterior half of the shield; submedian lines do not reach the rear shield margin; a few short dashes medially; and some short and long dashes on the lateral margin of the shield. Tubercles of scapular setae sc on rear shield margin, 14 (12–15) apart, scapular setae sc 20 (18–21), divergently backward. Coxae smooth; prosternal apodeme 5 (5–6); setae 1b 7 (7–8), tubercles 1b 7 (6–7) apart; setae 1a 16 (15–20), tubercles 1a 8 (8–9) apart; setae 2a 29 (27–33), tubercles 2a 17 (16–18) apart. Leg I 24 (20–25), femur 8 (7–8), femoral setae bv 7 (5–7), genu 3 (3–4), genual setae l″ 18 (16–18), tibia 4 (4–5), tibial setae l′ 2 (2–3), tarsus 5 (5–6), tarsal setae ft′ 6 (5–8), setae ft″ 15 (11–16), setae u′ 3 (2–3), solenidion ω 5 (5–6), curved down, distally simple, empodium simple, 4 (4–5), 5-rayed. Leg II 22 (20–23), femur 7 (7–8), femoral setae bv 6 (6–8), genu 3 (3–4), genual setae l″ 8 (5–8), tibia 3 (3–4), tarsus 4 (4–5), tarsal setae ft′ 5 (4–5), setae ft″ 12 (10–12), setae u′ 3 (3–4), solenidion ω 6 (5–6), curved down, distally simple, empodium simple, 4 (4–5), 5-rayed. Opisthosoma with 68 (67–70) dorsal semiannuli, with elongate microtubercles, and 62 (61–64) ventral semiannuli, with small elongate microtubercles on rear annulus margin; coxigenital region with 4 (3–4) semiannuli between coxae and genitalia, with fine microtubercles; last 8 (8–9) dorsal semiannuli with fine and elongated microtubercles. Setae c2 20 (19–21), on ventral semiannulus 11 (10–11), 40 (38–44) apart; setae d 31 (28–33), on ventral semiannulus 23 (22–23), 31 (30–33) apart; setae e 38 (36–39), on ventral semiannulus 38 (38–39), 18 (15–19) apart; setae f 13 (11–14), on 6th ventral semiannulus from rear, 12 (11–13) apart. Setae h2 38 (33–40), setae h1 absent. Genital coverflap 11 (10–12), 18 (17–18) wide, coverflap with 15 (14–16) longitudinal ridges, setae 3a 7 (5–7), 13 (12–13) apart. Internal female genitalia, spermathecae ovoid, oriented posterolateral; spermathecal tubes relatively short; short spermathecal tubes, directed laterad; transverse genital apodeme trapezoidal, distally folded.
Male (n = 3). Similar in shape and prodorsal shield arrangement to female. Body 175–182, 40–41 wide. Gnathosoma 18–19, projecting obliquely downwards, setae ep 2*, setae d 2–3, unbranched, setae v 1*, cheliceral stylets 18*. Prodorsal shield 25–26, 30* wide. Tubercles of scapular setae sc on rear shield margin, 13* apart, scapular setae sc 18–19, divergently backward. Coxae smooth; setae 1b 7–8, tubercles 1b 6* apart; setae 1a 16–18, tubercles 1a 8* apart; setae 2a 30–32, tubercles 2a 17* apart. Leg I 22–24, femur 7–8, femoral setae bv 6–7, genu 3*, genual setae l″ 16–18, tibia 4*, tibial setae l′ 2*, tarsus 4–5, tarsal setae ft′ 5–6, setae ft″ 14–16, setae u′ 3*, solenidion ω 5*, curved down, distally simple, empodium simple, 5*, 4-rayed. Leg II 20–22, femur 7–8, femoral setae bv 6–7, genu 3*, genual setae l″ 7–8, tibia 3*, tarsus 4–5, tarsal setae ft′ 4*, setae ft″ 12 10–11, setae u′ 2*, solenidion ω 6*, curved down, distally simple, empodium simple, 5*, 4-rayed. Opisthosoma dorsally arched with 67–68 dorsal semiannuli, with elongate microtubercles, and 63–65 ventral semiannuli, with elongate microtubercles on the rear annulus margin; coxigenital region with 3* semiannuli between coxae and genitalia, with fine microtubercles. Setae c2 17–19, on ventral semiannulus 10*, 40–42 apart; setae d 30–34, on ventral semiannulus 22*, 30–31 apart; setae e 32–37, on ventral semiannulus 37*, 17* apart; setae f 12*, on 6th ventral semiannulus from rear, 11* apart. Setae h2 35–38, setae h1 absent. Genitalia 9–11, 13–15 wide, setae 3a 6–8, 11–12 apart.
Type material: Holotype, female (slide number EAA2-3.1; marked Holotype), found on Bischofia javanica Blume (Fam. Phyllanthaceae), Nanning Normal University, Nanning City, Guangxi, China, 23°10′55″ N, 108°17′12″ E, elevation 109 m, 23 May 2023, coll. Meng-Chao Tan. Paratypes, 14 females on 14 slides and three males on three slides (slide number EAA2-3.2~3.18; marked Paratypes), from B. javanica, with the same details as holotype.
Type of host plant: Bischofia javanica Blume (Fam. Phyllanthaceae).
Relation to the host plant: mites induce small round galls on the surfaces of the leaves (
Figure 3A,B).
Etymology: the species is named after the generic name of the type of host plant, i.e., Bischofia, in the genitive case.
Differential diagnosis: Aceria bischofiae sp. nov. appears to be close to
Aceria varia (Nalepa, 1892), which was originally found on
Populus tremula L. (Salicaceae) in France and Iran [
21,
22].
Aceria bischofiae sp. nov. and
A. varia have similar short median line at the basal third of shield, numerous short lines on the outer side of the shield, empodium 5-rayed, genital coverflap with 14–16 longitudinal ridges, but they differ by the number of rings of the opisthosoma (67–70 dorsal semiannuli and 61–64 ventral semiannuli in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus 73–86 dorsal semiannuli and 64–80 ventral semiannuli in
A. varia), setae
h1 (absent in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus 9–10 in
A. varia), the coxal ornamentation (smooth in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus with distinct granules in
A. varia), the length of the scapular setae
sc (18–21 μm in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus 31–35 μm in
A. varia), the length of the scapular setae
d and setae
e (setae
d 28–33 μm, setae
e 36–39 μm in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus with setae
d 46–60 μm, setae
e 15–17 μm in
A. varia).
This new species also has few morphological similarities to
Aceria lagerstroemiae Kuang and Yang, 1994, collected on
Lagerstroemia indica L. in China [
23], including coxal ornamentation (with 15–18 longitudinal ridges), coxae smooth, setae
h1 absent, number of dorsal semiannuli (65–70), scapular setae
sc length, as well as the length of ventral setae
d,
e, and
f. The new species can be differentiated for prodorsal shield ornamentation (median line and admedian lines present on about posterior half of the shield, a few short dashes medially and some short and long dashes on the lateral margin of the shield in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus shield ornamented several lines in
A. lagerstroemiae), the number of empodium rays (5-rayed in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus 6-rayed in
A. lagerstroemiae), and the shape of microtubercles on dorsal semiannuli (with elongate microtubercles in
A. bischofiae sp. nov. versus with semi-oval microtubercles in
A. lagerstroemiae).
Description: Female (n = 15). Body vermiform, 199 (193–231, including gnathosoma), 53 (48–53) wide, 48 (45–48) thick. Gnathosoma 18 (18–20), projecting obliquely downwards, setae ep 2 (2–3), setae d 3 (3–4), unbranched, setae v 1 (1–2), cheliceral stylets 16 (15–16). Prodorsal shield 26 (25–26), including frontal lobe, 31 (29–33) wide. The shield pattern is distinct and composed of granules aligned and connected by lines as follows: an incomplete median line broken; two complete, sinuous subparallel admedian lines; diverging posteriorly; submedian lines incomplete, extending from the anterior margin and ending ahead of the prodorsal shield tubercle; a lateral line; and granules on each side. Tubercles of scapular setae sc on rear shield margin, 21 (19–21) apart, scapular setae sc 16 (15–16), divergently backward. Coxae with coarse distinct granules; prosternal apodeme 6 (5–6); setae 1b 5 (5–6), tubercles 1b 9 (7–9) apart; setae 1a 17 (15–17), tubercles 1a 8 (8–10) apart; setae 2a 33 (30–35), tubercles 2a 21 (20–22) apart. Leg I 26 (23–26), femur 8 (7–8), with fine granules, femoral setae bv 6 (5–6), genu 3 (3–4), genual setae l″ 15 (13–15), tibia 5 (4–5), tibial setae l′ 2*, tarsus 6 (5–6), tarsal setae ft′ 14 (12–15), setae ft″ 18 (15–18), setae u′ 3 (2–3), solenidion ω 7 (6–7) distally slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 6 (5–6), 4-rayed. Leg II 24 (23–25), femur 8 (7–8), with fine granules, femoral setae bv 5 (5–7), genu 3 (3), genual setae l″ 5 (5–6), tibia 4 (3–4), tarsus 5 (5–6), tarsal setae ft′ 4 (4–6), setae ft″ 15 (13–15), setae u′ 3 (2–3), solenidion ω 8 (7–8) distally slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 5 (5–6), 4-rayed. Opisthosoma with 68 (67–69) dorsal semiannuli, with elliptical microtubercles, and 65 (65–67) ventral semiannuli, with circular microtubercles on the rear annulus margin; coxigenital region with 4* semiannuli between coxae and genitalia, with circular microtubercles; spiny microtubercles on the rear margin of the last 10 (10–11) dorsal semiannuli; elongated and linear microtubercles on the last 6 ventral semiannuli. Setae c2 15 (15–16), on ventral semiannulus 11 (10–11), 39 (36–42) apart; setae d 35 (31–35), on ventral semiannulus 22 (22–23), 31 (27–33) apart; setae e 41 (36–45), on ventral semiannulus 38 (38–39), 17 (17–19) apart; setae f 12 (11–13), on 5th ventral semiannulus from rear, 14 (13–14) apart. Setae h2 48 (45–52), setae h1 4 (3–4). Genital coverflap 13 (12–14), 19 (18–21) wide, with some strong granulated lines at the genital coverflap base and 8–9 longitudinal ridges distally; setae 3a 6 (5–6), 13 (11–13) apart. Internal female genitalia, transverse genital apodeme trapezoidal, with thickened anterior margin; longitudinal bridge relatively long; spermathecae bulbous; both spermathecae are equal in size; spermathecal tubes short, slightly swollen, directed posterolaterad.
Male (n = 3). Similar in shape and prodorsal shield arrangement to female. Body 175–188, 44–45 wide. Gnathosoma 15–16, projecting obliquely downwards, chelicerae 15*, setae ep 2*, setae d 2–3, unbranched, setae v 1–2. Prodorsal shield 26–28, 32–34 wide. Tubercles of the scapular setae sc ahead of rear shield margin 15–16 apart, setae sc 14–15. Coxae similar to that of the female; setae 1b 5–6, tubercles 1b 7–8 apart; setae 1a 14–16, tubercles 1a 9–10 apart; setae 2a 26–28, tubercles 2a 17–18 apart. Leg I 21–24, femur 7–8, femoral setae bv 5–6, genu 4*, genual setae l″ 14–16, tibia 3*, tibial setae l′ 2–3, tarsus 5*, tarsal setae ft′ 8–9, setae ft″ 15–18, setae u′ 3*, solenidion ω 6–7 slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 5–6, 4-rayed. Leg II 21–24, femur 7–8, femoral setae bv 4–5, genu 3–4, genual setae l″ 5*, tibia 4*, tarsus 5*, tarsal setae ft′ 4–6, setae ft″ 14–16, setae u′ 2*, solenidion ω 7* slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 5*, 4-rayed. Opisthosoma dorsally arched with 67–68 semiannuli, with elongate microtubercles on rear annular margins; 66–67 ventral semiannuli, with small circular microtubercles on rear annulus margin; 4* semiannuli between coxae and genital region. Setae c2 14–16 on ventral semiannulus 10*, 37–39 apart; setae d 30–32 on ventral semiannulus 20–21, 26–27 apart; setae e 33–35 on ventral semiannulus 36–38, 15–16 apart; setae f 10–11 on 6th ventral semiannulus from rear, 11–12 apart. Setae h2 40–46; setae h1 2*. Genitalia 12–13, 18–20 wide, setae 3a 4*, 13–14 apart.
Type material: Holotype, female (slide number EAA2-5.1; marked Holotype), found on Cryptocarya metcalfiana Allen (Fam. Lauraceae), Mulun National Nature Reserve, Hechi City, Guangxi, China, 25°9′31″ N, 108°3′30″ E, elevation 306.7 m, 28 July 2021, coll. Meng-Chao Tan, An-Kang Lv. Paratypes, 14 females on 14 slides and three males on three slides (slide number EAA2-5.2~5.18; marked Paratypes), from C. metcalfiana, with the same details as holotype.
Type of host plant: Cryptocarya metcalfiana Allen (Fam. Lauraceae).
Relation to the host plant: causing the formation of erinea on the undersurface of the leaves, with slight bulges on the opposite side of the lamina. (
Figure 3C,D)
Etymology: the species is named after the generic name of the type of host plant, i.e., Cryptocarya in the genitive case.
Differential diagnosis: Aceria cryptocaryae sp. nov. is most similar to
Aceria tribuli (Keifer, 1974) collected from
Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) in Sudan and Egypt [
24,
25], in the prodorsal shield ornamentation pattern, sculpture of coxae, and coverflap. The new species is distinguishable from
A. tribuli for the femur of legs (with fine granules in
A. cryptocaryae sp. nov. versus smooth in
A. tribuli), empodium (4-rayed in
A. cryptocaryae sp. nov. versus 6-rayed in
A. tribuli), the number of rings of the opisthosoma (67–69 dorsal semiannuli and 65–67 ventral semiannuli in
A. cryptocaryae sp. nov. versus 70–80 dorsal semiannuli and 70–75 ventral semiannuli in
A. tribuli), the length of scapular setae
sc (15–16 μm in
A. cryptocaryae sp. nov. versus 50–55 μm in
A. tribuli), the opisthosomal setae
c2 (15–16 μm in
A. cryptocaryae sp. nov. versus 32–45 μm in
A. tribuli), setae
d (31–35 μm in
A. cryptocaryae sp. nov. versus 66–75 μm in
A. tribuli).
Description: Female (n = 14). Body vermiform, 181 (170–195, including gnathosoma), 49 (45–49) wide, 48 (48–49) thick. Gnathosoma 19 (17–20), projecting obliquely downwards, setae ep 2 (2–3), setae d 5 (4–5), unbranched, setae v 1 (1–2), cheliceral stylets 20 (18–21). Prodorsal shield 29 (28–30), including frontal lobe, 39 (37–41) wide; short and rounded frontal lobe 4 (4–5) over gnathosomal base. Median lines are present on the posterior half of the shield; admedian lines are complete and sinuate; and submedian lines are present on the anterior half of the shield. Some short dashes and microtubercles are on the lateral sides of the shield. Tubercles of scapular setae sc on the rear shield margin, 17 (15–17) apart, scapular setae sc 15 (15–16), divergently backward. Coxae ornamented with some granules; prosternal apodeme 7 (6–7); setae 1b 5 (5–6), tubercles 1b 8 (7–9) apart; setae 1a 13 (11–14), tubercles 1a 9 (9–11) apart; setae 2a 24 (23–26), tubercles 2a 20 (19–22) apart. Leg I 25 (24–27), femur 7 (6–8), femoral setae bv 7 (5–8), genu 4*, genual setae l″ 18 (17–19), tibia 5 (4–5), tibial setae l′ 3 (3–4), tarsus 6 (6–7), tarsal setae ft′ 8 (6–9), setae ft″ 20 (17–20), setae u′ 3 (2–3), solenidion ω 7 (6–7) distally slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 5 (4–5), 3-rayed. Leg II 23 (23–26), femur 7 (7–8), femoral setae bv 8 (7–8), genu 3 (3–4), genual setae l″ 6 (5–7), tibia 4 (4–5), tarsus 6 (6–7), tarsal setae ft′ 4 (4–5), setae ft″ 19 (17–20), setae u′ 3 (2–3), solenidion ω 6 (6–7) distally slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 5 (4–5), 3-rayed. Opisthosoma with 65 (63–67) dorsal semiannuli, with elongate microtubercles on rear annular margins, and 67 (65–69) ventral semiannuli, with spiny microtubercles on rear annulus margin; coxigenital region with 4 (3–4) semiannuli between coxae and genitalia, with fine microtubercles; spiny microtubercles on rear margin of last 7 (7–8) dorsal semiannuli; elongated and linear microtubercles on last 8 ventral semiannuli. Setae c2 23 (21–23), on ventral semiannulus 12 (11–12), 41 (40–43) apart; setae d 45 (42–45), on ventral semiannulus 23 (22–23), 33 (31–34) apart; setae e 13 (11–13), on ventral semiannulus 40 (40–42), 19 (18–20) apart; setae f 18 (16–18), on 6th–7th ventral semiannulus from rear, 17 (17–18) apart. Setae h2 72 (60–77), setae h1 6 (5–6). Genital coverflap 12 (11–12), 18 (15–18) wide, with some strong granulated lines at the genital coverflap base; setae 3a 13 (10–14), 14 (11–14) apart. Internal female genitalia, transverse genital apodeme trapezoidal, longitudinal bridge relatively long; oblique apodeme present; short spermathecal tubes, directed laterad; spermathecae oval-shaped, relatively small.
Male (n = 1). Similar in shape and prodorsal shield arrangement to female. Body 151*, 44* wide. Gnathosoma 19*, projecting obliquely downwards, chelicerae 21*, setae ep 2*, setae d 3*, unbranched, setae v 1*. Prodorsal shield 21*, 32* wide. Tubercles of the scapular setae sc ahead of the rear shield margin are 15* apart, setae sc 17*. Coxae are similar to those of the female; setae 1b 6*, tubercles 1b 8* apart; setae 1a 13*, tubercles 1a 7* apart; setae 2a 27*, tubercles 2a 18* apart. Leg I 26*, femur 7*, femoral setae bv 5*, genu 4*, genual setae l″ 17*, tibia 4*, tibial setae l′ 4*, tarsus 7*, tarsal setae ft′ 6*, setae ft″ 16*, setae u′ 3*, solenidion ω 6* slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 4*, 3-rayed. Leg II 25*, femur 7*, femoral setae bv 5*, genu 3*, genual setae l″ 4*, tibia 4*, tarsus 6*, tarsal setae ft′ 4*, setae ft″ 16*, setae u′ 3*, solenidion ω 7* slightly knobbed, empodium simple, 4*, 3-rayed. Opisthosoma dorsally arches with 61* semiannuli; 62* ventral semiannuli; 4* semiannuli between the coxae and genital region. Setae c2 19* on ventral semiannulus 10*, 35* apart; setae d 33* on ventral semiannulus 21*, 27* apart; setae e 13* on ventral semiannulus 35*, 15* apart; setae f 16* on ventral semiannulus 6th ventral semiannulus from rear, 16* apart. Setae h2 55*, setae h1 6*. Genitalia 11*, 14* wide, setae 3a 8*, 11* apart.
Type material: Holotype, female (slide number EAA2-6.1; marked Holotype), found on Buddleja lindleyana Fort. (Fam. Scrophulariaceae), Chengkou County, Chongqing City, China, 32°16′29″ N, 108°46′75″ E, elevation 956.6 m, 27 August 2022, coll. Li-Mei Ren, An-Kang Lv. Paratypes, 12 females on 13 slides and one male on three slides (slide number EAA2-6.2~6.15; marked Paratypes), from B. lindleyana, with the same details as holotype.
Type of host plant: Buddleja lindleyana Fort. (Fam. Scrophulariaceae).
Relation to the host plant: vagrant on the leaves; no apparent damage was observed.
Etymology: the specific designation buddlejae is from the generic name of the host, Buddleja.
Differential diagnosis: Aceria buddlejae sp. nov. appears to be close to
Aceria noxia Flechtmann and Tassi, 2020, that was found on
Amaranthus viridis L. (Amaranthaceae), in the prodorsal shield ornamentation pattern, sculpture of coxae, seta
h1 present [
26].
Aceria buddlejae sp. nov. can be differentiated from the above-mentioned species by the genitalia coverflap (with some strong granulated lines at the genital coverflap base in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus coverflap basally with two transverse bands of coarse granules and distally with 14–16 longitudinal ridges in
A. noxia), the frontal lobe (present in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus absent in
A. noxia), the number of empodium rays (3-rayed in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus 5-rayed in
A. noxia), the number of rings of the dorsal semiannuli (63–67 dorsal semiannuli in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus 76–93 dorsal semiannuli in
A. noxia), the length of the coxal seta III
2a (23–26 μm in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus 40–45 μm in
A. noxia), the length of setae
c2 (21–23 μm in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus 28–40 μm in
A. noxia).
The new species is also similar to
Aceria hupehensis Kuang and Hong, 1995, collected from
Castanea mollissima Blume (Fagaceae) in China [
27]. It shares the same prodorsal shield pattern, sculpture of coverflap, and number of empodium rays as
A. genistae. However, the two species differ in: the frontal lobe (present in
A. tinctoriae sp. nov. versus absent in
A. cumaniamajoris), the number of rings of the opisthosoma (63–67 dorsal semiannuli and 65–69 ventral semiannuli in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus 52–56 dorsal and ventral semiannuli in
A. hupehensis), the length of setae
c2 (21–23 μm in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus 6 μm in
A. hupehensis), the length of setae
3a (10–14 μm in
A. buddlejae sp. nov. versus 5 μm in
A. hupehensis).