A new mite genus Caenolestomyobia gen. nov. (Acariformes: Myobiidae) from marsupials of the genus Caenolestes (Paucituberculata: Caenolestidae)

Abstract

A new mite genus Caenolestomyobia gen. nov. (Myobiidae: Archemyobiinae) with two new species, C. lukoschusi sp. nov. (type species) ex Caenolestes fuliginosus (Paucituberculata: Caenolestidae) from Ecuador and C. faini sp. nov. ex Caenolestes caniventer from Peru, are described. The new genus differs from other two genera of the subfamily, Archemyobia and Dromicimyobia by the structure of the internal attaching organ of genua I. Additionally, in Caenolestomyobia, setae f2 and h2 are delayed to adults, and in males, setae c2 are located on the genital shield. The new genus differs also from Archemyobia by the presence of lateral notches on the gnathosoma and by the absence of the second claw on tarsi III and IV. It differs from Dromicimyobia by the absence of setae 3b, 3c, 4b, and 4c in males. Species of the new genus differs from each other by the following characters. In males of C. faini sp. nov., setae e1 are 2.1–2.3 times longer than c2, the apices of setae c2 almost reach the level of seta e2 bases; in tritonymphs, setae f1 are shorter than e2, their length ratio is 1: 1.2–1.7. In males of C. lukoschusi sp. nov., setae e1 only 1.1 times longer than c2, the apices of setae c2 far distant from the level of seta e2 bases; in tritonymphs, setae f1 are longer than e2, their length ratio is 1.1–1.4: 1.