Araguazetes luisi, Ermilov & Behan-Pelletier, 2024

Araguazetes luisi sp. nov.

( Figs 1 View FIGURE 1 , 2 View FIGURE 2 )

Type material. Holotype (male) and one paratype (one male): northern Venezuela, Aragua State, Rancho Grande, Henri Pittier National Park , 1450 m a.s.l., leaf litter, 26.II.1995 ( R. W. Brooks); two paratypes (two males): same but Chuelo pass, 28.II.1995.

The holotype is deposited in the collection of the Canadian National Collection, Ottawa, Canada; three paratypes are in the collection of the University of Tyumen, Museum of Zoology, Tyumen, Russia .All specimens are preserved in 70% solution of ethanol with a drop of glycerol.

Diagnosis. Body length: 450–480. Rostrum protruding, narrowly rounded, bordered by two slight incisions. Rostral region with two longitudinal carinae extending from rostral setae posteriorly to translamella. Translamella comparatively broad, arch-like; keel-shaped ridge kf strong. Rostral and lamellar setae long, setiform, sparsely barbed; le ˃ ro; bothridial seta long, erect, with long stalk and shorter, fusiform (narrowed distally), smooth head. All notogastral setae represented by alveoli. Four pairs of saccules. Epimeral and anogenital setae short, thin, setiform, roughened; adanal seta ad 3 shifted medially in aggenital region. Circumpedal carina long, reaching to pedotectum I. Leg tarsus I with 19 setae (l” absent).

Description of adult. Measurements. Body length: 480 (holotype), 450 (paratypes); body width (level of pteromorphs): 435 (holotype), 375–390 (paratypes); notogaster width: 405 (holotype), 345 (paratypes); ventral plate width: 360 (holotype), 330 (paratypes).

Integument. Body brown. Surface nearly smooth but lateral side of body partially with dense microgranulate cerotegument.

Prodorsum ( Figs 1A, C View FIGURE 1 ). Rostrum protruding, narrowly rounded, bordered by two slight incisions directed to insertions of rostral setae. Rostral region with two longitudinal carinae extending between insertions of rostral setae and translamella. Lamella about 2/3 length of prodorsum, translamella comparatively broad, arch-like; sublamella short, poorly observable; keel-shaped ridge strong. Sublamellar porose area oval (13–15 × 11). Rostral (49–52) and lamellar (77–82) setae setiform, sparsely barbed; interlamellar seta and its alveolus absent; bothridial seta (86–90) erect, with long stalk and shorter, fusiform (narrowed distally), smooth head; exobothridial seta (4) represented by simple microseta. Dorsosejugal porose area long, narrow, diffuse, extending from dorsophragma to bothridium.

Notogaster ( Figs 1A, C, D View FIGURE 1 ). Anterior notogastral margin distinct, convex. Pteromorph hinge distinct. All notogastral setae represented only by alveoli. Four pairs of saccules with small opening and drop-like channel. Opisthonotal gland opening and all lyrifissures distinct.

Gnathosoma ( Figs 2A–C View FIGURE 2 ). Subcapitulum size: 112–116 × 86–94; subcapitular setae (a: 22; m: 19; h: 30–34) setiform, roughened; both adoral setae (11–13) setiform, barbed. Palp length: 75–79; with typical setation 0–2–1– 3–9 (+ω); postpalpal seta (7) spiniform, smooth; solenidion and eupathidial pair of palptarsus slightly curved, not borne on tubercle. Chelicera length: 131–139; setae (cha: 39–41; chb: 28–30) setiform, barbed.

Epimeral and lateral podosomal regions ( Figs 1B, C View FIGURE 1 ). Epimeral formula 3–1–3–3; all setae (1b, 3c: 15–19; 3b: 11–13; others: 9–11) setiform, roughened. Circumpedal carina long, reaching to anterior margin of pedotectum I. Humeral porose area Am not observed, Ah elongate oval. Pedotectum II rounded distally in ventral aspect. Discidium well-developed, triangular. Custodium absent

Anogenital region ( Figs 1B–D View FIGURE 1 ). Anogenital formula: 4–1–2–3; genital (11), aggenital (11), anal (7), and adanal (7) setae setiform, thin, roughened; adanal seta ad 3 shifted medially in aggenital region to position posterior of aggenital seta. Adanal lyrifissure distinct, in paraanal position. Marginal porose area represented by numerous rounded and oval parts. Postanal porose area absent.

Legs ( Figs 2D–G View FIGURE 2 ). Claw of all legs strong, slightly barbed on dorsal side. Dorsoparaxial porose area on femora I–IV and on trochanters III, IV well visible; ventrodistal porose area on tibiae I–IV and proximoventral porose area on tarsi I–IV present but poorly observable. Formulas of leg setation and solenidia: I (1–5–3–4–19) [1–2–2], II (1–5–2–4–15) [1–1–2], III (2–3–1–3–15) [1–1–0], IV (1–2–2–3–12) [0–1–0]; homology of setae and solenidia indicated in Table 1 View TABLE 1 ; seta s on tarsus I eupathidial, located between paired setae (u) and (a); some ventral setae on all tibiae thickened, with spines.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of our late esteemed colleague, Prof. Dr. Luis S. Subías of Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain, for his extensive and pivotal contributions to our knowledge of oribatid mites.