Quartusmichaelia shibai ( Uusitalo, Ueckermann & Theron, 2020 ), 2025

Quartusmichaelia shibai ( Uusitalo, Ueckermann & Theron, 2020) comb. nov.

( Figs. 35A–E, 53A–D)

Bimichaelia ramosus Shiba, 1976: 155 View in CoL , fig. 45A–G from Malay Peninsula, nom. preocc.; non Bimichaelia ramosa Mihelčič, 1956 View in CoL : fig.13 (Oribatida), 1958: 277 (Prostigmata: Pachygnathidae ).

Laminamichaelia shibai Uusitalo et al. 2020: 328 View in CoL View Cited Treatment , figs. 105–118, nom. nov., from Potchefsroom, South Africa.

Bimichaelia campylognatha View in CoL .— Vázquez Rojas 2002: 19, in part (3 specimens).

Description. Dorsum (n= 1 female, DN, PN, Figs. 35A, B, 53A–C). Length 300 µm; large lamellae in polygonal rosettes, secondary pattern inside the rosettes formed by small lamellae, all dorsal setae plumose with 10–20 cilia each, neotrichy well developed on both sides. Prodorsum: naso small, roundish; crista evenly sclerotised, strips of large lamellae edging the crista poorly differentiated; holotrichous (i.e. with six pairs of setae); a few long cilia on prodorsal setae vi, sce, exp and in; filamentous sensilla ve densely ciliated by cilia of various lengths from top to bottom.

Venter ( Fig. 35C). Genital valves each with 5 genital setae; 5 anal setae per valve.

Gnathosoma ( Fig. 35B, C). Chelicerae straight; subcapitulum with 3 pairs of setae; palpal solenidion in contact with eupathidion k’, k’’ free.

Legs ( Figs. 35B–E, 53D). Solenidial formula for tarsi, tibiae, genua and femora on legs I, II, III and IV, respectively: 2B-1B-0-0, 2B1P-2B1P-2B-1B, 4P-1B2P-1P-1P, 2P-1B-0-0, distal baculiform solenidion ω1 hook-like, baculiform solenidia on tibia II half or more of segment’s length, most of the piliform solenidia twisted abaxially, knob-like famulus I placed abaxially, near distal end of tarsus I.

Material examined. 1 deutonymph as Bimichaelia dimixsetosa texanas (written in ink on the label) from cordgrass ( Spartina ) inside enclosure Mare Trap Windmill, Rob and Bessie Welder Foundation Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, San Patricio Co., Texas, USA, 29 March 1978, Eric G. Bolen, slide TAMU-ENTO X1646834; 1 deutonymph as Bimichaelia from unburned 3A, Aransas clay, saline, Spartina, Rob and Bessie Welder Foundation Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, San Patricio Co. , Texas, USA, 13 February 1978, Eric G. Bolen, slide TAMU-ENTO X1648102.

Several high-quality photos of 2 specimens (female and protonymph) as Bimichaelia campylognatha from litter, caducifolious rain forest (selva baja), CICOLMA ( Centro de Investigaciones Costeras La Mancha ), 19°30’N 96°37’W, Veracruz, Mexico, 13 June 1992 and 8 December 1992, Ignacio Vázquez-Rojas, slides ALY/VER/008 and ALY/VER/012 at UNAM GoogleMaps ; 1 juvenile specimen as Bimichaelia campilognatha (sic!) from leaf litter, floodable forest (selva baja inundable), Sian Ka’an , 19°05’N 87°22’W, Quintana Roo, Mexico, 6 September 1995, Maria Vázquez, slide ALY/ QROO094 GoogleMaps at UNAM.

Differential diagnosis. Quartusmichaelia shibai is defined by sensilla ve densely ciliated from top to bottom and there is only one baculiform solenidion on tarsi II, which segregates it from Q. setigera (with simple, filiform sensilla ve and 2 baculifom solenidia on tarsi II) and Q. dimixsetosa (with distally branched sensilla ve and 2 baculiform solenidia on tarsi II). Additionally, all setae are ciliated that segregates Q. shibai from Q. setigera , Q. lanceolata and Q. plumata .

Remarks. 3 specimens from Mexico and 2 from USA confirm that Quartusmichaelia shibai is widely spread in (sub)tropical areas. The species was originally described from Southern Asia ( Shiba 1976) and redescribed and renamed from Southern Africa ( Uusitalo et al. 2020) by using proper depictions and detailed drawings. The species is reported from North America based on high-quality photos taken by Prof. Ignacio Mauro Vázquez-Rojas, UNAM.