Matiesacarus capensis Stekolnikov, 2025

Matiesacarus capensis Stekolnikov , sp. nov.

( Figs. 10A–C View FIGURE 10 , 11 View FIGURE 11 , 12 View FIGURE 12 )

Diagnosis. SIF = 6B1N-B-3-2111.2100; fPp = B/B/BNB; fCx = 1.1.1; fSt = 2.2; fsp = 7.7.7; fD = 2H-8(7)-6-6(4)- 2(4)+(4–8), DS = 27–32, V = 19–26, NDV = 50–57; Ip = 700–749; scutum nearly trapezoidal, without anterolateral shoulders, with lightly sinuous posterior margin, with puncta of different size; AM anterior to level of ALs; sensillary bases far anterior to level of PLs (PSB–P-PL from 5 to 11, mean 8); AM = PL ≥ AL; sensilla flagelliform, covered with short cilia in proximal half and ca. 14 long branches in distal half; cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap and a small pointed medial tooth; microtarsala I ( ε) distal to tarsala I ( ω); microtarsala II ( ε) behind tarsala II ( ω). Measurements are given in Table 4.

Description of larva. IDIOSOMA ( Figs. 10A–C View FIGURE 10 , 11A–D, G, H View FIGURE 11 ). Eyes 2 + 2, on ocular plate; 27–32 barbed dorsal idiosomal setae, distribution by rows—2H-8(7)-6-6(4)-2(4)+(4–8), in holotype 2H-8-6-6-2-6-2; two sternal setae between coxae I and II and two between coxae III; 19–26 ventral setae; NDV = 50–57.

GNATHOSOMA ( Fig. 11E, F View FIGURE 11 ). Cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap and a small pointed medial tooth; cheliceral base with dense puncta in proximal part; gnathobase (infracapitulum) with few puncta, bears one pair of branched tritorostral setae; galeal (deutorostral) seta with few branches; palpal claw (odontus) with three prongs; palpal femoral and genual setae branched; dorsal and ventral palpal tibial setae branched, lateral nude; palpal tarsus with 7 unspecialized setae, including one thick, heavily branched dorsal, five less branched ventral, one nude terminal, and tarsala ( ω).

SCUTUM ( Figs. 10C View FIGURE 10 , 11A View FIGURE 11 ). Nearly trapezoidal, without anterolateral shoulders, with lightly sinuous posterior margin, with puncta of different size; AM anterior to level of ALs; sensillary bases far anterior to level of PLs (PSB–P-PL from 5 to 11, mean 8); AM = PL ≥ AL; sensilla flagelliform, covered with short cilia in proximal half and ca. 14 long branches in distal half; all scutal setae barbed similarly to dorsal idiosomal setae.

LEGS ( Fig. 12 View FIGURE 12 ). All seven-segmented (with divided femur), with one pair of claws and claw-like empodium, without onychotriches. Sensory setae: Leg I: 2 genualae ( σ), microgenuala ( κ), 2 tibialae ( φ), distal thicker, and microtibiala ( κ) in distal part of segment, tarsala ( ω), famulus ( ε) distal to tarsala, subterminala ( ζ), nude parasubterminala ( z), pretarsala ( ζ). Leg II: genuala ( σ), 2 tibialae ( φ) in tandem, tarsala ( ω), famulus ( ε) behind tarsala, pretarsala ( ζ). Leg III: genuala ( σ), tibiala ( φ). Unspecialized setae (leg I, II, III): coxa 1, 1, 1; trochanter 1, 1, 1; basifemur 1, 2, 2; telofemur 5, 4, 3; genu 4, 3, 3; tibia 8, 6, 6 (including one nude mastitibiala); tarsus 22, 16, 14 (including two nude mastitarsalae).

Type material. Holotype:larva ( ZIN 18496 View Materials ), ex Rhabdomys pumilio ( No. ObRp 17), South Africa, Western Cape, Ouberg Private Nature Reserve, near Montagu, Succulent Karoo , 9 November 2023, coll. Lola Singo. Paratypes: four larvae ( ZIN 18406–18409 View Materials ), ex Micaelamys namaquensis ( No. ObMn 18), same locality, 6 November 2023, coll. Alyssa Little ; three larvae ( ZIN 18352 View Materials , 18354 View Materials , and 18355), ex Otomys unisulcatus (No. BFWOu07), South Africa, Western Cape, Beaufort West, Ko Ka Tsara Bush camp, Nama Karoo , 19 November 2023, coll. Jessica Kipling.

Etymology. The specific epithet reflects occurrence of the new species in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Differential diagnosis. The new species differs from M.elegantissimus comb. nov. by the presence of trapezoidal scutum vs. pentagonal; nude terminal seta on palpal tarsus vs. all setae on palpal tarsus branched; two genualae I vs. three (two genualae are shown in the drawing from the original description, but they are arranged in tandem, whereas in M. capensis sp. nov., two genualae are inserted on opposite sides of the segment); 14 unspecialized setae on tarsus III vs. 16; two mastisetae on tarsus III vs. five; one mastiseta on tibia III vs. three.