Fynbosacarus cereris Stekolnikov, 2025

Fynbosacarus cereris Stekolnikov , sp. nov.

( Figs. 17D–F View FIGURE 17 , 19 View FIGURE 19 )

Diagnosis. SIF = 4B-B-3-2111.0000; fPp = B/B/BBB; fCx = 1.1.2; fSt = 2.2; fsp = 7.7.7; fD = [7(6)-10]-[7-6]-8(9)- 6(7)+6(5), DS = 50–51, V = 34–39, NDV = 84–90; Ip = 553–576; scutum trapezoidal, with puncta of different size; posterior scutal margin lightly sinuous, not projected; AM slightly anterior to level of ALs; PLs inserted on laterally projected scutal corners; PL ≥ AM> AL; bases of sensilla (trichobothria) situated anterior to level of PLs and close to each other, surrounded by crests; sensilla lost in all specimens; cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap; subterminala ( ζ) with one branch, parasubterminala ( z) absent (no seta present behind subterminala); microtarsala I ( ε) proximal to tarsala I ( ω); microtarsala II ( ε) distal to tarsala II ( ω). Measurements are given in Table 8.

Description of larva. IDIOSOMA ( Figs. 17D–F View FIGURE 17 , 19A–D, G, H View FIGURE 19 ). Eyes 2 + 2, on ocular plate; 50–51 short barbed dorsal idiosomal setae, distribution by rows–[7(6)-10]-[7-6]-8(9)-6(7)+6(5); two sternal setae between coxae I and II and two between coxae III; 34–39 ventral setae; NDV = 84–90.

GNATHOSOMA ( Fig. 19E, F View FIGURE 19 ). Cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap; gnathobase (infracapitulum) with indistinct puncta, bears one pair of branched tritorostral setae; galeal (deutorostral) seta branched; palpal claw (odontus) with three prongs; palpal femoral, genual, and tibial setae branched; palpal tarsus with four branched setae and tarsala ( ω).

SCUTUM ( Figs. 17F View FIGURE 17 , 19A View FIGURE 19 ). Trapezoidal, with puncta of different size; posterior scutal margin lightly sinuous, not projected; AM slightly anterior to level of ALs; PLs inserted on laterally projected scutal corners; PL ≥ AM> AL; bases of sensilla (trichobothria) situated anterior to level of PLs and close to each other, surrounded by crests; sensilla lost in all specimens (must be expanded, as in all species of Schoengastiini ); all scutal setae pointed and covered with longer barbs than dorsal idiosomal setae.

LEGS ( Fig. 19I–K View FIGURE 19 ).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 short tibialae ( φ) in distal part of segment, distal rod-like, striated, microtibiala ( κ) near distal tibiala, tarsala ( ω), famulus ( ε) proximal to tarsala, subterminala ( ζ) forked, pretarsala ( ζ). Leg II: genuala ( σ), 2 tibialae ( φ) in tandem, tarsala ( ω), famulus ( ε) distal to 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; tarsus 22, 16, 15.

Type material. Holotype: larva ( ZIN 18438 View Materials ), ex Micaelamys namaquensis ( No. MfMn 9), South Africa, Western Cape, Matjesfontein Farm, near Ceres, Succulent Karoo , 24 October 2023, coll. Alyssa Little. Paratypes: two larvae ( ZIN 18439 View Materials and 18440) with same data .

Etymology. The species epithet cereris is created as the genitive case of the name Ceres, a Roman goddess of agriculture, because the city of Ceres ( type locality) was named after her.