Helenicula eikestadensis Stekolnikov, 2025

Helenicula eikestadensis Stekolnikov , sp. nov.

( Figs. 20A, B View FIGURE 20 , 21 View FIGURE 21 )

Diagnosis. SIF = 4B-B-3-2111.0000; fPp = B/B/NNB; fCx = 1.1.1; fSt = 2.2; fsp = 7.7.7; fD = [6-6]-12-8-6(7)+2(5), DS = 40–44, V = 41–44, NDV = 84–85; Ip = 603; scutum trapezoidal, with small puncta; posterior scutal margin lightly projected; ALs and PLs inserted on greatly projected scutal corners; AM slightly posterior to level of ALs; AL> PL> AM; bases of sensilla (trichobothria) situated slightly anterior to level of PLs (by ca. 1 µm) and very close to each other; sensilla globose; cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap and dorsal tooth; tarsala I ( ω) in middle part of segment, far proximal to subterminala ( ζ); microtarsala I ( ε) at level of tarsala I; microtarsala II ( ε) at level of tarsala II ( ω).

Measurements of holotype and paratype: AW 47, 45; PW 59, 59; SB 10, 11; ASB 24, 22; PSB 7, 8; SD 32, 30; P-PL 6, 6; AP 23, 23; AM 26, -; AL 41, -; PL 35, 32; S 23x18, 23x17; H 25, 26; Dmin 18, 18; Dmax 26, 25; Vmin 18, 20; Vmax 23, 24; pa -, 216; pm -, 173; pp -, 214; Ip -, 603; TaIIIL -, 56; TaIIIW -, 11; S 1 12, 13; S 2 15, 15; DS 44, 40; V 41, 44; NDV 85, 84.

Description of larva. IDIOSOMA ( Figs. 20A, B View FIGURE 20 , 21B–D, F–H View FIGURE 21 ). Eyes 2 + 2, on ocular plate; 40 barbed dorsal idiosomal setae, distribution by rows—[6-6]-12-8-6(7)+2(5); two sternal setae between coxae I and II and two between coxae III; 41–44 ventral setae; NDV = 84–85.

GNATHOSOMA ( Fig. 21A,E View FIGURE 21 ). Cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap and dorsal tooth; gnathobase (infracapitulum) with sparse puncta, bears one pair of branched tritorostral setae; galeal (deutorostral) seta branched; palpal claw (odontus) with three prongs; palpal femoral and genual setae branched; palpal tibial dorsal and lateral setae nude, ventral branched; palpal tarsus with four branched setae and tarsala ( ω).

SCUTUM ( Figs. 20A View FIGURE 20 , 21F View FIGURE 21 ). Trapezoidal, with small puncta; posterior scutal margin lightly projected; ALs and PLs inserted on greatly projected scutal corners; AM slightly posterior to level of ALs; AL> PL> AM; bases of sensilla (trichobothria) situated slightly anterior to level of PLs (by ca. 1 µm) and very close to each other; sensilla globose, covered with small triangular setules; all scutal setae pointed and covered with much longer barbs than dorsal idiosomal setae.

LEGS ( Fig. 21I–K View FIGURE 21 ).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) in distal part of segment, microtibiala ( κ) near distal tibiala, tarsala I ( ω) in middle part of segment, far proximal to subterminala ( ζ) and nude parasubterminala ( z), famulus ( ε) at level of tarsala, pretarsala ( ζ). Leg II: genuala ( σ), 2 tibialae ( φ) in tandem, tarsala ( ω), famulus ( ε) at level of 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 18314 View Materials , upper specimen), ex Rhabdomys pumilio ( No. CsRp 24), South Africa, Western Cape, Stellenbosch, Fynbos , 6 January 2013, coll. Karlien Barnard. Paratype: larva, a lower specimen on the same slide.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to Eikestad, an old name of the Stellenbosch town ( type locality).

Differential diagnosis. The new species is similar to Helenicula signata (Womersley, 1952) by the tarsala I situated in the middle part of segment, far proximal to subterminala, by only slightly projected posterior scutal margin, PLs inserted on projected scutal corners, two genualae I, and by the presence of only one seta on coxa III (fCx = 1.1.1), but differs in the presence of four branched setae on the palpal tarsus vs. five, branched galeal seta vs. nude, dorsal and lateral palpal tibial setae nude vs. branched (fPp = B/B/NNB vs. B/B/BBB), and by much shorter ALs and PLs (AL = 41 vs. 58–67 and PL = 32–35 vs. 67–74).