Zumptrombicula reductiseta Stekolnikov, 2025

Zumptrombicula reductiseta Stekolnikov , sp. nov.

( Figs. 10D–F View FIGURE 10 , 13 View FIGURE 13 )

Diagnosis. SIF = (4–6)B-N-3-1001.3200; fPp = B/B(N)/BN(b)B; fCx = 1.1.1; fSt = 2.2; fsp = 7.7.7; fD = 2H-6(7)- 6-6(5)-2(4)+(2–9), DS = 24–31, V = 21–30, NDV = 47–61; Ip = 554–619; scutum pentagonal, without anterolateral shoulders, with puncta of different size; sensillary bases anterior to level of PLs (PSB–P-PL from 2 to 7, mean 4); AL> PL = AM; sensilla flagelliform, covered with short cilia in proximal half and 7–12 long branches in distal half; cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap; microtarsala I ( ε) at level of tarsala I ( ω); microtarsala II ( ε) at level of tarsala II ( ω). Measurements are given in Table 5.

Description of larva. IDIOSOMA ( Figs. 10D–F View FIGURE 10 , 13A–G View FIGURE 13 ). Eyes 2 + 2, on ocular plate; 24–31 barbed dorsal idiosomal setae, distribution by rows—2H-6-6-6-2+(2–9), in one paratype 2H-7-6-5-4-2; two sternal setae between coxae I and II and two between coxae III; 21–30 ventral setae; NDV = 47–61.

GNATHOSOMA ( Fig. 13H–J View FIGURE 13 ). Cheliceral blade with tricuspid cap; cheliceral base with dense puncta in proximal part and few puncta in medial part; gnathobase (infracapitulum) without puncta, bears one pair of branched tritorostral setae; galeal (deutorostral) seta nude; palpal claw (odontus) with three prongs; palpal femur with few puncta; palpal femoral seta branched; palpal genual seta branched or having single short branch, rarely nude; dorsal and ventral palpal tibial setae branched, lateral nude, rarely with one branch; palpal tarsus with 4–6 unspecialized setae (4/ 5 in holotype, 5 in five paratypes, and 6 in one paratype), including one heavily branched dorsal and 3–5 less branched ventral, and tarsala ( ω).

SCUTUM ( Figs. 10F View FIGURE 10 , 13A View FIGURE 13 ). Pentagonal, without anterolateral shoulders, with sparse puncta of different size; sensillary bases anterior to level of PLs (PSB–P-PL from 2 to 7, mean 4); AL> PL = AM; sensilla (trichobothria) flagelliform, covered with short cilia in proximal half and 7–8 long branches in distal half; all scutal setae barbed similarly to dorsal idiosomal setae.

LEGS ( Fig. 13K–N View FIGURE 13 ).All seven-segmented (with divided femur), with one pair of claws and claw-like empodium, without onychotriches. Sensory setae: Leg I: 1 genuala ( σ), microgenuala ( κ), 2 tibialae ( φ) and microtibiala ( κ) in distal part of segment, tarsala ( ω), famulus ( ε) at level of tarsala, subterminala ( ζ), nude parasubterminala ( z), pretarsala ( ζ). Leg II: 2 tibialae ( φ) in tandem, tarsala ( ω), famulus ( ε) at level of tarsala, pretarsala ( ζ). Leg III: 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 two nude mastitibialae); tarsus 22, 16, 14 (including three nude mastitarsalae).

Type material. Holotype: larva ( ZIN 18336 View Materials ), ex Otomys unisulcatus ( No. ObOu 09), South Africa, Western Cape, Ouberg Private Nature Reserve, near Montagu, Succulent Karoo , 8 November 2023, coll. Jessica Kipling. Paratypes: seven larvae ( ZIN 18326 View Materials , 18327 View Materials , 18329 View Materials , 18334 View Materials , 18343–18345 View Materials ) ex O. unisulcatus (Nos ObOu3, ObOu04, and ObOu07), same locality, 7–8 November 2023, coll. Jessica Kipling ; 12 larvae ( ZIN 18360–18363 View Materials , 18366– 18368 View Materials , 18370 View Materials , 18386 View Materials , 18395 View Materials , 18396 View Materials , 18404 View Materials ) ex Micaelamys namaquensis (Nos ObMn03, 06, 10, 12, and 15), same locality, 6 November 2023, coll. Alyssa Little ; three larvae ( ZIN 18488 View Materials , 18490 View Materials , and 18495) ex Rhabdomys pumilio (Nos ObRp4, 10, and 15), same locality, 7–8 November 2023, coll. Lola Singo.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the reduced number of unspecialized setae on palpal tarsus in this species.

Differential diagnosis. The new species, Zumptrombicula reductiseta sp. nov., differs from two other species of the genus, Z. cynictia Vercammen-Grandjean, 1967 and Z. misonnei Goff, 1983 , by PLs inserted on scutum, AM situated at level of ALs vs. anterior to level of ALs, and by the reduced number of unspecialized setae on palpal tarsus in most part of specimens. In addition, the new species differs from: 1) Z. cynictia —by the presence of one seta on leg III coxa vs. three (fCx = 1.1.1 vs. 1.1.3), three mastitarsalae and two mastitibialae vs. two mastitarsalae and one mastitibiala, six setae in 1 st posthumeral row vs. eight, posterior scutal margin rounded vs. acutely pointed; microtarsalae I and II ( ε) at level of tarsalae I and II ( ω) vs. distal; 2) Z. misonnei —by the absence of humeroventral (ventrolateral) setae between coxae II and III vs. three pairs of humeroventral setae (Vercammen-Grandjean 1967; Goff 1983).