THREE NEW SPECIES OF ANTRICOLA (ACARI: ARGASIDAE) FROM BRAZIL, WITH A KEY TO THE KNOWN SPECIES IN THE GENUS

• Published in: The Journal of parasitology 2004-06, Vol.90 (3), p.490-498
• Main Authors: Estrada-Peña, Agustín, Venzal, Jose Manuel, Barros-Battesti, Darci Moraes, Onofrio, Valeria Castilho, Trajano, Eleanora, Firmino, João Victor Lima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal morphology; animal taxonomy; Animals; Antricola delacruzi; Antricola guglielmonei; Antricola inexpectata; Anus; Argasidae; Argasidae - classification; Argasidae - ultrastructure; bat guano; Biological and medical sciences; Biological taxonomies; Brazil; cave ticks; Cavernicolous species; Caves; Chiroptera; Clumps; Cuticles; Dung; ECTOPARASITOLOGY; Epicuticle; Feces - parasitology; Female; Female animals; Females; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General aspects and techniques. Study of several systematic groups. Models; Genitalia; Grooves; Guano; Haller's organ; Invertebrates; Male; Male animals; Microscopy; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning - veterinary; new geographic records; New species; Parasitology; Paratypes; Phylogenetics; Setae; taxonomic keys; Ticks; Tiles
• ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
• DOI: 10.1645/GE-172R

Three new species of Antricola (Acari: Argasidae) are described from adult specimens collected on bat guano in different caves in Brazil. The female of Antricola guglielmonei n. sp. is easily determined by the presence of 2 smooth, depressed areas lacking setae in the posterolateral portions of the dorsum of the idiosoma, together with the partial fusion of the tubercles in the anteromedian portion of the idiosoma. The male of this species has a small spiracular plate surrounded by a pattern of tubercles disposed concentrically in its dorsal portion. Both sexes have cervical grooves very slightly marked. Antricola delacruzi n. sp. represents the only Antricola species with the dorsum of the idiosoma devoid of tubercles in both sexes and with scarce and minute setae placed over the smooth cuticle. The female of A. inexpectata n. sp. is known only from a few specimens. In this species, lines of smooth cuticle lacking setae separate the tubercles of the dorsum. In addition, there are 3 clumps of plumose setae close to the spiracular plate, in the ventrolateral portions of the idiosoma, in 3 well-delimited regions over cuticular thickenings. These 3 species share the peculiarity of a Haller's organ with the anterior pit bearing only 7 + 2 setae. The collection of these new species in Brazilian caves greatly expands the known range of the genus. A key to the adults of all known species of the genus is provided.