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Systematic & Applied Acarology 17(4): 448–457.
448 © 2012 Systematic & Applied Acarology Society
ISSN 1362-1971
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BE47CDF3-C612-4D26-9489-2AD891F9F07A
Adamystis Cunliffe, 1957 (Acari: Prostigmata: Adamystidae) in
Iran: two new species and a key to the Iranian species
MARUT FUANGARWORN 1*, GHOLAMREZA BEYZAVI 2 & HADI OSTOVAN 2
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
E-mail: marut.f@chula.ac.th
2Department of Entomology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran.
E-mail: beyzavi.reza@yahoo.com, ostovan2001@yahoo.com
*Corresponding author
Abstract
Two new species of the prostigmatic mite genus Adamystis Cunliffe, 1957—A. theroni sp. nov. and A.
ueckermanni sp. nov.—from Fars province, Iran are described and illustrated based on female specimens
collected from soil, humus and leaf litter under oak trees (Quercus brantii Lindl, 1840 ). Adamystis theroni sp.
nov. differs from its congeners in having a smooth dorsal shield encompassing setal rows c, d and e, chelicera
with two setae, lateral lip with three adoral setae, and coxal setation of 2-4-4-4. Adamystis ueckermanni sp. nov.
is unique in having the trichobothrial pair sci placed far apart from each other, and the large dorsal shield with
a mixed reticulation pattern encompassing setal rows c, d, e, f and h. A diagnostic key to the four species of
Adamystis known from Iran is also given.
Key words: Acari, Trombidiformes, Anystina, Adamystidae, Iran
Introduction
Adamystis Cunliffe, 1957 is the only genus in the prostigmatic mite of family Adamystidae (Coineau
et al. 2006, Beyzavi et al. 2012). It is distinguished from the related family, Saxidromidae, by the
unconstricted idiosoma, unbulged chelicera bearing 1–2 setae, hook-like movable chela, and divided
leg femora (Coineau et al. 2006). Adamystid mites are considered predators (Walter et al. 2009)
typically living in dry soil and leaf-litter habitats, but some can be found on phylloplanes (Walter &
O’Dowd 1995). Prior to this study, the genus Adamystis included 17 species (Fuangarworn &
Lekprayoon 2010, Beyzavi et al. 2012, Khanjani et al. 2012) of which two species, A.
iranoturanianensis and A. alvandicus, were described from Iran. Two more new species are
described herein, namely A. theroni sp. nov. and A. ueckermanni sp. nov., based on female
specimens collected from soil and humus under oak trees (Fagaceae), in Iran (Southern Kamfiruz,
Fars province). A diagnostic key to the Iranian species is provided.
Material and methods
Samples of soil, humus and leaf litter were collected, put into black plastic bags and taken to the
laboratory. Mite specimens were extracted using Berlese funnels for a week into 70% ethanol. They
were then sorted under a stereo microscope, cleared with lactophenol or Nesbitt’s solution, and
mounted on glass slides using Hoyer’s medium. Observations and drawings were made under a
Article
4492012 FUANGARWORN ET AL.: ADAMYSTIS CUNLIFFE IN IRAN
phase contrast microscope equipped with a drawing tube. Lengths of setae were measured from the
centres of their insertion sockets. All measurements are in micrometers, that of holotype are
presented first followed by range of paratypes in parenthesis. Terminology generally follows that of
Ueckermann (1989) except for the notation of the dorsal idiosomal setae which follows Kethley
(1990), and for coxal setae and sternal setae following Coineau and Naudo (1986).
Systematics
Family Adamystidae
Genus Adamystis Cunliffe, 1957
Adamystis theroni Fuangarworn & Beyzavi, sp. nov.
(Figs. 1–2)
Diagnosis
Adamystis with following combinations of character states: three pairs of adoral setae; chelicera
with two setae; palpal setation 0–2–3–8 (1); idiosoma with smooth dorsal shield posteriorly
encompassing setal rows c, d and e; lateral lens-like structures absent, coxal setation 2–4–4–4.
Description
Female.—Measurements of holotype (compressed): body length, from tip of naso to posterior
end of idiosoma, 375 (380–410); width, at level of coxa IV, 193 (232–218). Legs (from trochanter
to tarsus, pretarsus excluded): Leg I 255 (273–285); leg II 270 (276–288); leg III 270 (280–303); leg
IV 333 (334–353).
Gnathosoma (Figs. 1B&C, 2A).—Subcapitulum obliquely striated, lateral lip with three adoral
setae (or1-3) (Fig. 1B). Chelicera (Fig. 2A) 60 (60) long, typical form of genus, bearing two setae
(cha, chb), 18 (16–18) long. Palp (Fig. 1C) 85 (82–87) long; four-segmented; trochanter short,
without setae; femurogenu with two barbed setae; tibia with three barbed setae; tarsus with one
solenidion, five barbed setae and three smooth eupathidia; palpal supracoxal seta (e) peg-like.
Peritremes (Fig. 2A) linear, located at cheliceral bases.
Idiosoma. Dorsum (Fig. 1A).—Dorsal shield present, smooth; integument outside shield
striated. Propodosoma with four pairs of setae (vi, ve, sci and sce; an additional seta coupled to right
ve in one paratype) of which vi and sci trichobothrial, all filiform, and barbed; naso semicircular,
bearing trichobothria vi at base; one pair of eyes present, associated with postocular body and
lyrifissure. Lengths of propodosomal setae: vi 36 (34–36), ve 30 (28–30), sci 38 (41–46), and sce 18
(16–21). Hysterosoma with 17 pairs of setae, all filiform with microbarbs. Lengths of hysterosomal
setae: c1 20 (20), c2 23 (19–21), d1 18 (17–19), e1 20 (18–20), f1 20 (19), h1 18 (16–17), h2 15 (14–
17), ps1 14 (14), ps2 14 (14–16), ps3 15 (15–19), ad1 14 (13–17), ad2 13 (13–17), ad3 13 (15–14),
an1 15 (14–17), an2 13 (16), an3 13 (13–16), an4 13 (13). Four pairs of lyrifissures (ia, im, ip and ih)
evident. Setae sce, c1, c2, d1, e1, and lyrifissure ia located on dorsal shield; other hysterosomal setae
on individual platelets, these platelets sometimes fused within row h and row ps. Lens-like structures
absent.
Venter (Fig. 1B).—Except paracoxal region and genital valves, integument striated; sclerotized
ventral shields around genital opening absent. Excluding coxal setae, four pairs of sternal setae
present (stI–IV), all filiform and apparently smooth, about 28 long, stI–III located on common
smooth longitudinal plates. Genital area with 13 or 14 pairs of genital setae and four pairs of
aggenital (ag1-4) setae, all filiform, about 20-25 long; progenital chamber with two pairs of subequal
450 SYSTEMATIC & APPLIED ACAROLOGY VOL. 17
genital papillae, each with associated seta k (k1, k2); ovipositor with one pair of short eugenital setae
(eug).
FIGURE 1. Adamystis theroni sp. nov., female. A—idiosoma, dorsal view, posterior end splits during slide
mounting; B—idiosoma, ventral view; C—palp.
Legs (Fig. 2B–F).—All femora divided, but incompletely on dorsal surface. Legs I–IV setation
(famulus included, variations after slash, solenidion in brackets): coxae 2–4–4–4; trochanters 2–2–
2/1–1; basifemora 5–5–4–2; telofemora 7/6–7/6–5–4; genua 7 (1)–7 (1)–5–5; tibiae 14 (1)–13 (1)–
13 (1)–14/13; tarsi 29 (1)–28 (1)–25–21. Pretarsi I–IV each with 2 bipectinated claws and small
claw-like empodium. Supracoxal seta epI peg-like; solenidia short, rod-like; famuli on tarsi I–II peg-
like. Most setae barbed, except for eupathidial setae which are smooth and blunt. Eupathidia present
on tarsi I–IV, and on tibiae I–II, their distribution depicted in Fig. 2B–F.
Male and immatures. Unknown.
Etymology
The new species is named in honor of Professor Pieter D. Theron (School of Environmental
Sciences and Development, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa) for his
contribution to the study of the Adamystoidea.
4512012 FUANGARWORN ET AL.: ADAMYSTIS CUNLIFFE IN IRAN
FIGURE 2. Adamystis theroni sp. nov., female. A—chelicerae and peritremes (naso outlined by broken line);
B—leg I, dorsal view; C—leg II, dorsal view; D—Leg III, lateral view; E—leg IV, femur and genu, latero-
ventral view; F—leg IV, tibia and tarsus, latero-ventral view.
452 SYSTEMATIC & APPLIED ACAROLOGY VOL. 17
Type material
Holotype: female; Oaken jungle, Zagros mountain, south of Kamfiruz region (30°8’N,
52°17’E), Fars prov., Iran; ex. soil and humus under oak trees (Fagaceae); 01.VIII.2010; coll.
Gholamreza Beyzavi; two paratype females with same data as holotype but on 25.IX.2011. Holotype
and one paratype are deposited in the Acarology Collection of the Islamic Azad University, Science
and Research Branch, Fars, Iran. One paratype is deposited in the Acarology collection of the
Chulalongkorn University Museum of Natural History, Bangkok, Thailand.
Remarks
The new species is similar to A. beckyanneae McDaniel & Bolen, 1983 in having a dorsal shield
on which only the hysterosomal setae row c, d, and e are located, and three pairs of adoral setae.
However, the new species can be distinguished from the latter by the ornamentation of the dorsal
shield which is smooth (vs punctated in A. beckyanneae), chelicera with two setae (vs one seta), and
coxal setation being 2–4–4–4 (vs 2–4–5–5). Furthermore, the genital valves of A. beckyanneae are
illustrated as having an extensive smooth area surrounding them (McDaniel & Bolen 1983), but the
new species has striated integument.
Adamystis ueckermanni Fuangarworn & Beyzavi, sp. nov.
(Figs. 3–5)
Diagnosis
Adamystis with following combinations of character states: three pairs of adoral setae; chelicera
with two setae; palpal setation 0–2–3–8 (1); idiosoma with large reticulate dorsal shield
encompassing setal rows c, d, e, f and h; setal pair sci placed far apart; lateral lens-like structures
absent, coxal setation 2–4–3–4.
Description
Female.—Measurements of holotype (compressed): body length, from naso to posterior end of
idiosoma, 365 (350–370); width, at level of coxa IV, 195 (193–195). Legs (from trochanter to tarsus,
pretarsus excluded): Leg I 250 (225–231); leg II 275 (242–250); leg III 285 (250–256); leg IV 335
(297–300).
Gnathosoma (Fig. 3B, 4A&B).—Subcapitulum striated, lateral lip with three adoral setae (or1-
3) (Fig. 3B). Chelicera (Fig. 4A) 50 (50) long, typical form of genus bearing two setae (cha, chb);
seta cha 20 (16–20) long; seta chb bifurcate, 15 (15) long. Palp 73 (70–73) long; four-segmented;
trochanter short without setae; femurogenu with two barbed setae; tibia with three barbed setae;
tarsus with one solenidion, four barbed setae and four smooth eupathidia (one palpal tarsus of
holotype with five barbed setae and four smooth eupathidia (Fig. 4B)); palpal supracoxal seta (e)
peg-like. Peritremes linear, at cheliceral bases.
Idiosoma. Dorsum (Fig. 3A). —With large dorsal shield, surface non-uniformly ornamented:
finely reticulate on inner area but on lateral area, behind level of eyes, with much larger reticulation
(cells) filled with short longitudinal striae, some cells at transitional zone filled with finer
reticulations; surface around setal alveoli circularly smooth. Integument outside shield soft and
striated. Propodosoma with four pairs of setae (vi, ve, sci, and sce), of which vi and sci trichobothrial,
all filiform and barbed; sci located far apart from its pair, about setal length; naso semicircular,
bearing trichobothria vi at base. One pair of eyes present, associated with large postocular body and
lyrifissure; diameter of postocular body three times larger than eyes. Lengths of propodosomal setae:
vi 30 (30–32), ve 15 (15–20), sci 38 (36–40), and sce 14 (12–14). Hysterosoma with 16 pairs of setae,
4532012 FUANGARWORN ET AL.: ADAMYSTIS CUNLIFFE IN IRAN
all filiform with microbarbs. Lengths of hysterosomal setae: c1 12 (12–14), c2 12 (14), d1 15 (12–
16), e1 lost (that of paratypes 14), f1 17 (14–16), h1 13 (13), h2 10 (10–12), ps1 10 (10), ps2 10 (11–
12), ps3 12 (11–12), ad1 10 (10–11), ad2 10 (10–11), ad3 10 (10–13), an1 10 (10), an2 10 (11–12),
an3 10 (10–13). Four pairs of lyrifissures (ia, im, ip, and ih) evident, slit like. Setal rows c, d, e, f, h
and lyrifissures ia, im, ip, ih located on dorsal shield; setal rows ps, ad, and an on soft integument.
Lens-like structures absent.
FIGURE 3. Adamystis ueckermanni sp. nov., female. A—idiosoma, dorsal view; B—idiosoma, ventral view.
Venter (Fig. 3B). —Integument generally striated; that on paracoxal region much denser and
thicker, forming large elongate coxisternal shield on each side but not fusing mesially. Excluding
coxal setae, four pairs of sternal setae present (stI–IV), all filiform, about 13–20 (10–13) long, and
located on coxisternal shield, some pairs lost during preparation. Genital shield densely striate, with
13 or 14 genital setae, 14–16 long ; four pairs of aggenital setae present, all filiform, about 22–25
(17–23) long; ag1-2 located on posterior extension of coxisternal shield, ag3-4 located on individual
platelet (ag4 absent on one side of one paratype). Progenital chamber with two pairs of subequal
genital papillae, each with associated seta k (k1, k2); ovipositor with one pair eugenital setae (eug),
these setae spinose at tip and located at distal end of proboscis-like portion of ovipositor (Fig. 3B).
454 SYSTEMATIC & APPLIED ACAROLOGY VOL. 17
FIGURE 4. Adamystis ueckermanni sp. nov., female. A—chelicera; B—palp; C—leg I, dorsal view; D—leg
II, dorsal view; E—leg III, femur, latero-dorsal view; F—leg III, genu and tibia, lateral view; G—leg III, tarsus,
lateral view.
4552012 FUANGARWORN ET AL.: ADAMYSTIS CUNLIFFE IN IRAN
Legs (Fig. 4–5).—All femora divided, but incompletely on dorsal surface. Legs I–IV setation
(famulus included, solenidia in brackets): coxae 2–4–3–4, 3d absent; trochanters 1–2–2–1;
basifemora 5–5–4–2; telofemora 8–7/8–7/4 or 5–4 genua 7 (1)–7 (1)–7/6–6/5; tibiae 14 (1)–13 (1)–
13 (1)–13; tarsi 28 (1)–28 (1)–24–23. Pretarsi I–IV with two bipectinated claws and small claw-like
empodium. Supracoxal seta epI peg-like; solenidia short, rod-like; famuli on tarsi I–II peg-like. Most
setae filiform and barbed, smooth eupathidia present on tarsi I–IV, and on tibiae I–II; their
distribution depicted in Fig. 4–5.
Male and immatures. Unknown.
FIGURE 5. Adamystis ueckermanni sp. nov., leg IV of female. A—femur and genu; B—tibia; C—tarsus, all in
lateral view.
Etymology
The new species is named in honor of Dr. Edward A. Ueckermann (Plant Protection Research
Institute, South Africa) in recognition of his contribution to Acarology and particularly to the study
of the Adamystidae.
Type material
Holotype: female; Oaken jungle, Zagros mountain, south of Kamfiruz region (30°8’N,
52°17’E), Fars prov., Iran; ex. soil and humus under oak trees (Fagaceae); 21.VIII.2010; coll.
Gholamreza Beyzavi. Two paratypes: each female with same data as holotype except on 17.VII.2010
and 15.IX.2011, respectively. Holotype and one paratype are deposited in the Acarology collection
of the Islamic Azad University, Fars Science and Research Branch, Marvdasht, Iran. One paratype
456 SYSTEMATIC & APPLIED ACAROLOGY VOL. 17
is deposited in the Acarology collection of the Chulalongkorn University Museum of Natural
History, Bangkok, Thailand.
Remarks
Adult female of Adamystis ueckermanni sp. nov. is most similar to that of A. coineaui Rafalski
(Rafalski, 1982) in having a large dorsal shield bearing setae h1-2 and all lyrifissures; and mesially
separated coxisternal shields that are well developed beyond the level of leg IV insertions. However,
it can be distinguished from A. coineaui Rajaski, 1982 by the ornamentation of dorsal and coxisternal
shields, the number of aggenital setae, and the leg chaetotaxy. In A. ueckermanni sp. nov., the dorsal
shield is heterogeneously ornamented: with small reticulations and large reticulations (vs
homogenous reticulations); coxisternal shields are densely striate without reticulation (vs with
reticulation); there are four pairs of aggenital setae (vs five pairs); and basifemur of 5–5–4–2 (vs 5–
5–4–3).
Key to species of Adamystis (female) in Iran
1 Dorsal shield smooth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
- Dorsal shield ornamented (i.e. reticulate). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 Dorsal shield bearing hystersomal setal rows f–h; coxal setation 2-4-4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. alvandicus Khanjani et al., 2012
- Dorsal shield not bearing hystersomal setal rows f–h; coxal setation 2-4-4-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. theroni sp. nov.
3. Dorsal shield uniformly reticulate; coxisternal shield reticulate and fused mesially; genital shield
reticulate; four pairs of adoral setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. iranoturanianensis Beyzavi et al., 2012
- Dorsal shield not uniformly reticulate; coxisternal shield striated, not fused mesially; genital
shield striated; three pairs of adoral setae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A. ueckermanni sp. nov.
Acknowledgments
We thank Dr. Owen Seeman (Queensland Museum, Australia) for reviewing the manuscript. The
senior author thanks the Center of Excellence in Biodiversity of Chulalongkorn University for
facility supports.
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Accepted by Qing-hai Fan: 13 Nov. 2012; published 30 Nov. 2012
