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DOI: 10.2478/s11686-014-0287-2
© W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, PAS
Acta Parasitologica, 2014, 59(4), 568–579; ISSN 1230-2821
Two new species of the feather mite family
Gabuciniidae (Acariformes: Pterolichoidea)
from wrens (Passeriformes: Troglodytidae)
Sergey V. Mironov1*, Ivan Literak2, Oldrich Sychra2and Miroslav Capek3
1Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya embankment 1, Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia;
2Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical
Sciences Brno, Palackeho tr. 1-3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; 3Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences
of the Czech Republic, v. v. i., Kvetna 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
Abstract
Two new species of the feather mite family Gabucinidae (Acari: Astigmata) are described from birds of the family Troglodyti-
dae (Passeriformes) from Central America: Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp. nov. from Cinnycerthia unirufa (Lafresnaye) in
Ecuador, and P. henicorhinae sp. nov. from Henicorhina leucosticte (Cabanis) in Costa Rica. These are the first records of
mites of the genus Piciformobia Gaud et Atyeo, 1975 from passerine hosts. A renewed diagnosis of the genus Piciformobia and
key to all known species are provided.
Keywords
Acari, Gabuciniidae, Piciformobia, systematics, Troglodytidae, Central America
Introduction
The feather mite family Gabuciniidae (Acariformes: Pteroli-
choidea) currently includes about 60 species in 16 genera
(Černý 1975; Gaud and Atyeo 1975; De Alzuet et al. 1988;
Mironov and Galloway 2003; Proctor et al. 2006; Mironov et
al. 2007; Dabert and Alberti 2008). In the plumage of their
avian hosts, these medium-sized astigmatan mites (300–500
micrometers long) occupy the primaries and secondaries of
the wings and retrices, where they are located in corridors be-
tween barbs on the ventral side of vanes. The family Gabucini-
idae was established by Gaud and Atyeo (1975) and originally
included 13 genera transferred from the family Pterolichidae.
The founders of the family provided standard diagnoses and a
key to all recognized genera, figures for type species of each
and also gave some notes on host associations. Subsequently,
three more genera were described (Mironov and Galloway
2003; Mironov et al. 2007); the latter paper also included a
table for main diagnostic characters of all gabuciniid genera
presently recognized.
The majority of known gabuciniid genera (11 of 16)
are from non-passeriform host orders, and among them, seven
genera are restricted to predatory birds (Accipitriformes
and Falconiformes). Other non-passeriform hosts of gabuciniids
belong to the orders Cuculiformes, Coraciiformes, Gruiformes,
and Piciformes (Gaud 1953, 1966, 1968, 1978; Dubinin 1956;
Gaud and Atyeo 1975; De Alzuet et al. 1988). To date, only
seven described species from four genera have been recorded
from Passeriformes: Artamacarus Gaud and Atyeo, 1975 (1
species), Capitolichus Gaud and Atyeo, 1975 (2 species), Cora-
ciacarus Dubinin, 1956 (2 species), and Gabucinia Oudemans,
1905 (2 species) (Table 1). Among these, only the monotypic
genus Artamacarus is exclusively known from passerines, while
members of the three other genera are also known from non-
passerine hosts (Gaud and Atyeo 1975). Also De Alzuet et al.
(1988) summarized known host associations of gabuciniid gen-
era with families of birds and mentioned the passerine families
Campephagidae, Prionopidae and Sturnidae as hosts of gabucini-
ids based on notes of Gaud and Atyeo (1975). However, the mite
species found by Gaud and Atyeo on hosts from these passerine
families remain undescribed.
In the present paper we describe two new species of the
genus Piciformobia Gaud and Atyeo, 1975 from two passer-
ine birds of the wren family Troglodytidae (Passeriformes)
*Corresponding author: astigmata@zin.ru
Gabuciniid mites from Troglodytidae 569
from Central America, and propose a renewed diagnosis of
this genus following the modern format for gabuciniids
(Mironov et al. 2007).
Material and Methods
The materials used for the present study were collected by the
junior coauthors (IL, OS and MC) in the course of their or-
nithological and parasitological survey in the Tapantí National
Park (Costa Rica) and by Michaël Moens (Universidad Com-
plutense de Madrid, Spain) who is studying bird symbionts in
Ecuador. Birds were captured using mist nets with the permis-
sion of relevant authorities in Costa Rica and Ecuador. Captured
birds were identified and visually checked for the presence of
mites and other ectosymbionts. Detected mites were removed
from the hosts with forceps (Costa Rica) or entire infested feath-
ers were removed (Ecuador) and placed in tubes with 96%
ethanol. After processing, birds were released back into the wild.
Mite specimens were mounted on microslides in Faure medium
or PVA according to the standard techniques used for many
groups of small acariform mites (Krantz and Walter 2009).
General morphological terms and leg chaetotaxy follow
Gaud and Atyeo (1996); idiosomal chaetotaxy also follows
these authors with the corrections provided by Norton (1998).
Descriptions of new species and a generic diagnosis are given
in the modern format for gabuciniid mite taxa (Mironov et al.
2007). All measurements are in micrometers (µm).
Bird names and classification follow Clements et al.
(2013). Abbreviations for access numbers and depositories of
specimens: UMMZ – Museum of Zoology, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; ZISP – Zoological Institute
of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Results
Family Gabuciniidae Gaud and Atyeo, 1975
Genus Piciformobia Gaud and Atyeo, 1975
Type species: Piciformobia tetracanthura Gaud and Atyeo,
1975 by original designation.
Diagnosis
Both sexes. Gabuciniids with elongated idiosoma, over 2
times longer than wide. Basal inflations on epimerites I, II
absent. Dorsolateral sclerotized bridges between bases of
epimerites I and II absent. Ventral sclerotized bridge con-
necting bases of epimerites I absent. Two vertical setae vi
present, their bases clearly separated from each other.
Scapular setae si short filiform, situated approximately equi-
distant from midline of body and corresponding setae se.
Setae c2 lanceolate, spiculiform, or filiform, situated on
hysteronotal shield. Setae c3 lanceolate. Tarsi I, II distinctly
shorter than twice the length of the palps. Solenidia σ1,σ2
of genu I present, solenidia σof genua II and III present.
Solenidion σof genu III situated in basal part of segment.
Genual seta cGI variable in size and form, from one half to
twice the length of this segment, filiform or noticeably
thickened.
Male. Opisthosomal lobes well developed, triangular in
shape. Inner margin of opisthosomal lobes with blunt-angular
extension and with concavity anterior to bases of setae h1.
Genital apparatus situated much posterior to level of
trochanters IV, near anterior end of anal opening. Corolla of
anal suckers with indentations. Genital setae gsituated ante-
rior to level of genital papillae. Setae d,eof tarsi IV filiform
or short spiniform.
Table I. List of gabuciniid species described from passerines
Mite species Type host Host family Type locality Reference
Artamacarus diacanthurus
Gaud and Atyeo, 1975
Artamus leucorhynchus
(Linnaeus) Artamidae Philippines Gaud and Atyeo 1975
Capitolichus pitangus
De Alzuet et al. 1988
Pitangus sulfuratus
(Linnaeus) Tyrannidae Argentina De Alzuet et al. 1988
Capitolichus pyroderi
(Trouessart and Megnin, 1885)
Pyroderus scutatus
(Shaw) Cotingidae South America Trouessart and Mégnin
1885; Gaud and Atyeo 975
Coraciacarus muellermotzfeldi
Dabert and Alberti, 2008
Heteralocha acutirostris
(Gould) Callaeatidae New Zealand Dabert and Alberti 2008
Coraciacarus punctatus
Gaud, 1960 Corvus albicollis Latham Corvidae Ruanda Gaud 1960
Gabucinia delibata
(Robin, 1877) Corvus corone Linnaeus Corvidae Europe Robin and Mégnin 1877;
Gaud and Mouchet 1959
G. gladiscapulata
Gaud, 1960 Corvus albicollis Latham Corvidae Ruanda Gaud 1960
Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp. nov. Cinnicerthia unirufa
(Lafresnaye) Troglodytidae Ecuador Present study
P. henicorhinae sp. nov. Henicorhina leucosticte
(Cabanis) Troglodytidae Costa Rica Present study
Sergey V. Mironov et al.
570
Female. Epigynum present, horsehoe-shaped or semicir-
cular. Setae e2 and f2 dilated, lanceolate. Setae gsituated an-
terior to genital papillae. Hysteronotal shield represented by
large main piece occupying most of the dorsal area of hys-
terosoma, a pair of heavily sclerotized lateral bands stretch-
ing along lateral margins of hysterosoma and a pair of
opisthosomal pieces near posterolateral margins of opistho-
soma. Posterior end of opisthosoma with pair of short conical
extensions bearing setae h3.
Included species: Piciformobia ani (Černý, 1975),
P. guirae De Alzuet, Cicchino and Abrahamovich, 1988,
P. tetracanthura Gaud and Atyeo, 1975, and two new species
described below.
Remarks. The genus Piciformobia was originally estab-
lished by Gaud and Atyeo (1975) based on the single species
Piciformobia tetracanthura Gaud and Atyeo, 1975 from Gal-
bula cyanescens Deville (Piciformes: Galbulidae). In dis-
cussing host-parasite associations of this genus, these authors
noted that they had on the hand three Piciformobia species
collected from birds of the families Galbulidae, Bucconidae
(Piciformes) and Momotidae (Coraciiformes). Unfortunately,
exact names of hosts from the two latter families were not
given and the corresponding mite species have never been de-
scribed. Later, De Alzuet et al. (1988) described one more
species, P. guirae De Alzuet et al., 1988 from the Guira
Cuckoo Guira guira (Gmelin) (Cuculiformes: Cuculidae) and
transferred to this genus Coraciacarus ani Černý, 1975 asso-
ciated with cuckoos of the genus Crotophaga Linnaeus. Thus,
to date, the genus Piciformobia has included three species.
Two new species described herein are from passerine hosts of
the family Troglodytidae (Passeriformes) that is the first
record of Piciformobia species from birds of this order.
Gaud and Atyeo (1975, 1996) indicated that the genus
Piciformobia could be distinguished from two other closely
related gabuciniid genera, Capitolichus and Coraciacarus, by
the presence of dilated setae c2 in Piciformobia. At the same
time these authors noted (Gaud and Atyeo 1975) that Picifor-
mobia seems most closely related to the genus Coraciacarus
based on setae gin males being anterior to the genital papil-
lae in these two genera. This statement seems to be poorly
grounded because many characters in females of Piciformo-
bia, in particular, setae f2 being lanceolate in form and the lat-
eral bands and opisthosomal shields being separated from the
main body of hysteronotal shield, suggest that this genus is
closer to Capitolichus, as Coraciacarus females have filiform
setae f2 and the opisthosomal and lateral fragments of the hys-
teronotal shield not separated from the main body. Addition-
ally, the structure of setae c2 in two new Piciformobia species
(spiculiform in one and filiform in the other) shows that the
form of these setae is variable among species, and hence not
a good discriminating character for gabuciniid genera. Thus,
the only clear feature of Piciformobia differentiating it from
Capitolichus is the position of setae ganterior to the genital
papillae, whilst in the latter genus these setae are situated pos-
terior to these papillae.
Piciformobia henicorhinae sp. nov. (Figs. 1–3)
Type material: Male holotype (ZISP 5076), 6 male and 5 fe-
male paratypes from Henicorhina leucosticte (Cabanis)
(Passeriformes: Troglodytidae), Costa Rica, Tapantí National
Park, Sector Tapantí, Cordillera de Talamanca Mts., h=1200
m, 09°46´N, 83°47´W, 1 August 2009, coll. I. Literak, O. Sy-
chra and M. Capek.
Depositories: Holotype, 5 male and 4 female paratypes –
ZISP, 1 male and 1 female paratypes – UMMZ.
Description
Male (holotype, range for 5 paratypes in parentheses).
Gnathosoma almost rectangular, length including palps
55 (54–56), width at base 53 (50–55). Idiosoma length from
anterior end to lobar apices 388 (375–390), greatest width at
level of humeral shields 182 (180–190); length of hystero-
soma 285 (275–290). Prodorsal shield: with long antero-lat-
eral extensions protruding to margins of propodosoma
between trochanters I and II, lateral margins with narrow in-
cisions extending to bases of setae se, greatest length 90 (86–
92), width at posterior margin 108 (104–110). Setae vi and si
minute, about 5 long. Distance between bases of scapular
setae: se:se 55 (53–55), si:si 29 (28–30). Subhumeral setae
c3 lanceolate, 20 (19–20) long. Hysteronotal shield: great-
est length from anterior margins to bases of setae h3 280
(275–285), length along midline 186 (180–190), width at an-
terior margin 155 (150–160), anterior margin slightly con-
cave, surface without ornamentation, anterior ends of lateral
bands extending to midlevel between trochanters III and IV.
Lobar areas of hysteronotal shield not separated from main
body of hysteronotal shield. Setae c2 spiculiform, 13 (11–
13) long, situated in anterior angles of hysteronotal shield,
cupules ia immediately posterior to their bases. Setae e1 sit-
uated posterior to level of hysteronotal gland openings. Pos-
terior ends of opisthosomal lobes with small ovate
membranous extensions situated subapically, inner margins
of lobes with blunt-angular extension and with distinct con-
cavity anterior to bases of setae h1, inner lobar membranes
developed only in anterior half of lobes. Length of terminal
cleft from anterior end to lobar apices 97 (82–100), wide at
level of setae h1 78 (72–80). Distances between dorsal setae
and gland openings: c2:d2 82 (80–85), d2:e2 135 (125–135)
e2:h3 56 (50–58), d2:gl 46 (40–46), gl:e1 11 (11–13), h3:h3
104 (95–110). Lengths of lanceolate setae of opisthosomal
lobes: e2 22 (20–22), f2 16 (15–18), h1 14 (14–15).
Epimerites I extending to bases of coxal setae 1a. Genital
apparatus 14 (14–17) × 20 (20–22), aedeagus extending to its
base. Bases of setae 4a apposed. Setae gsituated slightly an-
terior to genital papillae. Setae 3a and 4b approximately at
same transverse level. Distances between ventral setae: 4b:g
35 (30–35), g:4a 88 (85–90), 4a:ps3 9 (9–12), ps3:h3 75 (75–
80). Anal suckers 17 (15–17) in diameter, corolla with 15–16
indentations.
Gabuciniid mites from Troglodytidae 571
Femora II with ventral crest (Fig. 3G). Seta cG of genu I
filiform, 12 (10–12) long (Fig. 3A). Solenidion σ1 of genu I 8
(8–11) long, nearly twice as long as solenidion σ2. Solenidion φ
of tibia IV slightly longer than corresponding tarsus. Setae d,e
of tarsi IV short spine-like (Figs. 3E, F). Length of tarsi: I, II 22
(22–24), III, IV 24 (22–25). Ambulacral disc of tarsus I ovate
and in longitudinal diameter noticeably longer than the more cir-
cular-shaped amublacral discs of tarsi II–IV.
Female (range for 5 paratypes). Gnathosoma, length ×
width, 62–66 × 60–62. Idiosoma, length × width, 485–495 ×
205–215, length of hysterosoma 430–450. Prodorsal shield
shaped as in male, 110–115 × 135–140, incisions in lateral
margins encompass bases of setae se. Setae vi and si minute,
about 5 long. Distance between bases of scapular setae: se:se
70–80, si:si 35–38. Subhumeral setae c3 lanceolate, 20–22
long. Hysteronotal shield: main body with almost straight an-
terior margin, anterior angles acute, posterior end roughly
semicircular in shape, length, 290–295, wide at anterior mar-
gin 180–190, surface without ornamentation. Setae c2
spiculiform, 12–14 long, situated in anterior angles of hys-
teronotal shield, cupules ia immediately posterior to them.
Lateral bands well separated from main body of hysteronotal
shield, heavily sclerotized along all their length, their ante-
rior ends extending to level of subhumeral setae c3, posterior
Fig. 1A, B. Piciformobia henicorhinae sp. nov., male. A– dorsal view, B– ventral view
Sergey V. Mironov et al.
572
half turned onto ventral side of hysterosoma and extending
to bases of setae h3, which are situated on small conical ex-
tensions of opisthosoma. Opisthonotal shield fragments also
completely separated from main body of hysteronotal shields,
represented by oblique sclerites 70–80 long on postero-lat-
eral margins of opisthosoma. Distances between dorsal setae
and gland openings: c2:d2 100–110, d2:e2 160–170, e2:h3
80–85, d2:gl 46–55, gl:e1 45–55, h1:h1 62–65, h3:h3 50–62.
Lengths of lanceolate setae of opisthosoma: e2 33–36, f2
27–30.
Epimerites I not extending to setae 1a. Epigynum semi-
circular, 32–35 long, 62–66 wide. Setae 4b situated on very
tips of epigynum. Distances between ventral setae: 4b:g
60–66, g:4a 50–55, ps2:ps3 16–18, ps2:ps2 48–55.
Fig. 2A, B. Piciformobia henicorhinae sp. nov., female. A– dorsal view, B– ventral view
Gabuciniid mites from Troglodytidae 573
Femora II with ventral crest. Setae cG of genua I filiform,
13–14 long, solenidia σ1I 12–14 long. Length of tarsi: I 24–25,
II 26–28, III 32–34, IV 38–40. Ambulacral discs of tarsi I, III,
IV ovate, discs of tarsi II circular; discs of tarsi III, IV slightly
longer than discs of tarsi I and about 1.5 times longer than
discs of tarsi II.
Differential diagnosis. Among previous known species,
Piciformobia henicorhinae sp. nov. is closest to P. ani
De Alzuet, Cicchino and Abrahamovich, 1988 by having
roughly rounded posterior end of hysteronotal shield in fe-
male and by the absence of ornamentation on dorsal shields
in both sexes. The new species differs from P. ani and other
previously known Piciformobia species by a number of fea-
tures. In both sexes, setae vi are minute and much shorter
than chelicerae, setae c2 are spiculiform (about 10 long),
seta cG of genu I is shorter than this segment; in males, the
lobar areas of hysteronotal shield are not separated from the
main body of this shield, epimerites I extend to the bases of
Fig. 3A–I. Piciformobia henicorhinae sp. nov., details. A–C– legs I–III of male, dorsal view; D– tibia and tarsus I, ventral view, E– tibia
and tarsus IV of male, dorsal view, F– tibia and tarsus IV of male, ventral view, G, H – tibiae and tarsi III, IV of female, dorsal view,
I– opisthosoma of male, ventral view. be – blunt-angular extension of lobe, inm – inner lobar membrane, me – membranous subapical ex-
tension of lobe. Scale bars: A–H = 50 µm, I = 100 µm
Sergey V. Mironov et al.
574
setae 1a, setae d and eof tarsi IV are short spine-like, soleni-
dion φof tibia IV is slightly longer than tarsus IV excluding
ambulacral disc. In both sexes of P. ani and other two
previously known species, setae vi are filiform and are
more than half the length of the chelicerae, setae c2 are
lanceolate (about 25 long), seta cG of genu I is 1.5–2 times
longer than this segment; in males, the lobar areas of hys-
teronotal shield are separated or clearly delimited by oblique
groove from the main body of this shield, epimerites I
do not extend to bases of setae 1a, setae d,eof tarsi IV are
filiform, solenidion φof tibia IV is approximately half as
long as tarsus IV.
Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the generic
name of the type host and is a noun in the genitive case.
Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp. nov. (Figs. 4, 5, 6A–C)
Type material: Male holotype (ZISP 5086) from Cinnycerthia
unirufa (Lafresnaye) (Passeriformes, Troglodytidae), Ecuador,
Province of Loja, Municipality of Yangana, Podocarpus
National Park, Cerro Toledo, 4°23´8.95˝S, 79°7´17.51˝W,
h=3000 m, 3 October 2012, coll. M. Moens; 1 male and 2
female paratypes from same host, Ecuador, Province of Loja,
Municipality of Yangana, Podocarpus National Park, Cerro
Toledo, 4°23´12.73˝S, 79°8´46.39˝W, h=2500, 2 August 2012,
coll. M. Moens.
Depositories: Male holotype, and 1 female paratype –
ZISP, 1 male and 1 female paratypes – UMMZ.
Description
Male (holotype, measurements for 1 paratype in parenthe-
ses). Gnathosoma, length × width, 55 (58) × 62 (66). Idio-
soma, length × width, 423 (450) × 215 (225), length of
hysterosoma 312 (325). Prodorsal shield: with long and wide
antero-lateral extensions protruding to margins of propo-
dosoma between trochanters I and II, lateral margins without
incisions, greatest length 86 (95), width at posterior margin
108 (110). Setae vi and si minute filiform, about 5 long. Dis-
tance between bases of scapular setae: se:se 51 (55), si:si 23
(26). Subhumeral setae c3 lanceolate, 22 (23) long. Hys-
teronotal shield: greatest length 320 (345), length along mid-
line 225 (250), width at anterior margin 145 (155), anterior
margin double curved, surface except lobar area with small
circular lacunae and with single median stria, anterior ends
of lateral bands extending to midlevel between trochanters
III and IV. Lobar areas of hysteronotal shield not separated
from main body of this shield. Setae c2 filiform, 10 (13)
long, situated in anterior angles of hysteronotal shield,
cupules ia immediately posterior to their bases. Setae e1 sit-
uated slightly posterior to level of hysteronotal gland open-
ings. Posterior ends of opisthosomal lobes with small
semi-ovate membranous extensions situated almost apically,
inner margins of lobes with blunt-angular ledge and with
shallow concavity anterior to bases of setae h1, inner lobar
membranes gradually decreasing in width up to lobar apices.
Length of terminal cleft from anterior end to lobar apices
100 (110), wide at level of setae h1 95 (100). Distances
between dorsal setae and openings: c2:d2 92 (105), d2:e2
160 (165), e2:h3 60 (75), d2:gl 70 (72), gl:e1 7 (11), h3:h3
135 (145). Lengths of lanceolate setae of opisthosomal lobes:
e2 31 (33), f2 29 (26), h1 29 (22).
Epimerites I extending to bases of setae 1a. Genital ap-
paratus 11 (13) x 14 (17), aedeagus short, not extending to
its base. Bases of setae 4a apposed. Setae gsituated anterior
to genital papillae. Setae 3a and 4b approximately at same
transverse level. Distances between ventral setae: 4b:g 26
(28), and g:4a 120 (125), 4a:ps3 14 (13), ps3:h3 88 (100).
Anal suckers 22 (24) in diameter, corolla with 18–20
indentations.
Femora I, II without ventral crest. Seta cG of genu I spi-
culiform, 12 (11) long. Solenidion σ1 of genu I 7 (9) long,
slightly longer than solenidion σ2 (Fig. 6B). Solenidion φof
tibia IV 1.5 times longer than corresponding tarsus. Setae d,e
of tarsi IV short spine-like (Fig. 6C). Length of tarsi: I, II 22
(22), III 20 (23), IV 23 (24). Ambulacral disc of tarsi I, III, IV
ovate and subequal in length, noticeably longer than nearly
circular ambulacral discs of tarsi II.
Female (range for 2 paratypes). Gnathosoma, length ×
width, 60–66 × 70–75. Idiosoma, length × width, 535–565 ×
260–270, length of hysterosoma 410–425. Prodorsal shield
shaped as in male, 100–110 × 120–135, posterior part with
very small circular lacunae. Setae vi and si minute, about 5
long. Distance between bases of scapular setae: se:se 60–66,
si:si 27–35. Subhumeral setae c3 lanceolate, 20–22 long. Hys-
teronotal shield: main body with slightly concave anterior
margin, anterior angles rounded, posterior end semi-ovate in
shape, length 370–395, width at anterior margin 185–195, en-
tire surface with small circular lacunae. Setae c2 filiform, 13–
15 long, situated in anterior angles, cupules ia immediately
posterior to them. Lateral bands well separated from main
body of hysteronotal shield, heavily sclerotized along all their
length, their anterior ends extending beyond level of setae c3,
posterior half turned onto ventral side of hysterosoma and ex-
tending to bases of setae h3. Opisthonotal shield fragments
completely separated from main body of hysteronotal shields,
represented by oblique sclerites 95–100 long on postero-lateral
margins of opisthosoma. Distances between dorsal setae and
openings: c2:d2 120–125, d2:e2 190–200, e2:h3 100–105,
d2:gl 80–85, gl:e1 35–45, h1:h1 75–80, h3:h3 65–70. Lengths
of lanceolate setae of opisthosoma: e2 37–40, f2 31–33.
Epimerites I not extending to setae 1a. Epigynum semi-
circular, 34–44 long, 65–70 wide. Setae 4b situated on epigy-
num, closely to its tips. Distances between ventral setae: 4b:g
70–88, g:4a 62–80, ps2:ps3 18–22, ps2:ps2 62–75.
Femora II with ventral crest. Setae cG of genua I spiculi-
form, 16–18 long, solenidia σ1 8–9 long. Length of tarsi: I, II
24–26, III 29–31, IV 33–35. Ambulacral discs of tarsi I, II, IV
ovate; ambulacral disc of tarsi II circular; discs of tarsi III, IV
noticeably longer than those of tarsi I, II.
Gabuciniid mites from Troglodytidae 575
Differential diagnosis. Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp.
nov. is closest to the previous species, P. henicorhinae; these
two species constitute a distinct species grouping within the
genus Piciformobia and can be characterized as follows: in
both sexes, setae vi are minute and much shorter than che-
licerae, seta cG of genu I is shorter than this segment in
males, the lobar areas of hysteronotal shield are not sepa-
rated from the main body of this shield, epimerites I extend
to the bases of setae 1a, setae d and eof tarsi IV are spine-
like, and solenidion φof tibia IV is slightly longer than tar-
sus IV. The new species differs from P. henicorhinae by the
following features: in both sexes, the hysteronotal shield
bears numerous small circular lacunae, setae c2 are filiform,
setae cG of genua I are spiculiform, the prodorsal shield has
Fig. 4A, B. Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp. nov., male. A– dorsal view, B– ventral view
Sergey V. Mironov et al.
576
no lateral incisions; in males, the hysteronotal shield has a
single median stria, femora II have no ventral crests. In both
sexes of P. henicorhinae, the hysteronotal shield lacks any
ornamentation, setae c2 are short spiculiform, setae cG of
genua I are filiform, the prodorsal shield has lateral incisions
extending at least to the bases of setae se; in males, the
hysteronotal shield has no median stria, and femora II have
a distinct ventral crest.
Fig. 5A, B. Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp. nov., female. A– dorsal view, B– ventral view
Gabuciniid mites from Troglodytidae 577
Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the generic
name of the type host and is a noun in the genitive case.
Key to species of Piciformobia
1. In both sexes, setae cG of genua I thickened and 1.5–2 times
longer than the segment (Figs. 6E, G), setae vi longer than
half the length of chelicerae, setae c2 lanceolate, 25–30
long. In males, lobar areas of hysteronotal shield separated
or clearly delimited from main body of this shield (Figs.
6D, F); epimerites I not extending to bases of setae 1a; setae
d,eof tarsi IV filiform; solenidion φof tibia IV half as long
as tarsus IV excluding ambulacral disc (Fig. 6H) . . . . . . 2
Fig. 6A–H. Mites of the genus Piciformobia, details of males. A– Piciformobia cinnycerthiae sp. nov., ventral view of opisthosoma, B– same,
dorsal view of leg I, C– same, dorsal view of tarsus IV, D– P. ani, dorsal view of opisthosomal lobe, E– same, dorsal view of genu I,
F– P. tetracanthura, dorsal view of opisthosomal lobe, G– same, dorsal view of genu I, H– same – dorsal view of tarsus IV. be – blunt-an-
gular extension of lobe, inm – inner lobar membrane, me – membranous subapical extension of lobe. Scale bars: B, C, E, G, H =50 µm,
A, D, F = 100 µm
Sergey V. Mironov et al.
578
– In both sexes, setae cG of genua I shorter than this segment,
filiform or slightly thickened (Fig. 3A), setae vi minute and
much shorter than chelicerae; setae c2 spiculiform or fili-
form, about 10 long. In males, lobar areas of hysteronotal
shield not separated or delimited from main body of this
shield (Fig. 1A), epimerites I not extending to bases of setae
1a; setae d,eof tarsi IV short, spine-like, solenidion φof
tibia IV slightly longer than tarsus IV (Figs. 3E, F) . . . . . 4
2. Prodorsal shield without lateral incisions, although small de-
sclerotized areas around setae se can be present in females;
hysteronotal shield with small circular lacunae. In males,
solenidion σ1 of genu I over a half the length of this segment
(Fig. 6G) . . . . . . . .P. tetracanthura Gaud and Atyeo, 1975.
– Prodorsal shield with pair of lateral incisions surrounding
bases of setae se, hysteronotal shield has different orna-
mentation or is without ornamentation. In males, solenid-
ion σ1 of genu I shorter than half the length of this segment
(Fig. 6E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
3. In males, length of setae e2 about 2/3 of distance between
setae e2 and h2. In females, posterior end of hysteronotal
shield with convex, strongly uneven margin; setae e1 situ-
ated at level of hysteronotal gland openings or slightly an-
terior to it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. ani (Černý, 1975)
– In males, setae e2 almost extending to level of setae h2. In
females, posterior end of hysteronotal shield with narrow
and acute median extension; setae e1 situated posterior to
level of hysteronotal gland openings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .P. guirae De Alzuet, Cicchino and Abrahamovich, 1988.
4. In both sexes, hysteronotal shield without ornamentation,
setae c2 spiculiform, setae cG of genua I filiform, prodor-
sal shield with pair of lateral incisions extending to setae se
(Figs. 1A, 2A). In males, hysteronotal shield without a me-
dian stria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. henicorhinae sp. nov.
– In both sexes, hysteronotal shield with very small circular or
unevenly-shaped lacunae; setae c2 filiform, setae cG of
genua I spiculiform, prodorsal shield without lateral inci-
sions (Figs. 4A, 5A). In males, hysteronotal shield with a
median stria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. cinnycerthiae sp. nov.
Acknowledgements. The authors thank Michaël Moens (Facultad de
Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) for
providing with the material collected in Ecuador and Dr. H.C. Proc-
tor (University of Alberta, Canada) for critically reviewing of the man-
uscript. The field study in Costa Rica was permitted by the Ministerio
del Ambiente, Energia y Telecomunicaciones de Costa Rica (No. 136-
2009-SINAC); collections in Ecuador were made under permission
by the Ministry of Environment, Ecuador (No. 009-2012-IC-FAU-
DPL-MA). The investigation was supported by the Russian Fund for
Basic Research (Grant No 13-04-00608) for SVM, and field research
by IL, OS and MC was funded by the Grant Agency of the Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic(No. IAA601690901).
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