| abstract | In this paper a new species of the genus Argus is described from Jiangxi Province, China.
Argas (Argas) assimilis, sp. nov.
Adult (figs 1-4) Moderately large, oval in shape, female 6.06-7.04 mm long, 3.94-4.54 mm broad; male 5.60-6.51 mm long, 3.63-4.09 mm broad. Integumental ridges mostly relatively narrow and short, stellate and distinctly raised. Peripheral ridges narrow and sinuous. Basis capituli ventrally ca. 1.8 (♀) or 2.3 (♂) times as broad as long. Dental formula 2/2 (3 rows), 3/3-5/5 (ca. 6 rows). Palpi ca. 0.422 (♀) or 0.346(♂) mm long, segments I-IV respective lengths 0.119,0.118,0.079,0.106 (♀) or 0.106,0.079,0.075,0.086 (♂) mm, and setae visible from ventral view numbering 2,2,2,1-2 plus apical tuft. Anus somewhat posterior from center of venter, bearing 6 setae on each valve. Tarsi each with a prominent dorsal subapical protuberance; setae from lateral view on I-IV, respectively: apicodorsal 1,1,1,1; subdorsal 9,6,4,6 (♀) or 8,4,4,4 (♂); median 3,2,2,2 pr; apicoventral 4,4,3,5(♀) or 5,5,5,5 () pr; subventral 4,4,4,5(♀) or 6,3,3,4 (♂) pr.
Nymph (fig. 5) Body oval, 4.54 mm long, 2.88 mm broad. Basis capituli ventrally ca. 1.4 times as broad as long. Dental formula 2/2 (2 rows), 3/3-5/5 (posterior rows). Anus with 7 setae on each valve. Tarsi each with a prominent dorsal subapical protuberance; setae from lateral view on I-IV, respectively: apicodorsal 1,1,1,1; subdorsal 9-11,6,6,6; median 2,2,2,2 pr; apicoventral 5,5,5,5 pr; subventral 6,4,4,4 pr.
Holotype ♀, allotype ♂ and paratypes 6♀♀ 2♂♂ and 1 nymph were collected from swallow (Hirundo daurica japonica) nests from Tonggu County (28°27’N, 114°20’ E), Jiangxi Province, China, in November, 1980. All type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, except 4♀♀ of paratypes which are in the Department of Pa-rasitology, Jiangxi Medical College.
The new species is closely allied to Argus (A.) japonicus Yamaguti, Clifford et Tipton, but its integumental ridges relatively narrower and markedly raised, and the peripheral integumental ridges narrower and more elongate; in the female, its hypostome somewhat longer, extending to midlength of palpal segment III, and tarsi I-IV with apicoventral setae 4,4,3,5 pr respectively. In the nymph, the new species is easily distinguished from Argas japonicus by its tarsi each with a prominent dorsal subapical protuberance, and by the number of setae on the tarsi. This new species is probably an oriental species, while Argas (A.) japonicus is a palearctic one. |