| abstract | Steatonyssus megaporue, sp. nov.
Female (figs. 1-2): Podosomal plate with 10 setal pairs, V absent, and unusually having a pair of circular incrassation (about 12µ in diameter) near posterior margin. Opisthosomal plate narrow and long, bearing 7 setal pairs, S8 minute, S6 and M10-11 very small, M11 smaller than M10. About 45 pairs of setae on the unarmed dorsum.
Sternal plate with strongly sclerotized band on posterior margin, St1-3 and MSt subequal in length. Epigynial plate without median protrusion of anterior margin. Anal plate elongate pyriform. About 50 setal pairs on the unarmed venter. All the setae needle-like, stronger on dorsum, setae on the posterior margin stout and long, sword-like. Peritreme reaching the anterior margin of coxa II.
Male (figs.3-4): Dorsal plate entire, with 10 setal pairs, having a pair of circular incrassation in the midddle of plate. Unarmed dorsum bearing 16-17 pairs of setae.
Ventral armature undivided, 3 pairs of sternal setae subequal in length, ventral portion about 10-12 setae, may arranged asymmetrically. About 20-22 pairs of setae on the unarmed venter. Peritreme ending in anterior margin of coxa II.
Holotype (♀), allotrpe (♂), paratrpes (1♀, 2♂♂, 8 protonymphs) collected off 3 Taphozous melanopogon Temminck, 1841 Guangxi Autonomous Region. Specimens are deposited in the Department of Parasitology, Guiyang Medical College.
In most Steatonyssus species there are 11 or more pairs of setae on the podosomal plate. The new species has only 10 pairs of these setae. Other species bearing the same number of setae are benoiti Till et Evans, evansi Delfinado, hubli Hirgaudar et Bal,and sudanensis (Hirst). However, the number of setal pairs on their opisthosomal plate is 5 in benoiti and sudanesis, 6 in evansi, 18 in hubli, and 7 in the new species. Moreover, the dorsal plate of megaporus, sp. nov. is ornamented uniquely with a pair of circular incrassation and its protonymph bears a pair of very large stigma. |