The sub-Antarctic mite Ayersacarus: a new species from mainland New Zealand, and its isotopic ecology (Acari: Mesostigmata: Leptolaelapidae)

Abstract

Ayersacarus woodi sp. n. (Acari: Leptolaelapidae) is described from Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica Falla) burrows at Punakaiki, South Island, New Zealand. The genus has previously been reported only from sub-Antarctic islands. The new species is most like A. plumapilus Hunter (type species) but differs from it in females in the size and shape of the epigynal shield; much larger metapodal shields; and a wider than long anal shield with lateral pores. The ecology of the new species was explored using stable isotope (¹³C/¹²C; ¹⁵N/¹⁴N) analysis of females alongside contextual data from the site. From the ¹³C/¹²C results, the new species is dependent on marine C from petrels rather than terrestrial photosynthetic C. In terms of trophic level, the isotopic data are consistent with consumption of guano decomposers or their eggs.

Keywords:

• Acari
• Leptolaelapidae
• Ayersacarus
• taxonomy
• stable isotopes
• Westland petrel
• nidicole

Acknowledgements

We thank two anonymous referees for valuable comments that greatly improved the paper. This research was carried out under permit WC-26497-RES from the West Coast Conservancy, New Zealand Department of Conservation. Ricardo Palma (Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa Tongarewa) organised the loan of the holotypes of A. plumapilus and A. gressitti.