Reinstatement of the genus Colopalpus Pritchard and Baker (1958) and re-description of Colopalpus matthyssei Pritchard and Baker (1958), the type species of the genus (Acari, Tenuipalpidae)

Abstract

We discuss the taxonomic history of the genus Colopalpus Pritchard and Baker 1958, and redescribe the female, male and deutonymph of the type species, C. matthyssei (Pritchard and Baker). We provide previously unknown morphological data for C. matthyssei, in addition to complementary information on the morphology of C. nambii (Castro and Feres) obtained using low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM). Our results show that both C. matthyssei and C. nambii share characters with the genera Tenuipalpus and Brevipalpus. Based on these findings, we propose that Colopalpus be reinstated as a valid genus. We discuss the characters shared by Colopalpus, Tenuipalpus and Brevipalpus, and also provide a list of species that are transferred to the genus Colopalpus.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1A296CBB-4B02-41CD-86E6-1418F5A7F291

Keywords:

• Tenuipalpus
• Brevipalpus
• flat mites
• taxonomy
• systematics
• Philippines

Acknowledgements

We offer special thanks to Nit Malikul and Debra Creel (SEL-USDA) for their technical support; to Chris Pooley (ECMU-USDA) for their help with the LT-SEM images; to Dr. Antonio C. Lofego (UNESP - São José do Rio Preto) for his help in the collection of specimens for LT-SEM; to Dr. Ibrahim Al-Gboory for his comments and information on the genus Colopalpus In addition, we wish to thank the following for collecting and/or lending valuable specimens: Dr. Laura Leibensperger, Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Museum of Comparative Zoology - (MCZ), Harvard University; Dr. Bob Blinn, NCSU Insect Museum, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University; Drs. Giberto J. de Moraes and Carlos H.W. Flechtmann, The Acarology Collection - USP-ESALQ; Dr. Cal Welbourn (FSCA-DPI, Florida, USA). We thank Mr. Eric McDonald and Dr. Gregory Evans (APHIS-USDA) for the revision of the manuscript. We thank the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, National Agricultural Library (NAL-USDA), USDA National Program and APHIS for their support and assistance with references, permits and funding for this study. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the USDA; USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the “Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior” (CAPES) [Proc. n° BEX 7768/13-3] and “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico” (CNPq) [Proc. n° 303435/2013-5], by fellowship and research grant to first and third authors, respectively. Fourth author was funded by the Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) [grant number RF214-23], Australian Government.