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ABSTRACT
A new phytoseiid species, Amblydromalus zannoui n. sp., is described based on specimens collected from Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) in Tocantins state, central Brazil. This species fits the characteristics of the previous established limonicus species group, within which it is morphologically most similar to Amblydromalus manihoti Moraes. To ascertain that the specimens collected belonged to a species distinct from A. manihoti, analyses of both species using multivariate analysis of 35 morphometric characters and DNA sequences were carried out. The morphometric differences between those two groups were determined to be small for all characters except for the seta Z5 and the macroseta St IV. Amblydromalus zannoui n. sp. was shown to have Z5 longer and the macroseta St IV shorter than A. manihoti and spermathecal calyx with a distinct constriction along most of its extension (tubular in A. manihoti). DNA sequences analysis based on the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) confirmed A. zannoui n. sp. to be distinct from A. manihoti. A morphological description of the new species is provided. The known potential of A. limonicus and A. manihoti as bio-control agents of pest arthropods warrants evaluations of the potential of the species here described for practical use in biological control.
Acknowledgments
This work is supported by FAPESP (Brazil) grant project 2012/21412-2. Thanks are due to M.G.C. Gondim Jr. and C.A. Gomez-Moya for providing specimens of A. manihoti used in molecular study. We also thank anonymous reviewers of this publication, for the very constructive suggestions.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.