A revision
of the chigger mites species group vulgaris (Trombiculidae:
Neotrombicula)
A.A.
Stekolnikov
Parazitologiya, 33(5):
387-403 (1999) (In Russian, English summary).
S U M M A R Y
A revision of chigger mite species, being
closely related to Neotrombicula vulgaris
(Schluger, 1955), is given. Two new species parasitize rodents are
described:
N. aideriensis sp. n. from
Western Kopetdagh (Syunt-Khasardag Reserve, Turkmenistan) and
N. macrovulgaris sp. n. from
Western Caucasus (Karachai-Cherkess Republic, Zagedan Mt. collected in
1995 by the author on the snow vole Chionomys nivalis
at the altitude 2700 m up to sea level).
N. aideriensis sp. n. differs
from all other species of the vulgaris group in
the presence of single barb on the lateral seta of palpal tibia in most
specimens. This species differs also from
N. vulgaris in the lesser width
of scutum (PW = 92 vs. 98 in N. vulgaris), shorter
setae of scutum and idiosoma (H = 52 vs. 57, Dmax
= 51 against 56 in
N. vulgaris) and in the longer
legs (Ip = 875 vs. 826, length of leg III tarsus is 79 vs. 73 in
N. vulgaris). The new species
differs from N. baschkirica Kudryashova, 1998 in
the shorter scutum (SD = 57 vs. 63, ASB = 27—31 vs. 31—36 in
N. baschkirica), shorter setae of
scutum and idiosoma (AM = 44 vs. 51, H = 52 vs. 57 in
N. baschkirica) and slightly
longer legs (length of leg III tarsus is 79 vs. 75 in
N. baschkirica).
N. macrovulgaris sp. n.
differs from all other species of the vulgaris
group in the longer legs (Ip>908), more numerous idiosomal setae
(NDV>91) and in the larger scutum (PW = 98—108 vs. 77—104, ASB =
34—38 vs. 24—36, SD = 64—73 vs. 49—68 in the other species of the
vulgaris group).
N. vulgaris is recorded
for the first time in Bulgaria, Turkmenistan (Western Kopetdagh) and
Krasnodar Krai,
N. baschkirica Kudryashova,
1998 — in Chuvashiya, Kirov Oblast, Komi Republic and Tyumen
Oblast,
N. kharadovi Kudryashova, 1998 —
in Russia (Altai Territory) and in Karaganda Province (Kazakhstan). The
latter species is reported from several new hosts.
Variation of morphometric parameters in the
vulgaris
group are investigated by the methods of multivariate
analysis, the pattern of correlation between them is shown. A complex
of diagnostic features in the group is revised. Discriminant functions
produced by the computer program DIADIS (A. L. Lobanov, Zoological
Institute, Saint-Petersburg) allows to determine confidently
representatives of the
vulgaris group.
Ecogeographical component of intraspecific
variability and character variance at the specific level is revealed in
vulgaris group. N.
macrovulgaris characterized by the largest scutum, numerous
setae and long legs was found in the most rigorous, cold and damp
climate (alpine zone of Western Caucasus). On the other hand,
N. kharadovi, which have the most
fine scutum and shortest setae, inhabits rather dry and warm Middle
Asia and neighbouring territories. The sample of
N. vulgaris collected in the
steppe part of Stavropol Territory differed from the material collected
in mountain forests of Western Caucasus by low values of the most part
of measurements.
N. kharadovi samples from plains
of Middle Asia differed from samples of this species collected in
Western Pamirs, Central Kazakhstan and Altay Territory by more fine
scutum and shorter setae.
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