Chaetodactylus abditus, phoretic deutonymph (holotype), ex Lithurgus planifrons, Arizona, BMOC 96-0510-012
Fig. 1. Chaetodactylus abditus, phoretic deutonymph (holotype), ex Lithurgus planifrons, Arizona, BMOC 96-0510-012 Click to enlarge

Bee Mites : Acari : Acariformes : Sarcoptiformes : Chaetodactylidae : Chaetodactylus


Chaetodactylus abditus Klimov and OConnor, 2004

Chaetodactylus abditus Klimov and OConnor, 2004: 175, Figs 5, 6; Klimov and OConnor, 2008: 124, Figs 60-61.

Material (show database records). Holotype: USA: Arizona, Pima Co., Continental, ex Lithurgus planifrons (ventral mesosoma), 8 Sep 1978, Knowlton & Hanson, USNM, BMOC 96-0510-012. Paratypes: 4 + 4 + 1 HDNs - same data as holotype (lateral mesosoma + ventral mesosoma + 1st metasomal tergite); 34 HDN'S - Pima Co., near Continental, elev. 1019 m., 10 am, 31°49.49'N 110°55.58'W, ex female of Lithurgus echinocacti (mostly pronotum) on Ferocactus (Caryophyllales: Cactaceae), 3 Sep 2003, P. Klimov, UMMZ, BMOC 03-0903-001; 5 HDN'S - MEXICO: Colima, Revillagigedo Arch., Socorro Is., ex male of L. planifrons (pronotum and posterior head), 1-5 May 1955, McDonald & Blodget, LACM, BMOC 03-0127-001; 3 HDN'S - same locality, Station 5, Elev. 900 ft. (274.3 m), ex female of L. planifrons (mesosoma, including propodeum), 8 Jun 1977, C. Hogue & A. Evans (Steele Exped.), LACM, BMOC 03-0127-002; 5 HDN'S - same data (metepisternum), LACM, BMOC 03-0127-003; 8 + 3 +15 HDNs - same locality, Bahia Braithwaite, ex L. planifrons (propodeum + mesepisternum + ventral mesosoma), 7 May 1925, H. H. Keifer, CAS, BMOC 03-0604-003. Holotype in USNM, paratypes in CAS, HNHM, IRSNB, LACM, UMMZ, UNAM, USNM.
Identification. See key. Click here for multivariate discrimination between 3 cryptic species. Known from phoretic deutonymphs only.

Biology. In Arizona is found phoretic on bee species of the genus Lithurgus flying in the fall. This contrasts to the sympatric species Chaetodactylus lithurgi associated with Lithurgus species which are active during the spring.

Hosts.
Lithurgus (Lithurgopsis) planifrons Friese, 1908 (type host)
Lithurgus (Lithurgopsis) echinocacti Cockerell, 1898

Distribution (show map). USA: Arizona (type locality), Mexico: Socorro Island.

References
Klimov, P. B. & B. M. OConnor. 2004. Multivariate discrimination among cryptic species of the mite genus Chaetodactylus (Acari: Chaetodactylidae) associated with bees of the genus Lithurgus (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in North America. Experimental and Applied Acarology.33: 157-182.
Klimov, P. B. & B. M. OConnor. 2007. Ancestral area analysis of chaetodactylid mites (Acari: Chaetodactylidae), with description of new early derivative genus and six new species from the Neotropics. Annals of the Entomological Society of America.100: 810-829.


Image Gallery
Chaetodactylus abditus, phoretic deutonymph (holotype), ex Lithurgus planifrons, Arizona, BMOC 96-0510-012
mite (holotype)
Chaetodactylus abditus, phoretic deutonymph (holotype)
mite (holotype)
Phoretic deutonymphs of the mite Chaetodactylus abditus on Lithurgus echinocacti pollinating barrel cactus (Ferocactus), Arizona
mites on host



 

 

B. OConnor and P. Klimov ©
Created: Jun 14, 2011
Last modified: