Corresponding author: Michael W. Hastriter (
Academic editor: Robert E. Lewis
A new species,
This study is a continuation of natural history studies of small mammals and their ectoparasites conducted in Neuquén and Río Negro Provinces, Argentina by the junior author (RDS). Among specimens collected during these studies, a new species of
Techniques for trapping small mammals and processing them for ectoparasites are outlined in detail in
1 | Males | 2 |
– | Females ( |
4 |
2 | Four stout setae on dorso-posterior margin of telomere and without subtending sinus; ventro-caudal hook on telomere extending upward less than ¼ the length of the telomere ( |
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– | Seven to eleven stout setae on dorso-posterior margin of telomere; with distinct subtending sinus ( |
3 |
3 | Mesal surface of hind femur with row of 11–12 setae. Crochet expanded, rounded at apex with wide sclerotization along ventral margin; ventro-caudal margin with series of convoluted folds (fold similar but less apparent in Chilean specimens). Apex of ventro-caudal hook of telomere extending upwards more than half the length of telomere; upper margin of acetabulum far below middle of anterior margin of telomere ( |
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– | Mesal surface of hind femur with row of 17 setae. Crochet not expanded, but somewhat rectangular and truncate at apex; ventro-caudal angle with small lobe ( |
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4 | Anal stylet short, length twice width (2.1×) ( |
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– | Anal stylet longer, length greater than three times width (range: 3.2–3.6×, average: 3.5×) ( |
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Chile, [Magallanes Region]: Estancia Pudeto, W of Lago Sarmiento, [
Male distinguished from other species of
Known only from a single collection in the extreme southern limits of Chile; little can be said of its host preferences. The type locality of
Female unknown. Setae on mesal surface of hind femur longer and more numerous (17) than other species (
There is insufficient morphological evidence to support the erection of
A single specimen (RDS-17339) was collected from
Measurements of the anal stylet of eight specimens were conducted. The range of their length was 58–71µ (average: 63µ) and width was 16–20 µ (average: 18µ) with an average ratio of 3.5× (length:width). This ratio is substantially greater than that of the single female of
Males key to
Chaetotaxy and structural references include only one side of specimen. Head (
Length: Male holotype: 2185µ; female allotype: 2533µ; and female paratype: 2175µ.
The specific epithet
The single male and two females were all collected from different host specimens. The authors feel confident that both sexes belong to the same taxon for the following reasons: 1) Both male and female have spicules on the mesal surface of the hind tibiae, 2) both sexes have very similar head chaetotaxy and shape of the genal lobe, 3) the second tarsal segment possesses three long setae, two of which extend beyond segment four, 4) a pair was collected at the same locality (Laguna Blanca National Park) and the other female within close proximity, within 35 km, 5) the male at one locality and female from the other were from the same host species (
The holotype (RDS-18861) was collected from
Habitat from which
Habitat from which
Habitat from which
We express our appreciation to Claudio Chehébar, Gustavo Iglesias, and Eduardo Ramilo of the Delegación Regional Patagonia of the Argentina National Park Service, for approval of projects APN No. 538 and 696. Much of the collection was completed in the Laguna Blanca National Park. For the assistance and friendship of the Park staff members Fernando Zanona, Federico Bracamonte, and Carlos Quilaqueo, we are indebted. Additionlly, we thank the staff of the Subsecretario de Medio Ambiente, Municipalidad de S. C. de Bariloche and the Dirección de Fauna Silvestre, Provincia de Río Negro for permits to make collections in Río Negro Province. Specimens were exported to the senior author by permit of the Dirección de Fauna Silvestre, Buenos Aires, Argentina and we express our appreciation to Dr. Alejandro Tablado, Curador Colección Nacional de Invertebrados, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, Argentina and Cecilia Li Puma of Dirección de Fauna Silvestre for assisting with the administrative details necessary for exportation of scientific material. We are grateful to Professor Jean-Claude Beaucournu, Rennes, France, Theresa Howard (British Museum of Natural History, London) and John E. Rawlins (Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA) for loan of specimens. We continue to be indebted to Michael F. Whiting and staff of the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum for provision of work space, supplies, and equipment without which these studies would not be possible.