Harpyrhynchus plumaris Fritsch, 1954: 193, figs 11, 12, by original designation

Females. Subcapitulum bearing setae n, m, and elcp; palp bearing setae vF, dF, dG, l”G, dT, l”T, l”Ta. Setae vF smooth or serrate, setae (=palpalae) dF, dG, and l”G grouped together, strongly thickened and roughly barbed. Membranous part of palpal tarsi bearing 2 microspurs. Idiosoma saccate. Anterior part of propodonotum sclerotized (see remark below); this sclerotized area smooth or sculptured. Dorsal shield distinctly developed, without ornamentation or finely ornamented. Idiosomal setae: vi, ve, and si set close to each other in anterior part of propodosoma, barbed filiform; se and c2 situated distinctly far from si; h1 – whip-like; 1a, 1b – fine, smooth filiform; setae 3a present or absent; setae scx and ag absent. Legs I–II moderately reduced, with distinct basal lobes; their pretarsi with pair of angled claws and ciliated empodium each. Leg I with 2–4 articulated segments. Tarsus I with 8 setae (tc’, tc”, p’, p”, a’, a”, u’, u”) and 1 straight solenidion ω1I; tibia I with 5 setae (d, l’, l”, v’, v”), two other proximal segments (if present) devoid of setae. Leg II with 2–4 articulated segments. Tarsus II with 7 setae (tc’, tc”, p”, a’, a”, u’, u”) and 1 straight solenidion ω1II; tibia II with 5 setae (d, l’, l”, v’, v”), two other proximal segments (if present) devoid of setae. Posterior legs III and IV bearing 4–6 setae each; legs III with 1 segment, legs IV with 1 or more rarely with 2 segments.

Males. Gnathosoma as in female. Idiosoma rhomboid in outline. Anterior sclerotized area of propodosoma absent. Dorsal shield well developed, occupying most part of dorsal idiosomal surface. Genital opening situated in middle part of dorsal shield. Genital setae 3 pairs. Penis originating behind genital opening. Situations of dorsal idiosomal setae typical for subfamily. Setae 3a present. Legs I and II well developed, without basal lobes, with 5 articulate segments each. Setation of tibia and tarsi as in females, three other proximal segments with setae. Legs III with two segments, both bearing setae; legs IV with one segment.

Neharpyrhynchus baile Bochkov et al., Neharpyrhynchus bochkovi Martinu et al., Neharpyrhynchus chlorospingus sp. n., Neharpyrhynchus hippolae Bochkov, Neharpyrhynchus mironovi sp. n., Neharpyrhynchus novoplumaris (Moss et al.), Neharpyrhynchus pari Martinu et al., Neharpyrhynchus pilirostris (Berlese & Trouessart), Neharpyrhynchus plumaris (Fritsch), Neharpyrhynchus schoenobaenus Martinu et al., Neharpyrhynchus spinus Martinu et al., Neharpyrhynchus squamiferus (Fain), Neharpyrhynchus tangara sp. n., and Neharpyrhynchus trochilinus (Fain).

Passeriformes: Aegithalidae, Cardinalidae, Certhiidae, Emberizidae, Fringillidae, Muscicapidae, Paridae, Passeridae, Sturnidae, Sylviidae, Thraupidae, Troglodytidae, Turdidae; Apodiformes: Trochilidae.

The sclerotized area on the anterior part of the propodonotum was incorrectly named as the propodosomal (=propodonotal) shield by Martinu et al. (2008). In Harpirhynchidae, actually, the true propodonotal shield is fused with the hysteronotal shield or its remnants to form a common large shield, which can be referred to as the dorsal shield (Bochkov 2008). The sclerotized area in the anterior part of the propodosoma situated anterior to the dorsal shield is formed de novo and probably helps to fix the subcapitulum when the female attaches to a feather (Fig. 1).

Female holotype (ZISP H-T-8, AVB 10-1210-001) and 4 female paratypes (ZISP AVB 10-1210-001, 1–4) from Chlorospingus pileatus Salvin (Passeriformes, Emberizidae) [feathers around ear apertures], COSTA RICA: Cerro de la Mueste, 9°34'N, 83°45'W, 13 August 2010, coll. I. Literak et al. (CM 112).

Holotype and 3 paratypes deposited in the ZISP, one paratype in the INBio.

Female (holotype). Idiosoma, including gnathosoma, 525 long (500–550 in 3 paratypes), 360 wide (350–360) (Fig. 2). Gnathosoma 130 long (130–145), 130 wide (130–140). Palps 50–60 long, moderately inflated dorsally. All palpalae distinctly pectinate (Fig. 3A). Lengths of palpalae: dF 35 (35–35), dG 20 (20–25), and l”G 50 (40–50); dG slightly thicker and about 2 times shorter than dF and l”G. Setae vF 100–110 long, smooth. Subcapitulum ventrally with setae n and m, about 40 and 50 long, respectively. Peritremal branch about 85 long. Idiosoma 425 long (420–440). Anterior region of propodonotum covered by short irregularly situated folds, without scales or tubercles (Fig. 6A). Dorsal shield entire, 165 long in midline (160–170), 300 at maximum width (300–330) (Fig. 2A). Anterior and posterior margins of dorsal shield widely concave. Ventral surface of idiosoma with indistinct transverse striations, without scales or verrucosities (Fig. 2B). Setal lengths: vi, ve, and si - all distinctly barbed, subequal in length, 150–160; se, c2, and 1a - all smooth, 10–12; h1 whip-like, 250 (230–260); 1b smooth, about 40; 3a present, about 20. Base of legs I with distinctly developed and slightly attenuated fleshy lobe; base of legs II with moderately developed rounded lobe. Leg I with 2 articulated segments (Fig. 3B). Leg II with 2 articulated segments (Fig. 3C). Legs III, IV with one segment, each bearing 4 (more rarely 5) long setae. One ventral seta of leg III and 2 ventral seta of leg IV 100–120 long, about half the length of other setae situated dorsally or dorsoterminally, 200–250 long.

Male. Unknown.

The species name is derived from the generic name of the host and is a noun in apposition.

This species belongs to the “plumaris” species group including three species, Neharpyrhynchus plumaris (Fritsch), Neharpyrhynchus novoplumaris (Moss et al.), and Neharpyrhynchus spinus Martinu et al. (Martinu et al. 2008). In females of this group, legs I and II consist of the two articulated segments, palpal setae vF are smooth, the anterior region of the propodonotum is covered by short irregular striations, and setae 3a are present. Within this group, it is close to Neharpyrhynchus novoplumaris described from Certhia familiaris Linnaeus (Passeriformes, Certhiidae) [type host] and Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes, Cardinalidae) from USA (Moss et al. 1968). In females of both of these species setae dG are about half the lenth of l”G. In the other two species of the genus, setae dG and l”G are subequal. Females of Neharpyrhynchus chlorospingus differ from Neharpyrhynchus novoplumaris by the following characters. In Neharpyrhynchus chlorospingus, palpal setae dF are slightly shorter than l”G, setae se and c2 are about four times shorter than 1b, the posterior margin of the dorsal shield is widely concave. In Neharpyrhynchus novoplumaris, palpal setae dF are slightly longer than l”G, setae se and c2 are subequal or only slightly shorter than 1b, the posterior margin of the dorsal shield is widely convex.

Female holotype (MZUSP), 20 female paratypes (ZISP AVB 10-1210-002, #1–20) on slides and numerous paratypes preserved in alcohol from Dacnis cayana (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes, Thraupidae) [feathers around ear apertures, back of the head and neck], BRAZIL: Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Nova Lima, Área de Proteção Permanente (Permanent area for protection) do Condomínio Miguelão, 20°07'S, 43°58'W, 8 September 2010, coll. S.V. Mironov et al. (SVM-10-0908-1).

Holotype and 10 paratypes deposited in the MZUSP, 6 paratypes in the ZISP, 2 paratypes in the UMMZ, and 2 paratypes in the IPCR. Alcohol preserved paratypes deposited in the MZUSP and ZISP.

Female (holotype). Idiosoma, including gnathosoma, 675 long (660–680 in 10 paratypes), 425 wide (420–435) (Fig. 4). Gnathosoma 135 long (130–140), 150 wide (140–155). Palps 65–75 long, distinctly inflated dorsally. All palpalae distinctly pectinate (Fig. 5A). Lengths of palpalae: dF 40 (38–40), dG 30 (28–33), and l”G 30 (30–35); dF only slightly longer than dG and l”G. Setae vF about 100 long, smooth. Subcapitulum ventrally with setae n and m, about 80 long. Peritremal branch about 120 long. Idiosoma 525 long (510–530). Anterior region of propodonotum covered by short rounded scales situated irregularly in its posterior half (Fig. 6B). Dorsal shield entire, 200 long in midline (190–200), 350 at maximum width (350–370) (Fig. 4A). Anterior margin of dorsal shield almost straight, with pair of lateral anteriorly directed projections; posterior margin with distinct median concavity. This shield covered by fine rhomboid-like pattern, almost indistinct in anterior half and more clearly discernible in posterior half. Ventral surface of idiosoma with indistinct transverse striations, without scales or verrucosities (Fig. 4B). Setal lengths: vi, ve, and si - all distinctly barbed, subequal in length, 160–175; se and 1a 12–25, c2 50–60- all smooth; h1 whip-like, 250 (250–280); 1b smooth, 30–40, 3a absent. Base of legs I with distinctly developed fleshy lobe partially covering leg segments; base of legs II with moderately developed rounded lobe. Leg I with 2 articulated segments (Fig. 5B). Leg II with 2 articulated segments (Fig. 5C). Legs III, IV with one segment, each bearing 4 long setae. One ventral seta of leg III and 2 ventral seta of leg IV about 150 long, about half the length of other setae situated dorsally or dorsoterminally, 250–300 long.

Male. Unknown.

The species is named in honour of the prominent Russian acarologist Dr. Sergey V. Mironov (ZISP).

It is close to species of the group “pilirostris”. In all these species, setae vF are smooth, only two articulated segments on legs I and II are present, and setae 3a are absent. Among species of this group, Neharpyrhynchus mironovi is close to Neharpyrhynchus pari by the presence of four setae on leg III and by irregular ornamentation of the anterior part of the propodosoma. The new species differs fromNeharpyrhynchus pari by the following characters. In females of Neharpyrhynchus mironovi, the palps are distinctly inflated dorsally, the ornamentation of the anterior part of the propodonotum is scale-like and present only in the posterior half of this region, setae c2 are 50–60 long. In Neharpyrhynchus pari, the palps are moderately inflated dorsally, the anterior part of the propodonotum is fully ornamented by verrucosities and setae c2 are 5–6 long.

Female holotype (MZUSP), 20 female paratypes (ZISP AVB 10-1210-003, 1–20) on slides and numerous paratypes preserved in alcohol from Tangara cayana (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes, Thraupidae) [feathers around ear apertures, back of the head and neck], BRAZIL: Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Nova Lima, Água Limpa, 20°13'S, 43°56'W, 31 August 2010, coll. S.V. Mironov et al. (SVM-10-0831-12).

Holotype and 10 paratypes deposited in the MZUSP, six paratypes in the ZISP, 2 paratypes in the UMMZ, and 2 paratypes in the IPCR. Alcohol preserved paratypes deposited in the MZUSP and ZISP.

Female (holotype). Idiosoma, including gnathosoma, 600 long (600–620 in 10 paratypes), 380 wide (380–400). Gnathosoma 125 long (125–130), 150 wide (145–150). Palps 60 long, distinctly inflated dorsally. All palpalae distinctly pectinate (Fig. 5D). Lengths of palpalae: dF 35 (35–40), dG 30 (29–33), and l”G 29 (30–32); dF only slightly longer than dG and l”G. Setae vF about 90 long, smooth. Subcapitulum ventrally with setae n and m, about 70 long. Peritremal branch about 110 long. Idiosoma saccate, 500 long (500–520). Anterior region of propodonotum covered by short rounded scales situated irregularly in its posterior half (4E, 5C). Dorsal shield entire, 190 long in midline (180–200), 330 at maximum width (330–350). Anterior margin of dorsal shield almost straight with pair of lateral anteriad directed projections; its posterior margin almost straight (4F). This shield covered by fine rhomboid-like pattern, almost indistinct in anterior half and slightly better discernible in posterior half. Ventral surface of idiosoma with indistinct transverse striations, without scales or verrucosities. Setal lengths: vi, ve, and si - all distinctly barbed, subequal in length, 150–170; se, c2, and 1a 8–12- all smooth; h1 whip-like, 230 (210–240); 1b smooth, 30–35, 3a absent. Legs as in previous species.

Male. Unknown.

The species name derives from the generic name of the host and is a noun in apposition.

This new species is closest to Neharpyrhynchus mironovi and differs by the following characters. In females of Neharpyrhynchus tanagra, setae c2 are 8–12 long, the posterior margin of the dorsal shield is almost straight. In Neharpyrhynchus mironovi, setae c2 are 50–60 long, the posterior margin of the dorsal shield is widely concave. Both species are collected from the hosts belonging to the family Thraupidae.

26 females (ZISP AVB 10-1210-004, 1–26) from Panterpe insignis Cabanis & Heine (Apodiformes, Trochilidae) [feathers of neck], COSTA RICA: Cerro de la Mueste, 9°34'N, 83°45'W, 14 August 2010, coll. I. Literak et al. (CM 199); 10 females from same host (ZISP AVB 10-1210-005, 1–10) and locality, 11 August 2010, coll. I. Literak et al. (CM 13); 10 females (ZISP AVB 10-1210-006, 1–10) from same host and locality, 13 August 2010, coll. I. Literak et al. (CM 151).

20 females (ZISP AVB 10-1210-007, 1–20) from Eugenes fulgens (Swainson) (Passeriformes, Trochilidae) [feathers of head, chest, and neck], COSTA RICA: Cerro de la Mueste, 9°34'N, 83°45'W, 13 August 2010, coll. I. Literak et al. (CM 152).

27 females (ZISP AVB 10-1210-008, 1–27) from Amazilia lactea (Lesson) (Apodiformes, Trochilidae) [feathers of head and neck], BRAZIL: Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Nova Lima, Área de Proteção Permanente (Permanent area for protection) do Condomínio Miguelão, 20°07'S, 43°58'W, 4 September 2010, coll. S.V. Mironov et al. (SVM-10-0904-1).

This species was briefly diagnosed from both sexes collected from an unidentified species of hummingbird (Trochilidae) that originated from South America (exact locality unknown) and died in the Zoo of Antwerp (Belgium) during its quarantine. Later on, Fain (1995) provided the full description of this species based on the type specimens and newly obtained specimens from Chrysolampis mosquitus (Linnaeus) (Trochilidae) that also originated in South America (without exact locality) and died in the Zoo quarantine. The trochilids, Panterpe insignis, Eugenes fulgens (Costa Rica), and Amazilia lactea (Brazil) are new hosts for this mite species. It is probable, that this species is associated exclusively with hummingbirds and is widely distributed on representatives of this host family.

The longitudinally subdivided dorsal shield of this species is an artifact sometimes induced by the mite mounting. In this species, actually, the dorsal shield is entire. It differs from the closely related Neharpyrhynchus baile Bochkov et al. by the following characters. In females of Neharpyrhynchus trochilinus, setae dF, dG, and l”G are subequal, legs III and IV with 5–6 setae each, setae si and se 25–35 long. In Neharpyrhynchus baile, setae dF is about 1.5 times longer than dG and l”G, legs III and IV as a rule with 4 setae each, setae si and se are 6–12 long.