A new quill mite species Neopicobia hepburni sp. nov. (Cheyletoidea: Syringophilidae) parasitizing picid birds (Piciformes: Picidae) in Peru.

Abstract

A new quill mite species Neopicobia hepburni sp. nov. is described from the Ecuadorian Piculet Picumnus sclateri Taczanowski (type host) and the Olivaceous Piculet Picumnus olivaceus Lafresnaye (Piciformes: Picidae) from Peru. Females of N. hepburni are distinguishable from most similar species N. ea Skoracki et Unsoeld by the propodonotal shield divided into 3 sclerites, the pygidial shield with a vertical furrow and wing-like appendages, the presence of the genital lobes, setae f2 2.7 times longer than f1 and length ratio of ag1:ag2:ag3 equals 2:1:2. In females of N. ea, the propodonotal shield is entire, the pygidial shield is oval, without vertical furrow and appendages, the genital lobes are absent, setae f2 are 4.5-5.5 times longer than f1 and length ratios of ag1:ag2:ag3 are 2.2-2.7:1:3-3.2.