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A review of Amblypalpus and Priscapalpus (Acari: Trombidiformes:

Tenuipalpidae), including two new species of Amblypalpus from Iran

Article  in  Zootaxa · January 2014

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3716.1.4

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ZOOTAXA

ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)

ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)Copyright © 2013 Magnolia Press

Zootaxa 3716 (1): 053–064

www.mapress.com/zootaxa/Article

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3716.1.4

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A review of Amblypalpus and Priscapalpus (Acari: Trombidiformes:

Tenuipalpidae), including two new species of Amblypalpus from Iran

SADEGH FARZAN1, 6, MAHDIEH ASADI1, EDWARD A. UECKERMANN2, 3,

OWEN D. SEEMAN4 & JENNIFER J. BEARD4, 5

1Department of Plant Protection, college of agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

E-mail: Farzan.sadegh@gmail.com, asadi.mahd@yahoo.com 2ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X134, Queenswood, Pretoria, 0121 South Africa.

E-mail: UeckermannE@arc.agric.za 3 School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus 2520, South Africa4Queensland Museum, PO Box 3300, South Brisbane, 4101, Australia5Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA6Corresponding author

Abstract

Two new species of Amblypalpus (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) are described from Iran: Amblypalpus iranien-

sis sp. nov., from Wild Almond, Amygdalus scoparia (Rosaceae), and Amblypalpus thymus sp. nov., from Common

Thyme, Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae). The new species are classified tentatively in Amblypalpus. The species Priscapal-

pus thomissus Meyer, 1979 is transferred to Amblypalpus and the genus concept of Priscapalpus is narrowed and therefore

redefined. Similarly, we present an expanded concept of Amblypalpus. A key to brevipalpine genera and Amblypalpus spe-

cies is provided.

Key words: taxonomy, redefinition, new species, keys, Kerman

Introduction

Amblypalpus is a small genus of Tenuipalpidae erected by Mitrofanov & Strunkova (1978) for the type species

Amblypalpus narsikulovi Mitrofanov & Strunkova and Ultratenuipalpus aberrans (Collyer), originally placed in

Tenuipalpus (Collyer 1973). The genus was first thought distinct from Tenuipalpus because of their reduced

opisthosomal setation of five lateral setae, i.e., c3, d3, e3, h2, h1, with setae f3 absent. The generic status of

Amblypalpus was not accepted by Sepasgosarian (1983), whose treatment was influenced through correspondence

with Meyer (see p. 171–2 of Sepasgosarian (1983)). Ghai & Shenhmar (1984) also listed Amblypalpus as a

synonym of Tenuipalpus, independently of Sepasgosarian (1983) but likely also influenced by the opinion of

Meyer.

Meyer’s (1993) significant work on Afrotropical Tenuipalpus split the genus into two groups: the caudatus

group, with seven lateral opisthosomal setae, and the proteae group, with six lateral setae. Clearly A. narsikulovi

and U. aberrans, with five lateral setae, belonged in neither group. Ehara & Ueckermann (2003) created the T.

aberrans species group, a distinct species group for the above two species, in addition to their new species,

Amblypalpus masakii (Ehara and Ueckermann), originally described in Tenuipalpus. This species grouping, within

Tenuipalpus, was based primarily on dorsal chaetotaxy with little consideration for other characters, of which the

three member species shared nothing of significance.

In their diagnosis of Tenuipalpus, Baker and Tuttle (1987) placed significance on the shape of dorsal setae h2

(flagellate) for the genus. Mesa et al. (2009) also placed significance on this character for Tenuipalpus, redefined

the genus, recognised Amblypalpus and provided a much broader definition of Ultratenuipalpus. Tenuipalpus

masakii and T. narsikulovi became the only two members of Amblypalpus, while T. aberrans was shifted to

Accepted by A. Bochkov: 28 Aug. 2013; published: 20 Sept. 2013 53

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Ultratenuipalpus. No explicit diagnosis was provided for Amblypalpus or Ultratenuipalpus, but they are diagnosed

roughly in the key to genera, and key generic characters are presented in Beard et al. (2013). Unlike Amblypalpus,

U. aberrans has a distinctly narrowed opisthosoma, three pairs of anal setae, and broadly lanceolate dorsal body

and leg setae.

Herein we describe two new species of flat mites that do not fit easily into any genus, but resemble the

brevipalpine genus Amblypalpus. Brevipalpine-like genera all share a gestalt oval-shape, two pairs of ps setae,

tibiae I–II with five setae, and at least two (usually three) of the following characters: a prodorsal projection in the

form of a rostral shield (expanded anteriorly and laterally over the bases of coxae I and often II), a well defined

genitoventral area (usually as distinct plates), three or four segmented palps, and the absence of dorsosublateral

setae (i.e. c2, d2, e2) (Mesa et al. 2009). Brevipalpine-like genera include the important, speciose and closely

related genera Brevipalpus and Cenopalpus, which have been synonymised in the past (Meyer 1979); and loosely

includes the taxa Amblypalpus, Priscapalpus, and Terminalichus. The latter genus is readily distinguished by the

loss all dorsocentral setae (c1, d1, e1), while the remaining two genera appear more closely allied to each other and

are both treated here.

Material and methods

Leaves were collected from host plants, taken to the laboratory, and tenuipalpid mites removed from leaves under a

stereo microscope and preserved in 70% ethanol. Mites were cleared in lactic acid, mounted in Hoyer’s medium

and dried at 45°C in an oven. Holotypes and most paratypes are deposited in the Collection of the Acarology

Laboratory, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran (SBUK). One paratype of each species is

deposited in the Arachnida Collection of ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.

Notations of the dorsal setae follow Mesa et al. (2009) and all measurements are given in micrometers (µm).

Distances between setae were measured between setal bases; prodorsal shield length was measured down the

midline from setae v2 to the posterior margin or sejugal furrow; the opisthosomal shield was measured down the

midline between setae c1-h1. Body size was measured by v2-h1 and sc2-sc2 (Saito et al. 1999) and leg chaetotaxy

is derived from Lindquist (1985), as applied by Zhang and Fan (2004). Measurements are presented as the holotype

measurement followed by the range of all specimens in parentheses. Measurements were made with a DINO-

EYE® soft imaging system and drawings with a drawing tube attached to an Olympus® Research Microscope.

Microsoft office PowerPoint 2003 was used for figure cleaning. Photographs were taken by Nikon Digital Sight

DS-Fi1® and multiple images were stacked with Zerene Stacker® (http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker).

Taxonomy—Genera

Priscapalpus De Leon, 1961

Type species: Priscapalpus macropilis De Leon, 1961: 94. By monotypy

Diagnosis. Palps 2-segmented; palp tarsus with 2 phaneres and 1 dorsal seta; anterior margin of prodorsum with

long, narrow forked projection extending medially, with small lateral projection; opisthosoma with 8–9 pairs of

setae (c2, d2, e2, f2 absent; e1 present or absent); some dorsal setae much longer and thicker than other dorsal

setae, except f3, h2, and h1 short, narrow, setiform; dorsal cuticle and leg cuticle heavily sculptured with tubercles;

ventral and genital shields fused in large broad shield, weakly developed, transversely striate; genital setae

arranged more or less transversely along posterior margin of shield; metapodal shields absent; 2 pairs of ps setae,

anal plate well defined, setae ps1 on small tubercle with seta curving upwards around body margin, ps1–2 inserted

transversely on anal plates; trochanter IV bare; genu III–IV with 1 seta; tibia I–II with 5 setae; tarsi 9(1)-9(1)-5-5

(seta tc′′ present); empodia claw-like. Spermatheca unknown.

Remarks. Priscapalpus De Leon is a small genus previously comprising three species from the Neotropical

and Afrotropical regions (De Leon 1961, 1965; Meyer 1979; Mesa at al. 2009). Our concept of the genus is

reduced to exclude the Afrotropical species Priscapalpus thomissus Meyer, which is now placed in Amblypalpus.

Thus, Priscapalpus now comprises just P. macropilis and P. cherretti, both from the Neotropical region.

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After examining the type specimens of Priscapalpus macropilis, P. cherretti, and P. thomissus, it was revealed

that several generic-level characters in the original descriptions were inaccurate, and that the former two species

share several characters that the latter species does not. Priscapalpus thomissus does not have fused ventral and

genital plates, there are no setae in the F-row, the anterior margin of the prodorsum has a lobed projection (two

large median lobes flanked by two smaller lateral lobes), trochanter IV has one seta (nude in macropilis and

cherretti), genua III–IV are nude (one seta present in macropilis and cherretti), and tarsal claws are pad-like.

The two current members of the genus are highly distinctive flat mites, but resemble the diverse and

widespread genus Brevipalpus by lacking dorsal setae c2, d2 and e2 (one species also lacks e1). Unlike

Brevipalpus, Priscapalpus has fewer palpal segments (2 versus 4), anal setae set transversely on the anal plates

(medially and longitudinally in Brevipalpus), and ventral and genital plates fused into a single broad shield (always

strongly developed in Brevipalpus), and tarsal claws are uncinate. Furthermore, some dorsal setae are several times

longer than others, whereas most Brevipalpus have all dorsal setae more or less of subequal length, or have

differences that are not quite as striking.

A further two Oriental species, Priscapalpus gurdaspurensis Kaur and Sadana, 1999 and Priscapalpus piarai

Sadana and Sidhu, 1989, are incertae sedis because they were described from immature stages (Mesa et al., 2009).

These species are certainly not Priscapalpus because they have four-segmented palps and the dorsal setae are all

subequal in length. The immature stage of Priscapalpus is known for the deutonymph of P. macropilis only, which

—like the adult—has some extremely long dorsal setae, although some of these setae change form between the

deutonymph and adult (De Leon 1961). Both incertae sedis species match the deutonymphs of Brevipalpus and

here considered to represent this genus.

Priscapalpus macropilis De Leon, 1961

Type material examined. Holotype female and paratype female ex sapodilla sp. (Sapotaceae), MEXICO: Jalisco,

Puerto Vallarta, 29 May 1957 (deposited in United States National Museum [USNM]).

Priscapalpus cherretti De Leon, 1965

Type material examined. Paratype female ex Miconia sp. (Melastomataceae), MEXICO: Guyana, Near Bartica

Nature Reserve, 1 January 1963 (USNM).

Amblypalpus Mitrofanov and Strunkova, 1978

Type species: Amblypalpus narsikulovi Mitrofanov and Strunkova, 1978: 1097, by monotypy.

Note. The type specimen is not in the collection of Nikita Botanical Gardens and is likely inaccessible in the

collection of Strunkova (A. Khaustov, pers. comm.).

Diagnosis. Palps 3-segmented; palp tarsus with 1–2 terminal phaneres; anterior margin of prodorsum with

broad flat projection extending medially and laterally over base of coxa I, or projection absent; opisthosoma with

7–8 pairs of setae (c2, d2, e2, f2, absent; c1, f3 present or absent); dorsal setae fine; leg cuticle not heavily

sculptured; genital and ventral shield weakly developed, or not at all defined; metapodal shields absent; 2 pairs of

ps setae, anal plate poorly defined, setae ps1 not on tubercle, ps1–2 inserted longitudinally on anal plates; tibia I–II

with 5 setae; tarsal claws uncinate, empodia pad-like. Spermatheca with at least 1 subterminal bulb.

Remarks. Our expanded concept of Amblypalpus is tentative as no single synapomorphy defines the genus,

but instead is defined by a combination of features. Phylogenetic work is necessary to examine broader

relationships, but we note that many features (e.g., reduced palpal segments, loss of setae) are regressive. Therefore

these mites may represent simplified forms of other brevipalpine and, perhaps, also tenuipalpine genera. Among

the brevipalpine genera, they resemble Terminalichus most in having a three-segmented palp and weakly

developed ventral and genital shields (Beard et al. 2013). Of the tenuipalpine-like genera, they resemble the

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Ultratenuipalpus quadrisetosus group by sharing the oval body shape and two pairs of ps setae (Beard et al. 2013),

but differ by having weakly developed ventral and genital plates, fine dorsal setae and three palpal segments

instead of four (although U. aberrans may have just three).

Amblypalpus iraniensis Farzan, Asadi and Ueckermann sp. nov.

(Figs. 1–8, 17–18)

Type material examined. Holotype female (SBUK) and 3 female paratypes ex wild almond Amygdalus scoparia

(Rosaceae), IRAN: Jiroft-Kerman Province, Dalfard, 28°58’N 57°37’E, 26 March 2011, coll. S. Farzan.

Diagnosis. Opisthosoma with 9 pairs of dorsal setae, c1 present, f3 present; anterior prodorsal projection

(rostral shield) reduced, extending medially over gnathosoma but not laterally over coxa I; dorsal shields with few

weak irregular longitudinal striations; dorsal setae with setae c1 longest (50–54); e1 very short. Genital and ventral

shields smooth, fused together, genital setae arranged longitudinally. Three setae present on coxae I (duplication of

seta 1b). Palp setation 0-1-2. Trochanter IV with 1 seta; femur IV with 1 seta; genua III-IV bare; tarsi 8(1)-8(1)-4-4

(tc′′ absent).

Description. FEMALE (holotype). Dorsum (Figs. 1, 17). Distances between setae: v2-h1 165 (155–165 in 3

paratypes), sc2-sc2 84 (77–84); v2-v2 24 (18–24), sc1-sc1 53 (50–57), c1-c1 42 (36–42), c3-c3 98 (89–98), d1-d1

24 (24–26), d3-d3 86 (82–86), e1-e1 9 (8–9), e3-e3 58 (55–59), f3-f3 40 (36–40), h1-h1 9 (8–9), h2-h2 22 (17–22).

Anterior margin of prodorsum with weak projection, rounded or with small notch. Prodorsal shield 65–68 long

with few weak longitudinal folds, forming weak diamond shape medially; setae sc1 about twice as long as v2 and

sc2. Opisthosomal shield 93–99 long with curved longitudinal striae laterad d1 and a few striae delimiting a medial

quadrangular area; with 1 pair of large pores posteromedad d3; setae c1 much longer than all dorsal setae, setae d3

longer than other opisthosomal setae. Lengths of setae: v2 16 (14–16), sc1 29 (25–29), sc2 17 (17), c1 50 (50–54),

c3 11 (9–11), d1 4 (4–5), d3 13 (12–13), e1 6 (5–7), e3 9 (7–9), f3 8 (7–9), h1 6 (5–6), h2 10 (7–10). All dorsal

setae barbed. Venter (Figs. 2, 18). Cuticle with band of coarse transverse striae immediately posterior to setae 1a,

3a and 4a; with smooth cuticle anterior to 1a, 3a and 4a. Cuticle laterad genitoventral area with coarse longitudinal

striae. Genital and ventral plates weakly developed, smooth, fused together; 2 pairs of genital setae (g1–2) inserted

in more or less transverse row along posterior margin of genitoventral plate; 2 pairs of anal setae (ps1–2), inserted

longitudinally along medial margin of poorly defined anal plates; three pairs of coxisternal setae (1a, 3a, 4a), with

1a long and 4a longer than 3a. Coxa I with 3 setae (1b1, 1b

2, 1c), sockets of setae 1b

1 and 1b

2 adjacent. Lengths of

setae: 1a 71 (71–75), 1b1 9 (9–10), 1b

2 61 (61–63), 1c 12 (9–15), 2b 16 (16–16), 2c 16 (16–17), 3a 13 (12–13), 3b

14 (13–14), 4a 27 (25–27), 4b 19 (13–19), ag 11 (11–13), g1 11 (10–11), g2 13 (11–13), ps1 4 (3–4), ps2 2 (1–2).

Setae ag, g1–2, ps1–2 weakly barbed, other ventral setae smooth. Spermatheca (Fig. 3): Spermathecal tube narrow,

short, with 4 bulbs. Legs (Fig. 5–8): Setal formula for legs I–IV: coxae 3-2-1-1; trochanters 1-1-2-1; femora 4-4-2-

1; genua 3-3-0-0; tibiae 5-5-3-3; tarsi 8(1)-8(1)-4-4. Chaetotaxy as presented in figures. Tarsus I and II with 1

solenidion each (6 long). Dorsal setae, d, on femora (fe I 16 long, fe II 9–12 long) and genua thin, barbed. Claws

pad-like. Gnathosoma (Fig. 2): Infracapitulum elongate, extending to middle of genu I, ventral infracapitular seta,

m, present, smooth (12 long); palp tibia with 1 long seta (10–14 long), palp tarsus with 1 solenidion (6–7 long)

(Fig. 4).

Male and immature stages. Unknown

Remarks. The new species is closest to A. thomissus but differs as follows: seta f3 present (absent in A.

thomissus; the missing seta could also be considered e3, but is here considered f3 to maintain homology within

Amblypalpus); anterior prodorsal projection reduced (forked and expanded laterally in A. thomissus); genital shield

smooth and fused with the ventral shield (reticulate and separate in A. thomissus); setae e1 short (long in A.

thomissus).

Setae 1b on coxae I are duplicated in each specimen of this species. The two 1b setae differ in length (1b1 9–10,

1b2 61–63) and the bases are adjacent to each other. This duplication is unique in the Tenuipalpidae, and their

adjacent position and different sizes suggests it could be an aberration specific to this particular population; further

collections are required to explore this possibility.

Etymology. This species is named after the country where it was collected.

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FIGURES 1–4. Amblypalpus iraniensis sp. nov., female: 1. Dorsum; 2. Venter; 3. Spermatheca; 4. Palp.

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FIGURES 5–8. Amblypalpus iraniensis sp. nov., female: 5. Leg I; 6. Leg II; 7. Leg III; 8. Leg IV.

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FIGURES 9–12. Amblypalpus thymus sp. nov., female: 9. Dorsum; 10. Venter; 11. Spermatheca; 12. Palp.

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FIGURES 13–16. Amblypalpus thymus sp. nov., female: 13. Leg I; 14. Leg II; 15. Leg III; 16. Leg IV.

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FIGURES 17–20. Photomicrographs of: Amblypalpus iraniensis sp. nov., female, 17. Dorsum; 18. Venter. Amblypalpus

thymus sp. nov., female, 19. Dorsum; 20. Venter.

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Amblypalpus thymus Farzan, Asadi and Ueckermann sp. nov.

(Figs. 9–16, 19–20)

Type material examined. Holotype female (SBUK) and 3 female paratypes ex Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae),

IRAN: Kerman Province, Kuhpayeh, 26 October 2010, coll. S. Farzan.

Diagnosis. Opisthosoma with 9 pairs of dorsal setae, c1 present, f3 present; anterior prodorsal projection

(rostral shield) not developed, rounded; cuticle on body and legs covered with thin granular skin-like coating;

dorsal shields with weak striations; opisthosomal setae of subequal length (11–18), prodorsal setae slightly longer

(18–31). Genital and ventral shields poorly defined, striate; genital setae g2 arranged in straight line behind g1.

Two setae present on coxae I (1b, 1c). Palp setation 0-1-1. Trochanter IV with 1 seta; femur IV with 2 setae; genua

III–IV with 1 seta; tarsi 9(1)-9(1)-5-5 (tc′′ present).

Description. FEMALE (holotype). Dorsum (Figs. 9, 19). Distances between setae: v2-h1 175 (175–195 in 3

paratypes), sc2-sc2 89 (89–96), v2-v2 23 (20–25), sc1-sc1 63 (63–66), sc2-sc2 89 (89–93), c1-c1 50 (47–50), c3-c3

109 (109–113), d1-d1 34 (34–38), d3-d3 96 (96–98), e1-e1 14 (11–16), e3-e3 74 (74–78), f3-f3 58 (56–62), h1-h1

18 (15–22), h2-h2 29 (26–29). Cuticle with obvious thin granular coating of microplates (sensu Welbourn et al.

2003), forming skin-like layer over body and legs that often becoming detached. Anterior margin of prodorsum

with weak projection, rounded or with small notch. Prodorsal shield 75–78 long with longitudinal striations; setae

sc2 about twice as long as v2 and sc1. Opisthosomal shield 117–131 long with weak striae, 2 pairs of pores

posteromedad d3 and curved striae delimiting medial, depressed quadrangular area (Fig. 9); opisthosomal setae

subequal (11–19). Lengths of setae: v2 20 (18–20), sc1 20 (20–24), sc2 29 (29–31), c1 15 (15–18), c3 17 (17–18),

d1 13 (13–14), d3 11 (11–14), e1 12 (12), e3 13 (13–16), f3 15 (15–18), h1 12 (12), h2 12 (12–13). All dorsal setae

smooth. Venter (Figs. 10, 20). Cuticle with fine transverse striae from setae 1a to 4a1–2. Cuticle laterad

genitoventral area with some weak longitudinal striae. Genital and ventral plates weakly developed, genital plate

with irregular or broken transverse striae, ventral plate with transverse striae becoming arched anteriorly; 2 pairs of

genital setae (g1–2) inserted longitudinally on genital plate (g1 anterior to g2); 2 pairs of anal setae (ps1–2),

inserted longitudinally along medial margin of weakly developed anal plates; 4 pairs of coxisternal setae (1a, 3a,

4a1-2

), with 1a and 4a1 longer than 3a and 4a

2. Lengths of setae: 1a 37 (37–62), 1b 10 (10–24), 1c 14 (14–17), 2b 14

(14–27), 2c 21 (19–21), 3a 17 (17–24), 3b 18 (18–19), 4a1 26 (26–50), 4a

2 18 (18–28), 4b 17 (17–18), ag 12 (12–

19), g1 14 (13–14), g2 8 (8–10), ps1 10 (10), ps2 11 (11–12). All ventral setae fine, smooth. Spermatheca (Fig. 11):

Spermathecal tube narrow, short, with two bulbs, proximal bulb larger than terminal bulb. Legs (Fig. 13–16): Setal

formula for legs I–IV: coxae 2-2-1-1; trochanters 1-1-2-1; femora 4-4-2-2; genua 3-3-1-1; tibiae 5-5-3-3; tarsi 9(1)-

9(1)-5-5. Tarsus I and II each with 1 solenidion (4; 4, respectively). Chaetotaxy as presented in figures. Dorsal

setae, d, on femora (fe I 20 long; fe II 20 long) and genua thin, smooth. Claws pad-like. Gnathosoma (Fig. 10):

Infracapitulum extending just past middle of femur I, ventral infracapitular seta, m, present, with few long barbs

(15); palp tibia with weakly barbed dorsal seta (13–16), palp tarsus with single terminal eupathidium (6–7) (Fig.

12).

Remarks. This species has the remarkable absence of a rostral shield, which is present in all other

brevipalpine-like mites. It is also unusual in having two setae, d and ev', on femur IV (normally only ev' is present).

Key to brevipalpine genera and species of Amblypalpus

These taxa typically share: body with the posterior margin of the propodosoma as wide as anterior margin of

hysterosoma, the latter tapering slightly posteriorly; a broad flat anterior prodorsal projection (rostral shield, absent

in A. thymus); ventral plate present (weakly developed or absent in Amblypalpus, Priscapalpus, Terminalichus); a

three or four segmented palp (two segmented in Priscapalpus); and dorsosublateral setae absent (except c2 present

in Cenopalpus) (Mesa et al. 2009).

1. Ventral and genital shields distinct, separate, often sculptured; dorsal cuticle typically highly reticulate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

- Ventral and genital shields not distinct, sometimes fused; never both shields sculptured (genital shield sometimes weakly

sculptured), ventral shield striate or smooth; dorsal cuticle not reticulate, either striate or tuberculate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2. Seta c2 present; solenidia on tarsi I–II long and slender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cenopalpus

- Seta c2 absent; solenidia on tarsi I–II usually short . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brevipalpus

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3. Setae c1, d1, e1 absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terminalichus

- Setae d1 present, at least one of setae c1 and e1 present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4. Dorsal cuticle heavily sculptured, tuberculate; palps 2-segmented, palp tarsus with 2 distal phaneres and 1 dorsal seta; anal

plates well defined setae ps1 inserted on tubercle, and ps setae arranged transversely; empodia claw-like . . . . . . Priscapalpus

- Dorsal cuticle reticulate or striate; palps 3-segmented, palp tarsus with 1–2 phaneres; anal plates weakly developed, setae ps1

not inserted on tubercle, ps setae arranged longitudinally; empodia pad-like . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amblypalpus …5

5. Prodorsum without anterior projection (= rostral shield absent); 2 pairs of 4a setae; genital setae arranged longitudinally . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amblypalpus iraniensis sp. nov.

- Prodorsum with anterior projection (= rostral shield present); one or two pairs of 4a setae; genital setae arranged transversely

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

6. Some dorsal setae much longer than others; palp tarsus with two phaneres; seta c1 present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

- All dorsal setae short, subequal in length; palp tarsus with 1 phanere; seta c1 present or absent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

7. Setae f3 present; seta e1 short; genital shield smooth and fused with ventral shield . . . . . . . . . . . Amblypalpus thymus sp. nov.

- Setae f3 absent; seta e1 long; genital shield reticulate and separate from ventral shield . . . . . . . Amblypalpus thomissus Meyer

8. Setae c1 present; 2 pairs of 4a setae; dorsal cuticle weakly sculptured; rostral shield not extending over coxa I . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amblypalpus narsikulovii Mitrofanov and Strunkova

- Setae c1 absent; 1 pair of 4a setae; dorsal cuticle reticulate; rostral shield extends over coxa I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amblypalpus masakii (Ehara and Ueckermann)

Acknowledgements

The first author wishes to thank Mr. Nader Hosseinpoor and Mr. Mohammad Forutan for their help in collecting

samples.

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