Redescription of Female Laelaps nuttalli Hirst, 1915 (Acari: Dermanyssoidea: Laelapidae) with Emphasis on Its Gnathosoma, Sense Organs and Pulvilli

Abstract

The present scanning electron microscopic (SEM) study includes the redescription of female Laelaps nuttalli with emphasis on its gnathosoma and pulvilli which were rarely described in superfamily Dermanyssoidea. Chaetotaxy of dorsal shield revealed 40 pairs of setae, 22 on prosoma and 18 on opisthosoma. Epigynial plate carried 4 pairs of setae. Gnathosoma consisted of long basis capituli carrying median hypostome and 2 lateral pedipalps. Hypostome had dorsal labrum of 2 lobes covered with minute papillae, 2 lateral 3-segmented chelicerae, and ventral labium carrying 2 median lobes with laciniae and 2 lateral club-like lobes. Function of labrum papillae might be chemosensory while labium lobules might be mechanical, preventing solid material from entering the oral cavity. Palpal and foreleg tarsal organs comprised 10 and 15 sensilla, respectively. Sensilla of palpal organ were mostly chemoreceptors while those of tarsal organ were probably mechanoreceptors. Each pulvillus terminated with 2 medioventral claws and integumental folds beside longitudinal folds.