Revision of the genus Afroleius Mahunka, 1984 (Acari: Oribatida)

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Date
2015-01
Authors
Coetzee, Louise
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University of the Free State
Abstract
English: The genus Afroleius Mahunka, 1984 originally comprised three species (A. deformis Mahunka, 1984 (type), A. minor Mahunka, 1984 and A. simplex Mahunka, 1984), but with an uncertain relationship, at first placed in the family Haplozetidae (Oripodoidea). In this study the genus is redescribed and its relationship investigated. Specimens from the acarology collection of the National Museum referable to new species are described, two species originally described in other genera are recombined, a key to the species of the genus is proposed and its phylogeny investigated on the basis of molecular data. It is concluded that Afroleius is a member of the superfamily Ceratozetoidea, based on the presence of the axillary saccule, genal tooth, and the shape of pedotectum I. Its relationship in the family Punctoribatidae is based on the presence of the posterior notogastral tectum and desclerotized hinge of the pteromorph. Nine new species are described (A. crassus Coetzee, 2013; A. decurvatus Coetzee, 2013; A. deformatoides Coetzee, 2013; A. natalensis Coetzee, 2014; A. caudatus Coetzee, 2014; A. amieae Coetzee, 2014; A. inae Coetzee, 2014; A. valerieae Coetzee 2014; A. lucidus Coetzee, In Press). Two species are recombined namely A. polygonatus (Mahunka, 1985) from the genus Kilimabates Mahunka, 1984 and A. floridus (Mahunka, 1985) from the genus Magyaria Balogh, 1963. Afroleius undulatus (Balogh, 1959) (previously recombined from Africoribates) from Tanzania is discussed. Juvenile instars of two species (A. floridus and A. polygonatus) are described. The genus now comprises 15 species. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of 28S rDNA of A. floridus, A. deformis, A. minor en A. polygonatus, additional Ceratozetoidea sequences and outgroup sequences retrieved from GenBank, indicates Mycobates and Trichoribates as the sister genera of Afroleius. Ceratozetidae is shown to be paraphyletic. This analysis emphasises the need for a large-scale phylogenetic analysis of Ceratozetoidea including morphological and molecular data.
Afrikaans: Die genus Afroleius Mahunka, 1984 het uit drie spesies bestaan (A. deformis Mahunka, 1984 (tipe), A. minor Mahunka, 1984 en A. simplex Mahunka, 1984), en die verwantskap was onseker. Dit is oorspronklik in die familie Haplozetidae (Oripodoidea) geplaas. In hierdie studie is die genus herbeskryf en die verwantskap bestudeer. Eksemplare van hierdie genus in die akarologie-versameling van die Nasionale Museum wat nuwe spesies uitmaak, is beskryf, twee spesies wat oorspronklik in ander genera beskryf is, is herkombineer, ‘n sleutel tot die spesies in die genus is opgestel en ‘n molekulêre filogenetiese studie is gedoen. Dit is bevind dat Afroleius aan die superfamilie Ceratozetoidea behoort, gegrond op die teenwoordigheid van die oksellêre sakkulus, laterale insnyding aan die gnathosoma, en die vorm van die eerste pedotektum. Die verwantskap aan die familie Punctoribatidae is gegrond op die teenwoordigheid van ‘n posterior notogastrale tektum en die beweegbaarheid van die pteromorf. Nege nuwe spesies is beskryf (A. crassus Coetzee, 2013; A. decurvatus Coetzee, 2013; A. deformatoides Coetzee, 2013; A. natalensis Coetzee, 2014; A. caudatus Coetzee, 2014; A. amieae Coetzee, 2014; A. inae Coetzee, 2014; A. valerieae Coetzee 2014; A. lucidus Coetzee, In Druk). Twee spesies is na Afroleius oorgeplaas naamlik A. polygonatus (Mahunka, 1985) vanaf die genus Kilimabates Mahunka, 1984 en A. floridus (Mahunka, 1985) vanaf die genus Magyaria Balogh, 1963. Afroleius undulatus (Balogh, 1959) (voorheen oorgeskuif vanaf Africoribates) van Tanzanië is bespreek. Onvolwasse stadia van twee spesies (A. floridus en A. polygonatus) is beskryf. Die genus bestaan nou uit 15 spesies. Die filogenetiese ondersoek gegrond op molekulêre data van 28S rDNA van A. floridus, A. deformis, A. minor en A. polygonatus, bykomende Ceratozetoidea data en buitegroep data wat van GenBank afgelaai is, dui daarop dat Mycobates en Trichoribates die sustergenera van Afroleius is. Die analise dui ook aan dat Ceratozetidae parafileties is. Hierdie analise benadruk die behoefte aan ‘n grootskaalse filogenetiese ondersoek van die Ceratozetoidea wat morfologiese en molekulêre data bevat.
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Thesis (Ph.D. (Zoology and Entomology))--University of the Free State, 2015, Oribatida, Soil mites, Acarology, Organisms -- Classification, Taxonomy (Biology)
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