Revision of the genus Gaudalges (Acari: Psoroptidae), parasites of Malagasy lemurs

Abstract

The mite genus Gaudalges Fain, 1963 (Acari: Psoroptidae), species of which are permanent parasites of Malagasy lemurs belonging to the families Lemuridae and Indridae, is revised. An emended diagnosis of the genus and key to four presently recognized species of the genus is given. The phylogenetic relationships of the genus Gaudalges with other genera of the subfamily Makialginae are briefly discussed and evidence for its monophyly are provided. Gaudalges is supported as a monophyletic group by the presence in males of a dorso-apical spur on tibia III and a dorso-basal projection on tarsus IV. A new species, Gaudalges brevisetosus Bochkov et OConnor, sp.n. from Eulemur coronatus (Gray, 1842) (Lemuridae) is described. This new species differs from other species of the genus Gaudalges in both sexes by the absence of ornamentation on the propodonotal shield; in males, by short setae c1, d1, d2, and e1 (less than 30 long), the position of setae c1 and d2 off the hysteronotal shield, the hysteronotal shield cover d by transverse striations only in the posterior part, and by the short lobes of the idiosoma.