Brevipalpus californicus species group - species B


           Fig. 1.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female dorsum.

Fig. 1. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female dorsum.


           Fig. 2.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   dorsum.

Fig. 2. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female dorsum.


           Fig. 3.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female dorsum.

Fig. 3. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female dorsum.


           Fig. 4.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   prodorsum.

Fig. 4. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female prodorsum.


           Fig. 5.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female prodorsum.

Fig. 5. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female prodorsum.


           Fig. 6.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female anterior dorsal opisthosoma

Fig. 6. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female anterior dorsal opisthosoma


           Fig. 7.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female anterior dorsal opisthosoma.

Fig. 7. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female anterior dorsal opisthosoma.


           Fig. 8.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   anterior dorsal opisthosoma.

Fig. 8. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female anterior dorsal opisthosoma.


           Fig. 9.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   anterior dorsal opisthosoma.

Fig. 9. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female anterior dorsal opisthosoma.


           Fig. 10.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   posterior dorsal opisthosoma.

Fig. 10. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female posterior dorsal opisthosoma.


           Fig. 11.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   posterior dorsal opisthosoma.

Fig. 11. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female posterior dorsal opisthosoma.


           Fig. 12.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female posterior venter.

Fig. 12. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female posterior venter.


           Fig. 13.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   posterior venter.

Fig. 13. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female posterior venter.


           Fig. 14.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species B, female   posterior venter.

Fig. 14. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female posterior venter.


           Fig. 15.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female spermatheca and duct (indicated by   arrows).

Fig. 15. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female spermatheca and duct (indicated by arrows).


           Fig. 16.   Brevipalpus californicus  group species   B, female spermatheca indicated by arrow.

Fig. 16. Brevipalpus californicus group species B, female spermatheca indicated by arrow.


Species group characters

B. californicus species group (sensu Baker & Tuttle 1987) = f2 present; tarsus II with 2 solenidia; palp 4-segmented with 3 distal setae; dorsal central setae (c1, d1, e1) different in shape to dorsal lateral setae (c3, d3, e3)

Characters

  • opisthosomal setae f2 present (= 7 setae around opisthosomal margin) (Figs. 1, 3, 10, 11)
  • tarsus II with 2 solenidia distally (one antiaxial, one paraxial)
  • prodorsum cuticle entirely reticulate (Figs. 1-5) - reticulation usually weaker centrally, but cells usually closed (Figs. 2-4); occasionally cells fuse to form larger irregular cells (Figs. 1, 5)
  • dorsal opisthosoma between c1-c1 and d1-d1 wrinkled (Fig. 6), with irregular shaped cells (Figs. 7, 8) or with weak reticulation (Fig. 9); cuticle between d1-d1 and e1-e1 wrinkled or irregularly folded (Figs. 1, 9); cuticle posterior e1-e1 irregularly folded (Figs. 1, 10) and may have a few short, weak chevrons (= V-shaped) to transverse folds (Figs. 2, 3, 11)
  • ventral plate with medium to large rounded cells (Fig. 12), sometimes cells fused together to form larger cells (Figs. 13, 14)
  • genital plate with large transversely elongate cells; often forming transverse bands (Figs. 12, 13, 14)
  • spermatheca usually a long strong, relatively thick duct, beginning at genital opening between anal plates and genital plate, ending in a rounded vesicle with a crown of short finger-like projections along dorsal margin (Fig. 15)
  • the spermathecal vesicle has a distinct clear "bubble" visible internally (Fig. 15); the vesicle is generally quite visible, and is often located near coxae IV (Figs. 15, 16)
  • palp femur seta thin, tapered, lightly barbed
  • palp tarsus with 3 setae
  • trochanter III with 2 setae

Distribution based on confirmed specimens

Australia, Ecuador, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, Palestine, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, USA (MD)

Hosts based on confirmed specimens

Abies sp. (Pinaceae); Begonia sp. (Bignoniaceae); Chirimoya sp. (Annonaceae); Choisya ternata (Rutaceae); Citrus sp., C. aurantifolium, C. nobilis (Rutaceae); coconut Cocos nucifera (Arecaeae); Gardenia sp. (Rubiaceae); lemon (Rutaceae); orchids (Orchidaceae); tea Camellia sinensis (Theaceae)

Remarks

Note: Brevipalpus californicus sensu stricto is based on the type specimens of B. californicus.

Summary of differences between B. californicus s.s. and B. californicus species group species B & C:

Prodorsum

Bc s.s. smooth to wrinkled (rugose) centrally with large closed cells laterally, forming reticulation

Bc sp. B entirely reticulate, with large closed cells; central reticulation usually weak, but cells are usually closed; occasionally central cells fuse to form larger cells

Bc sp. C entirely reticulate, with even cells

Cuticle posterior to e1-e1

Bc s.s. with a few short, transverse to weak chevrons (= V-shaped folds)

Bc sp. B wrinkled, may have a few short, weak chevrons (= V-shaped) to transverse folds

Bc sp. C reticulate

Ventral plate

Bc s.s. with medium to small rounded-circular cells

Bc sp. B with medium to large rounded cells

Bc sp. C with medium rounded cells

Genital plate

Bc s.s. with transversely aligned elongate cells; sometimes forming transverse bands

Bc sp. B with transversely aligned elongate cells; sometimes forming transverse bands

Bc sp. C with medium rounded cells