International Journal of Acarology

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A new mite species of the genus Cenopalpus

Pritchard and Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from
Saudi Arabia

Eid Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Kamran & Fahad Jaber Alatawi

To cite this article: Eid Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Kamran & Fahad Jaber Alatawi (26 Nov
2023): A new mite species of the genus Cenopalpus Pritchard and Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)
from Saudi Arabia, International Journal of Acarology, DOI: 10.1080/01647954.2023.2279979

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2023.2279979

Published online: 26 Nov 2023.

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACAROLOGY
https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2023.2279979

A new mite species of the genus Cenopalpus Pritchard and Baker (Acari:
Tenuipalpidae) from Saudi Arabia
Eid Muhammad Khan , Muhammad Kamran and Fahad Jaber Alatawi
Department of Plant Protection, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

A new tenuipalpid mite species, Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) is Received 28 June 2023
described and illustrated based on female and deutonymph specimens collected from Crataegus sinaica Accepted 9 October 2023
Boiss (Rosaceae) in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, a key to reported species of the genus Cenopalpus on Published online 27
November 2023
the plant genus Crataegus is provided.
http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:03D7A56D-E787-4E75-9B77-546148B89B78 KEYWORDS
Crataegus sinaica; flat mites;
http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:48EEA4BB-3250-4D6B-9FFB-A7790F49AF44 Prostigmata; taxonomy

Introduction USA). All measurements are consistently presented in units of

The genus Cenopalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) was erected
based on the type species Brevipalpus spinosus Donnadieu
(Pritchard and Baker 1958). Cenopalpus is morphologically
close to the genus Brevipalpus Donnadieu and differentiated
by possessing the dorsosublateral setae c2, which is absent in
Brevipalpus (Mesa et al. 2009). The genus comprises 71 valid
species that are widely distributed across Asia, Africa, and
Europe (Hatzinikolis et al. 1999; Mesa et al. 2009; Negm et
al. 2020), and some species have recently been reported in
the Americas (De Giosa et al. 2021). Negm et al. (2020)
recently developed a key for identifying species worldwide.
Some of these species are pests of various fruit trees, for
example, the flat scarlet mite, Cenopalpus pulcher (Canestrini
& Fanzago), a major pest of Apple, Malus domestica
(Rosaceae), in the old world (Devi et al. 2019), and C. wain­
steini, which is a pest of pine trees (Huanca et al. 2022).
Only one species, C. lanceolatisetae (Attiah), has been
reported from Saudi Arabia (SA) (Martin 1972). In this study,
a new species, Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. was described
and illustrated based on female and deutonymph specimens
collected from Crataegus sinaica, in Taif, SA. Moreover, a key
to reported species of Cenopalpus on the plant genus
Crataegus is provided.
Material and methods
A comprehensive survey of phytophagous mites was conducted
within Taif governorate, Makkah province during 2016–2017. Mite
specimens were collected by shaking the plant foliage over a white
sheet of paper and preserved in small vials containing 70% etha­
nol. Subsequently, the mounted specimens were examined under
phase contrast microscope (BX51, Olympus®, Japan) by using diag­
nostic keys and available literature. A key to species of Cenopalpus
developed by Negm et al. (2020) was used for species identifica­
tion. Different body parts were imaged by using an auto-montage
software system (Syncroscopy, Cambridge, UK) attached to a
phase contrast microscope (DM2500, Leica®, Germany), then
drawn with Adobe Illustrator (Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, CA,
micro-meters (μm). The morphological terminology used in this
study follows Lindquist (1985). All collected specimens have been
deposited within the Museum of Arthropods (KSMA, Acarology
section), located within the Department of Plant Protection,
College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Results and discussion
Family Tenuipalpidae Berlese
Genus Cenopalpus Pritchard & Baker
Type species: Brevipalpus spinosus (Donnadieu, 1875)
Diagnosis
Based on Pritchard and Baker (1958), Mesa et al. (2009), and
Khanjani et al. (2012).
New species
Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov.
(Figures 1–11)
Diagnosis (based on female)
Rostral shield with two medial and two small lateral lobes; sub­
medial lobes obsolete. Propodosoma entirely with polygonal reti­
culations; rostrum reaching up to distal end of femur I,
opisthosoma reticulated medially and incomplete elongate reticu­
lations laterally. Intercoxal area between III and IV smooth, opistho­
somal venter with irregular areolae sculpturing behind coxae IV,
and smooth medially.
Description of the adult female (n = 4)
Dorsum (Figure 1). Colour in life red. Idiosoma oval. Length of
body (excluding gnathosoma) 262 (255–273); (including gnatho­
soma) 304 (297–313); width 162 (167–180).
Rostral shield deeply notched medially, with two long medial
lobes (submedial lobes obsolete), and two small lateral lobes

CONTACT Fahad Jaber Alatawi falatawi@ksu.edu.sa Department of Plant Protection, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box
2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
© 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Published online 26 Nov 2023

2 E. M. KHAN ET AL.
Figure 1. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, Dorsum. Scale bar, 100 μm.
(Figure 1). Propodosoma entirely polygonal reticulated, opisthosomal
integument reticulated medially, incomplete reticulated laterally;
sejugal furrow well defined; opisthosomal pores present, reticulations
between e1–e1 transverse; Propodosomal setae long and narrowly
lanceolate, serrate, seta v2 slightly longer than the length between
setae v2–v2; opisthosomal setae shorter than propodosomal setae,
marginal setae narrowly lanceolate, serrate, sublateral and central
opisthosomal setae setiform, sparsely serrate; opisthosomal setae
d1, e1, h1 and h2 much shorter than other opisthosomal setae; lengths
of dorsal setae as follows: v2 28 (27–30), sc1 27 (24–28), sc2 22 (20–24),
c1 12 (10–14), c2 10 (8–13), c3 16 (14–18), d1 9 (8–11), d3 12 (10–14), e1
9 (8–11), e3 16 (14–19), f2 11 (10–13), f3 10 (8–12), h2 8 (7–10), h1 6 (5–
7); distances between dorsal setae: v2–v2 33 (32–36), v2–sc1 37 (35–40),
sc1–sc2 33 (31–36), sc1–sc1 95 (93–98), sc2–sc2 143 (138–149), c1–c1 43
(41–47), c1–c2 42 (40–46), c2–c3 9 (7–11), c2–c2 132 (127–140), c3–c3
147 (143–158), c1–d1 35 (33–38), c3–d3 40 (38–44), d1–d1 33 (31–38),
d1–d3 63 (60–68), d3–d3 137 (133–142), d1–e1 42 (40–47), d3–e3 36 (33–
40), e1–e1 22 (20–25), e1–e3 58 (55–62), e3–e3 137 (133–149), e3–f2 32
(30–35), f2–f2 107 (102–113), f2–f3 23 (21–27), f3–f3 92 (87–98), f3–h2 21
(19–24), h1–h1 17 (15–20), h1–h2 21 (20–24), h2–h2 57 (53–61), e1–h1 73
(67–79).
Venter (Figure 2). Ventral propodosoma and intercoxal area
between setae 3a and 4a smooth; Coxisternal area between
coxae III–IV smooth, immediately posterior to coxa IV with
irregular reticulations, smooth medially; coarse striae anterior
to ventral shield and lateral to ventral and genital shields.
Length of setae: la 94 (90–112), 1b 22 (19–28), 1c 20 (18–23),
2b 18 (16–22), 2c 28 (25–32), 3a 16 (14–20), 3b 14 (13–19), 4a
81 (75–94), 4b 15 (13–19). Ventral setae whip-like, setae 1a
and 4a long four to five times longer than 3a. Ventral,
genital, and anal shields reticulate (Figure 2); aggenital
setae (ag) 17 (15–19), longer than genital setae (g1–2); anal
shield with coarse areolae sculpturing and 2 setae (ps1–2),
setae g1 10 (8–12), g2 12 (11–14), ps1 8 (6–10), ps2 8 (7–11).
Distances between genital setae: ag–ag 21 (19–24), g1–g1 25
(23–29), g 2 –g 2 46 (43–51), g 1 –g 2 13 (11–15). Distances
between ventral setae: 1a–1a 32 (30–33), 3a–3a 38 (36–40),
4a–4a 26 (24–29), 1b–1c 17 (16–17), 2b–2c 21 (20–22), 1a–3a
56 (52–63), 3a–4a 48 (46–50), 4a–ag 74 (73–78), ag–g1 45
(42–49), ag–g2 40 (37–43), g1–ps1 34 (32–38), g1–ps2 28 (25–
31), g2–ps1 41 (37–44), g2–ps2 34 (32–38). Spermathecal tube
narrow and vesicle semi-circular 8 (8–9) in diameter (Figure
2a).
Gnathosoma (Figures 3–5). Rostrum not reaching to the distal
end of femur I; palp 4 segmented, palp tarsus with a solenidion
and 2 eupathidia; palp genu-tibia with 2 setae, palp femur with

Figure 1a. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, Dorsum. Scale bar, 100 μm.
1 lanceolate serrate dorsal seta (Figure 5). Subcapitulum with
seta m 14 (12–17), distance m–m 12 (10–14) (Figure 3).
Chelicerae as depicted in Figure 4.
Legs (Figures 6–9). Length of leg I 131 (125–138); leg II 104 (96–
111); leg III 93 (90–96); leg IV 90 (84–97). Setal formulae of leg
segments as follows: coxae 2–2–1–1; trochanters 1–1–2–1; femora
4–4–2–1; genua 3–3–1–0; tibiae 5–5–3–3; tarsi 9(1ω) −9(1ω)–5–5.
Dorsal setae distinctly serrated (Figures 6–8). Femur I and II with
two lanceolate setae. Tarsus I and II with solenidia Iω 19 (18–20),
IIω 15 (14–17) (Figures 6–7), slender and tapering rather than rod
like. Tarsal claws uncinate and empodia pad-like.
Deutonymph (n = 3). Colour in life red. Idiosoma broadly oval.
Length of body (excluding gnathosoma) 256–275; (including
gnathosoma) 291–308; width 168–183.
Dorsum (Figure 10). Rostral shield absent. Propodosoma
rounded anteriorly, medially smooth with coarse punctations,
few broken longitudinal coarse striae laterally; Sejugal furrow
indistinct; metapodosoma with coarse broad transverse striae
between setae c1 and d1; posterior opisthosoma with coarse
punctations medially and longitudinal broken striae laterally;
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACAROLOGY 3
dorsal body setae long narrowly lanceolate, laterally barbed;
except dorsocentral setae c1, d1, e1, h1, h2 and c2, f2 short to
minute; opisthosomal pores absent. Length of dorsal setae as
follows: v2 30–35, sc1 41–45, sc2 46–52, c1 4–6, c2 43–6, c3 46–
53, d1 7–10, d3 49–57, e1 6–9, e3 60–66, f2 5–6, f3 51–60, h1 3–
5, h2 2–4; distances between dorsal setae: v2–v2 40–43, v2–sc1
29–34, sc1–sc2 30–35, sc1–sc1 90–99, sc2–sc2 111–119, c1–c1 37–
43, c1–c2 36–40, c2–c3 8–12, c2–c2 103–116, c3–c3 121–132, c1–
d1 46–56, c3–d3 44–51, d1–d1 23–30, d1–d3 52–59, d3–d3 123–
135, d1–e1 55–65, e1–e1 16–21, e1–e3 48–58, e3–e3 117–131, e3–
f2 27–33, f2–f2 105 102–116, f2–f3 23–30, f3–f3 69–79, f3–h2 26–
33, h1–h1 9–14, h1–h2 9–13, h2–h2 23–29, e1–h1 53–63, d3–e3
38–43.
Venter (Figure 11). Venter of propodosoma and metapodosomal
area between 4a and ag with transverse striae; opisthosoma
smooth laterally and area between setae ag and g with longitudi­
nal striae. Length of setae: la 55–63, 1b 7–13, 1c 6–9, 2b 6–9, 2c 8–
12, 3a 15–20, 3b 7–10, 4a 72–82, and 4b 6–10, ag 9–13, g1 3–5.
Aggenital setae (ag) longer than genital setae (g); anal shield with
two setae (ps1–2), ps1 5–8, ps2 4–7. Setae 1a and 4a long and about
four times longer than 3a, other ventral setae short. Ventral, geni­
tal, and anal shield indistinct (Figure 11); distances between
4 E. M. KHAN ET AL.
Figure 2. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, Venter. Scale bar, 100 μm. 2A. Spermatheca, scale bar, 25 μm.
ventral setae; 1b–1c 12–18, 2b–2c 18–21, la–la 68–75, 3a–3a 33–38,
4a–4a, 31–36. Distances between setae: ag–ag 21–27, g–g 14–18,
ps1–ps1 7–11, ps2–ps2 4–7, ps1–ps2 6–10.
Gnathosoma. Palp 4-segmented, palp chaetotaxy as in female.
Rostrum extending to end of Femur I. Subcapitulum with seta m
6–9, distance m–m 12–16. Chelicerae similar to adult female.
Legs. Similar to adult female except trochanters 1–1–2–0. Length
of leg I 88–96; leg II 74–83; leg III 72–78; and leg IV 63–72. Tarsus I
and II with solenidia Iω 15–19, IIω 13–18.
Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the name of the
city “Taif” where type specimens were collected.
Type materials. Holotype female, three paratype females, and
three immatures, ex. twigs and leaves of Crataegus sinaica Boiss
(Rosaceae), Taif, Saudi Arabia, 21°21.297’N, 040°19.550’E, 11
September 2017, coll. Eid M. Khan and Muneeb Ur Rehman.
Remarks. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. is morphologically close
to Cenopalpus irani Dosse and C. lanceolatisetae (Attiah) by
having the following characteristics: propodosomal setae nar­
rowly lanceolate, rostral shield with four medial lobes, one pair
obsolete; and opisthosoma with pores. However, the new
species differs from C. irani by genital shield reticulated vs.
smooth; rostrum reaching up to distal end of femur I vs. rostrum
extending to middle of genu I; propodosoma entirely with
polygonal reticulations in the new species vs. propodosoma
with irregular transverse reticulations laterally in C. irani. The
new species differs from C. lanceolatisetae (Attiah) by propodo­
soma with broadly lanceolate setae vs. narrowly lanceolate;
opisthosomal pores absent vs. opisthosomal pores present in
C. taifensis sp. nov.
Key to species of Cenopalpus reported on the plant
genus Craetaegus
1. Medial metapodosoma venter posterior to setae 4a
smooth ....................................... ....................................... 2
- Medial metapodosoma venter posterior to setae 4a
with reticulations .................................................................... 3
2. Propodosoma with broadly lanceolate setae, opistho­
somal pores absent C. lanceolatisetae (Attiah), Egypt
- Propodosoma with narrowly lanceolate setae,
opisthosomal pores present ....................................................
......................................... C. taifensis sp. nov., Saudi Arabia
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACAROLOGY 5

Figure 2b. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, Venter. Scale bar, 100 μm.

Figure 3. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, sub-capitulum, Scale bar, 30

μm. Figure 4. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, Chelicerae, Scale bar, 30 μm.
6 E. M. KHAN ET AL.

3. Rostral shield with two submedial lobes ...........................

............................................................. C. crataegii Dosse, Iran
- Rostral shield without submedial lobes ........................ 4

4. Setae v2 longer than the distance between their bases

............................. C. pulcher (Canestrini & Fanzago), Italy
- Setae v2 shorter than the distance between their bases
........................................................................................................ 5

5. Rostrum reaching to distal end of genu I ..........................

.................................................... C. bakeri Düzgünes, Turkey
- Rostrum reaching to distal end of femur I ........................
..................... C. mespili (Livschitz & Mitrofanov), Ukraine

Acknowledgments
We wish to express sincere thanks to Dr Carlos Holger
Wenzel Flechtmann (University of São Paulo, Brazil) and
Marcello De Giosa (University of Florida) for providing
literature.

Disclosure statement
Figure 5. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, palp Scale bar, 20 μm. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figure 6-9. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. female, 6 – leg I; 7 – leg II; 8– leg III; 9 – leg IV. Scale bars, 50 μm.
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACAROLOGY 7

Figure 10. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. deutonymph, Dorsum. Scale bar, 100 μm.

Figure 10a. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. deutonymph, Dorsum. Scale bar, 100 μm.
8 E. M. KHAN ET AL.

Figure 11. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. deutonymph, Venter. Scale bar, 100 μm.

Figure 11a. Cenopalpus taifensis sp. nov. deutonymph, Venter. Scale bar, 100 μm.
Funding
The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation for
funding this research work through the project number
(RSPD2023R807), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ORCID
Eid Muhammad Khan http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5008-2524
Muhammad Kamran http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6084-203X
Fahad Jaber Alatawi http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6824-2650
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