Valid Names Results

Williamsrhizoecus udzungwensis Schneider & LaPolla, 2020 (Rhizoecidae: Williamsrhizoecus)

Nomenclatural History

• Williamsrhizoecus udzungwensis Schneider & LaPolla 2020: 285-286. Type data: TANZANIA: Udzungwa Mountains, attended by colony of Acropyga silvestrii within nest / chambers, under rocks alongside a stream, (-7.8449, 36.8835) 350m; 3/27/2011, by J.S. LaPolla.. Holotype, female, by original designation Type depository: Washington: United States National Entomological Collection, U.S. National Museum of Natural History, District of Columbia, USA; accepted valid name Notes: Paratypes: TANZANIA: 1 adult female, same data as holotype (JSL110327-02A) (USNM); 1 adult female, same data as holotype (JSL110327-02B) (USNM); 1 adult female, same data as holotype (JSL110327-03A) (USNM); 1 adult female, same data as holotype (JSL110327-03B) (USNM) (voucher ID: S0430A); 2 immature instars together on 1 slide, same data as holotype (JSL110327-03C) (USNM); and 1 adult female, same data as holotype (JSL110327-04B) (USNM). Illustr.

Common Names

Ecological Associates

Associates:

Families: 1 | Genera: 1

Geographic Distribution

Keys

• SchneiLa2020: pp.288 ( Adult (F) ) [species of Williamsrhizoecus]

Remarks

• Systematics: Williamsrhizoecus udzungwensis . is similar to W. coffeae in that they both possess 6 antennal segments, lack ventral abdominal circuli, and have clavate body setae. However, in W. udzungwensis the body setae are short and thickened throughout the length of the seta, sometimes curved and appearing falcate (sickle-shaped), whereas inW. coffeae the body setae have a longer flagellate stem that terminates in a dilated tip. The same trait distinguishes W. udzungwensis. from W. baskyi, which is also from Tanzania. Additionally, whereas W. udzungwensis. lacks circuli and has six antennal segments, W. baskyi has two circuli and only five antennal segments. There are similarities between W. udzungwensis and the only other rhizoecid confirmed to associate with Acropyga in the Old World, Ishigakicoccus shimadai Tanaka. Besides the obvious ecological connection, both species lack dorsal ostioles and both have body setae that could be described as clavate. The body setae of I. shimadai are mostly flagellate and hooked at the apex, but rarely they are knobbed at the apex, suggesting a potential affinity to Williamsrhizoecus. (Schneider & LaPolla, 2020)
• Structure: Slide mounted adult female body approximately oval and membranous throughout, 0.88–0.95 mm long, 0.64–0.73 mm wide, widest near abdominal segment II. Abdomen gently tapering toward posterior end; abdominal segment VIII approximately 250 μm wide at base. Anal lobes poorly developed, indicated by slight protrusions of the body margin, each lobe with a cluster of several dorsal clavate setae, each seta 10–18 μm long. Anal ring dorsal, located slightly anterior of body apex, with two concentric rows of ovoid cells, some lateral cells each bearing a spicule. Anal ring setae arranged in 9 pairs, numbering 18 in total, each seta approximately 19–24 μm long. Antennae 6-segmented. (Schneider & LaPolla, 2020)
• Biology: Acropyga workers were observed actively carrying individuals of W. udzungwensis around within the nest-box and gathering them together into small chambers that the workers had excavated from loose soil. The behavior of arranging root mealybugs into protected clusters is a critical observation of direct association. No mating swarms of A. silvestrii were observed, so trophophoresy ofW. udzungwensis. (transportation of gravid females by A. silvestrii queens) cannot be confirmed at present. (Schneider & LaPolla, 2020)
• General Remarks: Detailed description and illustration in Schneider & LaPolla, 2020.

Illustrations

Citations