taxonID	type	description	language	source
03C687A1FFBBFF9291C2FE51D334FEA3.taxon	type_taxon	Type species Bongotarsonemus unicornus sp. nov. by original designation (In addition to the type species this genus also includes Bongotarsonemus bicornus sp. nov.).	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBBFF9291C2FE51D334FEA3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: This new genus is best characterized as a member of tribe Tarsonemini under subfamily Tarsoneminae based on the descriptions by Lindquist (1986) and catalogue by Lin & Zhang (2002). However, this genus can be distinguished from all other genera of tribe Tarsonemini by a combination of character states (1 – 14) as listed below. Adult females are distinguished by 1) setae v 1 set on prominent tubercles which conspicuously extend posteriorly and sometimes contiguous with tubercles of setae sc 2 delimiting a medially raised section of prodorsum; 2) one or two strong horn like projections mediad bases of setae v 1; 3) longitudinal sclerotized ridges or set of elevated striae medially on raised section of prodorsum; 4) sejugal apodeme strongly developed and characterisically bipartite 5) tibial seta d setiform, sparsely barbed, always longer than tibiotarsus, reaching beyond the apex of claw on leg I 6) seta pl’ ’ retained on tarsus II; males are distinguished by 7) prodorsal setae sc 2 nearly as long as sc 1; 8) tarsus II with rod-shaped solenidion ω, longer than half the length of this segment and similarly long, spinose, blunt ended pl’ ’ inserted well anteriad ω; 9) tibia IV with relatively long (> 18 μm) and curved solenidion φ, more than half the length of femorogenu IV, and longer than combined length of tibia and tarsus IV; both sexes can be characterized by 10) elongated muscular pharynx, fusiform, always two third the length of gnathosomal capsule 11) leg I having movable fish-hook shaped claw with relatively long shank, strongly curved apex and small ambulacrum at base; 12) leg II – III similarly long symmetrically paired claws 13) tibia I with complete sensory cluster 14) seta l’ on femur I slightly lanceolate and plumose. The characters listed as 1 – 3 (single character state complex), 5, 8 and 11 are autapomorphic for Bongotarsonemus gen. nov.. Peculiar prodorsal ornamentation and conspicuously long seta d reaching beyond claw on tibiotarsus I in females, and elongated fish-hook shaped claw on leg I of both sexes make this genus remarkably unique in the tribe Tarsonemini. Also, the combination of characters viz. rod-shaped solenidion ω with similarly long bacilliform pl’ ’ on tarsus II of males is not known from the formerly described genera of this tribe. Though character 13 is plesiomorphic for the tribe Tarsonemini, it has been included as diagnostic character for Bongotarsonemus gen. nov. as the genus Kaliszewskia Lofego et al. 2015 (monotypic) and few species of Metatarsonemus and Tarsonemus lost one or more sensory setae from the cluster on tibia I. The character states enlisted as 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 14 are homoplasies shared with several other genera of subfamily Tarsoneminae.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBBFF9291C2FE51D334FEA3.taxon	description	Description. Adult of both sexes. Gnathosoma: Capsule slightly wider than long or as wide as long, sub-triangular; palpcoxal setae indiscernible. Dorsal gnathosomal setae sparsely barbed with pointed tip, and ventral gnathosomal setae smooth and setiform. Palpi directed anteriorly, slightly convergent distally, short and robust, each with two short setae and two cone shaped structures apically. Cheliceral stylets of moderate length, with swollen basal levers and a nodular projection posteriorly. Pharynx well developed, muscular, always two thirds the length of gnathosomal capsule. Adult female. Idiosoma: Prodorsal shield overlapping entire gnathosoma dorsally. All dorsal setae coarsely barbed; setae v 1 inserted on tubercles which conspicuously extend posteriorly and sometimes converging with tubercles of setae sc 2 delimiting a medially raised portion of prodorsal shield. One or two strongly sclerotized horn like projections mediad bases of setae v 1 (hereafter, mentioned as ‘ anterior prodorsal horn’). Medially raised part of prodorsal shield ornamented with pair of longitudinal ridges or a set of elevated strial thickenings, extended anteriorly to base of anterior prodorsal horn (s) and posteriorly to level of insertion of sc 2. Stigmata laterad of base of tubercle bearing v 1; main tracheal trunks with unsclerotized atria, and without postatrial structures. Setae v 2 vestigial, only pits visible near level of sc 1, latter globose and spiny, inserted ventrolaterad of prodorsal shield. Seta sc 2 inserted posteriad sc 1. Posterior margins of tergites nearly straight to slightly convex. Distance between pair of setae f less than length of setae h; setae ps smooth, nearly as long as setae h. Venter with apodemes 1 fused to each other, may or may not fuse conspicuously with prosternal apodeme. Apodemes 2 diffusely meet with prosternal apodeme. Prosternal apodeme may be well sclerotized up to level of anterior ends of apodeme 2 or may be visible as a small sclerotized fragment between apodemes 1 and 2, then widening and fading to reach sejugal apodeme. The latter well sclerotized, but clearly interrupted medially. Coxisternal plates I and II with pair of setae 1 a and 2 a respectively and alveolar vestiges of setae 1 b and 2 b. Apodemes 3 transverse, extending from anterior end of trochanters III to nearly level of insertion of 3 a with diffused proximal ends. Apodemes 4 extending convergently from insertion of setae 3 b to anterior half of poststernal apodeme. Poststernal apodeme mostly distinct, bifurcate anteriorly. Anterior margin of coxisternal plates III slightly convex. Tegula as long as wide basally and rounded apically. Aggenital plate striated at lateral margin. Dorsal and ventral plates coarsely punctate. Legs: leg I with a single, elongated, fish-hook shaped claw with small ambulacrum at base. Ambulacra of legs II and III with empodia and well-developed, symmetrically paired, elongated and strongly curved claws. Femora I and II lacking flanges or ridges. Leg IV elongate-cylindrical, with femorogenu nearly twice as long as tibiotarsus, each with two setae; v’Ti serrate. Number of setae (solenidia in parenthesis): femur, genu and fused tibia + tarsus of leg I, 4 - 4 - 6 (2) + 8 (1); femur, genu, tibia and tarsus of leg II, 3 - 3 - 4 - 7 (1); femorogenu, tibia and tarsus of leg III, 1 + 3 - 4 - 5. Legs I-III with femoral and genual setation complete, with conspicuously barbed and thickened setae on femur I (l’ and l’ ’), genu I (l’), femur II (l’) and genu II (l’). Tibial sensory cluster of leg I complete (2 φ + k). Tarsi II with seta pl’ ’ small and spinose, adjacent to ω; both setae u’ and u’ ’ present on tarsi II and III. Subunguinal seta s of tibiotarsus I and unguinal seta u’ of tarsi II and III stout, spinelike, undivided apically. Adult male (known only for one species). Idiosoma: All dorsal setae coarsely barbed. Prodorsum with four pairs of setae. Setae v 1 and v 2 setiform with pointed tip; setae sc 1 and sc 2 thickened with blunt tips. Plate CD with three paired setae and cupules ia; setae c 1 located posteriad c 2 comparatively closer to setae d; only c 2 with pointed tip. Plate EF with paired setae f and cupules im. Apodemes 1 conspicuous and fused with prosternal apodeme forming a ‘ Y’ shape. Prosternal apodeme interrupted near medial end of apodemes 2. Sejugal apodeme continuous and emarginate medially where fused with prosternal apodeme. Coxisternal plates I and II each with one pair of setae and one pair of rudimental setal alveoli. Coxisternal plates III with two pairs of setae. Coxisternal plates IV lacking setae. Anterior margins of coxisternal plates III – IV fused with each other forming nearly concave border. Apodemes 4 connected to apodemes 3 anteriorly on either side and to each other medially where joining with poststernal apodeme. The latter splitting into apodemes 5 on posterior fourth of length. Both dorsal and ventral plates coarsely punctate. Genital capsule heart-shaped, as long as wide; accessory shafts swollen distally. Legs: Arrangement of claws on legs I – III similar as in female. Femora I and II lacking flanges and ridges. Tarsus I with both ft’ and ft’ ’ setae. Legs I – III with femoral and genual setation complete, with conspicuously barbed and thickened setae on femur I (l’ and l’ ’), femur II (l’) and genu II (l’). Tibial sensory cluster of leg I complete (2 φ + 1 k). Arrangement of subunguinal and unguinal setae on legs I-III similar as female. Tarsus II with rod-shaped solenidion ω, longer than half the length of this segment and similarly long, spinose, blunt ended pl’ ’ inserted well anteriad ω. Leg IV with seta on trochanter; femorogenu without flange, concave at inner margin near anterior half; tibia separated from tarsus, with a greatly elongated tibial solenidion, more than half the length of femorogenu and a moderately long tibial tactile seta; tarsus with three setae of similar length, and with well-developed unciform terminal claw.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBBFF9291C2FE51D334FEA3.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The generic name Bongotarsonemus is derived from the Bengali word ‘ Bongo ’ which indicates the state of West Bengal; as a whole referring to the tarsonemid genus discovered from West Bengal.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBBFF9291C2FE51D334FEA3.taxon	discussion	Diagnostic remarks. Adult females of Bongotarsonemus gen. nov. resemble those of Floridotarsonemus Attiah, 1970, Flechtmannus Moraes et al., 2002, Kaliszewskia, some species of Tarsonemus Canestrini & Fanzago, 1876 Daidalotarsonemus De Leon, 1956, belonging to tribe Tarsonemini and Heterotarsonemus Smiley, 1969 from tribe Hemitarsonemini in having the prosternal apodeme sclerotized only up to the level of apodemes 2, diffused and widened posteriorly to meet with the sejugal apodeme. Females of this new genus also have prodorsal setae v 1 and sometimes sc 2 set on strong tubercles similar to those in Daidalotarsonemus, Excelsotarsonemus Ochoa and Naskrecki, 1995 and Metatarsonemus Attiah, 1970 (only v 1). However, unlike these genera, the tubercles in Bongotarsonemus delimit a raised part of prodorsal shield medially which is again uniquely ornamented as described earlier. The females also resemble Excelsotarsonemus, Rhyncotarsonemus Beer, 1954, Daidalotarsonemus, Neotarsonemoides Kaliszewski, 1984 some species of Xenotarsonemus and Tarsonemus in having l’ on femur and genu of leg I thickened and barbed. However, the l’ on femur I is plumose, which is not known from formerly described species of Tarsoneminae. They also resemble Biscutulumnemus Lofego & Feres, 2006 (tribe not specified); some species of Floridotarsonemus, Fungitarsonemus, Tarsonemus and Neotarsonemoides from the tribe Tarsonemini in retaining pl’ ’ on tarsus II. The bipartite sejugal apodeme is a widespread character in Steneotarsonemini, although in Tarsonemini a few species of Hemitarsonemus Ewing, 1939 and Tarsonemus possess a medially separated sejugal apodeme similar to Bongotarsonemus gen nov. Generally, prodorsal setae sc 2 visibly shorter than sc 1 in male tarsonemids but the males known from only one species of this genus possess sc 2 nearly as long as sc 1. The males of Xenotarsonemus Beer, 1954 and few species of Deleonia Lindquist, 1986 may resemble the new genus based on leg IV with relatively long solenidion φ but differ by fused tibiotarsus while tibia and tarsus are distinctly separated in the new genus. Adult males of this new genus share a similarity with Metatarsonemus, some species Floridotarsonemus, Fungitarsonemus Cromroy, 1958 and Tarsonemus in having enlarged solenidion ω on tarsus II, often more than half the length of tarsus. This might be a plesiomorphic character for the family Tarsonemidae as males of many tarsonemid genera have solenidion on tarsus II longer than in conspecific females. As the comparative morphology suggests, Bongotarsonemus gen. nov. shares most of its morphological traits with Tarsonemus, the most speciose genus of the family Tarsonemidae. Compared to other genera, Tarsonemus does not include species with derived character states as noted by Lindquist (1986) and Lofego et al. (2019). However, morphologically remote species have been affiliated to this extensive assemblage, previously nested inside four subgenera viz. Tarsonemus s. str.; Chaetotarsonemus Beer & Nucifora, 1965, Metatarsonemus Attiah, 1970 and Floridotarsonemus Attiah, 1970 with latest inclusion of Schaarschmidtia Magowski, 2010 (Lindquist, 1986; Lin & Zhang, 2002; Magowski, 2010). Such taxonomic conundrums within this genus have very recently been addressed by elevating several subgenera of Tarsonemus to generic rank with the discovery of a greater number of species and a better understanding of the derived characters. Lofego et al. (2019) established Metatarsonemus as evolutionarily independent from Tarsonemus and reinstated it with a set of apomorphies in females viz. the presence of several coxisternal fissures often overlapping apodemes and sclerotized ridges flanking tegula. Later, Mondal & Karmakar (2021 c) and Mondal et al. (2021 a) confirmed those apomorphies with the description of five more species and enlisting eight nominal species of Metatarsonemus worldwide. The subgenus Floridotarsonemus with five nominal species has been seperated as a genus by a set of apomorphies in males viz. femorogenu IV with a concave arc at posterior base, possessing a triangular to keel-shaped flange at inner margin and tarsus IV with a flattened blade-like claw (Ochoa, 1991; Mondal & Karmakar, 2021 a). Subgenus Chaetotarsonemus (monotypic) can be categorized by reduced, setiform bothridial setae sc 1 in adult females and broadly rounded flange on leg IV of adult males. These characters are homoplasies shared with the genus Steneotarsonemus in the tribe Steneotarsonemini, three genera of Tarsonemellini and insect parasitic species of subfamily Acarapinae which makes its insertion as a subgenus of Tarsonemus very problematical but requires further investigation with a greater number of species. Bothridial setae are also vestigial in another monotypic genus Flechtmanus belonging to tribe Tarsonemini. This homoplastic character may have evolved due to adaptation to a confined habitat in which well developed bothridial organs might not be required (Lindquist, 1986). However this hypothesis often becomes contradictory as bothridial setae are well developed in many tarsonemid species which live in confined spaces either parasitizing other invertebrates or feeding within plant parts (Moraes et al. 2002). Differentially, subgenus Schaarschmidtia with 17 nominal species is diagnosed by several characters such as leg setal reduction, pharyngeal width to gnathosomal width ratio, glandular bodies posterior to pharynx, subcircular to tongue-shaped tegula, tripartite sejugal apodeme and elongated tibia IV in adult males which defines the group as a coherent assemblage within the genus Tarsonemus and different from the subgenus Tarsonemus s. str. However, many of these characters such as the shape of tegula, reduction of leg seta in females and elongated tibia IV in males are sporadically present in several species of the subfamily Tarsoneminae. Some derived morphological traits in this group might be an outcome of their association with subcortical coleopteran insects but those certainly can not be considered as robust apomorphies to create a generic concept for Schaarschmidtia. However, the set of unique apomorphies noted in the ‘ diagnosis’ presents Bongotarsonemus gen. nov. as a cohesive group with precisely defined morphological patterns that distinguish the genus from Tarsonemus. The phylogenetic relationship of this new genus with other genera of Tarsoneminae is difficult to resolve at such an early stage. Nevertheless, the most acceptable hypothesis might be that Bongotarsonemus evolved as a derived group within the tribe Tarsonemini with immediate kin taxa proposed as Tarsonemus and Xenotarsonemus based on the above discussion and the probable phylogenetic position of Tarsonemus suggested by Lindquist (1986). Considering the dorsal ornamentation of female and leg chaetotaxy of both sexes, the new genus could be a sister group of the genera complex Metatarsonemus + Daidalotarsonemus + Ceratotarsonemus + Excelsotarsonemus as suggested by Lofego et al. (2019).	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBCFF9D91C2FE89D01CFD83.taxon	description	(Figs. 2 – 13; 20 – 27)	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBCFF9D91C2FE89D01CFD83.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Female: Both prodorsal stae v 1 and sc 2 each set on a prominent tubercle; spear shaped anterior prodorsal horn between the base of setal pair v 1; median raised section of prodorsum with a pair of sclerotized ridges converging anteriorly to meet near base of prodorsal horn. Seta v 1 nearly as long as sc 2; c 1 nearly as long as c 2; d – h of subequal length. Tarsus I with seta tc’ ’ nearly twice the length of tc’ and tarsus III with tc’ approaching the length of tc’ ’. Tarsus II with solenidion ω stout, clavate and slightly longer than pl’ ’. Seta tc’ ’ on tarsus IV nearly 1.5 times the length of v’ Ti. Adult female (8 specimens measured). Gnathosoma: subtriangular, well sclerotized, length 26 (25 – 29), maximum width 30 (28 – 32). Seta dgs 12 (9 – 13), sparsely barbed and vgs 6 (6 – 8), smooth; seta pp indiscernible. Palpus short with 2 small subterminal setae and two dentate structures apically. Pharynx well musculated, fusiform, 16 (15 – 18) long, two thirds the length of gnathosoma and 5 (5 – 6) wide at widest level, about one fifth width of gnathosomal capsule. Gnathosoma surface faintly punctate dorsally and ventrally. Idiosoma (Figs. 2, 3): length 184 (180 – 193), maximum width 118 (113 – 122) at level of c 1. Dorsum: Prodorsal shield covering entire gnathosoma with hood-shaped extension anteriorly and nearly straight posterior margin. Stigma located on lateral margin of prodorsal shield, slightly closer to bases of sc 1 than v 1. Bothridial seta sc 1 globose and spiny, located ventrolaterally, closer to base of sc 2 than to base of v 1. Setae v 2 vestigial, only pits are visible. setae v 1 set on prominent tubercles which conspicuously extend posteriorly to fuse with tubercles of setae sc 2 delimiting a medially raised section of prodorsum. Anterior prodorsal horn spear-shaped, 5 (5 – 7) long, between bases of v 1. Prodorsal shield with a pair of sclerotized ridges medially which converge anteriorly to meet near base of anterior horn. Dorsal plates coarsely punctate and margins perpendicularly striate. Length of setae: v 1 22 (20 – 24), sc 1 13 (12 – 14), sc 2 21 (20 – 24), c 1 14 (13 – 16), c 2 13 (10 – 14), d 9 (8 – 11), e 9 (8 – 10), f 9 (8 – 10), h 8 (7 – 10). All dorsal setae coarsely barbed; setae sc 2, d and e blunt ended, others narrowly pointed apically. Distances between setae: v 1 – v 1 18 (16 – 22), sc 2 – sc 2 46 (42 – 47), v 1 – sc 2 49 (45 – 51), c 1 – c 1 43 (41 – 46) c 2 – c 2 113 (109 – 116), c 1 – c 2 38 (36 – 42), d – d 30 (28 – 32), f – f 13 (12 – 16), e – f 21 (19 – 22), h – h 33 (31 – 36). Venter: coxisternal setae 1 a 6 (5 – 7), near middle of apodemes 1 and at level of point of fusion of apodemes 1 and prosternal apodeme; 2 a 10 (8 – 10) mediad apodemes 2; 3 a 9 (7 – 10) near anterior end of apodemes 3; 3 b 6 (5 – 7) located at distal end of apodemes 4; all ventral setae smooth. Apodemes 1 conspicuous, converging posteriorly, forming a ‘ V’ shape but not prominently fused with anterior end of prosternal apodeme. Apodemes 2 long, diffusely meet prosternal apodeme medially. Prosternal apodeme inconspicuous through most of its length, only sclerotized as a small fragment mediad the line of fusion of coxisternal plates I of both sides; diffusely meet with apodemes 1 anteriorly, split in a pair of diffused branches before meeting apodemes 2 medially and sejugal apodeme posteriorly. The latter strongly developed, laterally curved and widely separated medially. Apodemes 3 extending diagonally from anterior end of trochanter III to about longitudinal level of insertion of 3 a with proximal end diffused and widened; apodemes 4 with a medial and distal node, inconspicuously meet the anterior region of poststernal apodeme from which it extends diagonally up to base of seta 3 b. Poststernal apodeme mostly conspicuous with a pair of medial nodes posteriad junction with apodemes 4; weakly bifurcate anteriorly with a prominent swollen neck immediately behind the bifurcation. Coxisternal plates coarsely punctate; anterior margin of fused coxisternal plates III and IV overlap posterior part of prosternal apodeme and entire sejugal apodeme anteriorly. Tegula tongue shaped, 16 (13 – 16) long and 13 (11 – 14) wide at the level of lower margin of trochanter IV. Seta ps slender 7 (6 – 9), smooth. Legs (Figs. 4 – 7): lengths (base of femur to apex of tarsus): leg I 46 (42 – 49), leg II 47 (43 – 50), leg III 62 (59 – 66), leg IV 45 (41 – 48). Number of setae (solenidia in parentheses) on femur, genu, tibia and tarsus, respectively: leg I: 4 - 4 - 6 (2) + 8 (1), leg II: 3 - 3 - 4 - 7 (1), leg III: 1 + 3 - 4 - 5, leg IV: 1 + 1 - 1 + 1. Tibiotarsus I with solenidion ω 3 (3 – 4) long, stout and clavate; pv’ ’ 12 (11 – 14), slightly longer than pv’ 9 (8 – 10); tc’ ’ 19 (17 – 21) nearly twice longer than tc’ 9 (9 – 11). Sensory cluster of tibia I complete, solenidion φ 1 3, clavate; solenidion φ 2 2, stout, capitate; famulus k 3 (3 – 4), inserted at same level. Seta d of tibia I 37 (34 – 39) long, sparsely barbed, more than 1.5 times longer than the length of tibiotarsus I; seta s of tarsus I 5 (4 – 6) long, stout, spine like. Seta l’ on genu I 9 (8 – 11), barbed; l’ on femur I 15 (13 – 17), plumose and v’ ’ 17 (15 – 18), attenuated and sparsely barbed. Claw on leg I fish-hook shaped 7 (6 – 8) long. Solenidion ω of tarsus II proximal, 3 (3 – 4) long, stout, clavate; seta pl ” spine like, 2 long, inserted at the same level with ω; tc’ ’ 22 (21 – 24) nearly twice longer than tc’ 12 (10 – 13), both sparsely barbed. Seta d of tibia II 7 (6 – 9) long, smooth. Setae l’ on both femur and genu II somewhat thickened and sparsely barbed. Both u’ and u’ ’ present on tarsi II and III; u’ 5 (4 – 5) long stout, spine like; u’ ’ setiform; pv’ ’ absent from tarsus III; tc’ ’ 17 (16 – 18) slightly longer than tc’ 14 (13 – 15), both sparsely barbed .. Femorogenu IV 31 (28 – 32); tibiotarsus IV 14 (13 – 16). Lengths of setae of leg IV: v’ F 10 (8 – 11), v’ G 17 (15 – 19), v’ Ti 28 (26 – 32) and tc ” 41 (39 – 47); v’ Ti thickened and serrate. Adult male (6 specimens measured). Gnathosoma: subtriangular, length 27 (25 – 30), maximum width 26 (24 – 28). Setae dgs 14 (12 – 14), sparsely barbed and vgs 10 (8 – 11), smooth; seta pp indiscernible. Palpus short with 2 small subterminal setae and two dentate structures apically. Pharynx similarly developed as in female, fusiform, 17 (16 – 18) long, nearly two thirds the length of gnathosoma and 6 (5 – 6) wide at widest region, near about one fourth the width of gnathosomal capsule. Dorsal apodeme prominently visible with two internal sclerotized ridge like structures converging basally. Gnathosoma faintly punctate both dorsally and ventrally. Idiosoma (Figs. 8, 9): length 128 (120 – 133), maximum width 87 (81 – 90). Dorsum: Prodorsal shield trapezoidal, anterior margin nearly straight. Length of setae: v 1 32 (28 – 34), v 2 12 (11 – 14), sc 1 27 (25 – 30), sc 2 31 (29 – 33), c 1 15 (14 – 16), c 2 34 (32 – 37), d 16 (16 – 18), f 12 (9 – 13). Dorsal setae v 1, v 2, c 2, f setiform, pointed apically; others thickened, blunt ended; all setae coarsely barbed. Distances between setae: v 1 – v 1 15 (13 – 16), v 2 – v 2 20 (20 – 24), v 1 – v 2 12 (11 – 15), sc 1 – sc 1 36 (34 – 38), sc 2 – sc 2 51 (48 – 54), sc 1 – sc 2 13 (13 – 16), c 1 – c 1 70 (68 – 74), c 2 – c 2 84 (82 – 87), c 1 – c 2 32 (30 – 34), d – d 29 (28 – 32), f – f 20 (18 – 24). Seta c 1 closer to d than c 2. Dorsal plates faintly punctate. Venter: coxisternal setae 1 a 5 (4 – 6) long, posteriad apodemes 1 and slightly below the level of point of fusion of apodemes 1 and prosternal apodeme; 2 a 9 (8 – 10) mediad apodemes 2, on upper half of coxisternal plates II; 3 a 21 (19 – 23), at anterior end of apodemes 3; 3 b 10 (8 – 10), mediad basal half of apodemes 4; all setae smooth. Apodemes 1 conspicuous, converging posteriorly to fuse with anterior end of prosternal apodeme forming a ‘ Y’ shape. Apodemes 2 conspicuous, bent downwards proximally but not fused with prosternal apodeme. The latter straight, diffused medially at the level of apodemes 2, again continue prominently to fuse with sejugal apodeme. Sejugal apodeme conspicuous and characteristically indented medially at the junction with prosternal apodeme. Apodemes 3, 4, and poststernal apodeme conspicuous, connected to each other anteriorly by transversal lines, which together make sinuate lobbed margin anteriorly. Poststernal apodeme split in two at upper margin of trochanter IV giving rise to apodemes 5. Coxisternal plates minutely punctate. Genital capsule heart-shaped, slightly longer than wide, anterior half punctate dorsally; seta h (1 – 2), minute, located dorsolaterally on posterior flap; accessory shafts swollen distally; aedeagus extended beyond posterior margin of genital flap with swollen distal end. Legs (Figs. 10 – 13): length (base of femur to apex of tarsus): leg I 54 (52 – 60), leg II 54 (51 – 58), leg III 52 (50 – 57), leg IV 37 (34 – 41). Number of setae (solenidia in parentheses) on femur, genu, tibia and tarsus: leg I: 4 - 4 - 6 (2) - 10 (1), leg II: 3 - 3 - 4 - 7 (1), leg III: 1 - 3 - 4 - 5, leg IV: 1 - 3 - 1 (1) - 3. Solenidion ω of tarsus I 3 (3 – 4), stout, clavate. Sensory cluster of tibia I complete, solenidion φ 1 3, clavate; solenidion φ 2 3, capitate; famulus k 3 (3 – 4) rod like, inserted at same level. Seta d of tibia I 29 (26 – 31), sparsely barbed; tarsus I with ft’ 2 and ft’ ’ 3 long, smooth. Seta l’ on femur I 12 (10 – 13), thickened and plumose; v’ ’ smooth, 12 (10 – 14) long. Claw on leg I fish-hook shaped, as long as that of female. Solenidion ω of tarsus II proximal, 12 (11 – 14) long, stout, rod like, approaching length of tarsus; pl ” stout, baciliform, 12 (10 – 13) long, blunt apically; tc’ ’ 31 (29 – 33) nearly twice longer than tc’ 14 (13 – 16), both sparsely barbed. Seta d of tibia II 13 (11 – 14), smooth. Setae l’ on genu and femur II somewhat thickened and sparsely barbed. Seta v’ of trochanter IV 12 (10 - – 13), serrate; femorogenu IV, 28 (25 – 30) long and 14 (12 – 15) wide at v’ F level, without flange, posterior margin convex and anterior margin slightly concave at distal half. Setae v’ F 5 (4 – 6), smooth; v’ G 18 (16 – 21), serrate; l ” G 10 (9 – 12) smooth; tibia IV 5 (5 – 7), solenidion φ 23 (20 – 25), bacilliform, arched anteriorly; v’ Ti 29 (27 – 32), serrate; tarsus IV 4 (3 – 5), tc ” 6 (5 – 7), pv ” 6 (6 – 7) and u’ 6 (6 – 7). Claw well developed, stout, unciform, 9 (8 – 12) long, 4 (4 – 5) wide basally. Larva. Unknown.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBCFF9D91C2FE89D01CFD83.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype female (Acarol. lab / BCKV / 31018 / 2021) (submitted to NZC, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata); 8 paratype females and 7 paratype males (Acarol. lab / BCKV / 31019 - 24 / 2020), from leaves of Prunus avium Rock Garden, Darjeeling (27 ° 01 ’ 32 ” N; 88 ° 14 ’ 16 ” E), State of West Bengal, 12 / II / 2020, coll. P. Mondal.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBCFF9D91C2FE89D01CFD83.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name unicornus is derived from two Latin words viz. ‘ uni ’ meaning one and ‘ cornu ’ meaning hornlike projection referring to single sclerotized anterior prodorsal horn characteristic of the females of this species.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFBCFF9D91C2FE89D01CFD83.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Bongotarsonemus unicornus sp. nov. was collected from epiphytic fungal colonies on the leaves of Sweet Cherry, Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae). Direct feeding on fungus was not observed but the fungal spores were visible clinging to dorsal and ventral sclerites of the slide mounted specimens. The fungus is identified as a species of Fusicladium (Venturiaceae: Ascomycota). This is the first record of any tarsonemid mite associated with Cherry trees in India.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFB3FF9891C2FD69D2BCFE13.taxon	description	(Figs. 14 – 19; 28 – 31)	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFB3FF9891C2FD69D2BCFE13.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Prodorsal shield of the adult female is distinctive in having setae v 1 each set on a prominently raised tubercle which extends posteriorly up to stigmatal opening; a pair of triangular anterior prodorsal horns between bases of setal pair v 1; several elevated striae extending anteriorly up to base of horns and posteriorly to level of insertion of sc 2. Dorsal setae c 1, c 2, d and e subequal in length; setae f nearly twice longer than those, located posterolaterad setae e. Ventral setae 3 a thrice the length of 3 b. Tarsus I with tc’ ’ as long as tc’ and tarsus III with tc’ nearly one fourth the length of tc’ ’. Tarsus II with solenidion ω baciliform, twice as long as pl’ ’. Adult female (8 specimens measured). Gnathosoma: subtriangular, well sclerotized, length 29 (26 – 30), maximum width 25 (25 – 27). Seta dgs 14 (12 – 15), sparsely barbed and vgs 7 (6 – 8), smooth; seta pp indiscernible. Palpus short with 2 small subterminal setae and two dentate structures apically. Pharynx fusiform, 20 (17 – 20) long, two third length of gnathosoma and 9 (8 – 11) wide at widest level, near about one third the width of gnathosomal capsule. Dorsal apodeme short with visible sclerotization of gnathosomal capsule both basally and laterally. Gnathosoma faintly punctate both dorsally and ventrally. Idiosoma (Figs. 14, 15): length 214 (203 – 219), maximum width 107 (102 – 119) at the level of c 1. Dorsum: Prodorsal shield covering entire gnathosoma with hood shaped extension anteriorly and nearly straight posterior margin. Stigma located on lateral margin of prodorsal shield, slightly closer to bases of sc 1 than v 1. Bothridial seta sc 1 globose and spiny, located ventrolaterally closer to base of sc 2 than to base of v 1. Setae v 2 vestigial, only pits are visible. Setae v 1 set on a prominently raised tubercle which extend posteriorly at least up to stigmatal opening delimiting an anteriorly raised medial section of prodorsum. A pair of anterior prodorsal horns 4 (3 – 5) long between bases of setal pair v 1. Raised section of prodorsal shield with several elevated strial thickenings; extending anteriorly up to base of horns and posteriorly up to level of insertion of sc 2. Dorsal plates coarsely punctate and margins perpendicularly striate. Length of setae: v 1 28 (25 – 29), sc 1 13 (12 – 15), sc 2 23 (21 – 26), c 1 12 (10 – 13), c 2 13 (12 – 14), d 13 (11 – 14), e 11 (9 – 13), f 22 (19 – 23), h 9 (7 – 10). All dorsal setae coarsely barbed; setae sc 2, c 1, c 2, d, e and f blunt ended, others narrowly pointed apically. Distances between setae: v 1 – v 1 17 (16 – 19), sc 2 – sc 2 55 (50 – 56), v 1 – sc 2 57 (53 – 58), c 1 – c 1 51 (48 – 52) c 2 – c 2 98 (96 – 103), c 1 – c 2 27 (25 – 31), d – d 34 (32 – 37), f – f 21 (19 – 23), e – f 26 (22 – 27), h – h 29 (28 – 31). Venter: coxisternal setae 1 a 11 (9 – 12), near middle of apodemes 1 and at level of point of fusion of apodemes 1 and prosternal apodeme; 2 a 14 (8 – 10) submediad apodemes 2; 3 a 21 (7 – 10) near anterior end of apodemes 3; 3 b 7 (5 – 7) near posterior end of apodemes 4; all setae smooth. Apodemes 1 conspicuous, converging posteriorly to prominently fuse with anterior end of prosternal apodeme forming a ‘ Y’ shape. Apodemes 2 long, diffusely meet prosternal apodeme at proximal part. Prosternal apodeme conspicuous only upto level of anterior end of apodemes 2; diffused and widened afterwards to meet with sejugal apodeme. The latter conspicuous, laterally curved and widely separated medially. Apodemes 3 extending diagonally from anterior end of trochanters III to about longitudinal level of insertion of 3 a with proximal end diffused and widened; apodemes 4 diffused proximally and medially, inconspicuously meet the anterior region of poststernal apodeme from which it extends diagonally up to base of setae 3 b. Poststernal apodeme straight, mostly conspicuous but weakly bifurcate anteriorly. Coxisternal plates coarsely punctate; anterior margin of fused coxisternal plates III and IV convex. Tegula tongue shaped, 12 (11 – 14) long and 15 (14 – 16) wide at the level of lower margin of trochanter IV. Seta ps slender 12 (9 – 13), smooth. Legs (Figs. 16 – 19): lengths (base of femur to apex of tarsus): leg I 52 (48 – 55), leg II 52 (49 – 53), leg III 62 (59 – 66), leg IV 40 (37 – 43). Number of setae (solenidia in parentheses) on femur, genu, tibia and tarsus, respectively: leg I: 4 - 4 - 6 (2) + 8 (1), leg II: 3 - 3 - 4 - 7 (1), leg III: 1 + 3 - 4 - 5, leg IV: 1 + 1 - 1 + 1. Tibiotarsus I with solenidion ω 5 (4 – 6) long, stout and clavate; pv’ ’ 15 (14 - 17) slightly longer than pv’ 11 (10 - 13), both attenuated; tc’ ’ as long as tc’ 17 (15 - 18). Sensory cluster of tibia I complete, solenidion φ 1 3, clavate; solenidion φ 2 3, stout, capitate; famulus k 4 (4 – 5), inserted slightly proximal to φ 1. Seta d of tibia I 48 (46 – 51) long, serrate, more than twice the length of tibiotarsus I; seta s of tarsus I 3 (2 – 3) long, stout, spine like. Seta l’ on genu I 12 (11 - 14), somewhat thickened and barbed; l’ on femur I 14 (12 - 16), plumose; v’ ’ 20 (17 - 22), attenuated and sparsely barbed. Claw of leg I fish-hook shaped 7 (6 - 8) long. Solenidion ω of tarsus II proximal, 7 (6 – 8) long, stout, baciliform; seta pl ” spine like, 3 long, inserted at the same level with ω; tc’ ’ 31 (30 – 34) nearly twice longer than tc’ 14 (13 – 16), tc’ ’ smooth, tc’ sparsely barbed. Seta d of tibia II 15 (13 – 17) long, serrate. Setae l’ on both femur and genu II somewhat thickened and sparsely barbed. Both u’ and u’ ’ present on tarsus II and III; u’ on both tarsus 5 (4 – 6) long stout, spine like; u’ ’ setiform. Seta tc’ ’ 33 (31 – 36) nearly four times longer than tc’ 8 (8 – 10), both sparsely barbed. Femorogenu IV 27 (25 – 29); tibiotarsus IV 11 (9 – 13). Lengths of setae of leg IV: v’ F 15 (13 – 17), v’ G 17 (14 – 19), v’ Ti 24 (21 – 26) and tc ” 39 (36 – 42); v’ Ti thickened and serrate. Adult male. Unknown Larva. Unknown.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFB3FF9891C2FD69D2BCFE13.taxon	materials_examined	Type material. Holotype female (Acarol. lab / BCKV / 30905 / 2021) (submitted to NZC, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata); 9 paratype females (Acarol. lab / BCKV / 30906 - 9 / 2020), from leaves of Arthromeris wallichiana Rock Garden, Darjeeling (27 ° 01 ’ 32 ” N; 88 ° 14 ’ 16 ” E), State of West Bengal, 12 / II / 2021, coll. P. Mondal & K. Karmakar.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFB3FF9891C2FD69D2BCFE13.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name bicornus is derived from two Latin words viz. ‘ bi ’ meaning two and ‘ cornu ’ meaning horn like projection referring the pair of sclerotized anterior prodorsal horns characteristic of this species.	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
03C687A1FFB3FF9891C2FD69D2BCFE13.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Bongotarsonemus bicornus sp. nov. females were collected from sporangia on the leaflets of a mountain fern, Arthromeris wallichiana. The colony of mites was found aggregated within the sporangia but surprisingly no males or larvae were recovered from these colonies despite presence of a good number of females. Direct feeding on fern spores was not observed. The host species is sparsely distributed in the Darjeeling and Sikkim hills of India and used by the locals as vegetables especially the fronds, and the rhizomes are used in ethnomedicine. Prior to this the monobasic genus Eotarsonemus De Leon, 1966 and 3 other species of tarsonemid mite, Hemitarsonemus tepidariorum (Warburton, 1904), H. ganeo Magowski, 2012 and Dendroptus (Hemidendroptus) hellulo Magowski 2011, were reported from ferns (Lindquist, 1986; Magowski, 2012).	en	Mondal, Priyankar, Karmakar, Krishna (2021): A new genus Bongotarsonemus with two new species of tarsonemid (Acari: Heterostigmata) mites discovered from the Himalayan forests of West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 5072 (6): 575-591, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5072.6.5
