Phytoseius ibrahimi Döker & Kazak sp. nov.

Diagnosis. This new species belongs to the plumifer species group, characterized with the presence of setae J2 and R1 (Chant & Yoshida-Shaul 1992a). This species is unique among other species of this group in terms of having a very short peritreme. The peritreme not reaching the base of any podonotal setae even s4. Dorsal shield almost smooth, bearing two pairs of solenostomes; dorsal setae serrated except j4, j5, j6, J2, J5, z5 and R1 smooth; sternal and ventrianal shield each with three pairs of setae; fixed digit of chelicera with three teeth and movable digit with two teeth; calyx of spermatheca goblet-shaped; genu II with 7 setae.

Female (n=10). Dorsum (Figure 1). Dorsal setal pattern 12A: 5A (r3 inserted on shield and R1 off shield). Dorsal shield oval with a slight waist, sclerotised, almost smooth with a few anterolateral and posterolateral striations, bearing two pairs of solenostomes (posteromedian to s6 and anterior to Z5); muscle-marks (sigilla) visible, mostly on podosoma, length of dorsal shield (j1–J5) 278 (275–283), width (distance between bases of s6) 116 (113–120). Dorsal setae serrated except j4, j5, j6, J2, J5, z5 and R1 smooth. Measurements of dorsal setae: j1 24 (23–25), j3 53 (50–55), j4 19 (18–23), j5 18 (15–20), j6 22 (20–25), J2 28 (25–33), J5 12 (10–13), z2 27 (25–28), z3 38 (33–45), z4 33 (30–35), z5 19 (18–23), Z4 52 (48–55), Z5 54 (48–60), s4 74 (70–78), s6 88 (80–95), r3 47 (43–53), R1 24 (23–25).

Peritreme (Figures 1, 6). Very short, not reaching to the base of any podonotal setae.

Venter (Figure 2). Ventral setal pattern 13:JV-3, 4: ZV. Sternal shield smooth, lightly sclerotised, with three pairs of setae (ST1, ST2 and ST3) and two pairs of pores (pst1 and pst2); length (ST1–ST3) 62 (60–65), width (distance between setae ST2) 65 (63–70); metasternal setae ST4 and a pair of pores (pst3) on metasternal shields. Genital shield smooth; width at level of genital setae (ST5) 67 (63–70). Ventri-anal shield vase-shaped with a distinct waist, with a few transverse striations and three pairs of pre-anal setae (JV1, JV2 and ZV2), a pair of paraanal (PA) and a single post-anal setae (PST), length of ventri-anal shield 101 (95–110), width 62 (60–65). Setae JV5, ZV1 and ZV3 and six pairs of pores in integument surrounding ventri-anal shield. Setae JV5 serrated, much longer than other ventral setae, 47 (43–50) in length.

Chelicera (Figure 3). Fixed digit 24 (23–25) long with three visible teeth and pilus dentilis; movable digit 24 (23–25) long, with two teeth.

Spermatheca (Figure 4). Calyx goblet-shaped, 19 (18–20) in length, with a long neck, atrium knobbed, major duct long and broad.

Legs (Figure 5). Length of legs (base of coxae to base of claws): leg I 295 (288–305); leg II 235 (225–245); leg III 221 (213–230); leg IV 334 (325–350). GeII, GeIII and GeIV with seven, six and seven setae, respectively; BtIV with one macroseta 30 (28–33) in length.

Male. Unknown.

Type material. Holotype female and nine paratype females, Karaisalı-Adana, 3 May 2014, on Rubia sp. (Rubiaceae).

Depository. The holotype female and eight paratype females are deposited in the mite collection of the Acarology Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey. One female paratype will also be deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, UK.

Remarks. This new species is similar to P. bulgariensis Wainstein, P. finitimus, P. improcerus Corpuz - Raros and P. ortegae Guanilo & Moraes, which are also classified in the plumifer species group. Differences between Phytoseius ibrahimi Döker & Kazak sp. nov. and the related species are given in Table 1.

Etymology. This new species is named in memory of İbrahim Döker (brother of the senior author) who passed away in a traffic accident on 13 November 2013.