IN DO- MALA Y SI AN SCHONG AST IELLA 
93 
Standard Measurements in Microns, G . erula n. sp. 
Slide 
AW 
PW 
PPW 
SB 
ASB 
PSB 
A-P 
A-PP 
PP 
AL 
PL 
DS 
PW 
Coxa II 
PW 
SD 
Holotype ... 
Paratypes ( 6 ) 
40 
75 
75 
45 
22 
103 
40 
90 
35 
31 
36 
26 
75/57 
= 1.31 
75/125 
= 0.6 
Mean 
Range (+ or 
38 
70 
72 
42 
19 
106 
39 
89 
36 
30 
35 
28 
i-3 
0.6 
-) 
3 
5 
8 
3 
3-3 
5 
3 
2 
6 
1 
2 
2.3 
— 
— 
Dorsal setae similar to scutal setae in morphology but slightly smaller; about 28 or 30 in number (deleting 
PPL), arranged in rows of 2.4.8. or 2.6.6., the rest irregular. At times one or two of the four dorsal setae 
appear to be contiguous with scutal margin. Ventral setae thin, sparsely plumose, definitely shorter than 
dorsal setae, the anteriormost about 12 p. in length, the postanals (referred to by Audy, 1952, as caudal 
setae) about 22. All coxae with one seta. 
Type Material. — Collected at Shingbwiyang or else 10 miles north of Myitkyina, North Burma, by 
members of U.S. Typlus Commission ex Rattus fulvescens fulvescens (Gray), Rattus rattus sladeni (Anderson) 
and Rattus fiavipectus yunnanensis (Anderson) in 1945. Holotype (U.S.N.M. 2067; U.S.A.T.C. 906-17) 
ex Rattus rattus sladeni , Shingbwiyang, 6. iv. 1945. Sixteen paratypes from these hosts and localities 
deposited in the collections of the U.S. National Museum, the Colonial Office Research Unit at Kuala 
Lumpur, in the collections of the senior author and in various institutions. 
Comment. — G. ( Schongastiellci ) erula n. sp. seems to be a characteristic but relatively scarce 
parasite of Rattus in or near dense or primary forest in North Burma during the drier months. 
Most specimens were from Rattus fulvescens collected at the height of the dry season at 
Shingbwiyang in virgin forest or in areas that had been so one year previous. At the time of 
collection these latter areas were near camps of U.S. Army troops building the Stilwell Road. 
These sites were still densely covered with trees. In this location, some were from Rattus 
rattus sladeni , a rat occurring in the fringe of scrub terrain along the road. The Myitkyina 
specimens were also from forested regions. Of the 25 specimens examined, only three were 
taken in the non-dry months, and these were collected just before or after the monsoon rains 
(in early June and late October). Despite intensive search, none of these mites were taken in 
areas of truly secondary growth as near Ledo, Assam or near the Sumprabum Road, 6 miles 
north of Myitkyina, nor were any collected during the rainy season. Four specimens, from 
four different individual hosts, are remarkable in possessing only 11-21 dorsal setae instead of 
the normal 28-30. No other significant differences could be detected between these specimens 
and typical erula. One of these forms was from a host (No. 819) which also carried specimens 
of erula designated as paratypes. This variation in the number of dorsal setae is surprising, 
but with insufficient knowledge of the taxonomy of these mites, it is felt best to consider these 
four specimens as aberrant forms rather than as distinct specimens of subspecies. 
Gahrliepia (Schongastiella) helata n. sp. (figs. 18-25). 
Diagnosis of Larva. — Near G. liota n. sp. in that coxae III are bisetose and in that the 
scutum is of small size. Separable mainly by the shape, measurements and proportions of the 
scutum, i.e. — PPW with a mean of 29^, not 21 : A-PP 67 not 56 : scutum evenly curved posterior 
to PW, instead of being constricted at that point and then becoming slightly sinuate. 
Description of Larva. — Body: subovate; in engorged specimens about 200x128^. Anterior eye 
approximately 6.4 x 3.2^; posterior eye about 7x5(4. Gnathosome: as in liota. Scutum: broad and 
elongate as in erula n. sp. but shorter than that species, about 80 x 6 ojjl at maxima, anterior margin almost 
straight; lateral margins evenly but slightly convex; posterior margin broadly rounded; extending beyond 
PPL for a distance less than 1/6 length of scutum. Sensillae about 34 X 1 i{jt, inserted at level slightly less 
than halfway between AL and PL. Scutal setae near margins of dorsal plate but not contiguous with 
them. PPL closer together than are PL setae, but their breadth (PPW) more than half PW. Body Setae: 
Dorsal setae similar to scutal setae; about 30-32 in number in rows of 2.4. 8. 8. 6. the rest irregular. Ventral 
setae about 40 in number; thin, sparsely plumed, short, the anteriormost about I0(4 in length, the postanals 
about 21. As in liota n. sp. regarding bisetose coxa III and sensory setae. 
Type Material. — Holotype (U.S.N.M. 2068; U.S.A.T.C. 834-9) and six paratypes ex Crocidura , a 
small shrew. North Burma, Shingbwiyang, 10. i. 1945 {U.S. A. Typhus Commission). Holotype and two 
paratypes in U.S. National Museum; remainder in collection of senior author. 
MALA YA, No . 26 , 1953 
