TAXONOMY OF TROMBICULIDS 
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with the apparently slight posterior development seen in the typical group has led to a separation 
of the PLs from the scutum. Both specimens of the first species seen (“ VN ”) were badly 
distorted but the resemblance to manipurensis was very close indeed, except that no scutal 
margins could be seen even with phase-contrast microscopy. Nymphs were available and 
proved sufficiently distinctive (fig. 1) to suggest that the species was generically well defined. 
A second nymph (“ V A ” new species, fig. 3) was identified as another Doloisia although it had 
been put aside as ?mutabilis on account of a multisetose coxa III in the fragmentary larval pelt. 
A satisfactory description of this larva cannot yet be given. Two other species have recently 
been collected together (from a different locality, Fraser’s Hill), in which the scutal character is 
obvious. The discovery of these has allowed us to decide that the original species “ VN near 
manipurensis ” (distorted specimens) also has PLs off the scutum. Mr. Raja Varma, Research 
Fellow of the Indian Council of Medical Research, has examined type material in the British 
Museum (Natural History) and has very kindly allowed his drawings of the scutum of D. 
manipurensis to be reproduced here (fig. 3c). Mr. Varma could not see the posterolateral 
and posterior margins, but this may be extremely difficult in an old mount. Nevertheless, the 
scutum is very poorly chitinised and the obviously close relationship between manipurensis 
and “ VN ” n. sp. requires further study — it is possible that manipurensis belongs to this new 
subgenus and not to subg. Doloisia , the completion of the indistinct scutum to the PLs in the 
original description having been due to a misinterpretation. Since this Study went to press 
another new species in this subgenus has been collected from moss forest near Mt. Trus Madi 
in North Borneo by the third joint Anglo-American expedition in July, 1953. This was a 
large species occurring within the nasal cavities of rats, a peculiar habitat already explored by 
P. H. Vercammen-Grandjean in the Belgian Congo (in a private communication Vercammen- 
Grandjean has commented on, and kindly sent the writer specimens of, new genera and species 
of intranasal chiggers : the credit for drawing attention to this habitat for chiggers belongs to 
him). The most significant feature of this new species is the absence of the strong curvature 
of the palpal claws, which are ordinary in appearance. This point is important when consider- 
ring the possible relationships of several other species. The nymph, bred by Mr. Nadchatram, 
is closely similar to the others but the sensiliae are more simply barbed. {Note: the intranasal 
habitat has been described by Wolf and Verc., 1953). 
Old World species (Malaysia). — These are to be described in the next Study in this series. The 
species are listed below. It is interesting to note that the first 4 species all came from Rattus bowersi from 
two localities. 
1. “ VN ” n. sp. N.j Ulu Langat F.R., Selangor (Nymph, fig. 1). 
2. “ BL ” n. sp. N. One nymph; incomplete larval pelt without scutum, provisionally included in this 
subgenus. From same host-species and locality as “ VN ’* (Nymph, fig. 3) 
3. “ V A ” n. sp. engorged larvae, from R. bowersi: Fraser’s Hill, Pahang (fig. 3). 
4. “ ND ” n. sp. engorged larvae, same host species and locality as “ V A ”. 
5. “ NS ” n. sp. engorged larvae, intranasal in rats, Mt. Trus Madi (Ulu Kaingaran), North Borneo; 
nymphs may shortly be available for study. 
New Subgenus: oculicola-group 
crocidura-group 
Remarks. — The writer is not prepared to give even a provisional diagnosis of this group or 
these groups without further study. There are probably several species already known which 
are more closely related to this group than to any other. S.{S.) oculicola Worn. (1952:167,383 : 
plates 31, 103) has a small scutum similar to that of typical Doloisia except that the posterior 
margin is medially slightly convex and the SBs relatively somewhat close together. The strong 
3-pronged curved palpal claw, the short modified chelicer (blunt denticulations replacing the 
large blunt tooth) and the additional humeral setae are also collectively important in relating 
this species to Doloisia rather than any species -group of Euschongastia. In addition, the 
MALA YA, No. 26, 1953 
