Abstract
I. During the investigations of the chigger prarasites of the Japanese hares (Lepus timidus brachyurus, L. t. lyoni, L. t. angustidens) in several Prefectures of Japan, such as Shizuoka, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, Yamanashi, Kanagawa, Gunma, Niigata and Fukushima, there were found ten species of chiggers, Trombicula scutellaris, T. fuji, T. pallida, T. palpalis, T. kitasatoi, T. sp., T. japonica, T. ngayoi?, Euschongastia miyagawai and Neoschongastia shiraii, and one undescribed species of the genus Gahrliepia (Walchia). Of these, E. miyagawai was the commonest, for example, 5, 000 specimens of this species were examined on a single host in Shizuoka Prefecture in January. The summary of collection records of the chiggers in the surveys are shown in table 4. II. The species of Gahrliepia (Walchia) is described and named G. (W.) masoni in appreciation of the favor extended to the author by Dr. Richard P. Mason, the Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, U.S.A. It is characterized by the following features : Galeal seta usually nude, rarely barbed. Palpal femoral, genual, dorsal and ventral tibial setae feathered ; lataral tibial seta usually nude, rarely barbed. Scutum tongue-like, about 1.6 times as long as broad, and much prolonged posteriorly behind the level of posterolateral setae. Usual scutal setae rather slender, with short branches on the entire surface. Sensillary setae capitate, with many fine barbs on the swelled apex. For scutal measurements see table 1. Dorsal setae similar to the usual scutal setae, and arranged typically as 2-6-8-6-6-4-4-2, and about 36 to 38 in number. Sternal setae 2-2. Coxae untisetose. Nude or sensillary setae on legs arranged as in figure 2. It is of interest to note that a microspur is situated proximad of a spur in tarsus I, and tarsus II is absent in a pretarsala, while femur III bears a femorala-like seta having only one or two fine barbs. Types are preservd in the writers' collections which were taken from Lepus timidus brachyurus, L. t. lyoni, L. t. angustidens in Shizuoka, Kanagawa Niigata and Saitama Prefectures. This species is somewhat related to G. (W.) turmalis Gater, 1932, but differs in having branched setae at least on palpal articles II and III. This work is aided in part through a Grant in Aid for Scientific Research under Cont. No. DA-92-557-EFC-23, 611 between Dr. Takeo Tamiya and Office of the Surgeon General, U.S.A.
