Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 44(3) 2001

Issue:

VOL 44(3) 2001

Keywords:

Oribatida, Acari, taxonomy, new species, distribution, Florida

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Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Florida

• Wojciech NIEDBAŁA

Abstract:

Ptyctimous mites from Florida are represented by 38 species (plus one nom. dubium), including 15 Phthiracaroidea, 19 Euphthiracaroidea, 3 Mesoplophoroidea and 1 Protoplophoroidea. Fourteen names are synonymized. Keys for determination of genera, subgenera and species are supplied. The Florida fauna of ptyctimous mites is harmonic. Phthiracaroidea and Euphthiracaroidea are represented by both phylogenetically primitive and derived, even in the respect of the proportion o f the representing species. Certain specificity of the Florida fauna is indicated by the absence of some genera of southern origin: Arphthicarus, Austrophthiracarus and Notophthiracarus, Austrotritia and some subgenera of northern origin: Steganacarus (Steganacarus) and Atropacarus (Atropacarus). Ptyctimous mites of Florida belong to rather widespread species and the majority of these are Nearctic elements. Half the species, proportionally representing Phthiracaroidea and Euphthiracaroidea, are distributed along the whole peninsula showing no regional or habitat preferences. These are Nearctic and widespread species. The other half reveals preference toward northern or southern parts of Florida. Nearctic elements dominate in the group o f nine northern species. Florida is probably the southern limit of the range of Holarctic and Nearctic species. In the northern part of Florida Phthiracaroidea and Euphthiracaroidea are represented by a proportionally similar number of species. A similar number of species (10) occurs only in the southern part of Florida, which is probably the northern limit of their range. These are mainly Euphthiracaroidea, mostly of the Central American origin.