Phthiracaroidea (Acari, Oribatida): Systematic Studies

Wojciech Niedbala

ISBN 10: 830109740X / ISBN 13: 9788301097400

Edité par PWN + Elsevier, 1992

A propos de cet article

Oversized cloth hardcover, 612 pages, b&w plates (pp 315-595), NOT ex-library. Weight: 1.32kg. A great copy, minor handling wear, likely unread. Interior is clean and bright throughout, with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps; firm secure binding. In an untorn, near-fine dust jacket. -- The book focuses on the systematics and classification of the Phthiracaroidea superfamily of moss mites. This monograph provides an extensive analysis of over 200 species of Phthiracaroidea worldwide. Niedbala's work primarily revolves around morphological features and evolutionary tendencies, applying a cladistic approach to establish a natural classification. His research is significant in the study of soil mites, particularly moss mites, and spans over 20 years. The author divides the Phthiracaroidea into two families, three subfamilies, five tribes, nine genera, and four subgenera, providing diagnoses for superior taxa and comments on synonymous genera. The book offers species inventories in two parts: the first covers 223 species personally studied by the author (with drawings and geographic distribution), while the second focuses on 116 additional species and subspecies, including uncertain forms. Niedbala also delves into neotrichy (an increase in setae or hair-like structures), zoogeography, and the ecological characteristics of the Phthiracaroidea. Keys for determining species, genera, and subgenera are provided, making this a valuable resource for taxonomists and ecologists alike. The book includes lists of species localities from various global regions, offering important data for understanding species distribution. It further highlights Professor Niedbala's role as a leading expert in the taxonomy of moss mites (Oribatida), particularly his contributions to understanding their ecological and evolutionary roles in various habitats, with special attention to arboreal mites. -- Contents: Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Historical Review of Studies; 3. Morphology [The Adult; Immature Stages]; 4. Analysis of the Morphological Characters and of Their Evolutionary Tendencies; 5. Construction of the Classification System [Cladistic Procedure; Classification; Attempt to Apply the Phenetic and Evolutionary Procedure to the Classification]; 6. Diagnoses of Superior Taxa; 7. Comments on Genera Considered to Be Synonyms; 8. List of Species; 9. List of Primarily Noted Localities; 10. Description of Species; 11. Key for the Determination of Genera and Subgenera; 12. Keys for the Determination of Species; 13. Phenomenon of Neotrichy; 14. Elements of Zoogeography; 15. Remarks on Ecology; 16. References; Plates; Added-in Proof; Systematic Index -- "The author proposes a classification of the superfamily according to the cladistic procedure, and he demonstrates that the application of a phenetic or evolutionary procedure does not permit the establishment of a natural classification.".

N° de réf. du vendeur 007021

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Phthiracaroidea (Acari, Oribatida): Systematic Studies
• Éditeur: PWN + Elsevier
• Date de parution: 1992
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 830109740X
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9788301097400
• Reliure: Hardcover
• État de l'article: Near Fine
• État de la jaquette: Near Fine

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis

The morphological characters and their evolutionary tendencies are analysed on the basis of a material comprising more than 200 species world-wide. The author proposes a classification of the superfamily according to the cladistic procedure, and he demonstrates that the application of a phenetic or evolutionary procedure does not permit the establishment of a natural classification. He subdivides the Phthiracaroidea into 2 families, 3 subfamilies, 5 tribes, 9 genera and 4 subgenera.

Subsequently, diagnoses of the superior taxons are presented, with comments concerning those genera regarded as synonyms. The chapter on the inventory of species consists of two parts. First part deals with 223 species studied by the author and with 47 species considered to be synonyms. The second part is concerned with the remaining 116 species and subspecies, including some 25 uncertain forms or species inquirendae. A list of new localities in various regions of the world is given, as well as the descriptions of 223 species with their drawings and geographic distribution. Keys for the determination of species and superior taxons are provided.

Comments concerning the phenomenon of neotrichy, and certain features of the zoogeography and ecology of the Phthiracaroidea are presented.

The author, professor at the Biology Dept. of the Mickiewicz University in Poznan, has been researching soil mites (Acari) for over 20 years. His investigations have mainly been concerned with the fauna and ecology of moss mites, in particular the ecological succession of their communities, determination of microhabitats of the occurrence of species, autecology and the fauna of arboreal mites.

Perhaps the most important aspect of Professor Niedbala's research work is the taxonomy of moss mites (Oribatida). In the monograph dealing with Brachychthoniidae family he presented a new concept of the evolution of genera.