Major Mite Taxa

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This key allows identification of the acarine orders Opilioacarida, Holothyrida, and Ixodida. Additionally keyed are: all 3 suborders of Mesostigmata (Sejida, Trigynaspida, Monogynaspida); the sarcoptiform suborder Endeostigmata; 4 supercohorts, 3 cohorts, and one specialized dispersal stage (the astigmatan hypopus) of Oribatida (including the brachypyline oribatid mites and the former suborder Astigmata); the trombidiform suborder Sphaerolichida; and 3 supercohorts and 2 cohorts of Prostigmata.

The goals of these keys are (1) to allow a USDA quarantine officer to quickly sort a mite intercept into a group for further identification and (2) to teach acarine morphology and taxonomy through use of the key. Additionally, a separate Glossary with about 150 morphological terms may be accessed from the Front Page, Introduction.

One of the unfortunate truths about mite taxonomy is that there is a plethora of synonyms, alternative definitions, and ranks for many higher-level taxa, not to mention unusual ranks, such as 'supercohort' and 'cohort'. This key will use those names and ranks recognized in the revision of the Manual of Acarology (GW Krantz & DE Walter, eds.), in preparation at the time of the writing of version 1 of this tool.

VERSION 1 - PLEASE SEND COMMENTS & CORRECTIONS FOR FUTURE UPDATES TO:

DAVE WALTER: [email protected]