A STUDY OF THE SYSTEMATICS OF THE WATER MITE FAMILY PIONIDAE (PROSTIGMATA: PARASITENGONA)

Abstract

AbstractA phylogeny is proposed for the 30 species groups in the 13 genera here included in the family Pionidae. The phylogeny is based upon a detailed analysis of available morphological data for larval and adult stages according to the methodology advocated by Hennig. This methodology is outlined and discussed. The proposed phylogeny provides the basis for a revised classification of the pionids and permits new insight into certain biological manifestations of phylogeny, namely habitat diversification, life history modification, and geographic distribution, in the group.Original descriptions are provided for the larvae of 41 pionid species (20 for the first time) representing 24 species groups in eight genera. Three new species, Wettina ontario n. sp., Forelia pinguipalpis n. sp., and Tiphys cooki n. sp., are described along with the previously undescribed male adult of Pseudofeltria multipora Cook and female adults of Forelia cayuga Habeeb and Forelia onondaga Habeeb. Keys and new diagnoses are presented for pionid genera and species groups. Keys to the larvae and adults, and new distributional data, are included for the pionid species known to occur in Ontario.