| abstract | To clarify the probable relationships of the various supra-specific taxa, a complete reclassification is proposed under the new superfamily Euphthiracaroidea. Included are three families; Oribotritiidae, now divided into two subfamilies, with Plesiotritinae including the new genus Plesiotritia and Austrotritia Sellnick, and Oribotritinae including Oribotritia Jacot and In d o tritia Jacot; Euphthiracaridae with two genera Euphthiracarus Ewing and Rhysotritia Markel and Meyer; and the new family Synichotritiidae with the new genus Synichotritia. In addition, 14 new species and one new subspecies are proposed: described only from litter under Sequoia sempervirens are; Plesiotritia megale, Oribotritia sellnicki, Euphthiracarus longirostralis, E. polytretos, E. alazon, E. tanythrix tanythrix, E. cernuus, E. monyx, Rhysotritia scotti, Synichotritia caroli, and S. spinulosa. The species reported from Sequoia gigantea litter only is Euphthiracarus tanythrix sierriensis, while Oribotritia gibbera, O. brachythrix and Rhysotritia paeneminima are described from litter of both redwoods.
The new synonymy of Protoribotritia Jacot under Oribotritia Jacot is recognized.
Keys to all taxa discussed are included.
As an adjunct to the systematic studies, a discussion of external morphology is included and taxonomic terms are defined. Also, a complete life history is reported for Plesiotritia megale. Information on their apparent ecological preferences is given for each species. |