Abstract
One of the most serious problems in oribatid systematics is our complete ignorance of the genetic bases of the phenotype. The study of enzyme polymorphisms by biochemical methods is a new approach to this basic question. The relationships between the genus Steganacarus, and Tropacarus, a taxon of uncertain and questionable validity, were analysed using these biochemical procedures. The morphological and, in particular, the genetic study of some steganacarid species reveal the presence of two distinct phyletic lines, namely, Steganacarus (S.) magnus and S. (Tropacarus) carinatus, separated by a very large genetic distance. Moreover, the genetic distance of an easily recognizable subgenus, Rhacaplacarus, with respect to Steganacarus (s. str.) demonstrates the rank of Tropacarus to be that of subgenus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Ayala, F.J. (1983) Enzymes as taxonomic characters, in Protein Polymorphism: Adaptive and Taxonomic Significance (eds G.S. Oxford and D. Rollinson), Academic Press, London, pp. 3–26.
Balogh, J. and Mahunka, S. (1983) Primitive Oribatids of the Palaearctic Region, in The Soil Mites of the World (eds J. Balogh and S. Mahunka), Elsevier, Amsterdam, vol. 1, 372 pp.
Bernini, F. (1971) Redia, 52, 549–568.
Bernini, F. and Avanzati, A.M. (1988a) J. Nat. Hist., 22, 435–464.
Bernini, F. and Avanzati, A.M. (1988b) Int. J. Acarol., 14, 107–114.
Bernini, F. and Avanzati, A.M. (1989) Int. J. Acarol., 15, 5–16.
Bernini, F., Avanzati, A.M. and Petrucci, R. (1988a) Z. Zool. Syst. EvolForsch., 26, 104–113.
Bernini, F., Bernini, S. and Avanzati, A.M. (1988b) Rev. Zool. Afr.
Nevo, E., Beiles, A. and Ben-Shlomo, R. (1984) The evolutionary significance of genetic diversity: ecological, demographic and life history correlates, in Evolutionary Dynamics of Genetic Diversity (ed. S. Levin), Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 13–213.
Niedbala, W. (1986a) Acarologia, 27, 61–84.
Niedbala, W. (1986b) Ann. Zool. Warsz., 40, 309–370.
Sellnick, M. (1931) in Beier M., Zoologische Forschungsreise nach den Jonischen Inseln und dem Peloponnes. Part XVI. Acari. Sber. Akad. Wiss. Wien. Abt. I, 140, 693–776.
Sheals, J.G. (1969) Acarologia, 11, 376–396.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bernini, F., Avanzati, A.M. (1991). A new approach to the systematics of the genus Steganacarus (Oribatida). In: The Acari. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3102-5_27
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3102-5_27
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5374-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3102-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive