Date of Graduation

8-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Entomology (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Entomology

Advisor/Mentor

Dowling, Ashley P.G.

Committee Member

Kring, Timothy J.

Second Committee Member

Steinkraus, Donald C.

Third Committee Member

Silberman, Jeffrey D.

Keywords

Biological Sciences; Bdelloidea; Forest litter; Interior highlands; Predatory mites

Abstract

Fourteen genera of Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata) are reported from the Ozark Highlands for the first time. Descriptions, diagnoses, and illustrated keys to genera and world species are given. Five new species are described and illustrated and an additional 6 known species are recorded from the region. The first rigorous phylogenetic hypothesis for Cunaxidae is presented. Based on morphology, it suggests the current subfamilial classification scheme does not reflect the evolutionary history of the family. Unfortunately, bootstrap values and resolution are low, suggesting the need for further indepth molecular analyses.

Included in

Entomology Commons

Share

COinS