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.
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© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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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
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3102-5_27
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-5374-7
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