Phthiracaroidea Systematic Studies by Wojciech Niedbala (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. Oversized cloth hardcover, 612 pages, b&w plates (pp 315-595), NOT ex-library. Weight: 1.32kg. A great copy, minor handling wear, likely unread. Interior is clean and bright throughout, with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps; firm secure binding. In an untorn, near-fine dust jacket. -- The book focuses on the systematics and classification of the Phthiracaroidea superfamily of moss mites. This monograph provides an extensive analysis of over 200 species of Phthiracaroidea worldwide. Niedbala's work primarily revolves around morphological features and evolutionary tendencies, applying a cladistic approach to establish a natural classification. His research is significant in the study of soil mites, particularly moss mites, and spans over 20 years. The author divides the Phthiracaroidea into two families, three subfamilies, five tribes, nine genera, and four subgenera, providing diagnoses for superior taxa and comments on synonymous genera. The book offers species inventories in two parts: the first covers 223 species personally studied by the author (with drawings and geographic distribution), while the second focuses on 116 additional species and subspecies, including uncertain forms. Niedbala also delves into neotrichy (an increase in setae or hair-like structures), zoogeography, and the ecological characteristics of the Phthiracaroidea. Keys for determining species, genera, and subgenera are provided, making this a valuable resource for taxonomists and ecologists alike. The book includes lists of species localities from various global regions, offering important data for understanding species distribution. It further highlights Professor Niedbala's role as a leading expert in the taxonomy of moss mites (Oribatida), particularly his contributions to understanding their ecological and evolutionary roles in various habitats, with special attention to arboreal mites. -- Contents: Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Historical Review of Studies; 3. Morphology [The Adult; Immature Stages]; 4. Analysis of the Morphological Characters and of Their Evolutionary Tendencies; 5. Construction of the Classification System [Cladistic Procedure; Classification; Attempt to Apply the Phenetic and Evolutionary Procedure to the Classification]; 6. Diagnoses of Superior Taxa; 7. Comments on Genera Considered to Be Synonyms; 8. List of Species; 9. List of Primarily Noted Localities; 10. Description of Species; 11. Key for the Determination of Genera and Subgenera; 12. Keys for the Determination of Species; 13. Phenomenon of Neotrichy; 14. Elements of Zoogeography; 15. Remarks on Ecology; 16. References; Plates; Added-in Proof; Systematic Index -- "The author proposes a classification of the superfamily according to the cladistic procedure, and he demonstrates that the application of a phenetic or evolutionary procedure does not permit the establishment of a natural classification.".

Hardcover. Condition: Like New. Like New. book.