TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - Is it time to redefine generic concepts in Phytoseiidae (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata)? Evidence from a large- scale molecular phylogeny
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 44
EP  - 44
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Ismail, Döker
AU  - Vladimir A., Khaustov
AU  - Ismail, Döker
AU  - Vladimir A., Khaustov
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/rdso-iaji
DO  - 10.24349/rdso-iaji
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Predatory mites
KW  - Systematics
KW  - Molecular phylogeny
KW  - COI
KW  - Generic delimitation
AB  - The systematics of Phytoseiidae has long been debated due to differing interpretations of morphological characters used to define genera. Historically, two main approaches have guided generic delimitation. Athias-Henriot’s system mainly emphasizes spermatheca morphology, producing genera with fewer but more morphologically coherent species. In contrast, the widely adopted system of Chant and McMurtry relies primarily on dorsal and ventral setal patterns, including the presence, absence, or relative lengths of certain dorsal setae, which may lead to artificial groupings. The evolutionary validity of these characters has rarely been tested with molecular data, and overlapping traits and intermediate character states in several genera raise doubts about generic boundaries. This study aims to determine which approach better reflects the true evolutionary relationships of Phytoseiidae using large-scale molecular phylogenetic analyses. Phytoseiid mites were collected across Russia from 2020 to 2024 in diverse habitats. Specimens were examined morphologically under a stereomicroscope following standard clearing and mounting procedures and identified based on original descriptions and redescriptions. Total genomic DNA was extracted from individual mites, and mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS (for some species) regions were amplified and sequenced. DNA and voucher specimens were deposited at the Zoological Museum of Tyumen State University, Russia. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on COI and ITS sequences revealed inconsistencies in current generic classifications. Some genera defined by Chant and McMurtry were polyphyletic, whereas groupings based on Athias-Henriot’s morphological criteria were more congruent with molecular phylogeny. These results confirm that phylogenetically coherent, monophyletic taxa should not be defined using single or exception- prone characters, as many are subject to homoplasy through convergent or parallel evolution. We conclude that key morphological characters for generic delimitation include spermatheca morphology, the shape and position of preanal pores, the shape of ventrianal shield, and cheliceral dentition (in some cases). Overall, our findings indicate that a reconsideration of generic concepts in Phytoseiidae is warranted, and that integrating morphological and molecular data provides a more accurate understanding of evolutionary relationships within the family.
ER -