TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - When “new species” are not new: Resolving confusion in Phytoseiidae (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) taxonomy using Florida’s type specimens
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 80
EP  - 80
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Ismail, Döker
AU  - Isabelle, Atchia
AU  - Jude, Gasparro-Brewer
AU  - Samuel J., Bolton
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/z07h-d9ps
DO  - 10.24349/z07h-d9ps
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Predatory mites
KW  - Taxonomy
KW  - Type specimens
KW  - Synonymy
KW  - Revision
AB  - Since the 1950s, modern Phytoseiidae taxonomy has advanced rapidly, particularly in the United States, with numerous researchers describing hundreds of new species. Florida was one of the key centers for laying the foundations of phytoseiid systematics. The late Martin M. Muma and Harold A. Denmark contributed extensively, studying not only Florida phytoseiids but also mites from other countries. For instance, the monographs of Denmark & Evans, published in 2011 and 2019, introduced 14 new genera and 129 new species in total, representing major contributions to Phytoseiidae taxonomy. Many type specimens from these works are deposited at the Florida State Collection of Arthropods (FSCA), which holds over 400 species from about 50 genera. However, a number of these original descriptions lack important details, leaving doubts in the minds of researchers. Accurate identification of phytoseiid species is crucial due to their significant practical and economic importance in biological control. We are therefore re-examining FSCA type specimens to refine Phytoseiidae classification and establish a more reliable basis for future taxonomic studies. Holotypes and/or paratypes of phytoseiid specimens deposited at FSCA were examined. Specimens were observed using compound microscopes equipped with differential interference contrast (Zeiss Axio Imager M2 with AxioCam 820) or phase-contrast optics (Zeiss Axioscope 5 with Canon EOS 90D). High-resolution images were captured with oil immersion objectives (63X or 100X, 1.4 NA), Z-stacks were merged, and panoramic views were created using imaging software. Examination of holotypes and/or paratypes of approximately 50 species deposited at FSCA revealed that several newly described taxa belongs to the genera Amblyseius, Neoseiulus, Typhlodromus, and Proprioseiopsis correspond to previously recognized species, supporting their synonymy. Morphological characters, including dorsal and ventral setal patterns and setal measurements, cheliceral dentition, and spermatheca morphology, provided the basis for these conclusions. Our work is ongoing, as we continue revising the remaining type material to establish a more stable and reliable basis for Phytoseiidae taxonomy.
ER -