An analysis of and index to new Acari described in Systematic & Applied Acarology (1996-2007)

Abstract

This paper provides an analysis of and index to new Acari described in Systematic & Applied Acarology during the last twelve years (1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007). A total of 336 papers was published during this period, with taxonomic papers accounting for 60%. Among the 208 taxonomic papers, 143 papers (68.8%) contain descriptions of new taxa or new names. These papers contain a total of 264 new taxa (new names), with three families, 31 genera/ subgenera and 230 species. Among these, only two are new species names proposed for previously occupied homonyms; all others are newly established taxa. Most new taxa/names (85.2%) are of the Acariformes. Among the 225 new taxa (new names) of the Acariformes, most (93.3%) are of the Trombidiformes. New taxa/names are distributed in 40 families of Trombidiformes, 10 families of Sarcoptiformes and 7 families of Mesostigmata. Most families have only one to three new taxa/names: 19 families with 1 new taxon, 13 families with 2 new taxa, and 6 families with 3 new taxa. There are 116 authors for new taxa/names, with an average of two taxa/ names per author (maximum 37, minimum 1). Most authors (70%) described one to three new taxa/names each: 38 authors with 1 new taxon, 31 authors with 2 new taxa, and 12 authors with 3 new taxa. Geographically, these authors are from 22 countries in Asia, Africa, Australasia, Europe, South America and North America, with a strong representation by authors in the Asia-Pacific region.