Study of the diversity of Ptyctima (Acari: Oribatida) and quest for centers of its origin: the fauna of the Oriental and Australian regions

摘要

The faunas of ptyctimous mites of different subregions of the Oriental and Australian regions have been described and analysed, Similarity between the faunas of these and the neighbouring regions is statistically insignificant, the only common species being the widely distributed ones. No species has been found to occur only in neighbouring regions. Arguments are given to support the thesis that the Orient is the centre of origin and speciation of ptyctimous rnites. The hypothesis that all genera originated before the breakup of Pangea, and that in some regions certain species underwent strong speciation and adaptive radiation, has been supported.