Jared Bernard 1 , 2 , , Lisa M. Lumley 1 , Matthias Buck 1 , Tyler P. Cobb 1
13 April 2020
Acari , character state matrix, comparative morphology, phylogeny, Trombidiformes
The genus Caeculus Dufour ( Prostigmata , Caeculidae ) contains 19 previously described species, most of which are found in North America, and for which no comprehensive phylogenetic treatment exists. Here, one new species from Alberta, Canada, is described: Caeculus cassiopeiae Bernard & Lumley, sp. nov., and another caeculid known to be present in Canada is documented. The new species is characterized within the genus with a character state matrix, from which an updated key is produced. A systematic analysis of all 20 species based on morphological and geographical distribution traits obtained from literature represents the first phylogenetic review of the genus.
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