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This content will become publicly available on August 24, 2026

Title: First report of cave-adapted mite harvesters (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi) from Aotearoa New Zealand
Mite harvesters (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi) are tiny arachnids known to inhabit leaf litter on forest !oors throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Recently, Cyphophthalmi in the genus Aoraki were discovered in caves in the northern South Island, representing the first records of cave-dwelling mite harvesters from New Zealand. A comparison of anatomical ratios taken from body and appendage measurements of the cave animals and epigean Aoraki species demonstrate that the cave animals display trends characteristic of troglobitic arthropods, suggesting adaptation to cavernicolous environments. We sequenced the mitochondrial loci COI and 16S rRNA from one of the cave specimens in order to better define the animal’s phylogenetic position and to assess the possibility that it represents a new species. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, results suggest the animals are cave-adapted populations of Aoraki westlandica.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1754262
PAR ID:
10644774
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
New Zealand Entomologist
Date Published:
Journal Name:
New Zealand Entomologist
ISSN:
0077-9962
Page Range / eLocation ID:
1 to 14
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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