Morphological differences between protogyne and deutogyne females of eriophyoid mites (Acari, Eriophyoidea)

Abstract

Since H. Keifer’s (1939) description of the life cycle of Tegonotus aesculifoliae the terms «protogyne female» (P) and «deutogyne female» (D) have become widely used in the scientific literature. D is considered to be morphologically distinguished from P and approached as a diapausing wintering stage which starts reproducing only in spring. In this paper we analyze available data on morphology of 42 species of mites (15 from Eriophyinae, 19 from Phyllocoptinae and 8 from Diptilomiopidae) living on deciduous trees of Europe and Northern America and having diapausing D. Principal Component Analysis by 7 morphological features was undertaken and two main factors were revealed. Morphological changes between P and D of the majority of mite species from subfamily Eriophyinae were of the similar direction. Subfamily Phyllocoptinae and family Diptilomiopidae failed to be characterized by any general trend. Previously we formulated the hypothesis that the main tendency in the evolution of eriophyoid mites was in the repeated transition from hidden-living to free-living mode of life and backward, which was connected with adaptation to new ecological niches on host-plants. Probably these transitions were influenced by global climate changes. In such case D as a special form might reflect the steps of the evolution of the mites.

Keywords:

Eriophyoidea, four-legged mites, deutogyne, protogyne, evolution, Principal Component Analysis