Classification of the Supraspecific Taxa of Feather Mites (Acarina, Astigmata) of the World Avifauna

羽螨是鸟类羽毛上或羽毛中的必备共生体，已知存在于除企鹅、Totids和南美洲和澳大利亚的沙鼠以外的所有鸟类家族上。2,000余种(约占区系总数的10%)，隶属于新属379个，隶属于3个总科32科。在这些分类群中，有许多形式的趋同进化，寄主和共生的明显协同进化，以及羽毛上和羽毛中不同微生境的特化。目前，尽管有许多关于羽螨的论文，但非专家仍然几乎不可能做出有效的判断。原因很简单--没有可靠的家族检索表，几乎没有科内属和种的包容性检索表，也没有通向大量文献的指南。我们将主要与羽螨的主要权威J.Gaud博士(法国尼斯)合作，纠正在鉴定方面的可悲情况。我们计划制作一份图文并茂的出版物，以识别上述超种分类群。第一步是完成代表379个属的物种的插图。这些工作应在一年内完成。J.Gaud博士和首席研究员的75年经验使我们具有承担这一重大项目的独特资格。完成后，该出版物将开启羽螨系统学领域，需要进行如此多的基础研究，特别是系统发育、生物学和个体发育研究，以及宿主-共生关系。

Feather mites are obligate commensals on or in the feathers of birds and are known to occur on every avian family except the penguins, totids, and ratites of South America and Australia. The more than 2,000 species (estimated to represent 10% of the total fauna) are assigned to 379 named and approximately 64 new genera arranged in 32 families and three superfamilies. Among these taxa there are many examples of convergent evolution of form, apparent coevoloution of hosts and commensals, and specializations for different microhabitats on and in feathers. At the present time, it is still practically impossible for non-specialists to make valid determinations even though there are many papers on feather mites. The reasons for this are simple - there are no reliable keys to families, few inclusive keys to genera and species within families, and no guides to the vast literature. In collaboration chiefly with Dr. J. Gaud (Nice, France), the leading authority of feather mites, we will rectify the lamentable situation concerning identification. We plan to produce an illustrated publication for the identification of the aforementioned supraspecific taxa. The first step is to complete illustrations of species to represent the 379 genera. These should be completed in one year. The combined 75 years of experience of Dr. J. Gaud and the principal investigator make us uniquely qualified to undertake this major project. When completed, the publication will open the field of feather mite systematics where so much basic research is needed, especially phylogenetic, biological and ontogenetic studies, and host-commensal relationships.