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

羽毛螨是鸟类羽毛上或羽毛内的专性共栖动物，已知除企鹅、蟾蜍和南美和澳大利亚的鼠外，每个鸟类家族都有羽毛螨。2000多个物种（估计占总动物群的10%）被划分为379个已命名的物种和大约64个新属，分布在32科和3个超科。在这些分类群中，有许多形式趋同进化的例子，宿主和共生体的明显共同进化，以及羽毛上和羽毛内不同微栖息地的特化。目前，尽管有许多关于羽毛螨的论文，但非专业人员仍然不可能做出有效的测定。原因很简单——没有可靠的科的钥匙，没有涵盖科内属和种的钥匙，也没有大量文献的指南。我们将主要与羽毛螨的主要权威J. Gaud博士（尼斯，法国）合作，纠正鉴定方面的可悲情况。我们计划为上述超种分类群的鉴定制作一份插图出版物。第一步是完成代表379个属的物种插图。这些应该在一年内完成。J. Gaud博士和首席研究员75年的经验使我们有资格承担这一重大项目。一旦完成，该出版物将开辟羽螨系统学领域，这一领域需要大量的基础研究，特别是系统发育，生物学和个体发生研究，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.