PEET: Systematics, Ontogeny and Ecology of the Family Acaridae (Acari: Astigmata)

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9521744 OCONNOR Mites are an extremely diverse invertebrate group (Chelicerata: Arachnida: Acariformes) including terrestrial, aquatic, free living and parasitic forms. This award will support monographic research in the mite family Acaridae which contains some 90 genera and includes the most important mite pests of stored food products as well as species responsible for house dust allergies. Dr. OConnor is a well recognized mite systematist and highly qualified for training a new generation of researchers. This award will support the education and training of two United States graduate students and three postdoctoral associates who will return their systematic expertise to Japan, Costa Rica and Australia. Research results will be made available in published and electronic form and a practical guide to mite pests of stored products and house dust will be produced. This research will contribute to our knowledge of the biological diversity of mites, a group of organisms in great need of systematic attention, and new systematists capable of further research with these organisms will be trained. The results of this research have clear implications of both medical and economic importance. Beyond that, further research concerning the complex development or life cycles of these mites and their dispersal by phoresy or hitchhiking on insects will be enhanced.