DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Phylogeography of Rakaia denticulata (Arachnida, Opiliones, Cyphophthalmi) in the South Island of New Zealand

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Like many isolated islands, New Zealand is home to evolutionary radiations in various animal groups such as velvet worms, cockroaches, land planarians, or the better-known ratite birds (kiwi birds, giant moas and allies). One of these radiations has occurred in the arachnid family Pettalidae, a group of tiny harvestmen with Southern Hemisphere distribution across the fragments of the former temperate zone of Gondwana. A remarkable 60% of the described diversity of this family is found in New Zealand. This study, focusing in one common species (Rakaia denticulata), will provide insight into the processes contributing to speciation in small organisms that live in the forest litter and that are essential for the functioning of soil ecosystems. In addition, this grant will contribute to the training of a female graduate student, support of female and minority undergraduates, and the development of K-12 outreach programs.