Abstract
Methods used for sample storage, specimen clearing, slide mounting, species illustration and morphometric description in alpha-taxonomic studies are essential for the Eriophyoidea. Eriophyoid mites are very tiny and delicate, for which truly permanent specimen slides currently cannot be prepared, resulting in eventual loss of material, including type specimens. Often, published descriptions and drawings have not achieved the required level of quality, and thus many relevant taxonomic details have been permanently lost or neglected. These shortcomings can make certain identifications impossible and cause significant confusion. Consequently, there is a considerable need for accurate and uniform descriptive and illustrative data for the Eriophyoidea. Based on their expertise on this topic, the authors provide guidelines and advices, assisted also by illustrations, of the main critical aspects in managing eriophyoid mites in order to supplement and improve techniques for handling and preparation of specimens, and for improving their taxonomic study. The effects of the short- and long-term preservation methods (i.e., fresh, dried and liquid preservative choices) on digesting the internal tissues of the mites are discussed. Clearing and mounting procedures are analyzed, and special tips are suggested for handling mites and designing tools needed during these steps. Methods for recovering specimens from unsuitable slides (i.e., undercleared and overcleared specimens) are proposed and described. Techniques and tricks to produce descriptive line drawings of good quality are highlighted, and the content to include in plates is stressed. Finally, detailed instructions for standardization of measurements are given.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are strongly in debt to Mrs. Margherita Baldari (Bari, Italy), Dr. Giuseppe Bari (University of Bari, Italy), Dr. Angie Chandrapatya (Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand), Dr. Danuta Knihinicki (ASCU, New South Wales, Australia), Dr. Mariusz Lewandowski (Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland), Dr. Rosita Monfreda (University of Bari, Italy), Professor Peter Natchev (Sofia, Bulgaria), Dr. Stefan Neser (ARC-PPRI, Pretoria, South Africa), Professor Sebahat Ozman-Sullivan (OMU, Samsun, Turkey), Professor Radmila Petanović (University of Belgrade, Serbia), Mr. Giacomo Rondinone (University of Bari, Italy), Dr. Anna Skoracka (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland), Mrs. Terry Stasny (Morgantown, West Virginia, USA), Dr. Guo-Quan Wang (China Agricultural University, Beijing, China), Dr. Sui-Gai Wei (Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, China) for their consistent contribution in testing and applying some technical solutions to collecting, preparing and studying eriophyoid mites. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Lincoln Smith (USDA-ARS Western Regional Research Center, Albany, California, USA) and the two anonymous reviewers for their contribution to improving the paper. The study was supported by the University of Bari (2008 and 2009).
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de Lillo, E., Craemer, C., Amrine, J.W. et al. Recommended procedures and techniques for morphological studies of Eriophyoidea (Acari: Prostigmata). Exp Appl Acarol 51, 283–307 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-009-9311-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-009-9311-x