Psocoptera of the Hawaiian Islands. Part III. The endemic Ptycta complex (Psocidae): systematics, distribution, and evolution
Thornton IB. 1984. Psocoptera of the Hawaiian Islands. Part III. The endemic Ptycta complex (Psocidae): systematics, distribution, and evolution. International Journal of Entomology. 26(1-2):1–128
A complex of 51 psocopteran species of the genus Ptycta is reported as endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Thirty-nine species are newly described and redescriptions provided for 12 others. Eleven species groups are recognized and characterized, and a key to species groups is provided. A cladogram based on apomorphies of species groups is constructed, and their archipelago distribution is related to this. Isolating factors for these insects in the present high Hawaiian Islands are reviewed, the geological history of the whole Hawaiian-Emperor chain is discussed, and it is concluded that the Ptycta complex may represent the end results of evolutionary processes acting over a period well in excess of the 5 million years since Kauai, the oldest of the present high islands, arose.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Thornton, Ian
- Units
- HALE , HAVO , KALA
- Keywords
- Hawaii, Insects (Insecta), Psocidae, Psocoptera, Ptycta