Discriminant Analysis Using Metric Data From Larval Specimens of Three Species of Odontacarus (Acarina: Trombiculidae).

Abstract

The application of discriminant analysis procedure to metric data from larval specimens of three Australian species of Odontacarus produces results which confirm and supplement the Southcott key. In particular the lengths of the mid-dorsal and posterior-dorsal idiosomal setae provide additional information, particularly for separating out specimens, of an undescribed species, Odontacarus sp. S. Other factors not present in the Southcott key, but shown to be useful are leg size and shield size. The metric analyses indicate that four out of the seven additional specimens which have been considered as possibly O. athertonensis appear to be species other than 0. athertonensis, 0. mccullochi or species S.