Biodiversity and systematics of predatory soil mites (Acari: Bdelloidea: Cunaxidae) in Canada

The predatory family Cunaxidae (Acari: Bdelloidea) is cosmopolitan, occurring in soil, litter, moss, lichen and on plants in most terrestrial habitats. In North America, knowledge of the species and genera that occur is largely scattered, although recent and historical collections indicate that a large number of species, many undescribed, are present. Using morphology and molecular techniques, we are beginning to document the diversity of this charismatic, raptorial family in Canada, including the first Canadian records of the genus Denheyernaxoides. We are also using molecular techniques to improve our understanding of relationships between the genera and subfamilies of Cunaxidae, as prior morphological analyses have indicated that some subfamilies are not be monophyletic and classification changes may be necessary.