Phylogeny and biogeography of the mite harvestmen (Arachnida : Opiliones : Cyphophthalmi) of Queensland, Australia, with a description of six new species from the rainforests of the Wet Tropics

Researchers have uncovered six new species of mite harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi) within the rainforests of Queensland's Wet Tropics, a region renowned for its biodiversity. This study marks the first detailed phylogenetic analysis of the genus Austropurcellia, shedding light on the historical biogeography of these dispersal-limited arachnids. By integrating morphological and molecular data, the team provided novel insights into the evolutionary relationships and distribution patterns of these creatures, contributing significantly to our understanding of the Wet Tropics' invertebrate diversity.

Boyer, S. L., Baker, C. M., Popkin-Hall, Z. R., Laukó, D. I., Wiesner, H. A., & Quay, R. H. (2015). Phylogeny and biogeography of the mite harvestmen (Arachnida : Opiliones : Cyphophthalmi) of Queensland, Australia, with a description of six new species from the rainforests of the Wet Tropics. Invertebrate Systematics, 29(1), 37–70. https://doi.org/10.1071/is14025