SYSTEMATICS AND ECOLOGY OF ADHAESOZETES-POLYPHYLLOS SP-NOV (ACARI, ORIBATIDA, LICNEREMAEOIDEA), A LEAF-INHABITING MITE FROM AUSTRALIAN RAIN-FORESTS

We present the first study of the systematics, ecology, and biogeograp hy of an arboreal oribatid mite from Australia, describe all stages of Adhaesozetes polyphyllos sp.nov., propose new diagnoses for its genus and family, and present a character analysis demonstrating that the f amily Adhaesozetidae is a member of the Licneremaeoidea. Certain chara cter states, especially the expanded tarsal pulvilli, are interpreted as adaptations to arboreal life. Adhaesozetes polyphyllos grazes on ep iphyllic fungi and prefers leaves with smooth surfaces or with closely appressed hairs. It inhabits at least 51 species of trees, shrubs, vi nes, and ferns in pockets of rainforest in eastern Australia. It is of ten the most abundant leaf-inhabiting oribatid mite in the cool- to wa rm-temperate rainforests of Tasmania and Victoria, and inhabits montan e subtropical to tropical rainforests at least as far north as Mount L ewis (16-degrees-32'S). It appears to be absent from lowland subtropic al to tropical rainforests, which suggests an ancient relationship wit h the Antarctic elements of the Australian flora. Populations are bise xual, with females representing an average of 55 % of the adult popula tion. At Wilson's Promontory, populations increase from late winter to midsummer, but all stages are present throughout the year. Females us e their ovipositors to lay eggs in protected sites (e.g., insect damag e or leaf domatia), often within the cast skins of immature mites.