The Geographical and Ecological Distribution of Arboreal Psocoptera

Abstract

The order Psocoptera (the psocids) consists of some 36 families with perhaps 5,000 species (some 3 ,000 described), and is generally considered to be the monophyletic sister group of the order Phthiraptera within the superorder Psocodea (32,38,69,70). Fossils are known from the Permian, and most early fossils are generally placed in a separate suborder, Permopsocida. The earliest psocids are from the Kansas Lower Permian (75), and by the Oligocene most are referable to recent families and genera. The general biology and classifica­ tion of the order has been the subject of several recent reviews (3 0, 62, 75, 102). Some psocids occur in ground litter for a part or whole of their life cycle; others are found on rocks and in the nests of birds , rodents, and termites. A few species have been found in the feathers and fur of living birds and mammals. A number appear to live on herbs and grasses, and a few in moss, whereas others are found in caves (particularly Prionoglaridae and Psyllipsocidae). Several species are found in domestic habitats and use a wide range of foods that occur there. In this paper I attempt to review the present state of knowledge on the geographical and ecological distribution of those Psocoptera that inhabit trees and shrubs. The literature reviewed is largely confined to those publications appearing since 1964; the bibliography by Smithers (72) may serve as a source for earlier references.