Distribution and diversity of the soil mites of Svalbard, with redescriptions of three known species (Acari: Oribatida)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Three species of oribatid mites, Camisia dictyna Colloff, 1993, Ceratoppia sphaerica (L. Koch, 1879) and Diapterobates notatus (Thorell, 1871) are studied in detail, and their supplementary descriptions with precise illustrations are presented. The specimens were collected from the soils of the Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis Linnaeus, 1758) nest site areas in the Arctic archipelago Svalbard. Camisia dictyna is recorded as new to the fauna of this region. A revised checklist of all recorded oribatid mite species in Svalbard is presented with additional remarks on their taxonomic status, habitat preferences and geographical distribution. The patterns of taxonomic diversity and geographical distribution reveal that although the majority of the species are cryophilous, there are only few species that are geographically restricted to Svalbard and adjacent regions.