Scheloribates distinctus Mihelčič, 1964 - a species of mite (Acari: Oribatida) new to fauna of Poland and new records of three rare species

Grzegorz Gryziak

doi:10.3161/00159301ff2009.52.1.021

Abstract

A new to fauna of Poland oribatid mite species (Scheloribates distinctus) and new localities of three rare species (Protoribates pannonicus, Punctoribates ghilarovi, Oppia nitens) are recorded from old compost heap in Łomianki near Warsaw, Mazovia Region, Poland.

Highlights

There is over 40 000 named species of mites and about 11 000 of described oribatid mites (Walter and Proctor 2004), with ca. 500 species occurring in Poland
The following rare species was found in examined material: Scheloribates distinctus Mihelčič, 1964 (Oripodoidea: Scheloribatidae)
The species was known only from the one locality: Carinthia Region, Austria (Olszanowski et al 1996, Niedbała 2004) where it was found in a coniferous litter of a mixed forest (Mihelčič 1964)

Summary

Introduction

There is over 40 000 named species of mites (it is estimated that there is even 1 million unnamed species) and about 11 000 of described oribatid mites (Walter and Proctor 2004), with ca. 500 species occurring in Poland. It is almost half of European oribatid species (Olszanowski et al 1996). Recognition of oribatid mites’ distribution is still unsatisfied as well (Niedbała 2004). High richness of species and high abundance of individuals, are both much larger in compost heaps than in surrounding soil (Walter and Proctor 2004).

Results

Conclusion