Soil Mites (Acari: Oribatida and Others)

Soil is a complex of living and non-living components which are present in different combinations. Small arthropods, including several groups of mites, contribute to the humus fraction and permit complexes of soil organisms to exist. Even though the role of mites in soil mixing may be small in comparison with that of larger invertebrates such as earthworms, insects, crustaceans and millipedes, mites exercise an important function in mineral turnover, vegetation succession and as decomposers of organic matter. Densities of 50,000–250,000 or more mites per square meter may be found in the upper layers of soil. Dozens of species may be found in a small area when soil is rich in organic material such as decaying vegetation, dung or animal remains. In combination with microflora, which the mites may disperse, soil mites help in decomposing organic matter which they cannot digest. Much of the work on soil mite taxonomy, biology and ecology, including their role in nutrient cycling and...