Analysis of Oribatid Fauna of the East European Tundra with First Reported Data of Subpolar Urals

Abstract

This study presents data on the oribatid mite fauna of the Subpolar Urals for the first time. Observations were made in the Lembekoyu River valley and 35 species of oribatid mites from 24 genera and 21 families were found. The analysis of taxonomic diversity and distribution of East European tundra oribatid mite species is presented based on available literature and the author’s own research findings. The taxonomic list includes 163 species from 81 genera and 45 families. Ceratozetidae (15 species), Crotoniidae (14 species), Oppiidae (12 species), Suctobelbidae (12 species), Damaeidae (9 species), Brachychthoniidae (8 species), Phthiracaridae (5 species), Humerobatidae (5 species), Achipteriidae (5 species), Punctoribatidae (5 species), and Galumnidae (5 species) are the leading families, comprising more than 58% of all species. The zoogeographical structure of the fauna is dominated by widely distributed Holarctic, cosmopolitan, and semi-cosmopolitan species. The share of Palaearctic species is 23%. The specificity of the fauna of East European tundra manifests itself in the small group of Arctic species, both in the mainland tundra and on the Arctic islands. A complex of arctic-boreal species, widely distributed in the Eurasian sector of the Arctic, is distinguished.