High diversity of mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostig-mata) supports the high conservation value of a broadleaf forest in Eastern Norway

• Main Authors: Seniczak, Anna, Seniczak, Stanisław, Starý, Josef, Kaczmarek, Sławomir, Jordal, Bjarte, Kowalski, Jarosław, Roth, Steffen, Djursvoll, Per, Bolger, Thomas
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Norway; Stump; Fennoscandia
• Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/5223147; https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.80gb5mkrd

Broadleaf forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and this biodiversity is in turn essential for their proper functioning. Mites (Acari) are a numerous and functionally essential component of these forests. We report the diversity of two important groups, Oribatida and Mesostigmata, in a broadleaf forest in Eastern Norway which is considered to be a biodiversity hotspot. Eighteen samples, each 500 cm3, were collected from diverse microhabitats (moss on ground, lichens on tree twigs lying on ground, moss on tree trunk at ground level and 1.5 m above ground, moss on decaying wood, log and stump, and decaying wood) from which 10,843 specimens and 95 species from 32 families of Oribatida, and 655 specimens of 34 species from 14 families of Mesostigmata were found. Only 30% of the species were previously recorded in broadleaf forests in Western Norway. Oribatid communities on tree stumps and in lichens were distinct from the other communities, while mesostigmatid communities on tree trunks (both at ground level and above ground) and in lichens differed most from other communities. Over 30% of the species were found in only a single microhabitat. Twenty-three species and the genus Zerconopsis are reported from Norway for the first time. Six records are also new to Fennoscandia, including (Oribatida) Quadroppia monstruosa, Eueremaeus valkanovi, Ramusella furcata, and (Mesostigmata) Dendrolaelaps rectus, D. multidentatus, and D. tenuipilus. In addition, several rare species were detected, e.g., Achipteria magna, Oribotritia berlesei, and Subiasella quadrimaculata, and two were found in their northernmost locality (O. berlesei, E. valkanovi). These results confirm the unique character and high conservation value of the studied forest in Norway, Fennoscandia and at a European scale. Funding provided by: Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative*Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: 35-16, 70184237Funding provided by: Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative*Crossref Funder Registry ID: Award Number: 6-20, 70184243Funding provided ...