TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - Influence of habitat type and soil parameters on oribatid mite diversity: evidence from selected ecosystems of Kerala, India
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 127
EP  - 127
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Karimbakkandi, Praveena
AU  - Thalakkattil Raghavan, Sobha
AU  - Karimbakkandi, Praveena
AU  - Thalakkattil Raghavan, Sobha
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/028q-hfh2
DO  - 10.24349/028q-hfh2
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Oribatid mites
KW  - Biodiversity
KW  - Soil nutrients
KW  - Habitat type
KW  - Bioindicators
AB  - Oribatid mites are key soil microarthropods that contribute significantly to nutrient cycling and soil health. Their diversity and distribution are strongly influenced by habitat characteristics and soil parameters, making them reliable indicators of ecosystem conditions. This study aimed to assess the diversity and distribution of oribatid mites across different habitats, examine the influence of environmental and soil parameters on species richness and evaluate their potential as bioindicators of environmental changes. A total of 22023 Oribatid mites were collected from nine sampling sites representing diverse ecosystems, including natural forests, plantations, grasslands, and paddy fields. During the study period (2020 June-2023 June), a total of 243 soil samples were taken from the different habitat types mentioned. The collected species were identified and classified into families and genera. Three soil sample replicates were collected from different sampling sites within an approximate distance of 100m for mite extraction and physicochemical analysis. The soil parameters, such as electrical conductivity, relative humidity, and nutrient concentrations (nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, and organic carbon), were analysed. Correlation analysis was performed to determine relationships between environmental factors and species richness. The results of the study revealed a total of 42 species belonging to 36 genera and 23 families were recorded. The family Lohmanniidae exhibited the highest species richness, followed by Scheloribatidae. A new species, Lepidacarus clavata sp. nov., from the family Lohmanniidae was discovered, highlighting the region’s underexplored diversity. Species richness varied significantly among sites, with the highest diversity observed in natural forest ecosystems (Kakkadampoyil, Thusharagiri, and Kolagappara) and the lowest in monoculture plantations and agricultural fields. Strong positive correlations were found between species richness and soil parameters such as nitrogen, magnesium, relative humidity, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon. Stress- prone habitats, including grasslands and paddy fields, were dominated by adaptive families such as Oppidae and Scheloribatidae, indicating their resilience under unfavourable conditions. Thus, the habitat type and soil nutrient status are critical determinants of oribatid mite diversity. Natural forests support higher biodiversity compared to simplified ecosystems like plantations and agricultural lands. The findings reinforce the role of oribatid mites as effective bioindicators and highlight the importance of conserving natural habitats to maintain soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
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