TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - Oribatid mites of subalpine and alpine pastures in the Eastern Greater Caucasus: diversity and bioindication
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 102
EP  - 102
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Sachin P., James
AU  - Amrutha, Neeloor
AU  - Sachin P., James
AU  - Amrutha, Neeloor
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/r3sj-98r8
DO  - 10.24349/r3sj-98r8
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Insect–mite association
KW  - Acarine diversity
KW  - New records
KW  - Acarofauna
KW  - India
AB  - Mites are among the most diverse arthropods, occupying a wide range of habitats. Their associations with insects span phoresy, parasitism, predation, mutualism and commensalism, contributing significantly to ecological networks and agroecosystem dynamics. Despite their importance, insectassociated mites remain poorly documented in India, particularly in North Kerala, a biodiversity hotspot. To address this gap, a preliminary survey was conducted with the objective of documenting mite diversity, host details, and ecological roles. The survey was carried out between July 2022 and August 2023 across five districts of North Kerala (Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Malappuram) in habitats including agricultural fields, plantations, forests, gardens, and open areas. Insects from Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Neuroptera were collected using sweep nets, light traps, and hand-picking methods. Host–mite associations were observed under a stereo zoom microscope, with attachment sites, modes of attachment, and association types recorded through continuous observation until the death of the insect or the mite. A literature review was consulted when necessary to ensure accurate classification of associations. Collected mites were preserved, cleared, mounted permanently in Hoyer’s medium following Walter & Krantz (2009), imaging and measurements were recorded, all following standard protocols. The survey documented 20 mite species across 14 families. Notably, the genera Parapygmephorusand Pteridopus represent new records for India, thereby expanding the known geographic range of these taxa. The study also includes three newly described species – Parapygmephorus malabarensis, P. indicus and Eutrombidium keralaensis, with additional potentially undescribed taxa pending formal identification. The species Hypoaspis rhinoceritis, Ameroseius leclercqi, Samsinakia volgini, Leptus jocquei, Podapolipus klompeni, Thyreophagus sp., Pteridopus sp. and Vidia rubi are recorded for the first time in the Indian context, underscoring the region’s underexplored acarological richness. These findings contribute foundational data for future taxonomic, ecological, and applied research, particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation in tropical ecosystems.
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