TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - A synopsis of oribatid mite diversity in Africa
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 114
EP  - 114
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Emelie, Obi
AU  - Pedro, Conceição
AU  - Emelie, Obi
AU  - Pedro, Conceição
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/ymoq-p7fq
DO  - 10.24349/ymoq-p7fq
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Oribatida
KW  - Soil
KW  - Conservation
KW  - Taxonomy
KW  - pattern
AB  - Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, spanning over 30 million square kilometres, and encompassing diverse climates and systems known to support high biodiversity. However, much of this biodiversity, particularly organisms dwelling in soils, remains unknown. For example, while oribatid mites are known to inhabit various African soil systems, a synopsis of their diversity on the continent is lacking, despite species descriptions dating back to 1758. Furthermore, the nomenclature of oribatid mites in Africa has historically relied on taxonomists/ systematists from outside the continent, and examining the demography of these systematists is important for identifying limitations and solutions for local taxonomic capacity. Our aim was to summarise and estimate oribatid mite richness in Africa and explore patterns in the number and authorities of described species. We compiled data from the largest global compilation of oribatid mite systematics and distribution, examining accumulated species richness over time, average new species discovered/described, and the country/continent of origin for the describing authorities. In total, 2,249 species were described between 1758 and 2022, yet estimations show up to 81% remain unknown. The most species-rich families are Oppiidae, Phthiracaridae, and Galumnidae, while the most species-rich countries are South Africa, Ethiopia, and Madagascar. About 121 authorities, mostly non-Africans, are responsible for the nomenclature, with the highest number of descriptions coming from two European systematists. Overall, Africa supports a high diversity of oribatid mites, and investing in systematic surveys and training local taxonomists are key to uncovering the true diversity of oribatid mites on the continent.
ER -