Faunistic review of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Voronezh state nature biosphere reserve

Abstract

The study presents results on the analysis of faunistic complex of oribatid mites inhabiting the core zone of Voronezh state nature biosphere reserve named after V.M. Peskov. The number of taxa of oribatid mites from the reserve’s core zone inhabiting green­moss pine forests, aspen forests and alder forests including 85 species, 59 genera and 33 family is presented for the first time. Results of the study show that core zone fauna mostly consists of Palaearctic and Holarctic mite species. Pine forests were dominated by the ecological group of mites living in soil pores, aspen and alder forests – mites dwelling in the litter layer. Greater number of primary­unspecialized and lower number of surface dwelling species were found in the core zone comparing with the zone of economic use of the reserve.

Keywords

• oribatid mites
• species number
• core zone
• voronezhskaya oblast
• morphoecological types
• pine forests
• alder forests
• aspen forests
• specially protected natural territories