The oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) community of a high-Andean cushion peatland in southern Peru

The oribatid mites of a high-Andean cushion peatland in southern Peru were investigated. A total of 17 oribatid mite species, belonging to eight families, could be identified in five different microhabitats. A rarefaction analysis showed a potential mite community of maximum 18 taxa per 1000 specimens for this peatland site. Ranked species abundance analysis revealed three dominant, five subdominant, three recedent, two subrecedent and four sporadic occurring taxa. The abundance of oribatid mites was 3.0 specimens cm <(-3)(SD = 5.9) in mean. However, significantly higher oribatid mite densities were detected in muddy soils and scarcely vegetated parts in comparison to soils covered by dense vegetation cushions. The identification of deposited and damaged remains of oribatid mites is discussed.

Automated summary

An investigation was conducted on the oribatid mites in a high-Andean cushion peatland in southern Peru. A total of 17 species belonging to eight families were identified in five microhabitats. The rarefaction analysis showed a potential maximum of 18 taxa per 1000 specimens in this peatland site. The abundance analysis revealed the dominance of three species, the subdominance of five species, and the occurrence of three recedent, two subrecedent, and four sporadic taxa. The average abundance of oribatid mites was 3.0 specimens/cm <(-3)(SD = 5.9). However, significantly higher densities were found in muddy soils and sparsely vegetated areas compared to soils covered by dense vegetation cushions. The identification of deposited and damaged remains of oribatid mites is also discussed.