Eremaeidae

Oudemans, 1900

Genus Guides

1

of oribatid mites in the order Sarcoptiformes. Found across Palearctic and Nearctic regions, with inhabiting soil and litter from arid zones to the High Arctic. Includes Eremaeus, Eueremaeus, Tricheremaeus, Carinabella, Asperemaeus, and others. . Both immatures and feed primarily on fungi.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Eremaeidae: /ˌɛrɪˈmiːɪdiː/

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Identification

generally small to medium-sized oribatid mites. Members of Eremaeus and Eueremaeus—the two North American —can be distinguished using morphological characters of the lamellar complex, notogastral setation, and leg chaetotaxy. Nymphs are quadrideficient (lacking d-series setae) and eupheredermous, carrying exuvial scalps of previous instars on the gastronotum.

Habitat

Soil and litter ; ranges from moist to arid conditions. Documented from New Mexico to the High Arctic in North America, and in elderberry litter in Kazakhstan.

Distribution

Widely distributed across Palearctic and Nearctic regions. North American records include from New Mexico through the High Arctic. Documented in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden).

Diet

Both immatures and feed mainly on fungi.

Life Cycle

. Development includes , larva, and nymphal stages (with nymphs carrying exuvial scalps). Immatures of several have been described, including nymphal stages with specific setal arrangements.

Ecological Role

Soil-dwelling mites that contribute to decomposition through fungal feeding.

Similar Taxa

  • MegeremaeidaeRelated within Eremaeoidea; distinguished by cladistic analysis of morphological characters
  • ZetorchestidaeRelated within Eremaeoidea; phylogenetic relationships presented in family-level analyses

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