Epicriidae

Epicriidae can be distinguished from other mesostigmatan families by a combination of cheliceral and podonotal characteristics. Members of the genus Epicrius possess distinctive tuberculate ornamentation on the dorsal idiosoma. A key diagnostic feature includes the structure of the chelicerae and the arrangement of setae on the dorsal shield. The family is placed in the superfamily Epicrioidea within the infraorder Gamasina.

Soil-dwelling (edaphic); documented from forest soils including coniferous forests, floodplain forests, and mountain forests. Specific microhabitats include ski slopes, natural reserves, and areas with temperature inversion. In Slovakia, abundant populations have been recorded in Poloniny National Park, Malá Fatra National Park, Veľká Fatra, Nízke Tatry Mts., and Slovenský kras.

Documented from Slovakia (Poloniny National Park, Malá Fatra National Park, Veľká Fatra, Nízke Tatry Mts., Slovenský kras, Devínska Kobyla, floodplains near Gabčíkovo). Broader European distribution includes Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, and Switzerland. GBIF records indicate presence in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Component of soil mesofauna in forest biocenoses. Functions as part of the decomposer food web in coniferous and mixed forest ecosystems. Specific trophic interactions have not been documented.

• mites
• Mesostigmata
• soil fauna
• forest
• Europe

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• The family Epicriidae in Slovakia: annotated faunal synopsis and description of a new species of Epicrius (Acari, Mesostigmata, Epicriidae)