Forest-litter
Guides
Adoristes
Adoristes is a genus of oribatid mites in the family Liacaridae, established by Hull in 1916. The genus contains species associated with decomposing coniferous litter in northern temperate forests. The best-studied species, Adoristes ovatus, exhibits pronounced sexual size dimorphism and develops through a characteristic morphological ontogeny with distinct juvenile stages adapted for xylophagy.
Dasycerinae
Dasycerinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing one extant genus (Dasycerus) and three extinct genera. These beetles are characterized by their compact body form with elytra that cover or nearly cover the abdomen, unlike the typically abbreviated elytra of most rove beetles. The subfamily is notable for its relictual distribution and association with moist forest habitats.
Dasycerus
Dasycerus is the sole extant genus in the rove beetle subfamily Dasycerinae, comprising 25 recognized species. Nine cryptic species were recently discovered in 2024, previously attributed to D. carolinensis, distinguishable only by male aedeagal dissection or DNA analysis. The genus exhibits notable intraspecific genetic diversity and cryptic speciation, particularly in montane populations.
Euaesthetinae
A subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing six tribes. Members are distinguished by slender antennae with two or three apical antennomeres forming a loose club, and tarsal segmentation of 4-4-4 or 5-5-5 (5-5-4 in some exotic genera). Five genera and 22 species are recorded from North America. The genus Octavius, primarily distributed in the Afrotropical region, has been subject to recent taxonomic revision in South Africa.
Euplectus karstenii
Euplectus karstenii is a minute rove beetle in the subfamily Pselaphinae, characterized by its compact body form and reduced elytra typical of ant-loving beetles. The species has a broad native distribution across the Palearctic region and has been introduced to North America, Australia, and potentially South America through human activity. As a member of the myrmecophilous Pselaphinae, it is associated with ant colonies, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Eurypauropus
Eurypauropus is a genus of minute myriapods in the class Pauropoda, family Eurypauropodidae. Members are soil-dwelling arthropods characterized by a flattened body with strongly sclerotized, coarsely ornamented tergites. The genus has been recorded from Europe, Japan, and recently from China. These organisms are typically extracted from forest soil and litter samples using Berlese-Tullgren funnels.
Geostiba
Geostiba is a genus of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Aleocharinae, tribe Geostibini. The genus contains over 250 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia. Many species are placed in subgenera including Sibiota, Tropogastrosipalia, Sipalotricha, and Typhlusida. Species are predominantly found in temperate regions, with significant diversity in the Caucasus, Mediterranean, and Appalachian Mountains. Several species have been documented as predators of tick nymphs in soil ecosystems.
Gymnodamaeoidea
A superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes, established by Grandjean in 1954. Members are primarily soil-dwelling microarthropods found in forest litter, mosses, decaying wood, and organic and mineral soil layers. The group includes genera such as Licnodamaeus, Plesiodamaeus, Pedrocortesella, and Pleodamaeus. Species exhibit distinctive cerotegumental ornamentation and setal patterns useful for identification.
Habrocerinae
Habrocerinae is a small subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) containing two genera: Habrocerus and Nomimocerus. Members are characterized by extremely slender antennomeres and compact, sublimuloid body form. The subfamily is primarily associated with forest litter, wood debris, and fungi. Habrocerus, with three species, is the only genus recorded from North America.
Lithobiomorpha
Stone Centipedes
Lithobiomorpha, commonly known as stone centipedes, are an order of anamorphic centipedes characterized by a mature segment count of 15 trunk segments. They lack compound eyes, possessing instead simple ocelli or no eyes in some subterranean species. The order includes two families: Henicopidae and Lithobiidae. Members are primarily found in forest litter and soil habitats across temperate regions worldwide, with significant diversity in China and Europe.
Loricerinae
Loricerinae is a subfamily of ground beetles in Carabidae, established by Bonelli in 1810. It is monogeneric, containing only the genus Loricera. These beetles are recognized for their distinctive flattened, shield-like body form and association with moist habitats. The subfamily is relatively small in species diversity but has a broad geographic distribution.
Nossidium
Nossidium is a genus of minute featherwing beetles (family Ptiliidae) established by Erichson in 1845. It belongs to the subfamily Nossidiinae, one of the smaller lineages within this family of extremely small beetles. Members of this genus are among the smallest beetles known, with body lengths often below 1 mm. The genus has been documented from northern European localities.
Oropodes
Oropodes is a genus of minute rove beetles in the subfamily Pselaphinae, characterized by reduced elytra and compact body form typical of the tribe Trichonychini. Members are among the smallest staphylinid beetles, with most species measuring under 2 mm. The genus was established by Casey in 1893 and is currently placed within the subtribe Trichonychina. These beetles inhabit forest litter and soil microhabitats where they function as microbivores or predators on small arthropods.
Osorius
unmargined rove beetles
Osorius is a genus of unmargined rove beetles in the family Staphylinidae, first described by Guérin-Méneville in 1829. The genus contains approximately nine described species distributed primarily in North America. Members of Osorius are characterized by the absence of lateral margins on the elytra, a trait that distinguishes them within the subfamily Osoriinae. These beetles are ground-dwelling and associated with moist, decaying organic matter.
Pergamasus
Pergamasus is a genus of predatory mites in the family Parasitidae, comprising approximately 70 described species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. These soil-dwelling gamasid mites inhabit forest litter, mosses, and upper soil layers, where they function as generalist predators of small invertebrates. Several species have been documented as predators of tick nymphs, suggesting potential ecological significance in tick population control. The genus exhibits notable morphological diversity, with species groups defined primarily by male genital and leg characters.
Phloeocharinae
Phloeocharinae is a subfamily of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) characterized by distinctive abdominal tergal combs and procoxal morphology. The group contains five genera and six species in North America, with the genus Phloeocharis dominating the European fauna. Members are primarily saproxylic, inhabiting damp forest environments under bark and in leaf litter. The biology of most species remains poorly known.
Proceratium
Hairy Curltail Ants
Proceratium is a rare genus of ants in the subfamily Proceratiinae and the type genus of tribe Proceratiini. These ants are distributed across temperate and tropical regions worldwide but are infrequently collected due to their cryptobiotic lifestyle. Colonies are small, typically containing fewer than 200 individuals. Some species are specialist predators of arthropod eggs, particularly spider eggs. The genus is notable for its ability to curl the abdomen dorsally more than 90 degrees relative to the body axis.
Subhaida
Subhaida is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in the subfamily Omaliinae. It was described by Hatch in 1957 and is classified within the tribe Coryphiini and subtribe Coryphiina. The genus contains species found in western North America, particularly in the Pacific coastal region. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized beetles associated with forest floor habitats.
Trachyuropoda
Trachyuropoda is a genus of soil-dwelling mites in the family Trachyuropodidae, comprising over 30 described species. These mites belong to the suborder Uropodina and are found in forest litter and soil habitats. They have been studied as indicators of soil fauna diversity in West African ecosystems.