Marine-mites
Guides
Ameronothroidea
Ameronothroidea is a paraphyletic assemblage of oribatid mites comprising approximately 130 species across five families. Contrary to previous classifications as a monophyletic superfamily, molecular evidence demonstrates that the marine-associated lifestyle evolved independently three times: Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones (Triassic-Jurassic, ~225–146 mya), Ameronothridae in northern cold-temperate and polar coasts (late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous), and Podacaridae in southern cold-temperate and polar coasts (Early Cretaceous, ~30 my later). Tegeocranellidae represents a limnic (freshwater) lineage without marine association. These mites are strictly intertidal, exhibiting low dispersal potential and strong biogeographic structure correlated with ocean currents and continental history.
Halacaroidea
halacarid mites, marine mites
Halacaroidea is a superfamily of mites within the order Trombidiformes, commonly known as halacarid or marine mites. This group comprises the only truly marine arachnids, having successfully colonized intertidal and subtidal habitats worldwide. Halacarids are microscopic predators and scavengers that inhabit marine environments ranging from coastal waters to abyssal depths, with some species also occurring in brackish and freshwater habitats.