Microarthropods
Guides
Acerentomidae
coneheads
Acerentomidae is a family of minute, wingless, eyeless soil-dwelling hexapods in the order Protura. Members lack tracheae and rely on cuticular gas exchange for respiration. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in the northeastern Palearctic, with 31 species documented from Siberia and the Russian Far East, and 19 species in 13 genera in Arctic regions alone. Arctic species typically possess more setae than temperate relatives and show high endemism with restricted distributions.
Achipterioidea
Achipterioidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites (Oribatida) within the order Sarcoptiformes. These mites are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna. The superfamily was established by Thor in 1929 and is classified within the infraorder Brachypylina and the group Poronoticae.
Belba
Belba is a genus of oribatid mites (family Damaeidae) established by Carl von Heyden in 1826, with Notaspis corynopus (Hermann, 1804) as the type species. The genus comprises soil-dwelling species distributed across Eurasia and North America. Members are fungivores, and at least one species (Belba kingi) has been subject to complete life history study.
Brachypauropodidae
Brachypauropodidae is a family of minute myriapods in the order Tetramerocerata, containing 33 species across seven genera. Members are characterized by specific tergite and sternite arrangements, with most adults possessing nine pairs of legs—though two genera (Aletopauropus and Zygopauropus) have only eight pairs. The family exhibits a nearly worldwide distribution, occurring on all continents except South America and Antarctica.
Carabodoidea
Carabodoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes. These mites are part of the diverse soil microarthropod community, contributing to decomposition processes. The group was established by Koch in 1843 and is classified within the infraorder Brachypylina. Members are characterized by certain morphological features of the legs and body structure that distinguish them from other oribatid superfamilies.
Dactyloscirus
Dactyloscirus is a genus of predatory mites in the family Cunaxidae, first described by Berlese in 1916. These mites belong to the order Trombidiformes, a diverse group of arachnids commonly known as prostigmatid mites. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive leg morphology, with the genus name referencing finger-like or dactylous structures. Cunaxid mites, including Dactyloscirus, are primarily known as predators of small arthropods and are found in soil and litter habitats.
Drepanura
springtails
Drepanura is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Entomobryidae, first described by Schött in 1891. It belongs to the order Entomobryomorpha, one of the most diverse groups of Collembola. The genus has been recorded across multiple continents including Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Caribbean, suggesting broad geographic distribution. As with other entomobryid springtails, members of this genus are likely soil-dwelling microarthropods, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Erigoninae
dwarf spiders, money spiders
Erigoninae is the largest subfamily of Linyphiidae (sheet-web weavers), itself the second largest spider family. These minute spiders are commonly called dwarf spiders in the United States and money spiders in England. The subfamily contains over 2,000 described species, making it the most numerous group within the sheet-web weavers. Many species inhabit leaf litter and construct small sheet webs, while others occupy diverse terrestrial habitats from coastal dunes to alpine timberlines.
Eviphidoidea
Eviphidoidea is a superfamily of mites within the order Mesostigmata. These mites are primarily free-living predators or scavengers in soil and litter habitats. The group includes several families of gamasid mites that are morphologically distinguished by particular features of the gnathosoma and leg chaetotaxy. They are ecologically significant as components of soil microarthropod communities.
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.
Gymnodamaeus
Gymnodamaeus is a genus of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) in the family Gymnodamaeidae, first described by Kulczynski in 1902. The genus contains multiple species distributed across various regions, with recent taxonomic work describing new species from Austria. As members of the diverse oribatid mite fauna, these mites contribute to soil ecosystem processes. The genus is classified within the superfamily Gymnodamaeoidea.
Haplozetidae
Haplozetidae is a family of oribatid mites (Sarcoptiformes) established by Grandjean in 1936. The family contains at least 20 genera and approximately 210 described species. Members of this family are primarily soil-dwelling microarthropods found in litter and upper soil strata across diverse geographic regions.
Leptotyphlinae
Leptotyphlinae is a subfamily of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae) characterized by extreme miniaturization and subterranean adaptations. Adults are eyeless, wingless, and measure less than 1.8 mm in length. The subfamily contains at least nine genera and 13 species in North America, with records from western states and Florida.
Lohmannoidea
Lohmannoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites (Sarcoptiformes: Oribatida) characterized by reduced body size and simplified morphology relative to other oribatid groups. Members are primarily soil-dwelling decomposers found in forest litter and organic substrates. The superfamily includes families such as Lohmanniidae and Nanhermanniidae. These mites play roles in nutrient cycling but remain poorly studied compared to more diverse oribatid superfamilies.
Microgastrura
Microgastrura is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Hypogastruridae, established by Stach in 1922. The genus comprises seven described species distributed across the Caribbean, Europe, the Mediterranean, and North America. As members of Poduromorpha, these springtails are characterized by a compact body form and reduced furcula. Species-level identification requires examination of chaetotaxy and other fine morphological details.
Mixonomata
Mixonomata is an infraorder of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes, established by Grandjean in 1969. This group comprises soil-dwelling mites characterized by a distinctive mix of morphological features that separate them from other oribatid lineages. Members of Mixonomata are primarily found in forest litter and soil habitats where they contribute to decomposition processes. The infraorder includes several families and represents a significant component of microarthropod diversity in terrestrial ecosystems.
Mochlozetidae
Mochlozetidae is a family of oribatid mites (beetle mites) in the order Sarcoptiformes, established by Grandjean in 1960. The family comprises approximately 12 genera and at least 50 described species. These mites are classified within the superfamily Oripodoidea and the group Poronoticae. They are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna that contributes to decomposition processes.
Morulina
Morulina is a genus of springtails (Collembola) in the family Neanuridae, subfamily Morulininae. The genus contains approximately 11 described species distributed across multiple continents. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive body ornamentation and are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna.
Neanurini
Neanurini is a tribe of springtails (Collembola) within the family Neanuridae, established by Börner in 1901. Members of this tribe are characterized by their reduced or absent furcula (springing organ), distinguishing them from many other springtail groups. They are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna found across various terrestrial habitats. The tribe contains multiple genera distributed primarily in the Holarctic region.
Neoliodoidea
Neoliodoidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes. These mites are part of the diverse soil-dwelling microarthropod fauna, contributing to decomposition processes. The group is relatively poorly studied compared to other oribatid superfamilies, with limited species-level documentation.
Oppiidae
Oppiidae is a large and diverse family of oribatid mites comprising over 1000 described species. These microarthropods inhabit soil and litter layers across varied terrestrial ecosystems worldwide, from coastal sands to forest floors and grasslands. The family is taxonomically complex with numerous genera, many of which have restricted distributions or are poorly studied in particular regions such as Mongolia and Korea.
Oppioidea
Oppioidea is a superfamily of oribatid mites within the order Sarcoptiformes. Members are primarily soil-dwelling microarthropods characterized by specific morphological features of the pycnonotic group. The superfamily includes families such as Epimerellidae, which contain halophilic species adapted to saline littoral environments.
Polypauropodidae
Polypauropodidae is a family of minute myriapods in the class Pauropoda, established by Remy in 1932. Pauropods are among the smallest soil-dwelling arthropods, rarely exceeding 2 mm in length. Members of this family are distinguished within Tetramerocerata by specific morphological features of the antennae and trunk segments. The family is poorly studied, with limited observational data and few described species.