Acari - Mites
Interesting facts about mites
Mites belong to the class Arachnida. Due to their small body size of about 0.2 to 4 mm, they are far less conspicuous than spiders or scorpions and are therefore less well known. With more than 55,000 described species, however, they represent the most diverse group within the arachnids – and estimates suggest that there may be over one million species worldwide.
Their minute size has allowed mites to colonize virtually every habitat on Earth – from deserts to Arctic regions – and they occur in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Two groups of mites are particularly important for soil fauna: oribatid mites (Oribatida) and predatory mites (Gamasina). Oribatid mites are key decomposers in the soil and significantly contribute to the nutrient cycle within the soil. Predatory mites, on the other hand, are primarily carnivorous and help regulate the food web in the soil. These two groups of mites are highly sensitive to all types of soil disturbances. Therefore, our research group investigates how these organisms can be used as bioindicators and what measures can be taken to protect soil quality.