Biases and distribution patterns in hard‐bodied microscopic animals (Acari: Halacaridae): Size does not matter, but generalism and sampling effort do

Aim The interplay between distribution ranges, species traits and sampling taxonomic biases remains elusive amongst microscopic animals. This ignorance obscures our understanding of the diversity patterns a major component biodiversity. Here, we used marine Halacaridae to explore whether differences provinces can explain their or if differential efforts across regions prevent any macroecological inference. Furthermore, test certain functional influence patterns. Location Europe. Results Whereas geographical variables provided better explanation for in composition, effort distance from biological stations accounted majority European richness. Species occurring more habitats showed broader ranges accumulated records. like generalism affected halacarid species. Main Conclusions We propose that mites Europe might be explained by two different cognitive biases: convenience selecting localities compared others tendency zoologists scrutinise where target organisms are common.