High Diversity of Mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) Supports the High Conservation Value of a Broadleaf Forest in Eastern Norway

Broadleaf forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and this is in turn essential their proper functioning. Mites (Acari) a numerous functionally component of these forests. We report the diversity two important groups, Oribatida Mesostigmata, broadleaf forest Eastern Norway which considered to be hotspot. Eighteen samples, each 500 cm3, were collected from diverse microhabitats (moss on ground, lichens tree twigs lying moss trunks at ground level, 1.5 m above decaying stump, log, wood trees) 10,843 specimens 95 species 32 families Oribatida, 655 34 14 Mesostigmata found. Only 30% previously recorded Western Norway. Oribatid communities stump distinct other communities, while mesostigmatid (both level ground) differed most communities. Over found only single microhabitat. Twenty-three genus Zerconopsis reported first time. Six records also new Fennoscandia, including (Oribatida) Coronoquadroppia monstruosa, Eueremaeus valkanovi, Ramusella furcata, (Mesostigmata) Dendrolaelaps rectus, D. multidentatus, tenuipilus. In addition, several rare detected, e.g., Achipteria magna, Oribotritia berlesei, Subiasella quadrimaculata, northernmost locality (O. E. valkanovi). These results confirm unique character high conservation value studied Norway, Fennoscandia European scale.