Systematic, synonimical and biogeographical check-list of the world’s oribatid mites (Acariformes, Oribatida) (1758-2002)

Abstract

This is the first check-list of the world’s oribatid mites in which the approximately 9,000 currently valid, described species (and subspecies) are systematically recorded. In addition, the list contains over a thousand corresponding synonomies, grouped into 1.204 genera (and subgenera) along with their recognized synonomies, belonging to 169 families. The currently known geographic distribution is given for each species (approximately 3,200 palaearctic species, 1,500 ethiopic, 1,500 neotropical, 1,400 oriental, 1,200 neoarctic, 1,000 australian and 100 antarctic) as well as for each family and genus. Numerous systematic and nomenclatorial modifications have been made. Particularly noteworthy is the creation of the new families Cerocepheidae and Ametroproctidae, the new genera Multimaudheimia and Perezinigokalumma, and the new subgenera Malaconothrus (Cristonothrus) and Oribatella (Multoribatella). A new name, Paschoalia, is given to the genus Hammeriella Paschoal, 1898 (a name already used by Balogh, 1983) along with 83 new specific and subspecific names for other homonimies that appeared during the making of this check-list. The subgenus category is re-established as a very useful category and used widely in this revision; however, the subfamily category has only been used within the extensive Oppiidae family, which includes 13 valid subfamilies, 166 genera (and subgenera), and some 1,000 described species, only the subfamily category is used. The geographic distribution of some known species is notably enlarged.