The forgotten arthropods: foliar mites in the forest canopy

Mites were the most abundant arthropods in the upper canopies of rainforest trees and lianas around three forestry research towers in Queensland. Within-site species diversity was high with 47 mite species being collected from just 46 leaves from the upper canopy in one tropical rainforest. Across-site diversity of leaf-inhabiting Parasitiformes (Phytoseiidae, Ascidae, Ologamasidae) was assessed in E Australia. Of the 64 species identified, 30 were undescribed. A strong temperate to tropical increase in species richness was evident with little overlap in species. Foliar mites were a specialised fauna, generally absent from forest leaf litter. -from Authors