Subfossil oribatid mites in the peat deposits of the eutrophic mire: southern taiga of Western Siberia

Abstract

The remains of subfossil oribatid mites have been investigated in nine peat layers of the eutrophic mire, located in the southern taiga ecological zone of Western Siberia. In total, 17 taxa have been revealed. Hydrophilic mites Limnozetes sp. and Hydrozetes sp. dominated all assemblages, which reflects an increased surface wetness of the mire during the entire period of its development (8,850 yr). Fluctuations in the surface wetness are expressed through changes in both the species composition and the relative abundances of species of oribatid mites. Decreases of surface wetness are accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of Hydrozetes sp., an increase in the proportion of Limnozetes sp. and in the number of species in the assemblage.