Global distribution of the thalassobiontic Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae (Acari, Oribatida)

Abstract

The global distribution of Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae was updated based on new records and yet unpublished findings. These new data confirm that both families show a transoceanic occurrence on tropical and subtropical coasts. Moreover, it is suggested that the distribution of fortuyniid and selenoribatid mites is correlated with the presence of warm ocean currents and waters. Fortuyniid mites are recorded for the first time from the Archipelago of Hawaii, from Mauritius and the Seychelles. First records of selenoribatid mites include Hawaii, the Canaries and Australia. These records and the discovery of many new species and even a new genus in the Caribbean and the Western Atlantic support the assumption that the biogeographic knowledge about Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae is still incomplete and requires further zoogeographical research.