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Endeostigmata & Sphaerolichida

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DAVE WALTER: [email protected]

This is a key to the genera of primitive acariform mite groups Endeostigmata and Sphaerolichida written and compiled by Dr David Evans Walter of Colorado State University and the University of Alberta ([email protected]) with the assistance of Dr Heather Proctor of the University of Alberta.

Endeostigmatans are common in many habitats, but seem to reach their highest abundances in extreme habitats such as deserts, beaches, and polar regions. As far as is known, these mites are fungivores, algivores and predators on small invertebrates such as nematodes, tardigrades, and mites.  None are considered economically important pests.  They are most likely to be intercepted in goods containing soil, especially dry soils including sand, lichens, mosses or other materials associated with dry or otherwise extreme habitats, including anthropogenic accumulations of dust.