• Brachychthoniidae Thor, S. 1934. Neue Beiträge zur Kenntnis der invertebraten Fauna von Svalbard. Zoologischer Anzeiger 107: 114-139.

Introduction

The family Brachychthoniidae is large and cosmopolitan, with 11 genera and 169 species (Schatz et al. 2011; Subias 2011). They are diverse and abundant in forest litter and soil, grassland, and Arctic and Subarctic habitats (Norton & Behan-Pelletier 2009). They are very small and, perhaps for that reason, very little is known of their feeding habits or other aspects of their biology. The Australian fauna includes seven identified species in four genera, as well as records of unidentified species in two more genera. Some of the records may be questionable, and are based on misidentifications or misspelled names (see Colloff & Halliday (1998) for details). Unidentified species have been recorded from Australia a number of times as listed for each genus, and unidentified Brachychthoniidae were also reported by Springett (1979, as Brachypthonidae), Noble et al. (1996) and Adolphson & Kinnear (2008).

Marshall et al. (1987) recorded Liochthonius brevis (Michael, 1888) from Australia. This observation was based on the record of Brachychthonius cf. perpusillus (Berlese, 1910) from Australia by Womersley (1945), and the fact that B. perpusillus was considered to be a synonym of L. brevis. However, Womersley's identification of B. perpusillus was only tentative, and Lee (1982) considered that the Womersley specimens were actually Liochthonius simplex (Forsslund, 1942), and not L. perpusillus or L. brevis.

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

BRACHYCHTHONIIDAE: Brachychthonius perpusillus Berlese, 1910 — Berlese, A. 1910. Acari nuovi. Manipulus V, VI. Redia. Giornale di entomologia, Firenze 6: 199-234 pls XVIII-XXI

BRACHYCHTHONIIDAE: Liochthonius brevis (Michael, 1888) — Michael, A.D. 1888. British Oribatidae. London : Ray Society Vol. II pp. i–xi + 337–657 + Plates XXV–LIV.

General References

Adolphson, H. & Kinnear, A. 2008. Acari (mite) assemblages under plantations of bluegum, Eucalyptus globulus, in southwestern Australia. Pedobiologia 51: 427–437

Berlese, A. 1910. Acari nuovi. Manipulus V, VI. Redia. Giornale di entomologia, Firenze 6: 199-234 pls XVIII-XXI

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications.

Forsslund, K.H. 1942. Schwedische Oribatei (Acari). I. Arkiv för Zoologi 34A(10): 1-11

Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359

Marshall, V.G., Reeves, R.M. & Norton, R.A. 1987. Catalogue of the Oribatida (Acari) of continental United States and Canada. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 139: 1-418

Michael, A.D. 1888. British Oribatidae. London : Ray Society Vol. II pp. i–xi + 337–657 + Plates XXV–LIV.

Noble, J.C., Whitford, W.G. & Kaliszewski, M. 1996. Soil and litter microarthropod populations from two contrasting ecosystems in semi-arid eastern Australia. Journal of Arid Environments 32: 329-346

Norton, R.A. & Behan-Pelletier, V.M. 2009. Suborder Oribatida. pp. 430–564 in Krantz, G.W. & Walter, D.E. (eds). A Manual of Acarology. Lubbock, Texas : Texas Tech University Press Third edition, 807 pp.

Schatz, H., Behan-Pelletier, V.M., OConnor, B.M. & Norton, R.A. 2011. Suborder Oribatida van der Hammen, 1968. pp. 141–148 in Zhang, Z.-Q. Animal Biodiversity: An Outline of Higher-level Classification and Survey of Taxonomic Richness. Auckland : Magnolia Press.

Springett, J.A. 1979. The effects of a single hot summer fire on soil fauna and on litter decomposition in jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 4: 279-291

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011]

Womersley, H. 1945. Australian Acarina. The genera Brachychthonius Berl. & Cosmochthonius Berl. (Hypochthonidae - Oribatoidea). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 8: 219-223

History of changes

• Brachychthonius Berlese, A. 1910. Acari nuovi. Manipulus V, VI. Redia. Giornale di entomologia, Firenze 6: 199-234 pls XVIII-XXI.

Introduction

The genus Brachychthonius has been recorded in Australia on the basis of two described species, but those species have now been transferred to Sellnickochthonius. Australian records of Brachychthonius now include only unidentified species, as recorded Springett (1976) (as Brachipthonius), Harvey et al. (1993), Colloff & Halliday (1998), Longstaff et al. (1999) and Adolphson & Kinnear (2008).

General References

Adolphson, H. & Kinnear, A. 2008. Acari (mite) assemblages under plantations of bluegum, Eucalyptus globulus, in southwestern Australia. Pedobiologia 51: 427–437

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications.

Harvey, M.S., Gray, M.R., Hunt, G.S. & Lee, D.C. 1993. The cavernicolous Arachnida and Myriapoda of Cape Range, Western Australia. pp. 129-144 in Humphreys, W.F. The Biogeography of Cape Range Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 45(Supplement)

Longstaff, B.C., Greenslade, P.J.M., Colloff, M., Reid, I., Hart, P. & Packer, I. 1999. Managing Soils in Agriculture. The Impact of Soil Tillage Practices on Soil Fauna. Canberra, Australia : Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Publication No 99/18. pp. 65.

Springett, J.A. 1976. The effect of planting Pinus pinaster Ait. on populations of soil microarthropods and on litter decomposition at Gnangara, Western Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 1: 83-87

History of changes

• Liochthonius Hammen, L. van der 1959. Berlese's primitive oribatid mites. Zoologische Verhandelingen (Leiden) 40: 1-93.

Introduction

In addition to the named species listed here, unidentified species of Liochthonius have been reported from Australia by Heatwole et al. (1981), Walter (1995, 1999) and Colloff & Halliday (1998).

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Kanmantoo (KAN)

General References

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications.

Heatwole, H., Done, T. & Cameron, E. 1981. Community Ecology of a Coral Cay: A study of One-Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The Hague : W. Junk 379 pp.

Walter, D.E. 1995. Dancing on the head of a pin: mites in the rainforest canopy. pp. 49-53 in M.S. Harvey (ed.). Australasian Spiders and their Relatives: Papers Honouring Barbara York Main. Records of the Western Australian Museum 52(Supplement)

Walter, D.E. 1999. Living on leaves: adaptations of Australian rainforest mites. pp. 73–78 in Needham, G.R., Mitchell, R., Horn, D.J. & Welbourn, W.C. Acarology IX. Volume 2. Symposia. Columbus, Ohio : Ohio Biological Survey.

History of changes

• Liochthonius fimbriatissimus Hammer, M. 1962. Investigations on the Oribatid fauna of the Andes Mountains. III. Chile. Biologiske Skrifter Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab 13(2): 1-96 pls I-XXX [replacement name].
• Brachychthonius fimbriatus Hammer, M. 1958. Investigations on the Oribatid fauna of the Andes Mountains. I. The Argentine and Bolivia. Biologiske Skrifter Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab 10(1): 1-129 pls I-XXXIV [junior homonym].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMC, Rio Atuel valley, Argentina.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Kanmantoo (KAN)

General References

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications. (as Liochthonius fimbriatissimus)

Hammer, M. 1962. Investigations on the Oribatid fauna of the Andes Mountains. IV. Patagonia. Biologiske Skrifter Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab 13(3): 1-37 pls I-XI (as Liochthonius fimbriatissimus)

Hammer, M. 1966. Investigations on the Oribatid fauna of New Zealand. Part I. Biologiske Skrifter Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab 15(2): 1-108 pls I-XLV (as Liochthonius fimbriatissimus)

Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359 (as Liochthonius fimbriatissimus)

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011] (as Liochthonius fimbriatissimus)

Subias, L.S. 2004. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758-2002). Graellsia 60 (Supplement): 3–305 (as Liochthonius fimbriatissimus)

Womersley, H. 1945. Australian Acarina. The genera Brachychthonius Berl. & Cosmochthonius Berl. (Hypochthonidae - Oribatoidea). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 8: 219-223 (as Brachychthonius horridus (cf.))

History of changes

• Brachychthonius longipilus Womersley, H. 1945. Australian Acarina. The genera Brachychthonius Berl. & Cosmochthonius Berl. (Hypochthonidae - Oribatoidea). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 8: 219-223.

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA N1979308, Normanville, South Australia.
  Paratype(s) SAMA N1979309- N1979314 6, Normanville, South Australia.

Generic Combinations

• Liochthonius longipilus (Womersley, 1945). —
  Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359 [343]

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Kanmantoo (KAN)

General References

Balogh, J. & Balogh, P. 2002. Identification Keys to the Oribatid Mites of the Extra-Holarctic Regions. Miskolc. : Well-Press Publishing Vol. 1, 453 pp. + Vol. 2, 504 pp. (as Liochthonius longipilus)

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications. (as Liochthonius longipilus)

Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359 (as Liochthonius longipilus)

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011] (as Liochthonius longipilus)

Subias, L.S. 2004. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758-2002). Graellsia 60 (Supplement): 3–305 (as Liochthonius longipilus)

History of changes

• Brachychthonius simplex Forsslund, K.H. 1942. Schwedische Oribatei (Acari). I. Arkiv för Zoologi 34A(10): 1-11.

  Type data:

   Holotype NHRM, Kulbacksliden, Sweden.

Introduction

Marshall et al. (1987) recorded Liochthonius brevis (Michael, 1888) from Australia. This observation was based on the record of Brachychthonius cf. perpusillus (Berlese, 1910) from Australia by Womersley (1945), and the fact that B. perpusillus was considered to be a synonym of L. brevis. However, Womersley's identification of B. perpusillus was only tentative, and Lee (1982) considered that the Womersley specimens were actually Liochthonius simplex (Forsslund, 1942), and not L. perpusillus or L. brevis.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Kanmantoo (KAN)

General References

Berlese, A. 1910. Acari nuovi. Manipulus V, VI. Redia. Giornale di entomologia, Firenze 6: 199-234 pls XVIII-XXI

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications. (as Liochthonius simplex)

Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359 (as Liochthonius simplex)

Marshall, V.G., Reeves, R.M. & Norton, R.A. 1987. Catalogue of the Oribatida (Acari) of continental United States and Canada. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 139: 1-418 (as Liochthonius brevis)

Michael, A.D. 1888. British Oribatidae. London : Ray Society Vol. II pp. i–xi + 337–657 + Plates XXV–LIV.

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011] (as Liochthonius simplex)

Subias, L.S. 2004. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758-2002). Graellsia 60 (Supplement): 3–305 (as Liochthonius simplex)

Weigmann, G. 2006. Hornmilben (Oribatida). Keltern : Goecke & Evers pp. 520. (as Liochthonius simplex)

Womersley, H. 1945. Australian Acarina. The genera Brachychthonius Berl. & Cosmochthonius Berl. (Hypochthonidae - Oribatoidea). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 8: 219-223 (as Brachychthonius cf. perpusillus)

History of changes

• Poecilochthonius Balogh, J. 1943. Magyarország Páncélosatkái (Conspectus Oribateorum Hungariae). Budapest : Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Kiadása Part 202. pp.
• Poecilochtonius Balogh, J. 1943. Magyarország Páncélosatkái (Conspectus Oribateorum Hungariae). Budapest : Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Kiadása Part 202. pp.

Introduction

At the head of the description of this genus, Balogh (1943) gives the heading Poecilochtonius. However, in at least eight other places in the same paper, the genus name is spelled Poecilochthonius. It seems clear that the one case of deviant spelling is a typographical error.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Kanmantoo (KAN)

History of changes

• Brachychthonius parallelus Womersley, H. 1945. Australian Acarina. The genera Brachychthonius Berl. & Cosmochthonius Berl. (Hypochthonidae - Oribatoidea). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 8: 219-223.

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA N1979279, Normanville, South Australia.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Kanmantoo (KAN)

General References

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications. (as Poecilochthonius parallelus)

Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359 (as Poecilochthonius parallelus)

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011] (as Poecilochthonius parallelus)

Subias, L.S. 2004. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758-2002). Graellsia 60 (Supplement): 3–305 (as Poecilochthonius parallelus)

History of changes

• Sellnickochthonius Krivolutsky, D.A. 1964. Sellnickochthonius gen. n. – new genus of oribatid mites from the family Brachychthonidae Balogh, 1943 (Acariformes, Oribatei). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 43: 935–936.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP)

History of changes

• Brachychthonius cricoides Weis-Fogh, T. 1948. Ecological investigations on mites and Collemboles in the soil. Natura Jutlandica 1: 135-270 loose tbls 3, 9-16.

  Type data:

   Holotype NHMA, Mols, Jutland, Denmark.

Distribution

States

South Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Piccaninnie Ponds

IBRA

SA: Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP)

General References

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications. (as Brachychochthonius cricoides)

Evans, G.O. 1952. British mites of the genus Brachychthonius Berl., 1910. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 12 5: 227-239 (as Brachychthonius cricoides)

Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359 (as Brachychochthonius cricoides)

Moritz, M. 1976. Revision der Europäischen gattungen und arten der familie Brachychthoniidae (Acari, Oribatei). Teil 2. Mixochthonius Niedbala, 1972, Neobrachychthonius nov. gen., Synchthonius v. d. Hammen, 1952, Poecilochthonius Balogh, 19. Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin 52: 227-319 (as Brachychochthonius cricoides)

Sellnick, M. 1960. Formenkreis: Hornmilben, Oribátai. Band III. Die Tierwelt Mitteleuropas 4: 45-132 (as Brachychthonius cricoides)

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011] (as Sellnickochthonius cricoides)

Subias, L.S. 2004. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758-2002). Graellsia 60 (Supplement): 3–305 (as Sellnickochthonius cricoides)

History of changes

• Brachychochthonius elsosneadensis Hammer, M. 1958. Investigations on the Oribatid fauna of the Andes Mountains. I. The Argentine and Bolivia. Biologiske Skrifter Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab 10(1): 1-129 pls I-XXXIV.

General References

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications. (as Brachychochthonius elsosneadensis)

Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359 (as Brachychochthonius elsosneadensis)

Moulton, T.M. 1982. The effect of prescribed burning and simulated burning on soil and litter arthropods in open forest at Cordeaux, N.S.W. Australia. PhD Thesis, School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University. (as Brachychthonius elsosneadensis)

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011] (as Sellnickochthonius elsosneadensis)

Subias, L.S. 2004. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758-2002). Graellsia 60 (Supplement): 3–305 (as Sellnickochthonius elsosneadensis)

History of changes

• Synchthonius Van der Hammen, L. 1952. The Oribatei (Acari) of the Netherlands. Zoologische Verhandelingen (Leiden) 17: 1–139.

Introduction

The genus Synchthonius is known from Australia only on the basis of unidentified species, as reported by Heatwole et al. (1981).

General References

Heatwole, H., Done, T. & Cameron, E. 1981. Community Ecology of a Coral Cay: A study of One-Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The Hague : W. Junk 379 pp.

History of changes

• Verachthonius Moritz, M. 1976. Revision der Europäischen gattungen und arten der familie Brachychthoniidae (Acari, Oribatei). Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin 52: 27-136.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP)

History of changes

• Verachthonius moritzi Lee, D.C. 1982. Sarcoptiformes (Acari) of South Australian soils. 3. Arthronotina (Cryptostigmata). Records of the South Australian Museum (Adelaide) 18: 327-359.

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA N1979315 ♀, Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia.
  Paratype(s) SAMA N1979316-N1979328 13 ♀ (same data as holotype).

Distribution

States

South Australia

IBRA

SA: Naracoorte Coastal Plain (NCP)

General References

Balogh, J. & Balogh, P. 2002. Identification Keys to the Oribatid Mites of the Extra-Holarctic Regions. Miskolc. : Well-Press Publishing Vol. 1, 453 pp. + Vol. 2, 504 pp. (as Verachthonius moritzi)

Colloff, M.J. & Halliday, R.B. 1998. Oribatid Mites: A Catalogue of the Australian Genera and Species. Melbourne : CSIRO Publications. (as Verachthonius moritzi)

Subias, L.S February 2011. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes: Oribatida) del mundo (excepto fósiles). Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/Artropodos/Catalogo.pdf [date of access 1 October 2011] (as Verachthonius moritzi)

Subias, L.S. 2004. Listado sistemático, sinonímico y biogeográfico de los ácaros oribátidos (Acariformes, Oribatida) del mundo (1758-2002). Graellsia 60 (Supplement): 3–305 (as Verachthonius moritzi)

History of changes