Water mites of small boreal forest lakes (Central Finland)

1999

The water mite fauna of 10 small forest lakes in close proximity to each other was studied in 1979–1985. In total approximately 62 species of water mites belonging to 22 genera were detected in the lakes. The most diverse genera were Piona (14 species), Arrenurus (11), Unionicola (4) and Limnesia (4). Widely spread and abundant species were Piona variabilis and Limnesia maculata. Locally abundant were Unionicola crassipes, U. minor, Piona carnea and P. paucipora. Zoogeographically interesting though accidental species were Arrenurus werestschagini, Limnesia polonica, Momonia karelica, Piona gyrophora and Unionicola parvipora. Considerable spatial and seasonal differences were observed in th…