2017 Vol.23 No.1 PP 137-151

DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF ORIBATID MITE FAUNA(ACARI: ORIBATIDA) IN THE FOREST FLOOR OF SATKOSIA BASIPALLY WILD LIFE SANCTUARY, ODISHA, INDIA

^*SHELLEY ACHARYA AND ADITI DUTTA

Zoological Survey of India,
M- Block, New Alipore,
KOLKATA-700053
*Corresponding Author :
E mail: acharya.shelley@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The studies were mostly concentrated in Nine forest ranges of the WLS including the core areas. The soil of this region mostly is dry, red and with iron and silica content. Though the soil mites are prevalent in moist humid condition, we got a diversed population of 20 different species under 14 genera which is less than average probably due to the soil condition. Protoribates magnus is the dominant species in this study. The species with larger ranges were Scheloribates curvialatus.

Key words : Biological Diversity, Distribution, Oribatid mite, Wild Life Sanctuary.