About Oppia nitens

Oribatida (formerly Cryptostigmata), also known as oribatid mites, moss mites or beetle mites,[1] are an order of mites, in the "chewing Acariformes" clade Sarcoptiformes. They range in size from 0.2 to 1.4 millimetres (0.008 to 0.055 in) [1]. There are currently 12,000 species that have been identified, but researchers estimate that there may be anywhere from 60,000 to 120,000 total species [2]. Oribatid mites are by far the most prevalent of all arthropods in forest soils, and are essential for breaking down organic detritus and distributing fungi [3]. The Oribatida are of economic importance as hosts of various tapeworm species, and by increasing the breakdown of organic material in the soil, in a similar manner to earthworms.[4]

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Taxonomy ID 1686743

(Text from Wikipedia.)

More information General information about the order this species belongs can be found in Wikipedia

Taxonomy ID 1686743

Data source University of Saskatchewan

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