Trhypochthoniidae Willmann, 1931

Fischer, Barbara M. & Schatz, Heinrich, 2013, Biodiversity of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) along an altitudinal gradient in the Central Alps, Zootaxa 3626 (4), pp. 429-454 : 435-436

Trhypochthoniidae Willmann, 1931

Trhypochthonius tectorum (Berlese, 1896)

Distribution: Holarctic, Oriental and Neotropical region

Habitat: preferably in dry habitats, in moss, rarer in forest soils

Obergurgl area: pine forest at 2050 m (Zirbenwald), Nardetum at 2300 m (Schönwieskopf); previous studies: 1960–1980 m (hay meadow), pine forest at 2050 m (Zirbenwald), 2100–2500 m (alpine meadows with lichen communities, alpine meadows & dwarf shrub community), 2800–3100 m (Androsacetum alpinae)

Remark: In previous investigations this species has been found also at higher altitudes compared to this study. Whether the occurrence of T. tectorum is bound to lower altitudes nowadays or has simply not been detected in our samples cannot be clarified without further investigations.