| abstract | A survey is presented of the Cryptostigmata of the antarctic continent, the peninsula region and adjacent islands, the South Orkney Islands, the South Sandwich group and Bouvet. The species discussed are: Liochthonius mollis (Hammer), Eobrachychthonius sp. (family Brachychthoniidae); Oppia crozetensis (Richters), O. loxolineata Wallwork, Globoppia intermedia Hammer (family Oppiidae); Alaskozetes antarcticus (Michael), A. antarcticus ssp. intermedius n. ssp., Halozetes marinus (Lohmann), H. necrophagus n. sp., H. belgicae (Michael), H. belgicae longisetae n. ssp., Antarcticola meyeri n. gen., n. sp. (family Podacaridae); Maudheimia wilsoni Dalenius, M. petronia Wallwork (family Scheloribatidae); Magellozetes antarcticus (Michael), Edwardzetes elongatus Wallwork, E. dentifer Hammer (family Ceratozetidae); Maculobates nordenskjoeldi (Träigårdh) (family Haplozetidae). Complete descriptions are given for the new forms, and diagnostic characters and references to more detailed descriptions are provided for the remainder. An identification key and zoogeographical check-lists are also given. An analysis of faunal affinities suggests that three elements are present: a continental endemic element composed of Maudheimia wilsoni, M. petronia, and Antarcticola meyeri; a South American penetrant element made up of Liochthoniusm ollis, Eobrachychthonius spec., Oppia crozetensis, Globoppia intermedia, Magellozetes antarcticus, Edwardzetes elongatus, E. dentifer, Maculobates nordenskjoeldi, and probably Oppia loxolineata; and a maritime antarctic element represented by Alaskozetes antarcticus, Halozetes marinus, H. belgicae, and probably H. necrophagus. |