| abstract | During the years 1956-1967 in the Latvian SSR 22 species of gamasoid mites from the family Laelaptidae Berlese, 1892 have been stated on small mammals - on mouse-like rodents and insectivorous mammals. In about 2000 substrate samples obtained in 112 stations from 81 points in Latvia during 1966-1974 25 species of free living mites of the family Laelaptidae have been discovered, 24 species being noted for the first time in the fauna of the republic.
Eviphis ostrinus C.L. Koch, Alliphis siculus Ouds., Hypoaspis aculeifer Can. are common for Latvia, Cosmolaelaps vacua Mich. were also often discovered, Hypoaspis incertus Bernh., H. praesternalis Willm., Iphidosoma physogastris Karg - comparatively less. The species Hypoaspis angusticutatus [sic!] Willm., H. mixta Scherb., H. kargi Costa, H. montana Berl., H. oblonga Halb., H. hyatti G.O. Evans et W.M. Till, H. humerata Berl., H. heyi Karg var. latvicus var.n., H. rigensis sp.n., H.lusisi sp.n., Laelaspis austriacus Selln., L. markewitschi Pir., L. astronomicus C.L. Koch, Androlaelaps karawaiewi Berl., Iphidosoma fimetaria [sic!] Berl., Ololaelaps placentula Berl., O. halaskovae Breg. et Kor., O. sellnicki Breg. et Kor. were stated on separate cases only.
The main habitat for free-living representatives of the family Laelaptidae appear to be forest biotopes, except for Alliphis siculus Ouds., which prefers agriculturally used areas. |