Oribatid mites (Acari Oribatida) of the Farma Valley (Southern Tuscany). Notulae Oribatologicae. 66

The results of research on the oribatid mite fauna of the Farma Valley (Southern Tuscany) are reported. 195 species were collected, two of which are new and will be described in a coming paper. The species Acaronychus traegardhi, Liochthonius hystricinus, L. lapponicus, L. strenzkei, Sellnickochthonius zelawaiensis, Phthiracarus membranifer, Liacarus perezinigoi, L. subterraneus and Zetomimus furcatus are reported in Italy for the first time. Phthiracarus clavatus, Hafenrefferia gilvipes, Autogneta longilamellata, Raphigneta numidiana, Podoribates longipes, Lauritzenia tenuifusus and Globozetes longipilus are rare and give rise to interesting considerations in relation to geographic distribution. The naturalistic value of the area is discussed on the basis of ecological elements such as rarity, pattern of occurrence and distribution in the many biotopes of the individual oribatid mites species. The authors report that "exposure effect" has a slight effect on oribatid fauna and confirm the high naturalistic value of the area.