THE RECONSTRUCTION OF LOCAL ENVIRONMENTS ON THE BASIS OF REMAINS OF ORIBATID MITES (ACARI, ORIBATIDA)

A method is presented for reconstructing the local environment on the basis of the remains of oribatid mites. The distribution of the species over 20 ecological groups, of which the species composition as well as the preferred habitats are given, forms the basis of this reconstruction. It is concluded that these reconstructions, and especially comparisons in time and/or in space between these reconstruction, provide useful information on past ecological conditions. Some additional applications of the study of mite remains in archaeology (Acaroarchaeology) are also presented. © 1990.