S. Mahunka szerk.: Folia Entomologica Hungarica 57. (Budapest, 1996)

ROVARTANI KÖZLEMÉNYEK LVII 1996 pp. 79-84 Report on the first year activity carried out in the framework of the Hungarian-Mexican soil zoological co-operation: "Diversity of the Oribatid fauna of Mexico" 1995 A. Borhidi, S. Mahunka and J. G. Palacios-Vargas Report on the first year activity carried out in the framework of the Hungarian-Mexican soil zoological co-operation: "Diversity of the Oribatid fauna of Mexico" 1995 — A report is given on the aim and goals of a research project to study the correlation of the Mexican vegetation and soil mites (Oribatida). A list of collecting sites and data are included. The soil mites of Mexico, Central America and Antilles are poorly known. Although, based on our present knowledge (e.g. Hammer and Wallwork 1979; Wallwork 1984; Bernini et al. 1987; Subias et al. 1992; Mahunka 1991, 1993) the Oribatid mites are especially adept for the study and analysis of both the short- and the long-term biogeographical processes. They are even more effective when we can study them parallel with the evolution of flora and vegetation. It is a well-known fact that from biogeographical point of view this area is one of the most interesting regions, and even today very much disputed areas. The main topics of these discussions are: the unclear nature of plate-tectonic events during geological ages, their effect on the flora and fauna, and whether these give any information regarding the former connections of this area. At the same time it is a well-known topic, requiring further intense research, how the Neotropical (Gondwana) and Nearctic (Laurasia) flora and fauna meet, or possibly advance in the opposite directions, and also where does the border of the two biogeographical units lie. Based on the study of both of the vegetation and several animal taxa this border is presently thought to lie within Mexico. On the Oribatids of the above described area very few papers were published. Just some examples: Bonaire: Willman (1933); Cuba: Balogh and Mahunka (1974, 1979), Vasiliu and Calugar (1977); Dominica: Mahunka (1978); Guatemala: Willman (1930), Mahunka (1983); Martinique: Grandjean (1929, 1930); Mexico: Palacios-Vargas (1994); Panama: Grandjean (1930, 1932); Santa Lucia: Mahunka (1985). All of these works were either taxonomical or ecological (canopy faunal) studies, and with the exceptions of some minor remarks and hints, due to the lack of enough data,