Oribatid mite fauna was investigated in October, 1975 along the north east slope of Mt. Mitsu-toge, Central Japan. Soil samples were taken at each 100m height from 700m to 1750m above the sea level. The mite density/m
2 changed in accordance with water contents of soil as well as organic matter contents of soil, while the species number gradually fell along with the rise of altitude and at the same time the fall of temperature. A total of 104 species collected were classified into several groups according to their range of appearence. Dominant species, 18 in number, were also classified in the same manner.
Quadroppia quadricarinata, Tectocepheus velatus and
Oppiella nova become dominant throughout the area investigated.
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