Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna: The Brazilian acarofauna (Arachnida: Holothyrida, Ixodida, Mesostigmata, Opilioacarida, Sarcoptiformes, and Trombidiformes)

Abstract

The diversity of organisms is one of the most fundamental questions in sciences. Here, we inventory species distributed in 273 families of mites from Brazil. Taxonomic information is provided for all 88 superfamilies in Brazil, accompanied by relevant publications for the families, including notes on their identification and importance. However, despite recent taxonomic improvement in a few groups, particularly in Mesostigmata (Dermanyssoidea, Phytoseioidea and Uropodoidea), Ixodida (Ixodoidea), Sarcoptiformes (Analgoidea, Galumnoidea, Oppioidea, Oripodoidea, Phthiracaroidea, Pterolichoidea and Sarcoptoidea) and Trombidiformes (Arrenuroidea, Bdelloidea, Cheyletoidea, Eriophyoidea, Hygrobatoidea, Pygmephoroidea, Tarsonemoidea, Tetranychoidea, Trombiculoidea and Tydeoidea), knowledge remains limited for most other taxa. This limitation underscores the urgent need for taxonomic revisions and improvements in describing new species. Based on groups of host-specificity, we estimate nearly 50,000 species of mites occurring in Brazil, but the diversity could be greater. This enormous gap in our taxonomic knowledge of mites suggests that greater investment in training and hiring acarologists, is essential. In this context, the Taxonomic Catalog of the Brazilian Fauna (TCBF) should serve as a key platform for compiling, updating, and disseminating taxonomic data, ensuring that mite diversity in Brazil is systematically documented and accessible for future research and conservation efforts.