Mowing impact on oribatid mite communities of the Kyoto Gyoen Garden

Change in oribatid mite communities was investigated in connection with mowing impact at the Kyoto Gyoen Garden. The species number of oribatid mites decreased in proportion to an increase in the mowing effect . By the MGP-analysis II, oribatid communities of a higher mowing area indicate type P, while those of a lower mowing are indicate types O and G. The most dominant species occupied more than 50% of the total number of individuals in two areas where mowing took place four or six times a year. The dominat species consisted mainly of Poronotasuch as Punctoribates punctum, Trichogalumna nipponica, Diapterobates sp. 1 and Scheloribates sp. B. Among the 41 oribatid species that were found, Punctoribates punctum, Eremobelba Okinawa and Peloribates muscicola were found for the first time in the area of Western Japan, though one of them and previously been located in Okinawa