Integrative taxonomic survey of soil microarthropods from Dokdo Island, Korea

Dokdo, a remote volcanic island in the East Sea of Korea, harbors a unique ecosystem but remains poorly studied in terms of soil microarthropods. To address this gap, we conducted an integrative taxonomic survey of Acari and Collembola combining morphological observations with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear 28S ribosomal DNA (28S rDNA) sequence data. Soil samples were collected from eight sites during three field surveys in 2023–2024, and microarthropods were extracted using Berlese–Tullgren funnels. Phylogenetic analyses based on COI sequences, together with species delimitation approaches (ASAP and mlPTP), complemented morphological identifications. In total, 16 Acari and eight Collembola species were confirmed. This study provides a comprehensive baseline of soil microarthropod diversity on Dokdo and offers valuable reference data for future ecological and biogeographical research on island ecosystems. • First survey of soil microarthropods on remote Dokdo Island of Korea • 24 species identified using integrative taxonomy approach • COI and 28S markers used for molecular species delimitation • This study offers baseline data for future island biodiversity research