High Diversity and Species Turnover of Moss-Dwelling Mites in a Peri-Urban Mediterranean Forest

Mite assemblages are integral components of forest ecosystems, yet their seasonal dynamics in moss microhabitats remain poorly understood. We investigated moss-dwelling mites in a peri-urban Mediterranean forest in Greece across three sampling periods (March, May, July 2020), analyzing 150 random samples. Diversity was assessed using Hill numbers, rarefaction, and β-diversity partitioning, while Indicator Species Analysis identified taxa linked to specific months. Functional structure was further examined through trophic guilds. Results revealed strong temporal shifts: richness peaked in March, whereas May and July harbored distinct assemblages with unique indicator taxa. Functional analyses indicated seasonal changes in trophic guild representation, reflecting resource-driven dynamics. These findings highlight the importance of moss microhabitats as reservoirs of mite diversity and underscore the need for temporal perspectives in Mediterranean forest biodiversity research.