Introduction and identification key of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) related to tea plant in Iran

During 2018-2019, fauna of the oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) related to tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) in Guilan Province was collected and identified. Mites were extracted from soil samples by Berlese funnel and from leaves by direct examination under a stereomicroscope and cleared in Nesbitt’s solution. Cleared mites were mounted in Hoyer’s medium on microscopic slides. In this study totally, 34 species belonging to 27 genera and 20 families of oribatid mites were collected and identified. Among them, 30 species, 20 genera and 9 families reported related to tea plant, for the first time from Iran. List of the identified families, genera, and species in this study and their collection information are provided. Moreover, a checklist of the genera and species of oribatid mites related to tea plant in Iran and an identification key to them (in family, genus and species levels) are provided.