Common Pioneer Mite

Tectocepheus velatus

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
ELCODE: 
ILACA61020
Common Name: 
Common Pioneer Mite
Scientific Name: 
Tectocepheus velatus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Oribatid Mites
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Arthropoda
Class: 
Arachnida
Order: 
Oribatida
Family: 
Tectocepheidae
Habitat
Tussock tundra, moss, peatlands, mixed woods, coasts, litter, prairie. Cosmopolitan and pioneer species. Extremely eurytopic (wide habitat and ecological condition tolerance).
References: 
B2024003
Distribution

Distribution

Species collected in both taiga and tundra regions, which cover most of the NWT (total land area 1,183,085 km2). Also found in adjacent provinces and territories, indicating it likely has an extensive range in the NWT.
Score: 
G

Number of Occurrences

Historical record. This species is known from locality records most recently published in 1994 (Behan-Pelletier & Bissett 1994).
Score: 
U
Threats

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Most oribatid mites are K-selected (Norton 1994), meaning they have stable populations with long generation times, adults are long-lived, and they show low metabolic rates, low fertility, and iteroparity. They are also slow to disperse/recolonize due to their small size (0.3 - 2.1 cm per day; Lehmitz et al. 2012), which also means they cannot move out of harm's way during a disturbance event.
Score: 
AB
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Rank drafted by L. Lumley in 2022 for the 2025 general status ranks. Rank reviewed for NWT in 2024 by S. Carriere.
Last Updated: 
June 13, 2024

References

Habitat

  • Behan-Pelletier, V.M. & Lindo, Z. (2019) Checklist of oribatid mites (Acari : Oribatida) of Canada and Alaska. Magnolia Press Zootaxa 4666(1): 001-180 - B2024003 Return