Feeding biology and diversity of oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari) vom Fachbereich Biologie der Technischen Universität Darmstadt genehmigte Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines Doctor rerum naturalium von Katja Schneider aus Darmstadt Referent: Prof. Dr. Stefan Scheu Koreferent: Dr. habil. Michael Bonkowski Tag der Einreichung: 13. Mai 2005 Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 05. Juli 2005 Darmstadt 2005 D17 ‘The truth is in here somewhere’ Robbie Williams Carabodes femoralis Mites are most easily recognised by what they are not – other arachnids. Walter and Proctor (1999) LIST OF PUBLICATIONS PUBLICATIONS RESULTING FROM THIS DISSERTATION CHAPTER 2.1. Schneider K, Migge S, Norton RA, Scheu S, Langel R, Reineking A, Maraun M (2004) Trophic niche differentiation in oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari): evidence from 15 14stable isotope ratios ( N/ N). Soil Biology and Biochemistry 36, 1769-1774 CHAPTER 2.2. Schneider K and Maraun M (2005) Feeding preferences among dark pigmented fungi (“Dematiacea”) indicate trophic niche differentiation of oribatid mites. Pedobiologia 49, 61-67 CHAPTER 2.3. Schneider K and Maraun M (2005) Oribatid mite (Oribatida, Acari) feeding on ectomycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhiza (submitted) CHAPTER 2.4.