The family Epicriidae in Slovakia: annotated faunal synopsis and description of a new species of Epicrius (Acari, Mesostigmata, Epicriidae) Author Án, Peter Ma Ò text Zootaxa 2008 1880 48 68 journal article 10.5281/zenodo.184190 64828d50-43c4-4756-a484-bd9c1b2cd93a 1175-5326 184190 Epicrius monticola Bregetova, 1977 Epicrius monticola Bregetova, 1977 : 31 , 39; Karg, 1993 : 244 ; Gwiazdowicz, 2000 : 471 . not Epicrius monticola (= Epicrius tauricus Bregetova, 1977 ).— Kalúz & Žuffová, 1989 : 224 ; Kalúz, 1998 : 78 . Published data . See “Misidentification and dubious data from Slovakia ”. New data . 1 Ψ, 1 ɗ – 6/2; 2 ΨΨ – 6/3; 4 ΨΨ, 1 ɗ – 7/1; 1 Ψ – 18/1; 1 Ψ – 25/1; 2 ΨΨ – 25/2; 9 ΨΨ, 1 ɗ – 26/1; 1 ɗ – 32/1; 1 Ψ – 32/2; 1 ɗ – 32/3. Notes . This species was originally proposed in the identification keys to the genus Epicrius by Bregetova (1977) . Based on specimens from Slovakia , this species is variable in respect to some main characters such as the number of setae on sternal shield and presence of two ventral platelets each bearing a ventral seta. So, the recognition of this species is slightly problematical, especially considering the unusual presence of a separate ventral shield in males. In E . monticola , there appear to be a gradient of variability from forms with three pairs of sternal setae inserted on the sternal shield and a pair of ventral setae on small suboval platelets, towards predominant forms with two pairs of setae on the sternal shield and a pair of ventral setae placed on soft cuticular integument (often one ventral seta situated on shield and other on soft cuticle). Ecology . A local species showing slightly discontinuous distribution as it was found exclusively in a rather small area in the western part of Slovakia ( Fig. 1 ). This is particularly remarkable due to the fact that the species has an affinity to beech habitats ( Fagion sylvaticae ), which are widely distributed in Slovakia . Epicrius monticola also colonises mesophilous deciduous forests with oak and/or hornbeam ( Quercetum , Carpinion betuli , Querco -Carpinetum ). For example, it is absent in coniferous stands and avoids various forested alluvial stands with more humid substrates. In Slovakia , it was recorded at altitudes ranging from 200 to 1,020 m ( Fig. 2 ), with an optimum up to 600 m . Probably a south-eastern element expanding to other areas of Central Europe.