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Existing literature on marine associated Ameronothroidea is reviewed and recapitulated. Although these littoral oribatid mites strongly resemble typical terrestrial mites, they have evolved different adaptions of various kinds to the marine littoral environment. In order to cope with intertidal wave action, most species show reduced and compact sensilla as well as sickle-shaped and elongated claws. Complex cerotegument based plastron mechanisms have evolved to allow breathing under flooded conditions and enabling these organisms to survive an average of more than a month completely submerged in saltwater. Behavioural adaptations include aggregations, diurnal and circatidal activity patterns, daily and seasonal migrations and thigmotaxis. Most taxa show no reproductive adaptions to the littoral habitat but some have developed ovoviviparity to protect the offspring and a few also have evolved distinct sexual dimorphism supposed to allow direct mating and secure sperm transfer in this constantly changing environment. Ameronothroid taxa are basically generalized feeders grazing on intertidal algae, lichens and fungi which also serve as microhabitat. Coastal areas all over the globe have been colonized and these mites can be found in a wide range of habitats: e.g. polar shores, rocky coasts, sandy beaches, tropical mangrove forests, brackish river estuaries and salt marshes. The families show a distinct climate related distribution pattern, with the Ameronothridae (Podacaridae included) in polar and cold temperate regions and the Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae in subtropical and tropical areas. Long distance transport to remote islands is supposed to be mainly achieved by bird phoresy in Ameronothridae and by dispersal via strong ocean currents in Fortuyniidae and Selenoribatidae. In literature there are basically two contrasting theories explaining the evolutionary invasion of marine associated habitats by ameronothroid mites, one favoring a monophyletic origin and a single land-to-sea transition event and another preferring an independent terrestrial ancestry and accordingly multiple invasions of the marine littoral environment. Recent molecular genetic studies support the latter theory and render the present superfamily of Ameronothroidea a polyphyletic taxon.

The marine-associated lifestyle of ameronothroid mites (Acari, Oribatida) and its evolutionary origin: a review