The number of phytoseiid mite species varied greatly according to the geographical zones in Keyna. In the upper highlands (2400–4400m) 22 species were recorded, 44 in the lower highlands (1800–2400m), 57 in the midlands (800–1800m) and 25 in the lowlands (0–800m). The predacious mites Euseius kenyae (Swirski & Ragusa) and E. albizzae (Swirski & Ragusa) were common in Zones I, II and III and not reported in Zone IV. In contrast, E. minutisetus Moraes & McMurtry was common in zone IV and not recorded in the other three zones. The maximum number of Neoseiulus species were collected from upper highlands (Zone I), indicating some adaptation to adverse conditions. Similar adaptation were reported for largoensis species group as they were common in the mangrove localities (Zone IV) and rare in others. Some species had no distinct patterns of distribution and were almost sampled form every zone (e.g. Transeius Chant & McMurtry, Typhlodromus Scheuten and Typhlodromips De Leon).
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abundance
climatic factors
colonization
diversity
Geographical zones
habitat
natural enemies