This paper deals only with the primary feeding (free living) terrestrial prostigmatic mites of the families Eupodidae, PEnthalodidae, Rhagidiiadae, Tydeidae and PAchygnaithidae. Predaceous Prostigmata such as Halacaridae, Bdellidae and Pyemotidae may occur, especially in the outer fringes of the Antarctic continent, but they are treated by other authors.