Abstract. The vertical distribution of oribatid mites was evaluated in a natural soil (pine-oak forest) in the municipality of San Juan Nuevo and an agricultural soil (avocado crop) in the municipality of Uruapan in Michoacán, Mexico.  Samples were taken in seven layers distributed in a 100 cm deep trench. A total of 466 oribatid mites/cm3, representing 37 species of 29 genera were identified. In both sites, the highest abundance and biodiversity were found in the top 5 cm layer. Nothrus anauniensis Canestrini & Fanzago, 1877 (Nothridae), Ramusella (Insculptoppia) merimna Balogh & Mahunka, 1977 (Oppiidae), Allogalumna (Acrogalumna) sp. 1 (Galumnidae) and Scheloribates sp. 2 (Scheloribatidae) were found at the greatest depths (10–25 cm in natural soil and 25–50 cm in agricultural soil).