Aquatic larval of the genus Arrenurus (Trombidiformes: Parasitengonina: Arrenuridae) associated with Odonata species from Pampa Biome, Brazil

Gabriel Lima Bizarro,Liana Johann,Guilherme Liberato Da Silva,Eduardo Périco,Marina Dalzochio,Noeli Juarez Ferla

doi:10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1157

Gabriel Lima Bizarro, Liana Johann + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1157

Copy DOI

Abstract

Abstract: Many studies have reported that the interaction between water mite larvae and their Odonata hosts affects mating success, flight, and longevity. Males and females of Odonata species collected in the steppes and coastal plains (Pampa Biome) of Rio Grande do Sul were analyzed. Mites were removed when present and the prevalence and intensity of parasites was calculated. The aim of this study was to search and report new Odonata hosts species that are parasitized by water mite larvae and also to evaluate the prevalence and intensity rates; the differences in mite occurrence and frequency between males and females, and between thorax and abdomen of the dragonflies and damselflies in the southern Pampa biome located in Rio Grande do Sul. A total of 162 larval mites were found associated to two Odonata families: Coenagrionidae (Acanthagrion lancea Selys, 1876, Ischnura capreolus Hagen, 1861 and Ischnura fluviatilis Selys, 1876) and Libelullidae (Micrathyria ocellata Martin, 1897 and Perithemis mooma Kirby, 1889). All mites were identified as Arrenurus (Arrenurus) sp. (Arrenuridae) and showed high numbers when attached to I. capreolus (55.5%), I. fluviatilis (33.3%), followed by low numbers on M. ocellata (6.1%), A. lancea (3.7%), and P. mooma (1.2%). Mites were found on males and females of I. capreolus and I. fluviatilis, females of A. lancea and P. mooma and in M. ocellata only in males. As the parasitized Odonata species are generalist and abundant in all water body types, traits associated with mating and oviposition or larval behavior are believed to explain the frequency of parasitism in these species.

Highlights

The hyporder Parasitengonina is characterized by mites that have parasitic larva and predatory nymphs and adults; the resting stages provide an adaptation to avoid unfavorable conditions in unstable environments, and larval parasitism on flying insects provides substantial advantages, ensuring dispersal and rapid exploitation of new habitats (Smith et al 2001, Smith et al 2010, Proctor et al 2015)
Four new Odonata species are reported to the host list for Arrenurus s.str: Ischnura capreolus Hagen, 1861, Acanthagrion lancea Selys, 1876, Perithemis mooma Kirby, 1889 and Micrathyria ocellata Martin, 1897. (Table 1)
A high number of mites occurred when they were attached to I. capreolus (55.5%), I. fluviatilis (33.3%), followed by low numbers when attached to M. ocellata (6.1%), A. lancea (3.7%), and P. mooma (1.2%)

Summary

Introduction

The hyporder Parasitengonina is characterized by mites that have parasitic larva and predatory nymphs and adults; the resting stages provide an adaptation to avoid unfavorable conditions in unstable environments, and larval parasitism on flying insects provides substantial advantages, ensuring dispersal and rapid exploitation of new habitats (Smith et al 2001, Smith et al 2010, Proctor et al 2015). Hydrachnidiae, or water mites, are a highly diverse group of Parasitengonina, comprising over 6,000 described species and reported in all regions of the world, except for Antarctica (Cook 1974, Viets 1987). The survival period for free-swimming larvae in the preparasitic phase ranges from 4 days to 6 weeks (Smith & Oliver 1986, Smith 1988, Smith et al 2010) Their larvae parasitize species of Diptera, Coleoptera, and Odonata orders, all groups with the final instar active in the water or flying (Smith & Cook 1991, Smith et al 2001, Zawal 2008, Smith et al 2010, Gerecke et al 2016). 1937, A. triconicus Marshall, 1919 and A. undulatus Lundblad, 1937 (Smit 2020)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion