Diversity Of Soil Mites Research Articles

Distribution pattern and driving factors of mite communities in karst cave ecosystems.

Mites are among the most abundant invertebrates in subsurface ecosystems, and their community assemblages and distributions are often significantly influenced by the diversity of habitat resources. The cave ecosystem encompasses drastic changes in nonbiological factors, such as changes in lighting conditions from bright to extraordinarily dark and habitat gradients of surface plant resources from abundant to scarce or even disappearing, providing an ideal unique environment for evaluating the assembly mechanism of soil animal communities. Nevertheless, there still needs to be a sufficient understanding of the biodiversity patterns and drivers of mite communities across environmental gradients in karst caves. We conducted a comprehensive survey on the composition and diversity of soil mites in three photometric zones (dark, twilight, and light) of a typical karst cave and its adjoining extractive environments (forest scrub and farmland). Our research aimed to investigate the ecological relationships of mite communities between above- and below-ground habitats and the effects of abiotic factors on mite communities. We collected 49 families, 86 genera, and 1284 mites. In the external cave environment, we captured 1052 mites from 72 genera and 45 families; in the internal cave environment, we captured 232 mites from 46 genera and 29 families. The abundance, richness of genera, and diversity parameters of the mite community decreased from the cave entrance to the cave interior with decreasing light intensity. Oribatid mites dominated the mite community. Protoribates and Scheloribates were the dominant genera, along with Tectocepheus and 11 other genera, which primarily distinguished the mite communities among different habitats. Forty endemic taxa were found in the external cave environment, compared to 14 endemic taxa in the internal cave environment. The mite community showed a strong preference for the cave ecosystem habitat. Temperature, humidity, and soil nitrogen content significantly influenced the distribution pattern of mite communities (VIP > 0.8, p < 0.05).

Responses of taxonomic and functional diversity of soil mites to altitudinal changes in forest ecosystems of Lyuliang Mountains, Shanxi, China

The altitudinal gradient pattern of mountain biodiversity and its formation mechanism are hot topics in ecological research. The altitudinal variations of belowground invertebrates are less understood than aboveground plants and animals. With soil mites as the model soil animals, we investigated their distribution patterns from 1318 m to 2500 m above sea level in three mountains of Lyuliang Mountains based on species diversity and functional diversity. We used soil pH, total N, total P, total K, and organic matter content to identify potential drivers of soil mite communities and diversity along the altitudinal gradient. A total of 715 soil mites were collected, belonging to 3 orders, 27 families, 28 genera, and 29 species. Phthiracarus clemens, Geolaelaps praesternalis and Diapterobates humeralis were dominant mites. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed that soil mites community composition varied significantly among different altitudes due to Epilohmannia ovata predominated in high altitude and P. clemens predominated in middle altitude. There were significant differences in individual density of soil mites among different altitudes. The Margalef, Shannon, and Simpson indices followed a unimodal distribution pattern along the altitudinal gradient. Functional richness and functional evenness showed a unimodal distribution pattern along the altitudinal gradient, while other functional diversity indices changed little with altitude. The RDA results indicated that total K and soil pH were the major drivers for the variations in soil mite communities. The Pielou index of soil mites was significantly positively correlated with soil pH, while functional evenness was negatively correlated with altitude. Individual density, species number, Margalef, Simpson and Shannon indices were significantly positively correlated with functional richness index. Species diversity and functional diversity of soil mites varied differently with altitude. In the future, we should strengthen long-term monitoring and dynamic functional properties of soil mites and the community assembly to deeply understand the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Diversity of soil mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in streamside mountain forests

AbstractHabitat loss and fragmentation are among the most influential factors responsible for recent biodiversity decline. The key to understanding the changes in ecosystem functioning is the analysis of the relationship between species diversity and environmental gradients such as those found near streamside forests. We used soil mites (Mesostigmata) as model species as they are predators in soil ecosystems, they occur in high relative abundance, their communities are species‐rich and are robust toward sampling and extraction methods. The main goals of this study were to (1) check how the plant community and associated environmental variables (light conditions, litter accumulation, and soil acidity) along mountain streams affect soil Mesostigmata abundance and diversity, and (2) to analyze the distance from mountain streams to which the ecosystem functions (Mesostigmata diversity) are affected, based on a distance gradient. We systematically established 31 study plots (500 m2) every 200 m along the watercourses, representing three habitat types along the stand composition gradient (ash‐sycamore [Fraxinus excelsior–Acer pseudoplatanus], European beech [Fagus sylvatica], and Norway spruce [Picea abies] forests) for measurements of soil litter thickness, soil acidity, and light conditions. We extracted soil Mesostigmata mites from samples in Tullgren funnels and identified them to the species level. We found that Mesostigmata abundance in forests decreased in the following order: Norway spruce forest &gt; European beech forest &gt; ash‐sycamore forest. Additionally, changes in Shannon diversity were associated with light conditions. In conclusion, streamside mountain forests maintained abundant, diverse and species‐rich Mesostigmata communities, which were associated with a plant community‐light condition gradient. Additionally, more abundant mite communities occurred in forests with higher soil pH values, and under higher light conditions.

The impact of 12 years of biological control on soil microbiome and microfauna composition and functions in tea plantations

Synthetic pesticides were introduced to China in the 1940s and have become essential to increasing crop yield. They are now commonly applied across all agricultural landscapes. However, little is known about how the long-term pesticide use is affecting belowground communities and what impact pesticide residues are having on soil health. We investigated how pest management practice influence soil biota and overall yield. Soil samples were compared across tea farms that had different levels of pest management strategies: biocontrol, pesticide use, unmanaged over 12 years. DNA was extracted from the bulk soil underneath the canopy and subjected to 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA genes, ITS amplicon sequencing, qPCR quantification of the community and functional genes involved in the N-cycle. Additionally, the abundance and diversity of soil mites were recorded using traditional methods. The results highlighted that there were significant differences in edaphic properties including total nitrogen, total organic carbon, pH, phosphorus and levels of several pesticides across all treatments. Overall, there were distinct microbial communities associated with each treatment and diversity patterns were significantly influenced by management strategies. Across all gene regions, there was variation in the relative abundance of dominant taxa across treatment. Management influenced the abundance of N-cycling genes with an increased abundance of amoA and nirK in biocontrol and unmanaged farms. Interestingly, we found an increased abundance of fungal pathotrophs in the pesticide treatment. We also found that mite compositions and densities were different across all management strategies. The overall mite density and that of Rhodacaroidea were highest in the pesticide treatment and lowest in the unmanaged farm soil. This work aims to improve our understanding of pest management strategies from a soil biota point of view, to enhance soil health and to promote sustainable tea productions.

Effects of three typical grass cultivation patterns on the community structure of soil mites in rocky desertification control area, Guizhou, China ∗∗

Abstract The use of grass cultivation in the restoration of degraded ecosystems is widespread, in order to reveal the effect of different grass cultivation patterns on the community structure of soil mites in the integrated management area of rocky desertification. In April and July 2021, a total of 2782 soil mites belonging to 3 orders, 42 families, and 73 genera were captured from three typical grass cultivation, Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens, and the traditional Zea mays as a control sample, in the integrated management area of potential-light rocky desertification in the karst plateau mountains of Salaxi, Guizhou Province. The soil mite community structure was analyzed using number of taxa (genera), number of individuals, diversity index, community similarity index, MI index of predatory mites, and MGP analysis of oribatid mite ecological taxa. The results showed that: (1) The summer has a more prosperous composition and diversity of soil mites across habitats, while the dominant genera of soil mites show a differential distribution across habitats; the number of soil mite genera, individuals and individual densities was significantly higher in the three grass cultivation habitats than the Zea mays habitat, and surface aggregation of soil mites is more pronounced. (2) There were differences in soil mite community structure among the three grass cultivation patterns, with a regularity of Lolium perenne &gt; Dactylis glomerata &gt; Trifolium repens in the composition of soil mites genera and the number of individuals, and the proportion of shared genera was not high. (3) The diversity of soil mites varied according to the environment and season, with the highest diversity of soil mites in Lolium perenne habitats; both the community similarity analysis and the CCA analysis showed that Lolium perenne and Dactylis glomerata habitats had the highest similarity of soil mite communities (4) Predatory mites were dominated by r-selective ecotypes, and oribatida were dominated by O and P type ecotypes under the three habitat patterns. (5) Soil nutrient conditions were more favorable in Trifolium repens habitats, while soil water content was higher in Dactylis glomerata environment, and correlation analysis indicated that TK was a key environmental factor influencing soil mite community composition and diversity. Based on the above results, it is further elaborated that the artificial grass restoration model not only improves the nutrient supply of soil N, P, and K but also significantly increases the composition and diversity of soil mite species, which is beneficial to the restoration of soil mite communities and is very helpful in terms of achieving self-sustainability and restoration of soil functions in rocky desertification areas.

Ecological assessment of soil mite communities in diverse fodder production systems of semi–arid central India

The agrarian community of North West region of Bundelkhand in Central India is mainly dependent on livestock rearing and related activities. In order to support the livestock-based economy of the area, a number of fodder and pasture development schemes are promoted by government of India. The hypothesis is that various such systems due to change in land management and vegetation pattern; may affect soil structure and native soil biota. This study presents ecological assessment of soil mite communities in selected fodder production systems in this geographical region. Mites, the most diversified among soil biota are considered effective bio-indicators of soil conditions. So, in this study, their community structure, seasonal abundance were closely monitored and analyzed in different fodder-based land utilization schemes viz., natural grasslands, cultivated pastures (Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes hamata), pure tree stands of Albizia amara, silvipstures (tree + grass) and fodder crop cultivation. Mites were represented by 44 families under 4 suborders. Most dominant groups (families) observed were Tarsenomidae,Caligonellidae, Gamasellus,Dermanyssoidea, Scheloribetidae, Epilohmanniidae, Oppiidae, Galumnidae, Perlohmanniidae, Orobatulidae and Hydrozetidae. Peak population buildup was recorded in the month of August. Diversity was low in annual fodder cultivation system and bare land situations. Perennial fodder production systems namely, open tree stand of Albizia amara, natural grassland, improved pastures and silvipasture systems supported higher diversity of mite fauna. Greater soil mite diversity in such carefully designed perennial systems indicate that such systems might ecologically sound and would achieve long term fodder sustainability for the region.

Influence of plants on soil mites (Acari, Oribatida) in gardens

Influence of plants on soil mites (Acari, Oribatida) in gardens

Effects of transgenic Bt rice lines with single Cry1Ab and fused Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac on the abundance dynamics and community diversity of soil mites

ABSTRACTRisk assessment and ecological effects are a concern of transgenic rice. In this study, the effects of three lines of Bt rice expressing single Cry1Ab protein (Kemingdao: cv. KMD) and fused Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac proteins (Huahui 1: cv. HH1; Bt Shanyou 63: cv. Bt-SY63) on soil mite community were investigated under field conditions. Transgenic treatment (cv. Bt-rice vs. non-Bt rice) significantly decreased the community index of Margalef’s richness (SR) of soil mite in KMD, and significantly increased the abundance and the community indexes of Shannon diversity (H’), Pielou’s evenness (J) and SR of soil mite in Bt-SY63 (p < 0.05). Transgene type (cv. KMD vs. HH1) did not significantly affect the composition, abundance and the community index (p > 0.05). Breeding type (cv. HH1 vs. Bt-SY63) significantly changed the composition and markedly improved the abundance and the J value in Bt-SY63 (p < 0.05). However, seasonal and inter-annual changes were apparent, and the Bt effects were not consistent at all for the different plant backgrounds over a 2-year period. These results suggested that the cultivation of Bt rice has a significant but transient effect on soil mite community.

Response of soil mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) to long-term Norway spruce plantation along a mountain stream

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, coniferous monocultures were introduced, replacing natural broadleaved forests in Central Europe, mainly for economic benefits. In the mountains, Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst] was introduced in large areas previously covered with beech forests and also in natural riverside habitat corridors such as river valleys, despite its negative impact on the soil environment by e.g. organic matter accumulation, decrease of soil pH and changes in C/N ratio. We aimed to check how long-term Norway spruce plantations affect species richness and diversity of soil mites along a mountain river in former mixed and broadleaved forests. The study, based on 342 samples, was carried out in Stołowe Mountains National Park (SW Poland). Understory species biomass, soil pH and soil organic layer thickness significantly affected soil mite communities. Although coniferous forests did not differ from either broadleaved or mixed forests in mite density (number of individuals m−2) and species diversity (H′), they were characterized by low species richness and proportional abundance of Uropodina mites typical for broadleaved forests. In total, 4849 mites classified into 57 species were recorded from all forest types and no unique species were found in the sampled forests. Although the mite communities were dominated by the same common species (Veigaia nemorensis, Paragamasus runcatellus, Leptogamasus obesus and Trachytes aegrota), they still maintain the rare species of broadleaved forests and their high recovery potential may be used in forest conversion.

Community structure of soil mites under Quercus variabilis forests in small watershed of karst area, Guizhou, China.

To analyze the differences of community structure of soil mites between the rocky desertification environment and karst beech forests, we investigated the soil mites of Quercus variabilis forest in the Chaoying small watershed of Guizhou Province. Soil mites from 83 genera, 54 families, and 3 orders were collected in the four investigations of 2014. We analyzed the differences of genus numbers, individual numbers, individual density, Shannon diversity index (H), Margalef richness index (SR), Pielou evenness index (J), maturity index (MI) of predatory soil mites (Mesostigmata: Gamasina), community structure of the oribatid mites (MGP) and nutritional structure of mite. Results showed that Oribatida was dominant in taxonomic richness and individual abundance. Abundant genus, high individual density and diversity of soil mites were found in summer and autumn, and higher individual abundance was found in spring and autumn. Soil mites showed surface-aggregation in their distribution. Most predatory mites were K-selected in summer and r-selected in other seasons. The ecological groups of the oribatid mites were mainly P-type and O-type. Hypochthonius, Allobelba and Zygoribatula constituted the nutrient function group of the soil mites. There were significant differences in the main groups of soil mites in the beech forest and other forest types. Among all the groups, Parholaspididae, Laelapidae, Oppiidae and Haplozetidae with abundant genera composition, Multioppia, Parholaspulus, Scheloribates and Haplozetes with predominance could be used as a biological indicator for the soil environment in beech forests.

Patterns of soil mite diversity in Lamto savannah (Côte d’Ivoire) submitted at different fire regimes

In this study, we evaluated the impact of different fire regimes (early, mid-season, or late fire) on soil mite abundance and diversity in three study sites (Salty marigot, Plateau and North piste) of the Lamto shrub savannah at 160 km northwest of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. On each site, three adjacent plots of 100 m x 50 m were delimited, to which a given fire regime was applied. At each site, soil cores were taken at 0-10 cm soil depth three days before the fire application, the day after and one month after the fire (10 soil cores x 3 sampling periods x 3 fire regimes or plots x 3 sites = 270 soil cores). Soil mites were then extracted from these cores. 108 soil cores were sampled at two upper layers (0-5 and 5-10 cm) for estimation of the bulk density and water content. After data analysis, four groups of mite were observed (Actinedida, Gamasida, Oribatida and Acaridida). Gamasida and Oribatida were dominant groups (early fire: Gamasida 35%, Oribatida 55%; mid-season fire: Gamasida 16%, Oribatida 70%; late fire: Gamasida 16%, Oribatida 74%). In total, 70 species were observed, with 29, 44 and 31 species recorded respectively during the early, mid-season and late fires. Mite density and species richness varied significantly along the three fire regimes and decreased substantially after fire application. Except for the mid-season fire, Simpson index from all mites differed significantly across sampling periods. Lower Oribatida represented 25% of the total Oribatida. Whatever the fire regimes, brachypyline Oribatida abundance increased the day after fire application. Overall, fire intensity reduced drastically soil mite abundance and diversity.

The diversity of soil mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in yellow ant (Lasius flavus) nests along a gradient of land use

Mesostigmatid mites communities in yellow ant (Lasius flavus) hills and phoresis of mites on this ant species were analysed in the Wielkopolska Region, Central Poland. Samples were collected from ant nests located along a gradient of four different types of land use: forest, ecotone, meadow and garden. In total, 132 mites were collected in ant nests among which 26 species were identified. The highest total abundance of mites was observed in the ecotone. Moreover, 14 mite specimens were found on L. flavus workers bodies. These are the first records of phoresis of mesostigmatid mites on this ant species.

Landscape geological age explains large scale spatial trends in oribatid mite diversity

To understand the overwhelming species richness in soil the focus of attention has traditionally been on local soil conditions, such as physical and chemical characteristics. Regional factors like landscape history have been largely ignored. The aim of our study was to assess the importance of geological site age and local site conditions on oribatid mite species richness in undisturbed forest soils. We wanted to evaluate the processes underlying spatial changes in oribatid species richness at the regional level. We selected 41 sites across the Netherlands with different forest types, located on soils with varying levels of humidity and nutrient richness. The selected sites formed a clear spatiotemporal gradient in geological site age, ranging from Holocene sites along the west coast and rivers towards Pleistocene sites in the east of the country. Five samples were collected at each site. Oribatid mites were counted and identified to the species level. In total 145 oribatid mite species were recorded. We observed that oribatid mite species richness across sites was positively affected by site age. Soil nutrient status, water availability, soil type, or forest vegetation type had rather a local modulating effect on soil mite diversity. The increase in species diversity with geological site age was mainly due to an increase in sexually-reproducing species, with an apparent high competitive ability, but lower reproduction rate. Our results suggest that spatial patterns of soil animal community diversity and composition can be significantly determined by geologic age at the regional level.

Changes in the abundance and structure of a soil mite (Acari) community under long-term organic and chemical fertilizer treatments

A study was conducted in an 11-year field experiment in a winter wheat–summer maize rotation agroecosystem in the North China Plain. We aimed to evaluate the changes in soil physico-chemical parameters and the abundance, diversity and community structure of soil mites, under organic fertilizer (OF) and chemical fertilizer (CF) treatments, compared to unfertilized soil as the control (U). Soil organic matter content, available potassium (K), total nitrogen (N) and hydrolyzable N were significantly higher in the plots under the OF treatment than under the other treatments. Available phosphorus (P) content was similar in OF and CF plots and higher than in the control. After continuous 11-year application, both the organic and chemical fertilizer treatments reduced the abundance and diversity of soil mites. Both types of fertilizer significantly reduced the abundance of Oribatida such as Epilohmannia sp., Xylobates sp., Scheloribates sp., and Cultroribula sp. This result was positively related to the high level of phosphorus in the two treatments, which probably suppressed fungi, thus reducing the food resources for mycophagous mites. However, the organic fertilizer remarkably increased the abundance of r-strategic, predatory Mesostigmata, such as Ascidae, possibly due to abundant prey under the nutrient-rich conditions. However, the number of predatory mites did not increase in the chemical fertilizer treatment. While organic fertilizer application did not increase the overall abundance and diversity of soil mites, especially Oribatida, parallel studies (unpublished) show that the increase in predatory Mesostigmata reflected enhanced biological activity and functioning of the bacterial decomposition pathway especially in the food web of this treatment.

The influence of some environmental factors on the species diversity of the predator mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from natural forest ecosystems of Bucegi Massif (Romania)

The influence of some environmental factors on the species diversity of the predator mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from natural forest ecosystems of Bucegi Massif (Romania)The ecological research was made in 2001-2003, in Bucegi Massif, in three natural forest ecosystems withPicea abies, Abies albaandFagus sylvatica. In order to show the influence of some environmental factors on the species diversity of the investigated soil mites, the following abiotic parameters at soil level were analysed: temperature, humidity and pH. The species diversity (with Shannon-Wiener index) and the equitability were calculated. Taking account of the bio-edaphical conditions, the studied soil mite diversity had a various evolution. In spatial dynamics, the ecosystem withAbies albaoffered better conditions for a species diversity (78 identified species), in comparison with ecosystem withPicea abies(67 identified species), where, due to a high altitude and to the big slope, this parameter had the most decreased values. In the ecosystem withFagus sylvatica, the diversity showed the presence of 71 species. At the soil level, the litter and fermentation layer was a favorable habitat for development of the soil mite populations. In temporal dynamics, these parameters had recorded seasonal fluctuations. All these aspects are due to the different bioedaphical conditions, specific to each studied natural ecosystem.

Contribution to the diversity of soil mites (Acari, Gamasida) in southern Croatia (Dalmatia), with some ecological and zoogeographical notes

Contribution to the diversity of soil mites (Acari, Gamasida) in southern Croatia (Dalmatia), with some ecological and zoogeographical notes The species diversity of soil gamasid mites (Acari) in southern Croatia (Dalmatia) was studied in August 2002. In the Krka National Park, Brač Island, and near the town of Makarska, 320 samples were collected from various microhabitats: soil, grass and moss ground cover, wet moss, needle litter, moss covering tree trunks, and decaying wood). Altogether, 2097 mites of 56 gamasid species were recorded. Dominant species were: Polyaspis patavinus (Brač Island), Zercon fageticola (Makarska), and Cheiroseius serratus (Krka National Park). Analyses of ecological preferences and zoogeographic distribution were made for Polyaspis patavinus, Cheiroseius serratus, Zercon fageticola, Z. berlesei, Z. athiasi, Asca nova and A. aphidioides.

The Diversity of Soil Mites in Tasmanian Buttongrass Moorland in Relation to Vegetation Age

The Diversity of Soil Mites in Tasmanian Buttongrass Moorland in Relation to Vegetation Age

Diversidad de ácaros (Acari: Prostigmata, Mesotigmata, Astigmata) asociados a la hojarasca de formaciones vegetales del Parque Universitario de la UCLA, Venezuela

Se estudió la diversidad de los ácaros (Prostigmata, Mesostigmata y Astigmata) habitantes del estrato suelo-hojarasca de un Matorral y un Bosque Deciduo del Parque Universitario de la UCLA (Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado), Estado Lara, Venezuela, desde diciembre 2000 a noviembre 2001. El muestreo se realizó usando trampas de caída colocadas a lo largo de una transecta de 1.800 m en ambas localidades. Todos los morfotipos fueron montados en láminas microscópicas usando líquido de Hoyer. Se registró un total de 51 morfotipos de ácaros con predominancia del número de individuos pertenecientes a Prostigmata (2528) respecto a Mesostigmata (926) y Astigmata (12). En ambas localidades, Eupodidae (Prostigmata) y Macrochelidae (Mesotigmata) fueron las familias más abundantes. Se determinó mayor riqueza (S= 43), diversidad (H'= 2,67) y uniformidad (E= 0,69) de morfotipos en el Bosque Deciduo al ser comparado con los valores obtenidos en el Matorral (S= 36, H'= 2,12 y E= 0,52). Ambas zonas mostraron un índice de similitud (J') de 0,59. La pendiente de la curva de diversidad-dominancia permitió inferir que el Matorral constituye un hábitat más disturbado que el Bosque Deciduo a pesar de albergar mayor número de individuos. Se requiere realizar estudios más detallados que sirvan de base para determinar el rol de la acarofauna en el equilibrio de la red trófica de suelo de las regiones tropicales.

Diversity of soil mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) along a gradient of land use types in New York

This study explored the relationship between landscape-level factors (land use type) and the diversity of soil mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) at a within-site scale, using diversity measures including point diversity (local species diversity within a single sampling point), patterns of species turnover among the sampling points, and alpha diversity (total species richness in a habitat). The land use types included corn fields, intensive short-rotation forestry plantations, two types of abandoned agricultural fields, and hardwood forests. Land use type was identified as a significant factor influencing both small-scale (within individual soil cores) and site-scale diversity of Oribatida, which increased in the order “corn → willow → abandoned fields → forests”. There was no statistical relationship between land use type and abundance or diversity of Mesostigmata. Using a bootstrapping method to generate “random” communities, we found that all land use types had significantly more diverse patterns of species abundance than was expected by chance. On the other hand, the patterns of presence/absence of species were less diverse than expected by chance. Local site factors were significant in driving the patterns of diversity of soil mites at the site scale; land use type was less important. The overall structure of Oribatida and Mesostigmata assemblages was significantly related to land use type. We conclude that soil communities respond to land management on both local scales and habitat-wide scales.

ARE SOIL MITE ASSEMBLAGES STRUCTURED BY THE IDENTITY OF NATIVE AND INVASIVE ALIEN GRASSES?

Associations between plants and animals in aboveground communities are often predictable and specific. This has been exploited for the purposes of estimating the diversity of animal species based on the diversity of plant species. The introduction of invasive alien plants into an ecosystem can result in dramatic changes in both the native plant and animal assemblages. Few data exist at the species level to determine whether belowground animal assemblages share the same degree of association to plants. The hypotheses that soil mites (Acari) form assemblages specifically associated with different native grass species in an unmanipulated natural ecosystem and that invasive alien grasses will impact soil mite assemblage composition in this setting were tested. Soil mites sampled beneath five native and two invasive alien species of grasses at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, Kansas, USA, were similarly abundant, species rich, diverse, and taxonomically distinct. No mite species had affinities for a specific grass species. There was no evidence from analysis of similarity, canonical correspondence analysis, or a nonparametric assemblage analysis that the assemblage composition of soil mites was specific to grass species. Results suggest that soil mite assemblages were more related to characteristics of the plant assemblage as a whole or prevailing soil conditions. The most recent invasive alien grass did not support a successionally younger mite fauna, based on the ratio of mesostigmatid to oribatid mites, and neither of the two invasive grasses influenced mite assemblage structure, possibly because they had not yet substantially altered the soil environment. Our results suggest that extrapolations of soil mite diversity based on assumptions of plant specificity would be invalid.