Mite Fauna Research Articles

Water mites (Acari: Parasitengona: Hydrachnidia) as inhabitants of groundwater-influenced habitats - considerations following an update of Limnofauna Europaea

Following an update of the survey of the European water mite fauna (Acari: Hydrachnidia) last published by K. Viets (1978), we confirmed the occurrence of 970 species. Based on the evaluation of these data, new bibliography and our own unpublished data, the main habitat preference is determined for each species. The resulting ecological data are analysed with a main focus on species inhabiting groundwater-influenced habitats. No other invertebrate group includes a similarly high share of species with a particular relationship to spring habitats: about one fifth of the European Hydrachnidia has a preference for spring habitats, a total number of 137 (14%) is crenobiontic (living exclusively in springs). The following topics are addressed: (1) the significance of spring habitats for the diversity of water mites − percentage of crenobionts/crenophiles at different geographical latitudes; (2) regional stenotopy − intraspecific differences in habitat preference between populations at different latitudes; (3) communities colonizing springs vs. hyporheic − similarities and differences; (4) evolution of crenobiosis in water mites − potential governing factors; (5) endangered species − direct and indirect anthropogenic threats to the natural diversity of water mites.

Distribution of oribatid mites is moisture-related within red wood ant Formica polyctena nest mounds

Abundant and species rich oribatid mite faunas live as ant associates in red wood ant nest mounds. Distribution of oribatids (as of many other groups) within mounds is unknown, yet there is an indication that many oribatid species favor moist microclimates. The ant mounds typically have a relatively dry core covered by a moister surface layer, but the moisture variance of mound parts has rarely been verified by measurements. We measured the moisture variance of nine Formica polyctena mounds (surface, rim, core) located in three different forest types in Finland. The moisture may affect the mounds’ temperature maintenance, and we further investigated this relationship. We also hypothesised that the abundance, species richness and community composition of oribatids may be related to the moisture, and investigated these differences between the mound parts and forest types. The moisture varied significantly between the mound parts; moisture was highest in surface followed by rim and core. The surface moisture had a positive relationship with nest core temperature. A total of 18,614 oribatid mites belonging to 93 species and one higher taxon were recorded. The oribatids occurred predominantly on the surface (77.9%), followed by the rim (16.6%) and the core (5.5%) of the ant nest mounds. The abundance and species richness of oribatids was positively related to moisture and differed significantly between the mound parts and forest types. The mound volume had no effect on moisture, temperature or mite community composition. The results indicate that the moisture harbored in the surface layer of ant nest mounds is a vital factor for maintaining rich oribatid mite communities within mounds.

Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) of Tanzania

This monograph sums up the state of knowledge of ptyctimous mites fauna of Tanzania on the basis of literature data. Diagnoses of 61 species known from Tanzania (TAN) are given, 15 species have been redescribed on the basis of types and 22 species have been redescribed in earlier papers. One new species: A. ( H.) onkos sp. nov. is described. For each species a morphological diagnosis and geographic distribution are given. Eight species are new to TAN, including one new to the Afrotropical Region. Keys for identification of species and higher taxa are given. The fauna of ptyctimous mites of Tanzania (TAN) shows some differences and specificities as well as some similarities to the fauna of the nearby hotspot Madagascar with neighbouring islands (MAG), to that of the Afrotropical Region and even to that of distanced faunas of other zoogeographic regions of the southern hemisphere. The fauna of TAN comprises slightly more genera and subgenera (19) than that of MAG (18), although the number of species in MAG is much higher (111) than in TAN (61 species). The specious higher taxa are: Pocsia, Plonaphacarus and Notophthiracarus. Pocsia is represented by the highest number (10) of species found in the Afrotropical Region, and it is likely this subgenus originates from Tanzania (7 endemic species). Plonaphacarus is relatively rich in species in the Oriental Region. Notophthiracarus is even more speciose in the fauna of MAG and the Australasian Region. Over a half of the species known from Tanzania (37) were found in the material collected in 2010 from the Uluguru and Nguru Mts. Both these mountain ranges show some specificity of fauna. Two species occur only in the Nguru range, while as many as 7 species are endemites in the Uluguru.

Seasonal abundance and diversity of astigmatic mites in storage facilitiesof Punjab, India

Stored-product mites cause economic loss by feeding on stored grain and imperil the human health by contamination of food by allergens. The present study has been carried out to access the mite fauna associated with warehouses and other grain storage facilities of Punjab. Samples were collected three times a year. The year was divided into three climatic classes i.e. summer CCL I, rainy CCL II and winter CCL III. Mites were found in 146 (83.90%) of 168 analyzed samples. A total of 2400 mites were isolated of which, 1326 (55.25%) mites were found in samples collected during rainy season, 747 (31.12%) during summer and 327 (13.63%) during winter season. A total 2400 mites were isolated of which 1364 (56.83%) mites were from order Astigmata. Among the collected specimens, 11 species of astigmatid mites were identified belonging to 7 genera of 4 families i.e. acaridae, glycyphagidae, pyroglyphidae and saproglyphidae. Tyrophagus putrescentiae (18.3%) was found to be the most abundant mite species followed by Glycyphagus domestics (17.48%).

Mite fauna associated with Cecropia pachystachya Trec. (Urticaceae)—the importance of the plant as reservoir and dissemination means for predatory mites

Cecropia pachystachya Trec. (Urticaceae) is a common pioneer plant from South America, which is found on both degraded and preserved environments. Pioneer plants are able to disperse into agricultural environments and to introduce species of mites different from those present amongst the cultivated plants. This study evaluated the mite fauna present on plants of C. pachystachya associated with 18 forest fragment sites in the Northwest region of the state of São Paulo, a region where only 3% of the native vegetation is preserved. High species richness (82 species) and abundance (3,631 specimens) of mites were recorded on the plants, with high variation in species composition among the sites sampled. Regardless the species composition, most of the sites showed predominance of species considered predators, indicating that C. pachystachya provides some type of food for these mites. The data obtained in the study suggest that this plant can be an important reservoir of predatory mites and could facilitate their dissemination from preserved environments to degraded areas or crops.

Distribution of mite species (Acari) on persimmon trees in Turkey (Ordu), with one newly recorded mite species and one re-described species

ABSTRACTPersimmon is a deciduous and perennial tree of the Ebenaceae family. Diospyros kaki Thunb. and Diospyros lotus L. are the most common persimmon species in Turkey and cultivated especially in the northeastern parts of the country. This study was carried out to determine the mite species on D. kaki and D. lotus in the Ordu province (Black Sea region, Turkey) during 2012 and 2013. The survey was conducted weekly between April and October of each year. Leaf samples were collected from nine different districts (Altınordu, Çaybaşı, Fatsa, Gülyalı, İkizce, Kabadüz, Perşembe, Ulubey, and Ünye) of the Ordu province. Thirty-five mite species representing three orders were found in the surveys. Tydeus goetzi Schruft, 1972 (Prostigmata: Tydeidae) is newly discovered from Turkey and here described and illustrated. Brachytydeus paraobliqua (Panou & Emmanouel, 1996) (Prostigmata: Tydeidae) is re-described and its trito- and deutonymph are described for the first time. The results also showed that predatory mites formed the larger component of the mite fauna on persimmon.

Phytoseiid Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) of the Azores Islands

The fauna of phytoseiid mites (Phytoseiidae) is still scarcely known in the Azores archipelago. A survey was conducted in the islands of Pico, Faial and Flores where phytoseiid mites were collected from native, cultivated and invasive plants. Twenty-two species were collected, nine of which represent new records for the Azores. Five new species, Neoseiulus petraeus Ferragut sp. nov., Phytoseius azorensis Ferragut sp. nov., Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) atlanticus Ferragut sp. nov., T. (T.) floresiensis Ferragut sp. nov. and Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) septemporosus Ferragut sp. nov., are described and illustrated. We provide complementary morphological information for four known species, additional features for the separation of Typhlodromina tropica (Chant) and T. subtropica (Muma & Denmark) and the redescription of Amblyseius elongatus (Garman). A key to separate the phytoseiid species of the Azores is also included.

Predatory prostigmatid mite (Acari: Trombidiformes) fauna of the date palm agro-ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

A comprehensive survey was conducted at different provinces of Saudi Arabia (SA) to investigate predacious prostigmatid mites (Acari: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata) mainly collected from the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae) agro-ecosystem. A total of 41 species belonging to 28 genera in 14 families are recorded in the present study. Out of these, three families, 18 genera and 36 species are new to the mite fauna of SA. The new species, Neobonzia tabukensis sp.nov. (Cunaxidae), Cheletomimus (Philippicheyla) taifensis sp.nov. (Cheyletidae) are described and illustrated. A checklist of predatory prostigmatid mites from SA is given. A key to all terrestrial predatory prostigmatid mites, excluding Parasitegona and Heterostigmatina, reported from SA is provided. Also, a key to world species of the subgenus Philippicheyla Corpuz-Raros of the genus Cheletomimus Oudemans is given.

Responses of water mite assemblages (Acari) to environmental parameters at irrigated rice cultivation fields and native lakes

Many studies have revealed that water mite communities can be affected by the physical and chemical parameters of the water. The similarity between the water ‘mite assemblages in local water bodies and in irrigated rice areas can be a way to measure the water conditions, enabling an assessment of the anthropic impact in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of water mites in lakes and irrigated rice fields in south Brazil. To accomplish that we characterized the distinctive environments using physical and chemical variables such as pH, turbidity (NTU), water temperature (°C) and dissolved oxygen (mg/L), in order to verify the influence of these abiotic factors on the species composition of water mite communities; and to compare water mite abundance, richness and composition among different habitats. We assessed three native lakes and four sites with irrigated rice cultivation. Our results showed, for the first time in Brazil, strong correlations between the water mite fauna and turbidity. In addition, native lakes were richer and had greater mite abundance when compared with the irrigated rice areas.

Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) associated with birds of Mexico

The fauna of quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Cheyletoidea) parasitizing birds in Mexico is surveyed. Three new species of the genus Syringophiloidus Kethley are described: S. amazilia sp. nov. from Amazilia candida (Bonaer & Mulsant) (Apodiformes: Trochilidae), S. cincli sp. nov. from Cinclus mexicanus Swainson (Passeriformes: Cinclidae), and S. sporophila sp. nov. from Sporophila torqueola (Bonaparte) (Passeriformes: Thraupidae). Additionally, six quill mite species are found for the first time in Mexico and several new host associations are recorded. The syringophilid fauna presently recorded in Mexico is summarized.

Türkiye Faunası İçin Yeni Bir Su Kenesi (Acari; Hydrachnidia; Hygrobatidae) Türü: Atractides inflatipes (Lundblad, 1956)

In this study, some structural features of Atractides inflatipes (Lundblad, 1956) females based on our material were revised, some body parts were measured and illustrated, distribution of the species was also evaluated. Water mites of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 have been found in all biogeographical regions except for Australia and Antarctica. Most species are found only in clean waters with well conserved substratum, thus they are probably sensitive to many forms of human impact (Gerecke, 2003). With 29 species, the genus Atractides is among the most species rich genera of the water mite fauna of Turkey which has been insufficiently known (Erman et al., 2010; Gülle et al., 2010; Aşçı et al., 2011; Esen et al., 2013; Esen and Erman, 2013). Among the material collected during an extensive survey of the water mite fauna of Burdur Province in southwestern Turkey in 2014–2015 period, one Atractides species was found to be new record for the fauna of Turkey.

Evaluation of three pesticides against phytophagous mites and their impact on phytoseiid predators in an eggplant open-field

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of two insecticides (deltamethrin and acetamiprid), and an acaricide (fenbutatin oxide) on diversity and abundance of mite fauna in replicate experiments carried out in an openeggplant field in Latakia, Syria. Each pesticide was applied three times with an interval of three weeks between two consecutive applications. Two phytophagous mites were observed in all treatments: Tetranychus urticae and olyphagotarsonemus latus. However, the number of predatory mite species (in particular Phytoseiidae) was different according to the pesticide applied and the lowest number observed was in the fenbutatin oxide treatment. This acaricide caused high mortality of T. urticae, decreased the abundance of P. latus, and negatively affected Phytoseiidae. Acetamiprid and deltamethrin induced the resurgences of T. urticae (3.5-fold and 1.5-fold for the former and the latter respectively). The abundance of P. latus was not affected by acetamiprid but by deltamethrin. The results clarified also that these insecticides seemed harmless to Phytoseiidae [i.e. Phytoseiulus persimilis, Phytoseius finitimus and Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki]. Data obtained here are interesting for integrated management programs of the major eggplant phytophagous mites, although the generalization of these results requires some caution and additional experiments are needed.

Oribatid mites of Oripodoidea (Acari: Oribatida) from northwest of Iran with additional description of Scheloribates (Scheloribates) labyrinthicus

A study on the oripodoid mites fauna (Oribatida: Oripodoidea) in Miandoab region (West Azerbaijan Province) was carried out during 2015–2016. In this survey, 16 species belonging to three families and five genera are known, of which the species Scheloribates ( Scheloribates ) labyrinthicus Jeleva, 1962 is recorded for the first time from Iran. An additional description is provided for Scheloribates ( S. ) labyrinthicus based on specimens collected from the northwest of Iran. Moreover, a checklist of 16 oripodoid mite species of Miandoab region is presented.

A checklist of the oribatid mite species (Acari: Oribatida) of Brazil.

A checklist of the oribatid mite species reported in Brazil is presented, including all published records up to 2015. A total of 576 described species in 206 genera and 83 families is presented. Information includes the names by which each species was reported in the Brazilian literature, its general known distribution and by Brazilian States, references, and remarks, when needed. As with most countries, there was a slow early accumulation of knowledge but in recent decades the pace of description has been relatively high. A graphical overview of the number of described oribatid mite species from Brazil in different decades is given. The proportion contributed by each of the major oribatid groups is generally similar to that of the overall world fauna, with a composition that reflects the South American fauna and all of the Neotropics in general. There is a relatively low percentage of primitive mites (Palaeosomata, Enarthronota) other than Lohmanniidae and Mesoplophoridae, which are quite diverse. The Brachypylina comprises about 68% of the oribatid mite fauna. In the checklist, 41% of the species are known only from Brazil, 37% from the Neotropical region, 13.5% have a wider distribution in the global tropical and subtropical regions, and 8.5% are considered cosmopolitan or semicosmopolitan species. The number of descriptions of new species since 2000 from Brazil (73 spp.) and South America (230) is high, but the oribatid mite fauna of these countries remains poorly known. Only continued studies can determine if the high number of species known only from Brazil is an indication of high endemism.

Assessment of mite fauna in different coffee cropping systems in Brazil

ABSTRACTAgro-ecological diversification may increase natural biodiversity and decrease environmental impacts caused by the intensification of management practices, especially with respect to pest control. This study aimed to evaluate mite populations from surveys in commercial coffee (Coffea arabica) orchards managed in different ways. Four different cropping systems were compared: a conventional system (CS), non-pesticide system (NPS), organic system (OS) and organic agroforestry system (OAS). Mite samples were taken from 24 coffee plantations (n = 6 for each management strategy). Six leaves per plant were collected from five sampling sites totalling 30 leaves from each plantation. Mites were removed from individual leaves, counted and identified to family level. Amongst the predatory mites, two families were detected; the Phytoseiidae was the most abundant family while the Stigmaeidae, generalist predatory mites, were only found in two management systems (NPS and AOS). Of the two families of phytophagous mites, the family Tenuipalpidae was the most abundant, but rarely found in AOS. The other phytophagous family, Tetranychidae, was less abundant in coffee crops than Tenuipalpidae, but the most abundant phytophagous family in CS. Understanding the relationship between mite populations and management practices can aid in choice of spraying strategies for different coffee management systems.

Cheyletid mites (Acari: Trombidiformes) in stored grains in Iran

In Iran, cheyletid mites (Acariformes: Cheyletidae) were collected over 15 years (1996–2010) in stored cereal. Samples were collected from silos, flour-mills, barn and rice-mills in 12 provinces scattered throughout the North, Centre, East and West of Iran. 8 genera and 13 species were recorded: Acaropsellina sollers (Kuzin, 1940), Cheletomorpha lepidopterorum (Show, 1794), Cheyletus bidentatus Fain & Nadchatrum, 1980, Cheyletus carnifex Zachvatkin, 1935, Cheyletus eruditus (Schrank, 1781), Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans, 1903, Cheyletus malayensis Culiffe, 1962; Cheyletus trouessarti Oudemans, 1903, Culifella variegata (Barilo, 1985), Lepidocheyla gracilis Volgin, 1963, Nodele calamondin Muma, 1964, Neoeucheyla iranica Fain & Ardeshir, 2000, Zachvatkiniola reticulata (Cunliffe, 1962). Cheyletus bidentatus is a new record for the mite fauna of Iran. The widespread mites were Acaropsellina sollers and Cheyletus malaccensis (the most frequent species found in all samples). The greatest presence of predatory mites (25%) was recorded in wheat and dust.

Zoonotic surveillance for rickettsiae in rodents and mapping of vectors of rickettsial diseases in India: A multi-centric study.

The global resurgence of rickettsial diseases and their potential to impact the fitness of military personnel and inflict widespread casualties amongst civil populations has emerged as a major cause of public health concern. Absence of surveillance system, lack of awareness amongst medical fraternity to rickettsial activity along with the difficulty in diagnosis because of their protean clinical manifestations are reasons for the outbreaks of these diseases. To determine rickettsial activity amongst rodents and study vector diversity, abundance and their distribution to enable mapping of rickettsial hotspots. Zoonotic surveillance was undertaken in six selected study areas in India - Jammu, Akhnoor, Rajouri-Poonch, Udhampur-Nagrota, Dehradun and Pune. Weil-Felix test was used for rickettsial sero-surveillance amongst rodents and standard identification keys were used for mapping vector diversity and database preparation. Serological findings revealed positivity to all the three rickettsial antigens (OXK, OX19 and OX2) in Jammu, OX19 in Dehradun and OXK and OX2 positivity in Udhampur-Nagrota belt. The vector database records presence of 16 species of trombiculid mites from three important genera - Leptotrombidium, Schoengastiella and Gahrliepia with ticks from five genera and 8 species of fleas from four genera. Mite fauna of study sites has been enriched with addition of new records of mite species (five mite species at Pune, two at Akhnoor with one mite species each at Jammu and Dehradun). The study reveals rickettsial activity amongst rodents at Jammu, Dehradun and Udhampur-Nagrota belt. The results correlate well with the presence of vectors of scrub and tick typhus and corroborate the occurrence of outbreaks of these diseases in the respective areas.

Mites (Arachnida, Acari) on Astronium fraxinifolium Schott (Anacardiaceae) from the Cerrado remnants associated with nickel mining areas

The Cerrado biome suffers constant impacts mainly due to agricultural activities, which can reduce food resources and habitats for many plant-dwelling mites, including important species to agriculture, such as predators. However, the mite fauna from this biome are still poorly known. Here, we present a checklist of mite species on Astronium fraxinifolium Schott, a Brazilian plant species threatened with extinction, from the Cerrado remnants associated with nickel mining areas, in the Niquelândia municipality, Brazil. Moreover, we performed cumulative (Mao Tau) and estimated (Jackknife 1) species accumulation curves in order to test for an effect of sampling effort and to estimate the potential number of species sheltered by the studied Cerrado remnants, and NMDS and ANOSIM analyses to test for similarity in mite species composition among samples. We sampled five A. fraxinifolium plants in each of six Cerrado remnants. Among these, three remnants were preserved (PR) and three were experiencing a secondary regeneration process (SR). Both PR and SR remnants were close to nickel mining areas. We recorded 1,562 mites including 17 species from 12 genera and eight families. Tetranychidae was the most diverse family, followed by Phytoseiidae and Tenuipalpidae. The most abundant species were phytophagous mites, namely Brevipalpus sp.1, Oligonychus sp., Eotetranychus sp.1, and the predator Agistemus brasiliensis Matioli, Ueckermann & Oliveira. Regarding feeding behavior, phytophagous mites were the most abundant and diverse on A. fraxinifolium. Both species accumulation curves (Mao Tau) for PR and SR remnants trended towards an asymptote, while estimated curves (Jackknife 1) proved to be similar to accumulation curves (Mao Tau). These results indicate that sampling was sufficient to assess mite assemblages using the methods applied in this study. No differences in mite species composition were observed between PR and SR areas. This paper is a pioneer report of mite assemblages on A. fraxinifolium. Furthermore, we report here two genera and one species recorded for the first time in the Cerrado biome. Our checklist can contribute to bridging the knowledge gap on the occurrence of plant mite species in Brazilian natural vegetation remnants.

A review of the parasitic mites of New Zealand skinks and geckos with new host records

ABSTRACTDespite a general awareness of mites parasitic on New Zealand native lizards, they have received little attention. In total, eight species have been described to infect New Zealand lizards; however, many of the records are decades old and are opportunistic encounters rather than focused surveys. This article reviews existing knowledge of these mites with particular focus given to identifying known distributional ranges and host species parasitised. To complement the literature review, a modest survey of the mite fauna of New Zealand lizards was conducted. Mites were collected from 10 lizard species from five different locations. Four mite species (Neotrombicula naultini, Ne. sphenodonti, Microtrombicula hoplodactyla and Odontacarus lygosomae) were recovered and identified. The study expands the known ranges of Ne. naultini, M. hoplodactyla and Odontacarus mites and provides a new host record for M. hoplodactyla. Importantly, this study highlights that our documentation of these mites is limited and incomplete.

Additions to the oribatid mite fauna of Venezuela, with description of two new species of the family Achipteriidae (Acari, Oribatida)

The present study is based on oribatid mite material collected in 1936, 1964 and 1968 in Venezuela. A list of identified taxa, including 18 species from 18 genera and 15 families is presented; of these, eight species, eight genera and two families are recorded in this country for the first time, and one species is recorded in the Neotropical region for the first time. Two new species of the family Achipteriidae (Acari, Oribatida) are described. Campachipteria hummelincki sp. nov. differs from C. neotropicalis (Mahunka, 1983) by the smaller body size, long and similar in length notogastral setae and well dilated bothridial heads. Cubachipteria maxsellnicki sp. nov. differs from C. gaoligongensis Tang, Yang & Liang, 2015 and C. pianmaensis Tang, Yang & Liang, 2015 by the short, distally ciliate bothridial setae and the position of the lamellar setae.