Mite Fauna Research Articles

A reservoir weed for mites: Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) in the vicinity of cultivated solanaceous plants in Turkey

Twenty-six phytophagous, predacious and generalist mite species were found on the weed species Datura stramonium in the vicinity of solanaceous vegetables from two locations in Turkey during 2009–2010. Of seven species of phytophagous mites, Tetranychus urticae was the predominant species on the weed leaves. Additionally, 15 predacious mite species from seven families were identified: Phytoseiidae, Anystidae, Stigmaeidae, Bdellidae, Ascidae, Ameroseiidae and Iolinidae. Phytoseiidae (nine species) and Iolinidae (one species) were the most abundant predacious mites in the families. The dominant predacious species were Cydnodromus californicus and Pronematus ubiquitus. The Shannon index (H′), a biodiversity parameter of the predacious mites was very high compared to that of phytophagous mites that occurred at a high density. Among four generalist species from three families (Tydeidae, Acaridae and Oribatidae), one species, Zygoribatula microporosa, was found in the Turkish mite fauna. In Ankara, the population density of spider mites on the weed leaves began to increase in early July and peaked three times in late July, early September and mid-October in 2009–2010. In Bursa, the mites emerged in early June and peaked four times in early July, early August, early September and early October in 2010–2011. Cydnodromus californicus and Typhlodromus Anthoseius recki exhibited efficient numerical responses to spider mite populations from early August to early September. However, in Bursa, Sorenson’s coefficient confirmed that there were positive predator–prey associations among spider mites and these predacious mites. Although this weed is a source of predacious species when it is located in the vicinity of tomato fields, D. stramonium may play a role as a reservoir plant for phytophagous mites and permit increasing pest population in areas used for the cultivation of solanaceous vegetables due to predators’ delayed response to spider mite populations.

Global pattern of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) revealed by fractions of beta diversity and multivariate analysis

Global patterns of organisms have long been investigated by calculating the (dis)similarity among geographical units followed by multivariate analysis. Beta-diversity-related structural characteristics of world-scale data, such as nestedness or species replacement may also be considered as an additional tool in revealing distributional patterns more accurately. To achieve this objective, our study combines cluster analysis and ordination based on Jaccard and Simpson dissimilarity with the decomposition of beta diversity into meaningful fractions. As a model group, the oribatid mite fauna of the seven biogeographic realms was analysed at three taxonomic levels, i.e. species, genus and family. The highest overall similarity was obtained between the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms and the lowest richness resulted for the Antarctic realm. The classifications and ordinations usually differed with the two dissimilarity indices. Beta diversity decomposition showed that these discrepancies were caused by different patterns of nestedness and taxon richness. Our study is the first to demonstrate that such a complex approach may disclose several features of biogeographic data not apparent otherwise and therefore may improve our understanding of inter-regional relationships.

Ecology and Diversity of Urban Pine Forest Soil Invertebrates in Rīga, Latvia / Augsnes Bezmugurkaulnieku Bioloģiskā Daudzveidība Urbānajos Priežu Mežos Rīgā, Latvijā

Abstract A study on ecology and diversity of soil invertebrates of urban pine and mixed pine forests was carried out in seven different sampling plots in Rīga during 2014. Ninety eight soil samples were processed and in total, 40 426 specimens were extracted (of them, 25 237 specimens were identified to species level and 15 189 to order level). Indices (abundance, community similarity etc.) characterising faunal diversity and species communities of Rīga city soil fauna were estimated. The most numerous soil invertebrate groups were Collembola, Oribatida and Mesostigmata, accounting for 95% of all collected animals. There was rather high diversity of soil invertebrates in the disturbed urban forest habitats, but undisturbed soils harbour a greater species richness of mite fauna than disturbed soils.

Redescription of Aegyptobia pavlovskii (Reck, 1951) (Acari: Trombi-diformes: Tenuipalpidae) with new host records from Iran

Aegyptobia pavlovskii is redescribed from new materials collected in Iran. This species is a new record for the false spider mite fauna ofIran. Additionally two new host records from the family Rosaceae are reported for this species.

New records of the family Oppiidae (Acari: Sarcoptiformes: Oribatida) for the fauna of Iran

In this study, seven oppiid mite species (Oribatida: Oppiidae) belonging to six genera identified from Shendabad region (East Azerbaijan province, north-westernIran), of which one genus, one subgenus, six species and one subspecies are new records for mite fauna ofIran. Some of their morphological features and distributions in the world are presented. A key to the subfamilies and genera of Shendabad region is given.

The genus Scapheremaeus (Acari, Oribatida, Cymbaeremaeidae) in the oribatid mite fauna of New Zealand, with description of two new species.

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Scapheremaeus (Oribatida, Cymbaeremaeidae), Scapheremaeus gibbus sp. n. and Scapheremaeus luxtoni sp. n., are described from New Zealand. Scapheremaeus gibbus sp. n. is morphologically most similar to Scapheremaeus humeratus Balogh & Mahunka, 1967, but differs from the latter by the number of notogastral, genital and adanal setae, morphology of bothridial setae, position of adanal lyrifissures and absence of humeral processes. Scapheremaeus luxtoni sp. n. is morphologically most similar to Scapheremaeus yamashitai Aoki, 1970, but differs from the latter by the morphology of notogastral and rostral setae, morphology of leg solenidia φ2 and development of humeral processes. The species Scapheremaeus zephyrus Colloff, 2010 is recorded for the first time in New Zealand. An identification key to the known New Zealand species of Scapheremaeus is provided.

SOME MESOSTIGMATIC MITES (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA) ASSOCIATED WITH ANTS IN SHAHREKORD REGION, IRAN

We report on the fauna of mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with ants in the Shahrekord region of Iran. Cosmolaelaps michaeli (Huhta and Karg, 2010) is reported for the first time from Iran, and its male and the heteromorphic male form are reported for the first time from the world. In total, 17 genera and 22 species belonging to seven families are identified and reported.

New data to the mite fauna of Hungarian bamboo plantations

Five different bamboo plantations were investigated on the basis of the leaf litter inhabiting mites. 11 Mesostigmata and 10 Oribatida are listed from the leaf litters, of which three species, e.g. Vulgarogamasus kraepelini (Berlese, 1905), Nothrus parvus Sitnikova, 1975, Metabelba paravulverosa Moritz, 1966 are new to the Hungarian fauna.

Mites associated with sugarcane crop and with native trees from adjacent Atlantic forest fragment in Brazil.

In some Brazilian regions the Atlantic forest biome is currently restrict to fragments occurring amid monocultures, as sugarcane crops in the Northeast region. Important influence of forest remnants over mite fauna of permanent crops have been showed, however it has been poorly explored on annual crops. The first step for understanding ecological relationship in an agricultural systems is known its composition. The objective of this study was to investigate the plant-inhabiting mite fauna associated with sugarcane crop (Saccharum officinarum L.) (Poaceae) and caboatã (Cupania oblongifolia Mart.) (Sapindaceae) trees in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Sugarcane stalks and sugarcane and caboatã apical, middle and basal leaves were sampled. A total of 2565 mites were collected from sugarcane and classified into seven families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders, with most individuals belonging to the Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae and Tarsonemidae families. Among predatory mites, the Phytoseiidae were the most common. A total of 1878 mites were found on C. oblongifolia and classified into 13 families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders. The most abundant phytophagous mite family on caboatã was also Eriophyidae. In contrast to sugarcane, Ascidae was the most common predatory mite family observed in caboatã. No phytophagous species were common to both sugarcane and C. oblongifolia. However two predatory mites were shared between host plants. Although mites associated with only one native species in the forest fragment were evaluated in this study, our preliminary results suggest Atlantic forest native vegetation can present an important role in the sugarcane agricultural system as a source of natural enemies.

Ptyctimous mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Guilan Province, Iran, with a checklist and a key to the ptyctimous mites of Iran and additional description of Euphthiracarus monodactylus (Willmann, 1919)

The macropyline oribatid mites collected from Guilan Province in Northern Iran were investigated. The Austrophthiracarus heterotrichus (Mahunka 1979) and Steganacarus (Steganacarus) magnus anomalus (Berlese 1883) are new records for Iran mite fauna, also one genus and six species are reported as new records for Guilan Province mite fauna. A checklist and an identification key to the 29 ptyctimous mite species recorded from Iran are provided. Euphthiracarus monodactylus (Willmann 1919) is redescribed based on the material collected from Guilan Province Iran.

The influence of dredging of a lowland river (the Krąpiel in NW Poland) on water mite fauna (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

The influence of dredging of a lowland river (the Krąpiel in NW Poland) on water mite fauna (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

Factors Influencing Mesostigmata Mites (Acari, Parasitiformes) In The Alkaline Fen Habitats

Abstract Mesostigmata mite fauna was investigated in soil of one alkaline fen at Apšuciems in the Maritime Lowland in Latvia in 2009. Thirty sample plots were selected in the following way: half of them were located in Brown Bog Rush, Schoenus ferrugineus and half — in Saw-Sedge, Cladium mariscus prevailing habitat. Soil samples were collected using a soil borer. Vegetation cover was described in accordance with Braun-Blanquet classes. Mites were extracted using modified Berlese funnels. In total, more than 28 species were recorded, of them Prozercon kochi and Pergamasus vagabundus were dominant species. Mean density of Mesostigmata mites ranged from 520 to 2140 ind./m2. Mite abundance and distribution between habitats depended on vegetation cover of the vascular plants, while moss cover and soil pH had no significant influence.

The oribatid mite fauna (Acari, Oribatida) of the Bu Gia Map National Park (southern Vietnam), with description of two new species

The oribatid mite fauna of the Bu Gia Map National Park (southern Vietnam) consists of 86 species belonging to 65 genera and 31 families. A list of known species collected during Joint Russian–Vietnamese Biological Expedition in November 2013 is provided. Six species, Dendrohermannia monstruosa, Reteremuloides bifurcatus, Tecteremaeus incompletus, Arcoppia serrutala, Dolicheremaeus cf. baloghi and Leptotocepheus murphyi, and four genera, Dendrohermannia, Reteremuloides, Granuloppia and Leptotocepheus, are recorded in Vietnam for the first time; A. serrutala and Granuloppia are recorded for the first time in the Oriental region. Two species of the genus Dolicheremaeus, D. angustus and D. murphyi, were transferred in the genus Leptotocepheus. Two new species, Hermanniella bugiamapensis sp. nov. and Granuloppia vietnamensis sp. nov., are described.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:41B5BAB1-555A-499D-95C7-337D7B767940

Oppiid mites (Acari: Oribatida: Oppiidae) from Alborz Province, with a key to the known species and new records for Iran

In the course of a faunistic survey on oppiid mites in Alborz Province, 29 oppiid mite species (Oribatida: Oppiidae) belonging to 11 genera were identified from soil and litter samples, of which three species and one subspecies are new records for the mite fauna of Iran. For new species records, a brief diagnostic characterization is provided. A key to the subfamilies, genera and subgenera of Alborz Province is given. Moreover, a key to species for genera with more than one species is presented.

First record of the genus Acerimina Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Iran with description of a new species

An eriophyoid species from Iran is described and illustrated. It is Acerimina bajgahi sp. nov. that has been found on hybrid of a Rosa species (Rosaceae) from south of Iran, Shiraz. This species is new to science and the genus is new record for Iranian mite fauna. It causes witches' broom of terminal twigs of the host plant. A key to the species of Acerimina of the world is provided. A key to world species of Acerimina is provided.

RESULTS OF THE STUDY ORIBATIDMITEIN THE COASTAL AREA OF THE NORTH-WEST OF THE CASPIAN SEA

Aim . Studied the fauna of the soil mites of coastal and island ecosystems of the North-Western part of the Caspian sea (Bryansk spit, Strategiczne, Islands seal, Chechen and Nordby). Found 49 species and 39 genera and subgenera, and 24 families. Species composition of oribatidmite of theNorth-western part of the Caspian Sea remains not completely studied. The aim of the work was to study the species composition of oribatidmite ecosystems of the North-Western part of the Caspian Sea. Location. Coastal ecosystems north-western part of the Caspian Sea. Methods. The selection of soil samples in different habitats and MicroStation is the basis for studying the biodiversity and abundance of soil microarthropod. To extract small soil organisms method was used electoral forcing, which is based on the use of negative phototaxis soil organisms. When the definition of oribatid mites used the microscope MBI-6, Olympus CH-20. Results. As a result of studies 41 species of oribatidmites, 9 of which – new forthe fauna of the Caucasus, 17 species – new for the fauna of Dagestan, one species – new to science were identified. There sults can be used to compile regionallists, inventories and will be included in the list of directories oribatidmite of Caucasus. Main conclusions. There sults showed that for both are as of studies - 9 species, exclusively in coastal ecosystems of Bryansks pit 24 species, found only in ecosystems Staroterechnogo 9 species are common.

Additions to the galumnid oribatid mite fauna of Brazil, with description of two new species of Trichogalumna (Acari, Oribatida, Galumnidae)

An annotated checklist of the Brazilian Galumnidae is provided; it includes 11 species and four genera. The genus Trichogalumna and two species, Carinogalumna genavensium and Pergalumna bifissurata, are recorded for the first time in Brazil. Two new species of Trichogalumna, T. albomaculata sp. nov. and T. atypica sp. nov., are described and illustrated on the basis of adult specimens. Trichogalumna albomaculata sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species of the genus by the combination of the following character states: bothridial setae fusiform, barbed; three pairs of notogastral porose areas present (A2 absent); surface of notogaster and ventral side with internal light spots. Trichogalumna atypica sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species of the genus by the setiform bothridial setae (versus with the developed head of bothridial setae).http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FE2D7E17-055A-4024-BAD8-9ABE3735B3AD

The fauna of free-living mites (Acari) of Greenland

When compiling The Greenland Entomofauna. An Identification Manual of Insects, Spiders and Their Allies (ed. by J. Bocher and N.P. Kristensen), the mite collections kept at the Zoological Museum of the University of Copenhagen were processed. As a result, illustrated keys and a photo atlas of the genera were prepared. An analysis of the type material preserved in the Museum allowed three taxa of Mesostigmata to be synonymized: Vulgarogamasus immanis (Berlese, 1903) = Parasitus fucicola Tragardh, 1904 syn. n.; Pneumolaelaps groenlandicus (Tragardh, 1904) = Hypoaspis (Pneumolaelaps) arctos Karg, 1984 syn. n.; Zercon hammerae Sellnick, 1960 = Z. thulium Athias-Henriot, 1980 syn. n. The number of mite species known in Greenland increased from 158 to 290 (59 species were identified only to the generic level). They belong to the orders Parasitiformes (Mesostigmata 63 species, Ixodida 1) and Acariformes (Prostigmata 94, Endeostigmata 5, Oribatida 110, Astigmata 17). The free-living mite fauna in general is characterized by a complete taxonomic structure and a full range of ecological diversity. The Greenland fauna of oribatid mites mainly consists of widespread polyzonal species (70%) while specialized cryobiont (arctic and arctomontane) species are few (4%); the Nearctic species prevail over the European invaders with a ratio of 1.5: 1. On the contrary, the gamasid mite fauna includes only 25% of widespread species; the cryobiont elements comprise up to 45%; the ratio of the species of Nearctic and Palaearctic origin is 1: 4.

Standardization and establishment of an in vitro culture of Blomia tropicalis toward technological development purposes

Standardization and establishment of an in vitro culture of Blomia tropicalis toward technological development purposes

The mite fauna of Ekşisu Marshes in Erzincan (Turkey)

Reedbeds can be characterized as forming a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They have distinctive animals adapted to living in aqueous conditions. Because of the lack of data on the mite fauna in marsh habitats of Turkey, this faunistic study was conducted in the Ekşisu Marshes, which resulted in collecting and determining 58 species and 36 genera belonging to 29 families. Of these, Stigmaeus sphagneti (Hull), Neothrombium neglectum (Bruyant), Podothrombium macrocarpum Berlese, Johnstoniana eximia (Berlese), Calyptostomata velutinus (Müller), Heminothrus humicola (Forsslund), Astegistes pilosus (Koch), Achipteria coleoptrata (Linnaeus), and Lauritzenia elegans (Kunst) are new records for the Turkish fauna. The diagnostic features and distributions throughout the world of the species that were determined as newly recorded for Turkey are given. This is also the first report of the families Calyptostomatidae and Neothrombidiidae from Turkey.