Berlese Funnels Research Articles

Two new species of pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) from a Mexican oak forest near Pico de Orizaba National Park

A faunistic inventory from an oak forest near Pico de Orizaba National Park revealed the presence of two new species of pseudoscorpions. Atherochernes breviductus sp. nov. of the family Chernetidae is represented by 286 mature specimens, and is the first record of this genus for the country; Serianus orizabensis sp. nov. of the family Garypinidae is represented by 44 adults and is the first record of the family for the State of Veracruz. Most individuals were collected by sifting leaf litter and processing with Berlese funnels. The new taxa are hereby described and documented with illustrations and high-quality microphotography. The relationships of AtherochernesBeier, 1954 with other chernetids was investigated with a molecular phylogeny. In addition, the species Mexichelifer reddelliMuchmore, 1973 and Mundochthonius mexicanusMuchmore, 1973 are recorded for the first time in the state of Veracruz.

The Effectiveness of Plastic Mulch for Maintaining the Potato Farmland in Dieng Plateau Using Soil Biological Quality Index

Dieng farmers apply plastic mulch to reduce erosion and to prevent the loss of nutrients. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of plastic mulch in maintaining the quality of potato farmland using the Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS-ar) based on the existence of microarthropods. Soil sampling was conducted in six different locations, i.e., flat area with mulch, sloped area with mulch, the flat area without mulch, sloped area without mulch, flat forest area, and sloped forest area. Microarthropods were obtained from soil samples using a Berlese Funnel method. Soil quality was analyzed using QBS-ar index which was calculated based on Eco-morphological Index (EMI). The results showed that the value of QBS-ar index in potato farmland with the use of plastic mulch was much higher than in farmland without plastic mulch in bothflat and sloped area. Compared to the soil in the forest area, the value of QBS-ar index in farmland with the use of plastic mulch, especially in the flat area, was relatively similar. Hence, the use of plastic mulch for potato cultivation in the hilly area is effective in maintaining soil quality. This finding would be beneficial for developing a soil conservation strategy to achieve sustainable agriculture in Dieng agricultural area.

A new species of Liophloeothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae) from leaf litter from Iran.

Of the 16 species listed in the genus Liophloeothrips (ThripsWiki 2018), 13 are known only from India, and all of these are phytophagous with some inducing galls in various plant families (Tyagi Kumar 2011). However, the biology of the type species, L. glaber, as well as that of the other two species, L. hungaricus and L. pulchrisetis, remains in doubt. Each of these three species is from Europe, with L. pulchrisetis known from a single female, L. glaber from two specimens, and hungaricus recorded from Hungary, Finland and Iran on a very few individuals (Minaei Mound 2014). The record of L. hungaricus from Iran was published without any information concerning the locality, date of collection, or number of specimens (Mortazawiha 1995). However, Minaei and Mound (2014) pointed out that the slide label data of L. hungaricus specimens from Europe suggested that this species is associated with the bark of certain Salicaceae. Moreover, they indicated the possibility that the three names might actually represent a single species, although the male of L. glabrus has a sternal pore plate whereas this is apparently absent in hungaricus. Given the few known specimens, it is not possible to know if these thrips live under bark and feed on fungal hyphae, or if the few specimens collected were actually leaf-feeders that were sheltering under bark. In this paper, a new species of the genus is described from southern Iran, based on both sexes. These specimens were extracted from leaf litter using a Berlese funnel, thus again it is not possible to be certain if the species is part of the community of fungus-feeding litter thrips, or if the specimens were merely sheltering.

A new record of genus Zercon (Acari, Zerconidae) for Turkish Fauna: Zercon saphenus Błaszak, 1979

The zerconid mites collected from Kovada Lake National Park (Isparta province) in 20 March 2018 were evaluated. Collected samples were placed into plastic bags, labelled and transferred to the laboratory. Samples were placed into combined Berlese funnels and mites were extracted for 5–7 days according to their humidity. Mites were separated under a stereo-microscope. They were placed in 60% lactic acid for clearing and mounted onto permanent microscope slides using a glycerin medium. Then, the samples were put in stock bottles containing 70 % alcohol and 1- 3 drops glycine and labelled. Zercon saphenus was recorded as new for the Turkish mite fauna. Also, deutonymph and protonymph specimens of Z. saphenus were described for the first time from Turkey. Keywords : Acari, Zerconidae, Zercon saphenus, Systematic, Turkey. DOI : 10.7176/JSTR/5-3-03

Tест-система визначення вмісту мангану у ґрунтах долини ріки Cамари дніпровської

Наведено характеристику фізико-хімічного тест-методу, який дає можливістьпросто та недорого виконати якісний, напівкількісний та кількісний аналіз ґрунтівна вміст мангану.

Study of Oribatids population on three types of land use at PT Nusantara VIII Plantation, Cisarua Sub-district, Bogor, West Java

Most of the forest area of PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII have been converted to the plantation (tea, cacao, coffee) and agriculture, such as crops (intercropping of oranges and pineapple) areas. The forest conversion will affect soil biodiversity, which will reduce soil mesofauna population, such as the Oribatids group. Oribatids is one of the soil mesofauna which has a very important role in the soil as a decomposer. Because of its important role and their huge numbers in the soil, Oribatids can be used as a bioindicator of soil fertility. This study aimed to elucidate the abundance and diversity of Oribatids and the relationship between soil properties and population of Oribatids in three types of land use at PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII. Soil and litter samples were taken in three different types of land use (tea gardens, intercropping, and secondary forests) using a simple random sampling method with a distance of each of the 15 sampling points of 100 m at a soil depth of 0-5 cm. Soil and litter samples were extracted using Berlese Funnel Heat Extractor. Oribatids identification was carried out until the family level, and the Oribatids diversity index were determined according to Shannon's diversity index. The identification results obtained in the three types of land use amounted to 24 families from 172 families found previously. The highest abundance of Oribatids was found in secondary forests both in the soil and litter layer (169.85 and 428.87 individuals/m², respectively), the lowest abundance of Oribatids was found in intercropping both in the soil and litter layer (89.17 and 229.30 individuals/m², respectively). According to Shannon Wiener (H'), the diversity index value ranges from 1.48-1.85 or it was categorized as a low-medium diversity value. The results of this study indicated that there was a positive correlation coefficient value from several families of Oribatids with soil pH, organic C, total N, C/N ratio, water content, and soil temperature.

Soil Arthropod Abundance and Diversity Following Land Application of Swine Slurry

Soil arthropods play an important role in nutrient cycling and maintenance of soil structure, and their abundance and diversity provide an indication of the biological quality of soil. Land application of livestock manure provides crop nutrients and may also impact the soil arthropod community. This study was conducted to quantify soil arthropod abundance and diversity for a period of one year following swine manure application via broadcast or injection. Arthropods were extracted from plot soil samples using Berlese funnels, identified and counted, and the QBS index (Qualita Biologica del Suolo) was calculated for each soil sample. Collembola (Hypogastruridae and Isotomidae) populations were greater (p < 0.05) in the broadcast plots than the injection or control plots. Pseudoscorpiones were more abundant (p < 0.05) in the injection treatment compared to the broadcast and control treatments. Acari populations and the QBS index were not significantly impacted by manure application.

Macro-invertebrate population changes during composting of organic waste at Alesinloye market Ibadan

Composting has proven to be most effective in combating large organic waste generation in urban settings like Ibadan. This study was designed to determine macro-invertebrate population changes as indicator for stages of organic waste composting. Mixture of cow rumen (240 kg) and vegetable (80 kg) waste were shared equally into aerated (A) and non-aerated (B) windrows. Composite samples were taken twice from the each windrow for eight weeks. Macro-invertebrates were separated from compost by spread and Berlese funnel methods and species biodiversity by Simpson's (D) and Shannon-Weiner (H) indices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test at 5% level of significance. Dipteran, Coleopteran and Acarina population changes were predominantly observed. Biodiversity scores of D and H were 0.21; 1.89 in A and 0.19; 1.12 in B. Windrow B had more species abundance than A. Successive changes in macro-invertebrate population can be used with physico-chemical parameters during composting process.

Variations in the number of genital setae in Raphignathus hecmatanensis species (Acari: Raphignathidae)

Aim of study: In this study, in 32 females species of the Raphignathus hecmatanaensis Khanjani and Ueckermann, 2003, were found from the samples collected from different of the same date and localities, variations in genital setae numbers were determined in 10 species.Area of study: This study was conducted at the Zoology Research Laboratory, Department of Biology Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Manisa Celal Bayar University. The soil and litter samples were found from Emirdağları, 1300 m a.s.l., Büyükkarabağ village, Bolvadin district, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.Material and Methods: Soil samples and litter taken from under Crataegus sp., Astragalus sp., Euphorbia sp., Rosacanina sp. in research area were brought to the laboratory in PVC bags and extracted in Berlese funnels for 7 days. Mites accumulating in collection bottles with 70% alcohol, were selected from the samples under a stereomicroscope, left to clear into lactophenol and then embedded in Hoyer's solution. 32 females species of the R. hecmatanaensis were determined and examined.Main results: In Turkish (Afyonkarahisar) specimens, R. hecmatanaensis in 32 females, while 22 females have 6 genital setae (3 pairs), 9 females have abnormal 7 genital setae and one female have abnormal 5 genital setae.Research highlights: It is very interesting, about one-third of the R. hecmatanaensis species have been found to have an abnormal number of genital setae. In this case, genital setae number used for key to the species of Raphignathus is debate.

Ticks collected from soil/nest litter and live and dead nestlings of migratory seabirds during their breeding season at six uninhabited Islands, Republic of Korea during 2009 and 2014–2017

The 65th Medical Brigade (MED BDE)/Medical Department Activity-Korea (MEDDAC-K), in collaboration with the Migratory Birds Research Center, National Park Research Institute, conducted migratory bird tick-borne disease surveillance at six small, remote, uninhabited islands near the western (Nan Island), southwestern (Chilbal, Gugul, Gaerin, Hong, and Sogugul islands) and southeastern (Hong Island) coastal areas of the Republic of Korea (ROK) during 2009 and from 2014–2017. Ticks were collected from nest soil/litter of the Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus), Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume), Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel (Hydrobates monorhis), Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris), Pacific Swift (Apus pacificus), and Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas) using Tullgren funnels. Ticks also were collected from recently dead nestlings of Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel and Black-tailed Gull at Gugul, Sogugul, Gaerin, Nan, and Hong islands, and single ticks were collected from vegetation (tick drag) and a human bitten on Chilbal Island. A total of 1,578 ticks (61 females, 122 males, 290 nymphs, and 1,105 larvae), belonging to four genera and six species, were collected. Ornithodoros capensis (73.00%; 1,152) was the most commonly collected tick on migratory seabirds, followed by Ornithodoros sawaii (26.55%; 420), Ixodes uriae (0.19%; 3), and Ixodes signatus (0.13%, 2). One (0.06%) Haemaphysalis flava was collected by tick drag and one (0.06%) Amblyomma testudinarium was collected while biting one of the survey members. Ornithodoros species were identified morphologically and confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. This is the first record of O. sawaii collected from nest soil/litter during the 2017 nesting season of the Pacific Swift and Streaked Shearwater in the ROK.

From the Efficiency of Berlese Tullgren Funnel to the Spatiotemporal Variation of Two Uropodina Genera, Afrotrachytes Kontschán, 2006 and Trachyuropoda Berlese, 1888 (Acari, Mesostigmata) in Côte d’Ivoire

Due to their interaction with many other small Arthropods, Uropodina mites can be considered as good indicators of soil fauna of forest litter. In order, to better understand their distribution and phenology according to forest type four sites from primary forest to plantations were sampled in 2008 in Côte d’Ivoire: 1- the Lamto savannah (6°13' N, 5°02' W), 2- Oumé primary forest (6°31’ N, 5°30’ W), 3- Oumé teak plantation (6°31’ N, 5°30’ W) all situated in the Sudanese domain and finally, 4- the Taï primary forest (5°45’ N, 7°07 W) located in the Guinean domain. After a preliminary study devoted to the efficiency of Berlese Tullgren funnel, the spatiotemporal variation of two Uropodina genera - Afrotrachytes Kontschán, 2006 and Trachyuropoda Berlese, 1888 - was assessed. We hypothesized that the abundance of Uropodina would be higher in primary forest and lower in savannah and monospecific plantation. Whatever the season, we expected that the abundance of Uropodina would decrease with soil depth and would vary along transect. On each site, 15 sampling points were allocated over a 14-m transect with 1m intervals between two consecutive points. For each sampling point, 9 cores (litter, 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-30, 30-35 and 35-40 cm) were taken with a steel corer (Ø 3.5 cm). Thus, a total of 1,080 soil cores were collected over two sampling periods from January to March 2008 (dry season) and August to October 2008 (rainy season). Soil physico-chemical parameters were also characterized. Mites were extracted using the Berlese-Tullgren funnels for one week after testing the extraction duration in a preliminary study. The bulbs lighting as soon as the soil cores were placed in Berlese Tullgren gave better results regarding the abundance of extracted mites. The results showed that the abundance of Afrotrachytes sp and Trachyuropoda sp was higher in rainy season, and varied significantly through the sites, whatever the season. The highest abundances of Afrotrachytes sp were observed in Oumé primary forest whereas those of Trachyuropoda sp were recorded in Oumé primary forest, and in Lamto savannah, whatever the season. Apart from the distribution of Trachyuropoda sp in dry season, the abundance of Afrotrachytes sp and Trachyuropoda sp was greater in the topsoil (litter and 0-5 cm) and decreased with soil depth. The abundances of Afrotrachytes sp and Trachyuropoda sp did not follow a normal distribution along the transects. The season-soil depth interaction affected significantly the abundance of Trachyuropoda sp whereas the bulk density (dry season and rainy season), soil depth (dry season), carbon / nitrogen ratio (dry season) impacted significantly the abundance of Afrotrachytes sp. This first study highlighted the spatiotemporal variation of Uropodina in Côte d’Ivoire. However, taking into account of the different dispersal agents in future studies would help us to better understand their abundance and distribution along different habitats, as well as their role as biological control agents.

Diversity of Oribatids (Acari) at different land use types in Mentebah, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan

Kalimantan forests are mostly managed by human. Deforestation will affect the ecosystem and species inside. Oribatids are the most abundant soil mesofauna. They have an important role in decomposition of organic matter in the soil. Here, we investigated the effect of six different land use types (i.e. primary forest, secondary forest, jungle rubber, slash and burn, young fallow and old fallow) and evaluated the effect of environmental factors on the abundance and diversity of oribatids. The oribatids were collected using transect method along 100 m with 10 sampling points with the soil depth of 0-5 cm. Oribatids were extracted using Berlese Funnel Heat Extractor. Identification of oribatids was done to family level and diversity index was determined according to Shannon's diversity index. As much as 36 families of oribatids were recorded from the site at Mentebah, Kapuas Hulu. Oribatids in the jungle rubber showed the highest abundance (592.5 individuals/m 2 ), followed by secondary forest (317.5 individuals/m 2 ), primary forest (287.5 individuals/m 2 ), slash and burn (195 individuals/m 2 ), young fallow (157.5 individuals/m 2 ) and old fallow (142.5 individuals/m 2 ). The value of diversity index according to Shannon Wiener (H’) ranged between 1.71-2.64 or categorized as moderate diversity values. The results of the research showed that there were strong coefficient correlation values of some families of oribatids with soil pH, C-organic, N total, C/N ratio, water content and soil temperature

The influence of spatial and temporal discontinuities of forest habitats on the current presence of flightless saproxylic beetles.

Flightless saproxylic beetles were selected in order to study the impact of temporal and spatial discontinuity of forests. They were chosen because: (1) they are unable to fly, making them dispersal-limited species, (2) they have a saproxylic diet, which means they are closely linked to the forest, and (3), they have rarely been studied. Forest temporal continuity was expected to be the main factor explaining the presence of these species, modulated by the past and present amount of forest in the surrounding landscape. Twenty-seven forests, distributed into three zones, were sampled in southwestern France. Flightless saproxylic beetles were surveyed using a Winkler extractor and a Berlese funnel. Their presence/absence were modelled using generalised linear mixed models, with zone variable as random effect. Two species showed significant zone effect and were only or more present in the zone with the highest present forest amount in a 0.5 km radius. In the model that converged, the only selected variable was the past amount of forest in the landscape. The size of the forest, the presence of dead wood and the forest temporal continuity were not included in this model. The importance of the amount of forest in the landscape supports the hypothesis that dispersal-limited species are affected by landscape characteristics. This study demonstrates an important link between the presence of Dienerella clathrata and the amount of forest in the past, which led to an indicator species analysis being performed.

A two step centrifugation method with water and sucrose to separate mites from raw extracts of tullgren funnels

Tullgren funnels are commonly used when extracting mites from substrates for ecological and taxonomic studies. During this process, extracted mites are often contaminated with soil particles and other debris, making the processing of those organisms difficult, especially for the smaller mites, such as Tarsonemidae. The Water Sugar-Water (WSW) method, here described here, is intended to facilitate the separation of the extracted mites from those fouling material. It consists of a modification of the Jenkins method, used for the extraction of nematodes. Through a combination of centrifugation with two steps of floatation (first in water and then in 1.5 molar sucrose solution), this method separates mites from contaminants. In this study, the WSW method was tested in different conditions including three soil textures, two storage times (3 days or 6 months) and leaf litter. We also evaluated the possibility to use this method for separation of the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Tarsonemidae), given its common occurrence in fields where the present work was conducted. Eight of nine treatments performed consistently well with extraction efficiencies &gt;95% (mites collected in relation to total mites present in the funnel extraction), with no significant differences among them. One treatment, using the addition of kaolin clay to the sample, retained some Phytoseiidae in the sediment pellets, reducing extraction efficiency to 88.3%. Mites of the taxa Acaridae, Cunaxidae, Eupodidae, Laelapidae, Phytoseiidae, Scutararidae, Tarsonemidae, Tydeidae, Rhodacaroidea and Orbatida were successfully removed from contaminated samples with this method. The frequency of these taxa was equally distributed between the water and sugar-water steps of the two-step floatation method. This method is fast, uses inexpensive and non-toxic compounds and has great potential for use to determine the presence of mite groups most commonly found in extractions of Tullgren funnels.

Leaf Litter and Arboreal Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a Mid-Atlantic Forest

The majority of ant diversity studies have been conducted in the tropics, but the number of studies conducted in temperate regions, like the US, is on the rise. Our research measured the richness and diversity of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a coastal, temperate forest of Maryland. We collected leaf litter along twenty-four 100-m transects during May, July, and September of 2015 and measured litter depth and mass to determine if there was a relationship with ant abundance (density). We used Berlese funnels to collect 14 ant species (4208 individuals; n = 144 samples). Neither leaf-litter depth nor mass had an impact on ant abundance or species richness. We used aspirators and hand-collection methods to examine arboreal-ant foraging preference on deciduous and coniferous trees. Total species richness for both tree types was 21; we collected 19 species from deciduous trees and 17 from coniferous trees. Four species detected on deciduous trees were not present on conifers, and 2 species from conifers were not observed on deciduous trees. We observed higher abundances on deciduous trees (P = 0.016) and detected a preference for larger trees. We provide suggestions for conservation efforts for the coastal forests of Maryland, and our study contributes to the growing species inventory of ants on Maryland's eastern shore.

Differences among Chestnut Hybrids and Their Litter Fauna

The composition of soil is determined by plants and their organic waste that has been broken down and recycled throughout the ecosystem. This process is controlled by bugs within the soil, called litter fauna. The analysis of litter fauna under the American Chestnut tree species gives details on the effects of that plant on the environment. The American chestnut has been functionally extinct since the introduction of the Chinese Chestnut blight to America in 1910’s. The American Chestnut used to dominate ecosystems and drive industry related to timber and nut harvest. Hybridization of the different American and Chinese Chestnut tree species has changed their morphology over the years in attempts to create a blight resistant hybrid. Scientists are unaware of the effects of the absence of American chestnuts and the emergence of pollinated hybrids on soil type and presence of litter fauna. Litter fauna diversity and population can help distinguish the health of an ecosystem therefore I hypothesized that abundance of individuals of non-Acarina taxa differs among hybrid tree types. Litter was collected under American Chestnut trees, Chinese Chestnut and two of their hybrids. The fauna was extracted using a Berlese funnel and analyzed. I concluded that there is no functional difference in non-Acarina fauna samples among the hybrids and their pure-bred counterparts. This indicates that the reintroduction of American Chestnuts and their hybrids into the ecosystem will not negatively affect the soil and its litter fauna.

Estimation of Sorting Time for Arthropod Samples Collected with Tullgren Funnels

Estimation of Sorting Time for Arthropod Samples Collected with Tullgren Funnels

Soil mesoarthropods in areas of coal mining under environmental recovery

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the soil mesofauna composition in non-mining and in mining areas under environmental recovery with native vegetation and forest planting, in a coalmine in Southern Brazil. Five treatments were evaluated: native vegetation in non-mining area; plantation of Acacia mearnsii in non-mining area; plantation of A. mearnsii in mining area; plantation of Eucalyptus dunnii in non-mining area; and plantation of E. dunnii in mining area. Four soil samples per treatment were collected monthly, during one year. The organisms were extracted using a Berlese funnel with 50-W incandescent light. A total of 23,911 organisms were collected from the soil mesofauna, which were identified and distributed into 13 taxonomic groups. The abundance of specimens was similar between treatments. The greatest diversity of taxonomic groups was found under A. mearnsii plantation, in the mining area, and under E. dunnii plantations in non-mining and mining areas, all with 13 groups. Eucalyptus dunnii and A. mearnsii help to mitigate the impact of coal mining on the diversity of the soil mesofauna taxonomic groups, since the composition of mesoarthropods is similar to that of areas that have not been directly affected by mining.

Leaf litter decomposition and diversity of arthropod decomposers in tropical Muyong forest in Banaue, Philippines

The Muyong forest, an indigenous secondary forest in Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines, plays a crucial role in the Muyong–Payoh system, a continuum of secondary forest and rice terrace, of the Banaue rice terraces by providing water and nutrients to the rice plants in the Payoh terraces. In recent decades, the planting of introduced tree species in the Muyong forest has threatened the sustainable provision of ecosystem services such as water balance and nutrient cycling. To further understand nutrient cycling in the Muyong–Payoh systems, this study was conducted in Poitan, Banaue, Ifugao to gather preliminary baseline data on floral diversity, leaf litterfall rate, leaf litter decomposition rate, and diversity and succession of arthropods in decomposing leaf litter in a Muyong forest. Vegetation analysis was done by identifying and describing the trees growing inside the five 10 m × 10 m quadrat sampling plots. Monthly leaf litter fall was collected in 1 m × 1 m litter traps, and the dry weight was determined after oven-drying at 65 °C for 48 h. Leaf litter decomposition experiment was established by laying out 12 nylon mesh bags containing fresh leaf litter in each of the four sites on the forest floor and one bag was retrieved every month to determine the change in dry weight of the leaf litter. Six bulk soil samples were collected from the Muyong forest floor and analyzed for organic matter, pH, available P and exchangeable K. Fresh leaf litter samples were analyzed for total N, P and K contents. Arthropods in the collected decomposing leaf litter were extracted using Berlese funnel and later identified up to families level using arthropod taxonomic key. The diversity of plants in the Muyong forest includes thirty-eight tree species belonging to 19 families dominated by indigenous tree species. Results showed that the monthly leaf litter fall was higher during the dry months of March to May and lower during the wet months. The estimated total leaf litter fall in Muyong forest was comparable to published litter fall from tropical secondary forests. The N, P and K contents of fresh leaf litter range from 1.0 to 1.2, 0.11 and 0.40%, respectively. The first month of decomposition has the fastest rate while the decomposition rate during the next 4 months ranged from 0.125 to 0.251. Complete decomposition or mass lost in the leaf litter in the Muyong forest took place within 5 months. The soil arthropods identified in the decomposing leaf litter were composed of 13 orders and 28 families. Majority of the collected arthropods were insects while other species including mites, spiders, millipedes and sowbugs were also present. Detrivore and fungivore Families were found to be dominant in the decomposing leaf litter. Moreover, the composition and succession of arthropod decomposer community varied in the three sampling methods and with the changing quality of the litter material as decomposition progressed. The wide diversity and succession of leaf litter decomposers consisting of detritivores, predators, fungivore and herbivore coupled with abundant rainfall and warm temperature are the two main factors that contribute to the fast rate of leaf litter decomposition and nutrient turn over in the Muyong forest. Thus, the Muyong forest can sustain the productivity of rice planted in the adjoining downstream Payoh terraces. Hence, the conservation and management of the Muyong forest is critical in maintaining the ecological functions of the Muyong–Payoh continuum.

Ornithodoros sawaii (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae) collected from nest soil/litter of Synthliboramphus antiquus, Synthliboramphus wumizusume, and nest soil/litter and nestlings of Hydrobates monorhis on Gugul and Sogugul Islands, Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea

The 65th Medical Brigade and Medical Department Activity-Korea, in collaboration with the Migratory Birds Research Center, National Park Research Institute, conducted a migratory bird tick-borne disease surveillance program on Gugul and Sogugul Islands, two small, remote, uninhabited islands in southwestern Jeollanam Province, Republic of Korea (ROK) from 2015–2016. Ticks were collected from nest soil/litter of the Ancient Murrelet, Synthliboramphus antiquus, Japanese Murrelet, Synthliboramphus wumizusume, and Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel, Hydrobates monorhis, using Tullgren funnels. A total of 100 Ornithodoros sawaii (25 females, 56 males, 17 nymphs, and 2 larvae) were collected from 2/33 (6.1%) Ancient Murrelet, 3/11 (27.3%) Japanese Murrelet, and 23/94 (24.5%) Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel nest sites. In addition, 3 larvae were collected from Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel nestlings. Ticks were identified morphologically and species determination was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction techniques. This is the first record of O. sawaii collected from nest soil/litter of the Japanese Murrelet during this bird’s nesting season in the ROK.