Uropoda Orbicularis Research Articles

Mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with wild mushrooms in Northern Iran

A faunistic study of mites (Acari) associated with wild mushrooms in Guilan province, northern Iran was carried out during 2022. Totally, 21 species belonging to 17 different genera and 12 families were collected and identified. The 17 species including of Cosmolaelaps lutegiensis, Dendrolaelaps saprophilus, Gamasiphis lanceolatus, Gaeolaelaps kargi, Laelaspis persicus, Macrocheles perglaber, Neoseiulus barkeri, Olopachys caucasicus, Onchodellus alpinus, Oplitis paradoxa, Pachylaelaps grandis, Podocinum pacificum, Polyaspis patavinus, Uroobovella flagelliger, Uroobovella varians, Uropoda orbicularis and Uropoda (Trachycilliba) splendida are reported for the first time from Iran in association with mushrooms. Collection information of identified species is provided.

Underground diversity: Uropodina mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from European badger (Meles meles) nests

Badgers can gather huge quantities of organic material to build their nests for winter time and to rear their cubs. Moreover, badger burrows (setts) are characterized by specific microclimate with quite stable temperature and humidity. Their fauna is poorly studied, especially in respect of saprobiontic Uropodina mites. In 2018–2019, we monitored 94 badger setts to search for nest material that had been thrown away during cleaning of the chambers after mating and winter sleep. In the collected material from 32 badger nests, we found 413 Uropodina mites of 16 species, in various stages of development (adults, protonymphs, and deutonymphs). The community was dominated by three mite species: Trematura patavina (22.5%, n = 93), Oodinychus ovalis (17.2%, n = 71), and Olodiscus minima (15.5%, n = 64). Other nidicolous—i.e., nest-dwelling—species included: Nenteria oudemansi (14.8%, n = 61), Phaulodiaspis borealis (7.0%, n = 29), Phaulodiaspis rackei (4.6%, n = 19), Uroseius hunzikeri (1.7%, n = 7), Uropoda orbicularis (1.5%, n = 6), and Apionoseius infirmus (1.0%, n = 4). The most frequent species were: Oodinychus ovalis (62.5%, 20 nests), N. oudemansi (46.9%, 15 nests), and Olodiscus minima (40.6%, 13 nests). Detrended correspondence analysis indicated that the Uropodina community from badger nests differed from that of mole nests, studied earlier. In setts, the Uropodina community included T. patavina and N. oudemansi, which were for the first time recorded from underground badger nests. This is the first record of N. oudemansi from Poland.

To attach or not to attach? The effect of carrier surface morphology and topography on attachment of phoretic deutonymphs of Uropoda orbicularis (Acari).

Previous studies on preferences of phoretic deutonymphs of Uropodina for attachment sites have shown that they frequently select smooth and hydrophobic surfaces. The aim of our study was to provide the detailed morphological and topographical characteristics of beetle body surfaces to which deutonymphs frequently attach and to verify how the presence of setae and surface sculpture affects deutonymph attachment. The study was conducted on Uropoda orbicularis (Müller, 1776) and its common beetle carriers: Aphodius prodromus (Brahm, 1790), Aphodius fimetarius (Linnaeus, 1758), Onthophagus nuchicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Margarinotus carbonarius (Hoffmann, 1803). Morphology and topography of elytra, femora, propygidia and pygidia of beetles were analysed mainly using SEM methods supported with CLSM and AFM techniques. The hypothesis that deutonymphs may attach to surfaces covered with setae, if seta density is low enough not to disturb mite movement, was tested. The study revealed that deutonymphs attach to surfaces of various types as follows: (i) smooth, (ii) hairy, i.e., covered with setae, (iii) flat and (iv) sculptured. Smooth body parts and body parts covered with setae of low density were most frequently and intensively occupied with deutonymphs. Surfaces of high seta density were avoided by mites. Within elytra of Aphodius beetles, deutonymphs definitely preferred flat surfaces of elytral intervals. On the contrary, densely punctuated propygidium and pygidium in M. carbonarius were heavily infested with deutonymphs. We conclude that carrier surface morphology and topography are important for Uropodina deutonymph attachment, but these two factors cannot fully explain the observed relation.

Localization and density of phoretic deutonymphs of the mite Uropoda orbicularis (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) on Aphodius beetles (Aphodiidae) affect pedicel length

The phoretic stage of Uropodina mites is a deutonymph with developed morphological adaptations for dispersal by insects. Phoretic deutonymphs are able to produce a pedicel, a stalk-like temporary attachment structure that connects the mite with the carrier. The aim of our study was to determine whether localization and density of phoretic deutonymphs on the carrier affect pedicel length. The study was conducted on a common phoretic mite—Uropoda orbicularis (Uropodina) and two aphodiid beetles—Aphodius prodromus and Aphodius distinctus. Our results show that pedicel length is influenced by the localization of deutonymphs on the body of the carrier. The longest pedicels are produced by deutonymphs attached to the upper part of elytra, whereas deutonymphs attached to femora and trochanters of the third pair of legs and the apex of elytra construct the shortest pedicels. In general, deutonymphs attached to more exposed parts of the carrier produce longer pedicels, whereas shorter pedicels are produced when deutonymphs are fixed to non-exposed parts of the carrier. A second factor influencing pedicel length is the density of attached deutonymphs. Mean pedicel length and deutonymph densities were highly correlated: higher deutonymph density leads to the formation of longer pedicels. The cause for this correlation is discussed, and we conclude that pedicel length variability can increase successful dispersal.

Morphological diversity of pedicels in phoretic deutonymphs of Uropodina mites (Acari: Mesostigmata)

The pedicel is a structure that connects the phoretic deutonymph of Uropodina mites with its carrier and enables dispersal. The shapes, lengths and diameters of pedicels formed by Uropoda orbicularis, Trichouropoda ovalis, Uroobovella pulchella and Uroobovella nova were studied by scanning and light microscopy. Pedicels of U. orbicularis and T. ovalis have the shape of a straight stalk. In U. pulchella, the pedicel is extremely short, irregularly shaped and composed of homogeneous material. The longest pedicel is found in U. nova and it may be helically coiled in this species. The length of the pedicel is positively correlated with deutonymph body size between species, but not within species. Pedicels of U. orbicularis and U. pulchella have the largest diameter. The pedicel diameter in U. orbicularis and T. ovalis is inversely proportional to its length, but not in U. nova and U. pulchella. The constituent of pedicel stems in U. pulchella is homogeneous, whereas in U. orbicularis and T. ovalis it contains a bundle of tightly packed fibres. In U. nova coiled pedicels are comprised of two layered materials of different electron density, one of which is electron lucid and located peripherally. Hypotheses on the origin of the pedicel are proposed.

Anatomy and fine structure of pedicellar glands in phoretic deutonymphs of uropodid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Phoretic deutonymphs of uropodid mites are attached to their carrier via an anal pedicel which is formed by a secretion from the pedicellar gland. Since the ultrastructure of the pedicel and pedicellar gland has never been investigated, we studied these structures in three species, Uropoda orbicularis (Müller), Uroobovella marginata (Koch), and Trichouropoda ovalis (Koch) by light (LM) and electron microscopy (TEM, SEM). In addition, the pedicel in Uroobovella nova (Oudemans) was documented in SEM.The pedicellar gland is a distinct globular structure comprised of three types of secretory cells (A-, B-, and C-types) with apical parts directed towards a junctional zone of postcolon and anal atrium. Secretory cells of the A-type are located dorsally, whereas B-type cells are central, and C-type cells are distributed ventrally or both ventrally and dorsally. Protrusions of visceral muscle cells are distributed on the external surface of the gland. The cuticle-lined anal atrium is large and located between the gland and dorso-anal muscles. The pedicel is composed of a main stalk and two extended extremities: one adhering to the anal region of the deutonymph and a second connected to the cuticle of the carrier. In each case, the anal atria were empty, whereas the pedicellar material was located outside of the mite body.

When a beetle is too small to carry phoretic mites? A case of hydrophilid beetles (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) andUropoda orbicularis(Acari: Mesostigmata)

The aim of our study was to determine the limit of a beetle’s body size below which it is not able to carry phoretic mites. We tested the hypothesis that body size of the carrier is the vital factor in selecting a host in mites with facultative and nonspecific phoresy. The study was conducted on beetles of the family Hydrophilidae and deutonymphs of the mite Uropoda orbicularis (Müller, 1776). Among 20 species of hydrophilids collected, only 7 carried deutonymphs. The smallest hydrophilids with body lengths below 2.32 mm did not carry deutonymphs. These were Cercyon analis (Paykull, 1798), Cercyon nigriceps (Marsham, 1802), Cercyon pygmaeus (Illiger, 1801), Cercyon terminatus (Marsham, 1802), Cryptopleurum crenatum (Kugelann, 1794), Cryptopleurum minutum (Fabricius, 1775), Cryptopleurum subtile Sharp, 1884, and Megasternum concinnum (Marsham, 1802). On the contrary, the largest beetles, of the genus Sphaeridium Fabricius, 1775, were most heavily and frequently occupied by phoretic deutonymphs. Most representatives of the genus Cercyon Leach, 1817 did not carry mites or had a very low mite burden. Our study indicates that beetle infestation by nonspecific phoretic mites is strongly influenced by beetle body size.

Distribution and Abundance of Phoretic Mites (Astigmata, Mesostigmata) onRhynchophorus ferrugineus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, is the most important insect pest on date palms. Weevils were collected from randomly selected infested date palms in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Mites from three families were recorded. Uroobovella sp. (Acari: Urodinychidae) were the most common phoretic mites. Curculanoetus sp. (Acari: Histiostomatidae) were second in abundance. Uropoda orbicularis (Acari: Uropodidae) was recorded on one beetle. The abundance of phoretic mites varied among body parts of R. ferrugineus, and the maximum numbers occurred in the subelytral space. The mean intensity, mean abundance, and prevalence of Uroobovella and Curculanoetus mites did not differ between male and female weevils. Uroobovella had significantly greater mean intensity, abundance and prevalence compared to Curculanoetus. Most Uroobovella and Curculanoetus aggregated under the sublytral space, which presumably offers protection from the hot and dry environment. This study is the first to document the presence of phoretic mites on R. ferrugineus in UAE and will help to direct future research on their interactions.

Seasonal abundance and infestation of deutonymphs of Uropoda orbicularis (Müller, 1776) (Acari: Mesostigmata) phoretic on coprophilous beetles (Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Aphodiidae, Hydrophilidae, Histeridae)

ABSTRACT Seasonal abundance and rates of infestation of deutonymphs of Uropoda orbicularis (Müller, 1776) on various groups of coprophilous beetles (Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Aphodiidae, Hydrophilidae and Histeridae) are reported. Beetles and mites were collected using pitfall traps placed in a pasture situated in western Poland. The results have shown that deutonymph infestation varies among beetle families, and that season is an important factor affecting mite infestation. The highest rates of infestation were recorded for Scarabaeidae and the lowest values for Hydrophilidae. Scarabaeidae were most numerous during late May/early June when deutonymph abundance was the highest which may explain why they carried the largest numbers of phoretic deutonymphs. Season affected U. orbicularis directly as well as indirectly, due to beetle abundance. Changes in beetle and phoretic deutonymph abundances were similar. Phoretic deutonymphs were observed early in the season on the first beetle specimens collected, however during autumn their numbers decreased markedly even though abundance of carriers was still high. The results have shown that phoretic mite abundance and infestation on carriers may be influenced by seasonal factors to a high degree. This fact should be taken into account by determining mite preferences towards their carriers.

Kırmızı palmiyeböceği [Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver, 1790) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)] üzerinde foretik uropodid akarlar (Acarina: Uropodidae)

4Summary Phoretic uropodid mites (Acarina: Uropodidae) on the red palm weevil [Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver, 1790) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)] Phoretic mites (Acarina: Mesostigmata: Uropodidae) were identified on the red palm weevil (RPW), [(Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Oliver, 1790) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)] collected from the aggregation pheromone traps and the dead Canary Island date palms, Phoenix canariensis Hort. in Adana province, Turkey in 2008. Two phoretic uropodid species, Uropoda orbicularis (Muller, 1776) and Uroobovella marginata (Koch, 1839) (Acarina: Uropodidae) were recorded for the first time on the RPW in Turkey. The uropodid mites were found mainly beneath the first wings of the adult weevils. They were also observed on dead larval and pupa stages of the RPW. The majority of the adult weevils, collected from the traps in the period may-june and date palm trees in february, carried the high numbers of uropodid mites. Mean total numbers of the total mites on the pheromone traps for the period of may-june were 213.02 (max. 698) on per adult female and 188.85 (max. 653) per adult male. Mean total numbers of mites in the date palm trees in february were 346.70 (max. 668) per adult female and 283.10 (max. 644) per adult male in date palms. RPW, found inside the cocoons in the date palms, were infested with the great numbers (400-600) of the mites. Total numbers of the total uropodid mites on the larval and pupal stage of RPW varied from 0 to 50. Densities of the phoretic mites attached to the adult females and males collected from the trap and palm tree samplings were usually similar throughout the sampling periods. The uropodids exhibited typically phoretic behavior on the RPW

Coprophagous hydrophilid beetles (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) as carriers of phoretic deutonymphs of Uropoda orbicularis (Acari: Mesostigmata) in Poland

During a study 20 hydrophilid beetle species and 2,457 individuals of beetles belonging to 4 genera: Cercyon, Cryptopleurum, Megasternum and Sphaeridium were collected. On the surface of the bodies of 59 beetles (2.40% of the beetles collected) belonging to six species, 174 cases of phoresy [55 deutonymphs of Uropoda orbicularis (MĂźller, 1776) and 119 pedicels without deutonymphs] were observed. New hydrophilid beetle carriers of phoretic deutonymphs of U. orbicularis are given. Most mites were carried by Sphaeridium species. The population dynamics of both groups of arthropods was also studied. Most cases of phoresy were recorded in May and in the second half of July. However, phoretic deutonymphs were not present on the body surface of hydrophilid beetles throughout the whole period of this study.

Phoresy of Uropoda orbicularis (Acari: Mesostigmata) by beetles (Coleoptera) associated with cattle dung in Poland

Of 31 species of coprophagous beetles from the following families: Aphodiidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae, individuals of 25 species carried deutonymphs of Uropoda orbicularis (MĂźller, 1776). The mite's preferences for attaching to specific parts of an insect's body were determined by examining 4,318 specimens of beetles from the following families: Aphodiidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae, Hydrophilidae and Histeridae. We recorded 14,507 cases of phoresy (5,822 deutonymphs and 8,685 of pedicels without mites) on 2,056 insects. Elytra and the third pair of legs were the areas most frequently occupied by the mites. The mite's preferences for attaching to specific parts of an insect body are reported for the first time.