Oribatid mite (Acari) community structure in steppic habitats of Burgos Province,central northern Spain

This work is a study of the communities of oribatid mites in steppic areas of Burgos Province, central northern Spain, in relation to different habitat types belonging to natural or disturbed ecosystems. The primary objective was to find the relationship between anthropogenic use of land and several diversity indices. Parameters such as abundance, species richness, real diversity (H′) and equitability (J′) of the mite communities were calculated in 20 soil plots, sampled in spring and autumn 2000, belonging to the predominant habitat types of this area: (1) cultivated lands, (2) abandoned crop lands, (3) grasslands/pastures, and (4) natural oak forests or a pine plantation. The most widespread species in the area as well as the most abundant taxa overall are documented, together with the faunistic checklist of oribatid mites identified in the study. The results show a general decline in the composition of the oribatid community, in terms of species diversity and abundance, from non‐disturbed soils to cultivated lands. The number of species (richness) was usually higher in forest soils than in disturbed ecosystems, in which the most degraded soils showed the lowest number of species. The community analysis shows the differences due to habitat type and ubiquitous bioindicator species.     

Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of the Falkland Islands,South Atlantic and their zoogeographical relationships

A total of 21 species of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) are recorded from heat-extracted samples of soil and plant material collected in the Falkland Is., South Atlantic. Previous records of a further 11 species provide a total of 32 species. The distribution of each non-endemic species recorded from the Falkland Is. is figured. The oribatid mite fauna of these islands belongs to the Neotropical Region with strong sub-Antarctic elements and some similarities with New Zealand.     

Lichens of soil crust communities in the Intermountain Area of the western United States

Lichens are common components of microbiotic soil crusts. A total of 34 species from 17 genera are reported from soil crust communities throughout the Intermountain Area. Distribution of terricolous lichens is determined by various physical and biological factors: physical and chemical characteristics of the soil, moisture regimes, temperature, insolation, and development and composition of the vascular plant community. Some species demonstrate a broad ecological amplitude while others have a more restricted distribution. All growth forms are represented; however, the vast majority of soil crust lichens are squamulose (minutely foliose). Fruticose species are least abundant. In exposed, middle-elevation sites vagrant (detached) species are common. This paper describes and discusses terricolous lichen communities of desert habitats of the intermountain western United States. Effects of various human-related activities including grazing, wildfire, air pollution, and recreation vehicles on soil crust lichens are discussed. Gypsoplaca macrophylla (Zahlbr.) Timdal, a rare squamulose lichen which occurs on gypsifersous soils, was recently collected in Emery County, Utah, and is reported as new to the state.     

Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of the maritime Antarctic and Antarctic Peninsula

Eleven species of oribatid mites are reported from 26 maritime Antarctic islands. The oribatid faunas of Fredriksen, Atriceps (South Orkney Is.), Cockburn, Seymour, Vega, Brabant, Adelaide, Lagoon, Léonie, Horseshoe, Alexander Islands and Peter I Øy were studied for the first time. Austroppia crozetensis (Richters, 1908) and Magellozetes processus Hammer, 1962 are first records for the Antarctic Region. Halozetes belgicae longiseta Wallwork, 1967 is a new record for the South Orkney Is., Edwardzetes dentifer Hammer, 1962, is new for the South Shetland Is., Magellozetes processus Hammer, 1962 is new for Graham Land whilst Globoppia loxolineata longipilosa Covarrubias, 1968 and Magellozetes antarcticus (Michael, 1895) are new records for Palmer Land. The distribution patterns of the 11 species of oribatid mites are figured and their zoogeographical relationships are discussed.     

Microtopography of microbiotic crusts on the Colorado Plateau, and distribution of component organisms

We analyzed the microtopography of microbiotic soil crusts at 3 sites on the Colorado Plateau of southern Utah and investigated distributions of cyanobacteria and several lichens in distinctive microhabitats created by this topography. At all 3 sites the long axes of linear soil mounds were oriented nonrandomly in a NNW—SSE direction. The conspicuous and consistent orientation of soil mounds may result from a combination of physical and biotic processes. Subtle differences across sites in mound orientation and organismal distribution suggest that these variables may be useful in comparing disturbance histories of crusts retrospectively. Differences in colonization frequencies, abundances, and distributions of microorganisms comprising the crusts, as a function of mound aspect or exposure, suggest that these organisms are associated with particular aspects due to distinctive and favorable microhabitats on these exposures. Polysaccharide sheath material, deposited by cyanobacteria, and associated filaments occurred in greater quantities on ENE than WSW mound exposures, and cover by Collema spp. lichens exhibited the same pattern. Colonization of mounds by common lichen species occurred significantly more frequently on ENE than WSW mound aspects at 2 of 3 sites. In contrast, the 3 most common lichen species, aside from Collema spp., did not exhibit a tendency for greater cover on ENE than WSW mound aspects. Physiological differences between gelatinous cyanolichens and green-algal lichens may explain the different distributional patterns of Collema spp. and the 3 other lichens.     

Bionomics of the myrmecophilous oribatid mite Protoribates myrmecophilus (Acari: Oribatida) in the Oriental tropics

Behavioural interactions between the myrmecophilous oribatid mite Protoribates myrmecophilus and the host ant Myrmecina spp. are described and compared to those of Aribates javensis which shows a very specialized myrmecophily. The behaviour of P. myrmecophilous is similar to free-living oribatids: they can walk by themselves and can survive without ant attendance. In the ant nests, the mites are sometimes cared for by ants and they are brought by ants into a new nest site. Protoribates myrmecophilus is eaten by non-host species of Myrmecina. Protoribates myrmecophilus is a less specialized myrmecophilous oribatid species.     

Soil oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) diversity and composition in semi-deciduous forest fragments in eastern Amazonia and comparison with the surrounding savanna matrix

We recorded species abundance and richness of oribatid mites along 16 plots established in semi-deciduous forest fragments in Amazonia. The results were compared with a published dataset consisting of an inventory carried out in 38 plots in the surrounding savanna. Totals of 143 and 91 species were recorded in the forest fragments and savanna, respectively. Sørensen similarity index between both environments was 0.44. Ordination of sites according to oribatid mite species composition showed a clear separation between forest fragments and savanna. Rostrozetes ovulum, Archegozetes longisetosus and Eohypochthonius (Eohypochthonius) becki were abundant and frequent in the forest fragments but exceedingly rare in the savanna. Neoppia (Neoppia) schauenbergi, Pseudoppia sp. C, Microppia sp. A and Cosmochthonius sp. A were limited to the savanna. This study also represents an early step toward knowing which groups of species are exclusive to one or another vegetation type or are sensitive to their inherent environmental conditions.     

Oribatid mites of Liebstadia (Acari: Oribatida: Scheloribatidae) from Mongolia,with notes on taxonomy of the genus

Three new species of oribatid mites belonging to the genus Liebstadia are described from Mongolia. The new species are characterized by the poorly developed pteromorphae; the club-shaped head of the sensilli; the absence of the dorsosejugal suture; the dorso-ventral thickness, and the length and arrangement of notogastral setae. In addition, L. similis (Michael, 1888) is redescribed and recorded for the first time in Mongolia. Protoribates serratomarginatus Mahunka, 1983 is synonymized with L. similis. A key to the known species of the genus Liebstadia is given.     

A systematic revision of the genus Laelaps s. str. (Acari: Mesostigmata) of the Ethiopian region

This paper presents the results of a systematic study of mites of the genus Laelaps s. str. collected from small mammals of the Ethiopian region. Specimens taken from approximately 100,000 small mammals were examined from a wide variety of habitats and localities. The Ethiopian fauna of Laelaps mites includes 31 species. 4 of which are described as new: L. parasimillimus, L. myomys, L. malacomys, and L. acomys. A numerical taxonomic analysis was made, the results of which were used in the preparation of a proposed classification of the African species of Laelaps. A key for identification of females is given, and females and males (where known) of all species are illustrated. Diagnostic characters are given for the female and male of each species. Collection data and, where pertinent, discussions of morphological characters and variability are provided. Also included are discussions of host-parasite associations.     

Halacarid mites (Acari: Halacaridae) associated with a North Atlantic subtidal population of the kelp Laminaria ochroleuca

We characterised the mite fauna associated with a subtidal population of Laminaria ochroleuca in the Cantabrian Sea during a 4-year study. We found 2780 individuals belonging to 35 species. The mite assemblage comprised both north Atlantic and Mediterranean species, as usually reported from the Lusitanian region. The most abundant and diverse subfamily was Copidognathinae, followed by Halacarinae and Lohmannellinae. The greatest abundance of mites was detected on kelp holdfasts, not only strictly phytal mites were found but also interstitial mites or those associated with other macrofauna. Such a distribution could be explained by the high diversity and heterogeneity of microhabitats provided by holdfasts. Mite abundance fluctuated during the 4 years of the study. However, the lowest abundance was detected during the last year of sampling. During that year, the studied algal population suffered a severe decay leaving only degenerating holdfasts attached to the substrate, which could explain the decrease in mite numbers.     

Effect of cryptobiotic crust type on microarthropod assemblages in pi?on-juniper woodland in central New Mexico

Cryptobiotic crusts make up an important part of the ground cover in arid systems. Along with their roles of retarding soil erosion and enhancing soil fertility, crusts may also be supporting local and regional arthropod biodiversity. We inventoried arthropod species in mossy, lichen, and mixed (lichen and mossy) cryptobiotic crusts at 2 sites in central New Mexico pi?on-juniper habitat. We collected 240 crust samples and used a heptane flotation technique to extract the microarthropods. We found 39 species of microarthropods and small macroarthropods, with significantly fewer species on lichen. Species richness was higher in March than in August, but diversity was lower because of dominance by the mite Neonanorchestes sp. Mean area differed significantly for different crust types, but arthropod species richness did not follow the pattern of more species on crusts with larger area. Arthropod species may be influencing such processes as nutrient cycling; therefore, the crust/arthropod interaction may be critical to aridland health.     

Recovery rates of cryptobiotic crusts: inoculant use and assessment methods

Recovery rates of cyanobacterial-lichen soil crusts from disturbance were examined. Plots were either undisturbed or scalped, and scalped plots were either inoculated with surrounding biological crust material or left to recover naturally. Natural recovery rates were found to be very slow. Inoculation significantly hastened recovery for the cyanobacterial/green algal component, lichen cover, lichen species richness, and moss cover. Even with inoculation, however, lichen and moss recovery was minimal. Traditional techniques of assessing recovery visually were found to underestimate time for total recovery. Other techniques, such as extraction of chlorophyll a from surface soil and measurement of sheath material accumulation, were used and are discussed.     

Community composition of laelapine mites (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with the nests and fur of Cerradomys subflavus (Wagner, 1842)

Knowledge about the role of the nest environment in the life cycle of laelapine mites associated with neotropical small mammals is unclear because nests have rarely been collected. Here we use infestation data to make predictions about host–mite ecology and examine the nests of the host to assess the validity of these predictions. Spool-and-line method was used to track Cerradomys subflavus nests. We found that: the structure of mite populations infesting the body of C. subflavus, was strongly biased toward the reproductive female stage; recaptured hosts were re-infested with laelapine mites at different rates; and female hosts were not more highly infested than males. We found strong evidence of nidicoly with both, Gigantolaelaps vitzthumi and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi. The G. vitzthumi was more abundant in the nests of female rodents and with both these mite species, we encountered males and immature mites in the nests, although not in the host fur.     

Pseudolynchia canariensis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae): distribution pattern and phoretic association with skin mites and chewing lice of Columba livia (Aves: Columbidae)

The examination of 145 specimens of Pseudolynchia canariensis (74 males and 71 females) from 31 specimens of Columba livia captured between March and April of 2012 in the municipality of Pelotas, southern Brazil, revealed an aggregated distribution of hippoboscid flies. Prevalence and mean intensity of infestation were higher on younger hosts. Approximately 30% of hippoboscid flies exhibited phoretic associations with skin mites of the families Epidermoptidae and Cheyletidae as well as with chewing lice of the family Philopteridae. Myialges anchora and Ornithocheyletia hallae skin mites exhibited aggregated distributions. On P. canariensis only female skin mites were observed, M. anchora being the most prevalent and abundant. The abdominal ventral surface, between the metathorax and the first abdominal tergite and the ventral surface of wings of hippoboscid flies were the preferred regions for attachment by skin mites, whereas Columbicola columbae was observed attached to the mesotibia of one hippoboscid fly.     

The British oribatid mites (Acari: Cryptostigmata) of Warburton and Pearce

Two of the oribatid species described by Warburton and Pearce (1905) are redescribed, and three are synonymized, from original material. Forty-one identifications made by Warburton (1904) and Warburton and Pearce (1904. 1905) are reinterpreted; eight of their records retain the taxonomic status originally assigned to them; and two taxa (including one of their new species) are declared species inquirendae.     

An overview of the mite fauna (Acari) associated with eumenine wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) found in Brazilian collections

ABSTRACT

Mites can be associated with other organisms as parasites, commensals, phoretic, among others, such as some Winterschmidtiidae that present cooperative relationships with solitary wasps (Eumeninae). These wasps have one or more cavities in their body surface that are capable of carrying mites, called acarinaria. Studies carried out in the northern hemisphere suggest that these relationships are species-specific. However, in South America, there are few studies in this field. Aiming to recognize and increase our knowledge of the species of solitary wasps from Brazil that are associated with mites, we examined 61 wasps belonging to 29 species and four genera from Brazilian museum collections. All of the specimens studied presented at least one type of acarinarium in their bodies. There were mites in all specimens of wasps, but not all of them were associated with an acarinarium. The mites belong to 11 different genera: six in Winterschmidtiidae (possibly cooperation relationships); one in Oplitidae (phoresy); one in Erythraeidae (parasitism); two in Acaridae (phoresy); and one in Histiostomatidae (phoresy). Detrended correspondence analysis and indicator species analysis were conducted to test the preference of the mite genera for species of wasp and for site (regions of the wasp’s body). These tests were significant only for the mite genus Vespacarus preferring Parancistrocerus wasp species and the metasomal acarinaria. Some of the mites did not have a specific host, and some wasps carried more than one species of mite, differing from the specific interactions reported for the northern hemisphere.     

New species of ptyctimous mites (Acari,Oribatida) from Cuba

Five new species of two genera of ptyctimous, soil mites (Acari, Oribatida, Steganacaridae) are described: Protophthiracarus aethes sp. nov., Protophthiracarus pinarensis sp. nov., Protophthiracarus ruseki sp. nov., Notophthiracarus granpiedraensis sp. nov. and Notophthiracarus obturatus sp. nov. The identification key for determination of Protophthiracarus species of Cuba is provided. One of the genera, Notophthiracarus, is newly found in the Antilles. New described species have increased the number of endemic species for Cuba and increased the number of the known species of ptyctimous mites to 47.     

Incidence of tarsonemid mites on Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) from Oman with description of a new species of Nasutitarsonemus Beer and Nucifora (Acari: Tarsonemidae)

Coconut is an important crop grown in the coastal plain of the Dhofar region, south-eastern Oman, on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula desert. It holds a particular place in the landscaping of the region and is also of great interest for the production of coconut drinking water. One of the main pests of coconut in this region is the coconut mite (Aceria guerreronis Keifer). In surveys conducted to understand the dynamics of that mite and its association with other arthropods, the incidence of tarsonemid mites was determined. Steneotarsonemus furcatus de Leon was the most commonly found tarsonemid on fruits as well as on growing tips of coconut seedlings, always at low levels. A few representatives of an undescribed tarsonemid species were also found. That new species is here described as Nasutitarsonemus omani Lofego and Moraes, sp. nov. A key to the species of this little-known genus is provided.     

Cryptogamic soil crusts: recovery from grazing near Camp Floyd State Park, Utah, USA

The effects of grazing on the cryptogamic and vascular plant communities at two sites near Camp Floyd State Park, Utah County, Utah, were studied. The grazed site was subject to heavy grazing up until seven years prior to the study. The ungrazed site within the park boundaries had been protected from grazing for 20 years prior to the study and had a well-developed algal-lichen-moss crust. We found that the algae of the grazed site had recovered in terms of degree of crusting. There were no significant differences in the algal communities of the two sites when prevalent species were used as blocks in the ANOVAR analysis. However, when major algal groups were used as blocks, the analysis was significant, with the more recently grazed site having lower algal frequency. This difference, together with a few compositional differences, indicates that, although the algal community seven years following grazing is very similar to the algal community free of grazing for 20 years, the seven-year site is still in the process of recovery and community development. The diatom collections had a higher density in the grazed site, though the difference was not significant. Recovery of the lichen and moss community was not complete. The lichen Collema tenax and the mosses Bryum pallescens and Tortula ruralis were all significantly more abundant in the ungrazed area. Total cover of the lichen and moss components of the soil crusts was significantly lower in the more recently grazed area. Vascular cover was also lower.