scholarly journals Variation in Community-Level Trophic Niches of Soil Microarthropods With Conversion of Tropical Rainforest Into Plantation Systems as Indicated by Stable Isotopes (15N, 13C)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alena Krause ◽  
Dorothee Sandmann ◽  
Anton Potapov ◽  
Sergey Ermilov ◽  
Rahayu Widyastuti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Trophic Niches ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

Land-use change is threatening biodiversity worldwide and is predicted to increase in the next decades, especially in tropical regions. Most studies focused on the response of single or few species to land-use change, only few investigated the response of entire communities. In particular the response of belowground communities to changes in land use received little attention. Oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari) are among the most abundant soil animals, involved in decomposition processes and nutrient cycling. Oribatid mite species span a wide range of trophic niches and are known to sensitively respond to changes in land use. Here, we investigated shifts in the community-level trophic niche of oribatid mites with the conversion of rainforest into rubber and oil palm plantations. Due to a wider range of resources in more natural ecosystems, we expected the community-level trophic niche to shrink with conversion of rainforest into plantations. As the conversion of rainforest into plantations is associated with reduced availability of litter resources, we expected the average trophic level (indicated by the 15N/14N ratio) to be higher and basal resources (indicated by the 13C/12C ratio) to shift toward living plant material in rubber and oil palm plantations. Our analysis showed that community-level trophic niches in rainforest and rubber agroforest (“jungle rubber”) were separated from those in monoculture plantation systems, indicating a trophic niche shift with land-use intensification. As hypothesized, oribatid mites shifted their diet toward predation and/or scavenging and toward the plant-based energy channel with transformation of rainforest into plantations. Exceptionally low minimum 13C/12C ratios in rubber plantations suggest that certain oribatid mite species in this land-use system use resources not available in the other studied ecosystems. We detected high isotopic uniqueness in oil palm plantations suggesting a low trophic redundancy and thus high vulnerability of trophic functioning in this system in comparison to rainforest. Overall, the results suggest that the conversion of rainforest into plantations is associated with pronounced shifts in community-level trophic niches of mesofauna detritivores with potential major consequences for the functioning of the decomposer system.

scholarly journals Oribatid mite communities in mountain scree: stable isotopes (15N, 13C) reveal three trophic levels of exclusively sexual species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Nae ◽  
Augustin Nae ◽  
Stefan Scheu ◽  
Mark Maraun
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Structure ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Resource Poor ◽  
Trophic Niches ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

AbstractMountain scree habitats are intermediate habitats between the base of the soil and the bedrock. They are composed of a network of small cracks and voids, and are commonly situated at the lower levels of scree slopes. Their environment is defined by empty spaces inside the scree, the absence of light and photoperiod, low temperature, and resource poor conditions. Soil arthropod communities, their trophic structure as well as their use of basal resources in mountain scree are little studied despite the fact that they are important components of these systems. Here, we investigate stable isotope ratios (15N/14N, 13C/12C) of oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari) to understand their trophic niches and their variation with depth (50 and 75 cm) at two mountain scree sites (Cerdacul Stanciului, Marele Grohotis) in the Romanian Carpathians. Further, we used existing data to investigate the reproductive mode of the species in that habitat, as this may be related to resource availability. We hypothesized that trophic niches of oribatid mites will not differ between the two mountain scree regions but will be affected by depth. We furthermore hypothesized that due to the resource poor conditions oribatid mite species will span a narrow range of trophic levels, and that species are sexual rather than parthenogenetic. Our results showed that (1) oribatid mite trophic structure only slightly differed between the two sites indicating that the trophic ecology of oribatid mites in scree habitats is consistent and predictable, (2) oribatid mite trophic structure did not differ between the two studied soil depths indicating that the structure and availability of resources that were used by oribatid mites in deeper scree habitats varies little with depth, (3) oribatid mite species spanned only three trophic levels indicating that the habitat is rather resource poor, and (4) that all studied oribatid mite species were sexual supporting the view that resource poor conditions favour sexual reproduction.

Two remarkable new species of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Acacia litter of Kerala, India

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4877 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-558
Author(s):  
A. ARUN ◽  
N. RAMANI
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Acacia Auriculiformis ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Identification Keys ◽  
The Family ◽  
First Time ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

Two new oribatid mite species viz. Papillacarus (Vepracarus) acaciensis sp. nov. and Licneremaeus indicus sp. nov. belonging to the respective oribatid families, Lohmanniidae and Licneremaeidae are described and illustrated. Specimens of both species were collected from litter of Acacia auriculiformis Benth. (Leguminosae) growing in different localities of the Calicut University Campus, Malappuram Dt. of Kerala. The family Licneremaeidae is recorded for the first time from India. Identification keys to all known species of the nominative subgenus Vepracarus and the genus Licneremaeus are also provided.

MERISTACARUS BOCHKOVI (ACARI, ORIBATIDA, LOHMANNIIDAE), A NEW SPECIES OF ORIBATID MITES FROM MALAYSIA

Acarina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-182
Author(s):  
Sergey G. Ermilov ◽  
Stanislav Kalúz
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Surface ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

A new oribatid mite species of the genus Meristacarus (Oribatida, Lohmanniidae) is described from Malaysia. Meristacarus bochkovi sp. n. differs from all other representatives of the genus by the presence of a dense tuberculate body surface.

scholarly journals Multiple convergent evolution of arboreal life in oribatid mites indicates the primacy of ecology

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1671) ◽  
pp. 3219-3227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Maraun ◽  
Georgia Erdmann ◽  
Garvin Schulz ◽  
Roy A. Norton ◽  
Stefan Scheu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Gravity Receptor ◽  
General Force ◽  
Predator Defence ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

Frequent convergent evolution in phylogenetically unrelated taxa points to the importance of ecological factors during evolution, whereas convergent evolution in closely related taxa indicates the importance of favourable pre-existing characters (pre-adaptations). We investigated the transitions to arboreal life in oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari), a group of mostly soil-living arthropods. We evaluated which general force—ecological factors, historical constraints or chance—was dominant in the evolution of arboreal life in oribatid mites. A phylogenetic study of 51 oribatid mite species and four outgroup taxa, using the ribosomal 18S rDNA region, indicates that arboreal life evolved at least 15 times independently. Arboreal oribatid mite species are not randomly distributed in the phylogenetic tree, but are concentrated among strongly sclerotized, sexual and evolutionary younger taxa. They convergently evolved a capitate sensillus, an anemoreceptor that either precludes overstimulation in the exposed bark habitat or functions as a gravity receptor. Sexual reproduction and strong sclerotization were important pre-adaptations for colonizing the bark of trees that facilitated the exploitation of living resources (e.g. lichens) and served as predator defence, respectively. Overall, our results indicate that ecological factors are most important for the observed pattern of convergent evolution of arboreal life in oribatid mites, supporting an adaptationist view of evolution.

New species of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of the genera Belbodamaeus (Damaeidae), Malaconothrus (Malaconothridae) and Nothrus (Nothridae) from India

Biologia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Ermilov ◽  
Stanislav Kalúz ◽  
Donghui Wu
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Indian Soils ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

AbstractThree new oribatid mite species, Belbodamaeus indicus sp. n. (Damaeidae), Malaconothrus macrofoveolatus sp. n. (Malaconothridae) and Nothrus phylliformis sp. n. (Nothridae), are described from Indian soils. Belbodamaeus indicus sp. n. is clearly distinguishable from all species of Belbodamaeus by the absence of discidia, very long sensilli and morphology of parastigmatic tubercles Sa. Malaconothrus macrofoveolatus sp. n. is very similar morphologically to Malaconothrus yinae Yamamoto, Aoki, Wang & Hu, 1993 from China, however it differs from the latter by the morphology of notogastral and genital setae, size of body foveolae, epimeral formula, and number of genital setae. Nothrus phylliformis sp. n. is very similar morphologically to Nothrus mystax Mahunka, 1986 from Tanzania, however it differs from the latter by the smaller body size, length of interlamellar setae and the position of notogastral setae d 1. An identification key to known species of Belbodamaeus is presented.

New and interesting oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) phoretic on Aceraius grandis (Coleoptera, Passalidae) from Vietnam

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 945
Author(s):  
Sergey G. Ermilov ◽  
Andrey V. Frolov
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Oriental Region ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
First Time ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

Five oribatid mite species (Oribatida), phoretic on beetles, Aceraius grandis (Coleoptera, Passalidae) from Vietnam, are identified: two new species, belonging to the subgenera Graptoppia (Stenoppia) (Oppiidae) and Perscheloribates (Perscheloribates) (Scheloribatidae), are described; and three known species are Mesoplophora (Parplophora) flavida, M. (P.) polita and Ramusella (Sabahoppia) blattarum. Graptoppia (Stenoppia) luisi sp. nov. differs from all species of the subgenus by the presence of tridentate rostrum. Perscheloribates kontumensis sp. nov. differs from Perscheloribates curiosus Ermilov, 2016, Perscheloribates hanoiensis Ermilov & Starý, 2018 and Perscheloribates surigaoensis Corpuz-Raros, 1980 by the presence of body sculpturing, distinct setiform apex in bothridial setae and flexible notogastral setae. Species M. (P.) flavida, M. (P.) polita and R. blattarum, the subgenera Mesoplophora (Parplophora) and Ramusella (Sabahoppia), and the genera Mesoplophora and Graptoppia are recorded in Vietnam for the first time; the subgenus Graptoppia (Stenoppia) is recorded in the Oriental region for the first time. An identification key to known species of Graptoppia (Stenoppia) is given.

scholarly journals Multioppia (Multioppia) biciliata sp. n. new species of oribatid mites from Iran (Acari: Oribatida: Oppiidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Akrami ◽  
S.R. Bastan
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Western Iran ◽  
The Family ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

A new oribatid mite species of the family Oppiidae, <em>Multioppia</em> (<em>Multioppia</em>) <em>biciliata</em> sp. n. is described from Arak, Markazi province, central-western Iran. The new species is characterized by the rounded rostrum; strongly elbowed rostral setae; long sensilli with oblong head, dilated unilaterally, ciliated bilaterally with 15-16 long cilia on outer and 8 short cilia on inner edge; long, thick and bilaterally ciliate notogastral setae; smooth genital and ciliate epimeral, aggenital, anal and adanal setae. An identification key to Iranian species of <em>Multioppia</em> is presented.

scholarly journals HYPOZETES ANDREII (ACARI, ORIBATIDA, TEGORIBATIDAE), A NEW SPECIES OF ORIBATID MITES FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Acarina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-192
Author(s):  
Sergey G. Ermilov ◽  
Elizabeth Hugo-Coetzee ◽  
Alexander A. Khaustov ◽  
Jenő Kontschán
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
Body Surface ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Surface Distribution ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

A new oribatid mite species of the genus Hypozetes (Oribatida, Tegoribatidae) is described from soil in South Africa. Hypozetes andreii sp. n. differs from all other representatives of the genus by the presence of heavily and densely porose body surface. Distribution data of the new species are presented.

Species Structure of Oribatid Mite Population (Acari, Oribatea) in the Forest Floor Litter in the Reclaimed Territories (Ukraine)

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-340
Author(s):  
O. O. Didur ◽  
Yu. L. Kulbachko ◽  
O. Ye. Pakhomov
Keyword(s):  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Species Structure ◽  
Juniperus Virginiana ◽  
Forest Plantation ◽  
Red Cedar ◽  
Dead Plant ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

Abstract The features of the structure of the population of oribatid mites (Oribatida) as primary destructors of dead plant material that provide such ecosystem service as improvement of soil fertility are considered. Studies were performed in various stratigraphic types of artifi cial edaphotopes in the reclaimed sites of “Pavlogradskaya” query (Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk Region, Ukraine), which were planted with eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana Linnaeus). Th e amount of oribatid mite species in the forest litter of studied forest plantation varied from 16 to 25. Minimal number of species (16) and minimal population density of oribatid mites (4720 ind./m2) was established for calcic chernozem topsoil type with sand interlayer, which can be explained by lower thickness of the forest fl oor litter within this reclamation type.

scholarly journals A NEW SPECIES OF ORIBATID MITES OF THE GENUS GALUMNA FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Acarina ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22
Author(s):  
Sergey G. Ermilov ◽  
Elizabeth Hugo-Coetzee
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Anterior Part ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Museum Collection ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Oribatid Mite Species

A new oribatid mite species of the genus Galumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae) is described from South Africa, based on museum collection material. Galumna (Galumna) paralawrencei sp. n. differs from Galumna (Galumna) lawrencei Jacot, 1940 by the larger body size, the localization of adanal lyrifissures, and the presence of a hump-like structure in the anterior part of the prodorsum and distinctly longer notogastral porose areas Aa, A2, A3 and anal and adanal setae.

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