scholarly journals Seasonal fluctuation of oribatid mite communities in forest microhabitats

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Wehner ◽  
Michael Heethoff ◽  
Adrian Brückner
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Air Humidity ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Community Changes ◽  
Mite Communities

Oribatid mites are abundant and diverse decomposers in almost all terrestrial microhabitats, especially in temperate forests. Although their functional importance in the decomposition system in these forests has been investigated, spatio-temporal patterns of oribatid mite communities inhabiting different microhabitats have largely been neglected. Therefore, we (i) investigated seasonal fluctuation (monthly over one year) in oribatid-mite community structure and specificity to three microhabitats (moss, dead wood and litter) and (ii) analyzed the influence of air temperature and overall air humidity on seasonal community changes. In total, 57,398 adult oribatid mite individuals were collected. Total abundance, species richness and diversity differed among microhabitats. Seasonal changes were most pronounced in moss and least in litter. While overall air humidity had no influence on species distribution and community changes, air temperature positively influenced species richness and diversity, again most pronounced in moss. The calculated environmental temperature occurrence niche showed that 35% of adult oribatid mite species occurred at higher air temperatures. Furthermore, interaction/bipartite networks were more generalized—i.e., species were more equally distributed among moss, dead wood and litter—when ambient air temperatures were higher. This pattern is probably due to the dispersal ability of adult oribatid mites, i.e., species enter a dispersal mode only at higher air temperatures.

Biodiversity of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) along an altitudinal gradient in the Central Alps

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3626 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
BARBARA M. FISCHER ◽  
HEINRICH SCHATZ
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Pine Forest ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Central Alps ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Mite Communities

Oribatid mite communities were studied in the Central Alps(Obergurgl, Tyrol, Austria). Samples were taken on four sites along an altitudinal gradient from 2050 m a.s.l to 2900 m a.s.l., in different vegetation units (pine forest, Nardetum, Caricetum, Androsacetum). A total of 86 species were found, most of them occurred only at one altitude, four species were found in all four study sites. Three taxa could not be ascribed to a certain species (Carabodes sp. Mycobates sp., Tectocepheus sp.). Species richness and density of oribatid mites decrease with increasing altitude. The results are compared with previous studies in the same region and show remarkable shifts in species composition.

scholarly journals Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of bushy patches in steppe vegetation of cape Tarkhankut in Crimea (Ukraine)

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanisław Seniczak ◽  
Sławomir Kaczmarek ◽  
Anna Seniczak
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
Mite Communities

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of bushy patches in steppe vegetation of cape Tarkhankut in Crimea (Ukraine)The density, species number, and age structure of oribatid mites were investigated in bushy patches (elm, hawthorn, hawthorn with rose) in steppe vegetation of cape Tarkhankut (Crimea). In these patches, the density of mites in shrub litter, herbs and moss was higher, but species number was similar like in open steppe vegetation. Hawthorn increased the density distinctly more than hawthorn with rose or bushy elms. In bushy patches, the samples of moss were richer in mites than samples of shrub litter alone or with herbs. Among oribatid mites,Chamobatesc.f.spinosusandTrhypochthonius tectorumwere most abundant, but relatively abundant and common were alsoTectocepheus velatus, Oribatulasp. 1,Achipteria nitens, andBrachychthonius berlesei. In oribatid mite communities, adults dominated, but the age structure of populations greatly depended on vegetation type.

scholarly journals Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of yew, cypress and pine litter in southern Italy

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanisław Seniczak ◽  
Anna Seniczak
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Shannon Index ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Dominance Structure ◽  
Mite Communities ◽  
Cypress Trees

Abstract Oribatid mite communities were investigated in southern Italy in litter under yew, pine and cypress trees. These mites achieved the highest density in yew and cypress litter in a park in the inland town of Caserta, and the lowest density in pine litter at the coast of Capo Vaticano. In these mite communities, only 1-4 species were abundant, so the Shannon index H’ was rather low. The density of oribatid mites, species number, and dominance structure depended greatly on the kind of litter. The most abundant and common was Zygoribatula propinqua, but the highest density in yew litter was achieved by Oribatella superbula. In oribatid mite communities, the juveniles usually dominated, but the age structure of species greatly depended on the kind of litter.

scholarly journals Landscape distribution of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) in Kolkheti National Park (Georgia, Caucasus)*

Zoosymposia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 221-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAKA MURVANIDZE ◽  
LEVAN MUMLADZE ◽  
TEA ARABULI ◽  
ERISTO KVAVADZE
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Sand Dunes ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Humid Forest ◽  
Mite Communities ◽  
Specific Species

The key subject of this investigation was to study distribution patterns of oribatid mites in the main habitats and ecosystems of Kolkheti National Park. Oribatida were studied in 1) sand dunes, 2) Juncus bogs, 3) flooded alder (Alnus barbata C. A. Mey) forests, and 4) humid alder forests. Sampling was conducted in November 2009 at 18 sites along three transects. For exploratory analysis, we applied clustering techniques. Correlation between species number, density and humus was calculated. Chao1 statistics were used to estimate the completeness of sampling. Forty six oribatid species were recorded. The highest Shannon diversity index was registered for alder forests, whereas the lowest index was observed for dunes. In sand dunes 16 species were found, three of which occurred only in this landscape. In Juncus bogs, 32 species were recorded, and 16 were unique to this landscape, including bog specific Zetomimus furcatus (Warburton & Pearce, 1905), Euzetes globulus (Nicolet, 1855) and Punctoribates manzanoensis Hammer, 1958. Twenty two species were found in flooded forests, seven being exclusive. Ten species were recorded in humid forests, and Metabelbella macerochaeta Bulanova-Zachvatkina, 1965 and Eremobelba geographica Berlese, 1908, typical inhabitants of humid forest soils, appeared as exclusive species. Faunal comparisons among landscapes show high similarity between dune and bog oribatid mite communities, followed by flooded and humid alder forests. In dunes and bogs, total faunal density is determined by euryecological species, whereas in alder forests density was determined by high abundance of humid and extremely humid specific species.

scholarly journals Oribatid mites of conventional and organic vineyards in the Valencian Community, Spain

Acarologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (Suppl) ◽  
pp. 119-133
Author(s):  
Anna Seniczak ◽  
Stanisław Seniczak ◽  
Ivan García-Parra ◽  
Francisco Ferragut ◽  
Pilar Xamaní ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Organic Cultivation ◽  
D 20 ◽  
Mite Communities ◽  
Conventional Systems

In this study the oribatid mite communities of conventional and organic vineyards in theValencian Community (Spain) were compared. The soil samples were collected in El Poble Nou de Benitatxell in autumn 2014 and spring 2015 from four sites, treated as replicates, each including a conventional vineyard, an organic vineyard, and a control (natural habitat, i.e. in plots 1-3 an abandoned vineyard, in plot 4 an area never used in agriculture). Two parallel samples were collected in each vineyard from a zone between vine rows, driven by a tractor (Tr), a zone between vines (Vi), the border of the vineyard (Bo) and from a control, making a total of 112 samples. In total 3,225 oribatid mites were obtained represented by 59 species. No differences were found in density of Oribatida between the conventional, organic vineyards and the control, but the species diversity was higher in the control than in the vineyards. In the vineyards the density and species number of the oribatid mites were highest between vines (the average from all vineyards and both seasons was 4,400 individuals per 1 m2, 15 species), followed by the border of the vineyards (2,800 individuals per 1 m2, 14 species) and were lowest between vine rows (400 individuals per 1 m2, 6 species). The species diversity of Oribatida was higher in autumn than in spring, while the density followed this pattern only in the vineyards, but not in the control. In the vineyards Oribatula excavata dominated (D = 25), followed by Minunthozetes quadriareatus and Passalozetes africanus (D = 18 and 14, respectively), while in the control these species were not abundant. In the control the most abundant species was Oppiella subpectinata (D = 28), followed by Eremulus flagellifer (D = 20). Podoribates longipes and Steganacarus boulfekhari are reported for the first time in Spain. To conclude, the oribatid mites did not benefit from the organic cultivation of the vineyards, probably because they are tolerant to herbicides used in the conventional systems but sensitive to mechanical cultivation of soil, which was even more intense in organic vineyards than in the conventional ones.

scholarly journals Soil oribatid mite in four typical vegetation communities of Misiones forest in the Iguazú area, Argentina

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (8) ◽  
pp. 1021-1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Antonio Martínez ◽  
Natalia Andrea Fredes ◽  
Lia Fernanda Montti ◽  
Sergio Alejandro Casertano
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Bamboo Forest ◽  
Mixed Forests ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Mite Communities

The objective of this work was to assess the soil oribatid mite communities in four sites of the Upper Paraná Bosque Atlántico, in the Iguazú National Park, Argentina and in surrounding areas: bamboo forest, palm forest and two mixed forests. A comparison between each pair of sites, based on the presence-absence of oribatid species, was performed using Jaccard's index. This is the first systematic sampling of oribatid mites in this area. A total of 56 genera and 96 oribatid species were found, 25 and 49 of them, respectively, are new citation for Argentina. The highest similarity was found between mixed forests. Almost 68% and 34% of the genera were cited for similar biotopes in Brazil and Paraguay, respectively.

scholarly journals Oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from roofs of houses in Sogn og Fjordane (Norway)

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radomir Graczyk ◽  
Stanisław Seniczak
Keyword(s):  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Maritime Climate ◽  
Roofing Material ◽  
Mite Communities ◽  
Continental Climate ◽  
Typical Soil

Abstract Oribatid mite communities in moss covering the roofs of buildings in towns of Bolstad, Luster, and Sørheim (in Sogn og F jordane, Norway) were investigated. These mites were rather numerous and rich in species, which was caused mainly by the natural roofing material (rock slates) and the temperate and rather stable maritime climate. In these communities the most abundant were Tectocepheus velatus, Dissorhina ornata, Oppiella uliginosa, Quadroppia quadricarinata, and Oribatula exilis, which are typical soil species. Adults usually dominated in the mite communities, except for Bolstad, where the juveniles were slightly more abundant than the adults. Phauloppia lucorum and Trhypochthonius tectorum were the only species of the group of typical inhabitants of roofs of buildings, but were not numerous in Sogn og Fjordane. In continental climate these species are often abundant on roofs of buildings.

scholarly journals Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) of pine and cypress litter in selected habitats of Sicily (Italy)

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanisław Seniczak ◽  
Anna Seniczak
Keyword(s):  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
Small Species ◽  
H Index ◽  
Plant Matter ◽  
Dead Plant ◽  
Evenness Indices ◽  
Mite Communities ◽  
Cypress Trees

Abstract Oribatid mites live in the soil or plant matter and usually feed on living and dead plant or fungal material, lichens, carrion, or some species are rarely predatory. Oribatid communities were investigated in litter under pine and cypress trees in selected locations in Sicily: Etna slopes (near Rifugio Sapienza and near Castiglione di Sicily), coastal town Giardini Naxos, Archaeological Museum in Agrigento, and Archaeological Park in Sagesta. The most abundant and diverse oribatid mites lived in cypress litter in Agrigento and on Etna slope. The lowest numbers of individuals and species were recorded in pine litter in Agrigento. In the oribatid mite communities, only 1-3 species were abundant, so the values of Shannon H’ index, and Pielou EPielou and Hurlbert EHurlbert evenness indices were rather low. Their values were the highest in pine litter near Rifugio Sapienza, located nearest to the crater of Etna, while the lowest in pine litter in Agrigento. The former habitat was rich in oribatid mites and species, with a large participation of small species, like Suctobelbella subcornigera, Brachychthonius impressus, and Liochthonius simplex, which made up nearly 63% of the total number of oribatid mites within that habitat. In other habitats, usually Oribatula propinqua dominated, but in pine and cypress litter in Giardini Naxos, Oppiella nova and Ramusella clavipectinata were the most abundant, respectively. Among oribatid mites, adults usually dominated, but Adrodamaeus femoratus, Aphelacarus acarinus, Brachychthonius impressus, Liochthonius simplex, Cosmochthonius reticulatus, Metabelba pulverulenta and Pilogalumna crassiclava were rich in juveniles.

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