Diversity

Editorial

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4 pages, 168 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Biodiversity of Mites

by Dariusz J. Gwiazdowicz

Diversity 2021, 13(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13020080 - 15 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3438

Abstract

Nature is a highly complex, intricate system constructed of a network of interdependencies between individual species, their communities and their habitats [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

Research

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17 pages, 824 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Soil Gamasine Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Gamasina) in an Area of Natural Vegetation and Cultivated Areas of the Cerrado Biome in Northern Brazil

by Emiliano Brandão de Azevedo, Letícia Henrique Azevedo, Grazielle Furtado Moreira, Fábio Araújo dos Santos, Marcos Alberto Francisco de Carvalho, Renato de Almeida Sarmento and Raphael de Campos Castilho

Diversity 2020, 12(9), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12090331 - 29 Aug 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3908

Abstract

The Brazilian Cerrado biome has undergone major changes, with the incorporation of new areas for agricultural production. While this can certainly provide for the worldwide growing need for agricultural products, especially food, care should be taken to prevent possible environmental degradation. Worldwide, mites [...] Read more.

The Brazilian Cerrado biome has undergone major changes, with the incorporation of new areas for agricultural production. While this can certainly provide for the worldwide growing need for agricultural products, especially food, care should be taken to prevent possible environmental degradation. Worldwide, mites of the cohort Gamasina constitute the most abundant and diverse group of soil predatory mites, usually considered important in maintaining the ecological balance of natural environments. Little is known about the abundance and diversity of Gamasina in the Cerrado. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the abundance and diversity of Gamasina in soils of natural vegetation and of agroecosystems in Cerrado areas of the northern Brazilian state of Tocantins. This is considered the first step in the determination of possible role of the local predators as biological control agents, and their potential for practical use locally and elsewhere. Soil samples were taken monthly between July 2015 and June 2016. In total, 1373 Gamasina representing 45 species of 24 genera and 9 families were collected. The most abundant Gamasina belonged to Rhodacaridae in areas of the natural vegetation and to Ascidae in the agroecosystems. Abundance and diversity were much higher in the rainy than in the dry season. Rhodacarids and ascids have not been used commercially for pest control, but investigations conducted so far suggest their potential as biological control agents. The confirmation of this possibility and the development of techniques that would allow their maintenance in agricultural areas require subsequent research efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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16 pages, 2933 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Water Mite Diversity (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Parasitengonina: Hydrachnidiae) from Karst Ecosystems in Southern of Mexico: A Barcoding Approach

by Lucia Montes-Ortiz and Manuel Elías-Gutiérrez

Diversity 2020, 12(9), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12090329 - 29 Aug 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4962

Abstract

Water mites represent the most diverse and abundant group of Arachnida in freshwater ecosystems, with about 6000 species described; however, it is estimated that this number represents only 30% of the total expected species. Despite having strong biotic interactions with their community and [...] Read more.

Water mites represent the most diverse and abundant group of Arachnida in freshwater ecosystems, with about 6000 species described; however, it is estimated that this number represents only 30% of the total expected species. Despite having strong biotic interactions with their community and having the potential to be exceptional bioindicators, they are frequently excluded from studies of water quality or ecology, due to actual and perceived difficulties of taxonomic identification in this group. The objective of this study is to use the variations in the sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), also known as the DNA barcodes region, as a tool to assess the diversity of water mites at 24 sites in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. We found 77 genetic groups or putative species corresponding to 18 genera: Arrenurus, Atractides, Centrolimnesia, Eylais, Geayia, Hydrodroma, Hydryphantes, Hygrobates, Koenikea, Krendowskia, Limnesia, Limnochares, Mamersellides, Mideopsis, Neumania, Piona, Torrenticola, and Unionicola. This was significant, since there are only 35 species described for this region. Furthermore, this molecular information has allowed us to infer that there are characteristic assemblies per site. These data will facilitate the incorporation of water mites in different studies while the curatorial work continues to assign a Linnaean name. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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36 pages, 2459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Distribution of Mites (Acari: Ixodida, Mesostigmata, Trombidiformes, Sarcoptiformes) in the Svalbard Archipelago

by Anna Seniczak, Stanisław Seniczak, Marla D. Schwarzfeld, Stephen J. Coulson and Dariusz J. Gwiazdowicz

Diversity 2020, 12(9), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12090323 - 25 Aug 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5112

Abstract

Svalbard is a singular region to study biodiversity. Located at a high latitude and geographically isolated, the archipelago possesses widely varying environmental conditions and unique flora and fauna communities. It is also here where particularly rapid environmental changes are occurring, having amongst the [...] Read more.

Svalbard is a singular region to study biodiversity. Located at a high latitude and geographically isolated, the archipelago possesses widely varying environmental conditions and unique flora and fauna communities. It is also here where particularly rapid environmental changes are occurring, having amongst the fastest increases in mean air temperature in the Arctic. One of the most common and species-rich invertebrate groups in Svalbard is the mites (Acari). We here describe the characteristics of the Svalbard acarofauna, and, as a baseline, an updated inventory of 178 species (one Ixodida, 36 Mesostigmata, 43 Trombidiformes, and 98 Sarcoptiformes) along with their occurrences. In contrast to the Trombidiformes and Sarcoptiformes, which are dominated in Svalbard by species with wide geographical distributions, the Mesostigmata include many Arctic species (39%); it would thus be an interesting future study to determine if mesostigmatid communities are more affected by global warming then other mite groups. A large number of new species (42 spp.) have been described from Svalbard, including 15 that have so far been found exclusively there. It is yet uncertain if any of these latter species are endemic: six are recent findings, the others are old records and, in most cases, impossible to verify. That the Arctic is still insufficiently sampled also limits conclusions concerning endemicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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13 pages, 1211 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Crenal Habitats: Sources of Water Mite (Acari: Hydrachnidia) Diversity

by Ivana Pozojević, Vladimir Pešić, Tom Goldschmidt and Sanja Gottstein

Diversity 2020, 12(9), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12090316 - 20 Aug 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2953

Abstract

Many studies emphasized the role that water mites play within the invertebrate communities of spring ecosystems, regarding species diversity and its significance within the crenal food web, as well as the specific preferences water mites exhibit towards spring typology. In pristine natural springs [...] Read more.

Many studies emphasized the role that water mites play within the invertebrate communities of spring ecosystems, regarding species diversity and its significance within the crenal food web, as well as the specific preferences water mites exhibit towards spring typology. In pristine natural springs with permanent flow, water mites are nearly always present and usually display high diversity. This study aimed to determine whether significant differences in water mite assemblages between rheocrene (river-forming springs with dominant riffle habitats) and limnocrene (lake-forming springs with dominant pool habitats) karst springs could be detected in terms of species richness, diversity and abundance, but also in different ratios of specific synecological groups: crenobiont (exclusively found in springs), crenophilous (associated with springs) and stygophilous (associated with groundwater) water mite taxa. Our research was carried out on four limnocrenes and four rheocrenes in the Dinaric karst region of Croatia. Seasonal samples (20 sub-samples per sampling) were taken at each spring with a 200-µm net, taking into consideration all microhabitat types with coverage of at least 5%. Water mite abundance was found not to differ between morphological spring types. Significantly higher values of species richness and diversity indices were found in rheocrenes compared to limnocrenes, like those usually reported for this type of springs. However, unlike the studies previously reported, in this case, the higher shares of crenophilous and crenobiont water mite individuals were found in limnocrenes. The differences between stygophilous water mite taxa ratios among spring morphotypes were not statistically significant, indicating that the degree of the groundwater/surface water interaction (and water mite interaction therein) does not seem to be directly influenced by spring morphotype. Within this research, 40% of identified water mite species (eight out of twenty) were recorded for the first time in Croatia, thus highlighting again a huge gap in water mite knowledge of karst springs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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22 pages, 10065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Endemism of Uropodina Mites: Spurious or Real?

by Jerzy Błoszyk and Agnieszka Napierała

Diversity 2020, 12(7), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12070283 - 18 Jul 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3363

Abstract

Analyzing the data from the existing literature about geographic distribution of mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata), one can get the impression that this group of mites is characterized by an unusual extent of endemism on a global scale. This observation encouraged [...] Read more.

Analyzing the data from the existing literature about geographic distribution of mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata), one can get the impression that this group of mites is characterized by an unusual extent of endemism on a global scale. This observation encouraged the authors of this study to ascertain whether endemism in Uropodina mites is a real feature of this group or whether it stems from the current state of affairs in this field of research. The study is based on evidence from the literature on the topic and data obtained from long-term research conducted on extensive materials from all over the globe (over 40,000 samples). The discussion presented in the article is supported by many examples, showing that both hypotheses can in fact be proved right. The major point of reference in this study is the fairly well-known fauna of Uropodina in Europe, whereas South America is the testing area for the two hypotheses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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38 pages, 1895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Biodiversity of Demodecid Mites (Acariformes: Prostigmata), Specific Parasites of Mammals with a Global Checklist and a New Finding for Demodex sciurinus

by Joanna N. Izdebska and Leszek Rolbiecki

Diversity 2020, 12(7), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12070261 - 30 Jun 2020

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 10329

Abstract

Demodecidae are the most specialized parasitic mites of mammals; they typically inhabit the skin, but they have been found in other tissues and organs. They can cause demodecosis (a disease which is hazardous and difficult to cure) in humans, domestic animals and livestock. [...] Read more.

Demodecidae are the most specialized parasitic mites of mammals; they typically inhabit the skin, but they have been found in other tissues and organs. They can cause demodecosis (a disease which is hazardous and difficult to cure) in humans, domestic animals and livestock. They are parasites with high host and topical specificity. They have been found for most orders of mammals, and they are common in the populations of numerous host species. Therefore, they not only constitute an important subject of veterinary and medical study, but also comprise an excellent model for faunistic and parasitological analyses concerning different aspects of functioning and evolution of the host–parasite relationship. The current level or knowledge of demodecid mites is irregular and fragmentary, and numerous questions require elaboration and ordering, from the taxonomic diversity to geographic distribution and relations with hosts. Such data may be of use i.a. for the development of more efficient and reliable diagnostic methods, as well as understanding the etiology and pathogenesis mechanisms of demodecosis, currently a contentious issue. The present paper lists all formally-described valid species of demodecid mites, together with other functioning specific names, verified and with comments on their status. This is significant for correct species identification and demodecosis diagnostics. The list has been drawn up on the basis of data acquired in the period 1842−2020. It contains 122 valid species of parasite, including their hosts and geographic distribution, data on parasitism, as well as only the second record of Demodex sciurinus in Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris in over 100 years since its initial discovery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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11 pages, 7110 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Revisiting the Evolution of Arboreal Life in Oribatid Mites

by Sylvia Schäffer, Stephan Koblmüller and Günther Krisper

Diversity 2020, 12(6), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12060255 - 22 Jun 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4017

Abstract

Though mostly soil dwelling, oribatid mites are found in all kind of habitats, with several species exclusively living on trees. Using previously published DNA sequences and eco-morphological data available from the literature, we inferred the number of transitions between soil dwelling to a [...] Read more.

Though mostly soil dwelling, oribatid mites are found in all kind of habitats, with several species exclusively living on trees. Using previously published DNA sequences and eco-morphological data available from the literature, we inferred the number of transitions between soil dwelling to a truly arboreal lifestyle in oribatid mites and the shape evolution of a particular morphological structure of a sense organ (bothridial seta (= sensillus) of a trichobothrium), the shape of which was previously reported to be associated with an arboreal lifestyle. Our data suggest that a truly arboreal lifestyle evolved several times independently in oribatid mites, but much less often than previously proposed in the past. Even though all truly arboreal species indeed seem to possess a capitate sensillus, this character is not exclusive for arboreal taxa. Nonetheless, since all truly arboreal species do have a capitate sensillus, this might be considered an important (pre-)adaptation to a life on trees. We further provide guidelines on how the term “arboreal” should be applied in future mite research and emphasize the importance of exact microhabitat characterization, as this will greatly facilitate comparisons across studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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16 pages, 663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cereal Straw Mulching in Strawberry—A Facilitator of Plant Visits by Edaphic Predatory Mites at Night?

by Fernanda de Cássia Neves Esteca, Nina Trandem, Ingeborg Klingen, Jandir Cruz Santos, Italo Delalibera Júnior and Gilberto José de Moraes

Diversity 2020, 12(6), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12060242 - 13 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4556

Abstract

In Norway, strawberry producers use cereal straw mulching to prevent berries from contacting the soil and to control weeds. We hypothesized that organic matter such as straw mulch also favors the maintenance of predatory mites which visit strawberry plants at nighttime. We compared [...] Read more.

In Norway, strawberry producers use cereal straw mulching to prevent berries from contacting the soil and to control weeds. We hypothesized that organic matter such as straw mulch also favors the maintenance of predatory mites which visit strawberry plants at nighttime. We compared mite diversity in cereal straw exposed for different periods in strawberry fields and evaluated their possible migration to plants in two experiments with potted plants in 2019. An ‘Early season’ experiment compared no mulching (T1), oat straw mulch exposed in field since 2018 (T2), or 2017 (T3), while a ‘Mid-season’ experiment compared no mulching (T1), barley straw mulch from 2018 (T2), or a mix from 2017 and 2018 (T3). To provide edaphic predatory mites with a potential source of food, all plants were infested with two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Results suggested that straw mulch facilitates the prevalence of predatory mites in strawberry fields. Most predatory mite visits were at night, confirming our initial hypothesis. Predominant nocturnal mites on leaves belonged to Melicharidae (Proctolaelaps sp.) (‘Early season’, T2), Blattisociidae (Lasioseius sp.) (‘Early and Mid-season’, T3) and Phytoseiidae (‘Mid-season’, T2). Parasitus consanguineus Oudemans & Voigts was the predominant species (‘Early season’, T3) at the base of plants. Anystidae were diurnal visitors only (‘Mid-season’, T2). Future studies should evaluate the predation potential of Proctolaelaps sp. and Lasioseius sp. on two-spotted spider mite and other strawberry pests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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14 pages, 2371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patterns of Distribution of Phoretic Deutonymphs of Uropodina on Longhorn Beetles in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Central Europe

by Szymon Konwerski, Jerzy M. Gutowski and Jerzy Błoszyk

Diversity 2020, 12(6), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12060239 - 12 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3059

Abstract

We studied the distributional patterns of phoretic deutonymphs of the genera Oodinychus and Trichouropoda (Uropodina) on the longhorn beetles Monochamus sartor urussovii, Plagionotus detritus, Tetropium castaneum, and Te. fuscum, based on large samples of specimens (992 beetles and 25,587 [...] Read more.

We studied the distributional patterns of phoretic deutonymphs of the genera Oodinychus and Trichouropoda (Uropodina) on the longhorn beetles Monochamus sartor urussovii, Plagionotus detritus, Tetropium castaneum, and Te. fuscum, based on large samples of specimens (992 beetles and 25,587 mites) collected in the Białowieża Primeval Forest in Central Europe in the years 2008 and 2012–2016. All the studied phoretic phoront-host associations are characterized by different patterns of the attachment sites of mites on beetle’s body. In the case of O. ovalis and M. sartor urussovii association, the deutonymphs were found mostly on the pronotum and dorsal surface of the elytra. This is the only instance in which phoronts were absent on the legs. Deutonymphs of T. sociata on P. detritus preferred the abdomnen (both tergites and ventrites) and the hindlegs. Only in this case the phoronts were attached inside the subelytral space. The highest number of deutonymphs of T. shcherbakae on both Tetropium species occured on the legs. In the case of Te. castaneum, similar proportions of mites were recorded on all pairs of legs, while the preferred location of mites phoretic on Te. fuscum were the forelegs. Both the preferences of phoretic deutonymphs for specific parts of the host’s body and the participation of carriers transporting deutonymphs on particular parts of their bodies were very consistent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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19 pages, 2362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Oribatid Fauna of the East European Tundra with First Reported Data of Subpolar Urals

by Elena N. Melekhina

Diversity 2020, 12(6), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12060235 - 10 Jun 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2938

Abstract

This study presents data on the oribatid mite fauna of the Subpolar Urals for the first time. Observations were made in the Lembekoyu River valley and 35 species of oribatid mites from 24 genera and 21 families were found. The analysis of taxonomic [...] Read more.

This study presents data on the oribatid mite fauna of the Subpolar Urals for the first time. Observations were made in the Lembekoyu River valley and 35 species of oribatid mites from 24 genera and 21 families were found. The analysis of taxonomic diversity and distribution of East European tundra oribatid mite species is presented based on available literature and the author’s own research findings. The taxonomic list includes 163 species from 81 genera and 45 families. Ceratozetidae (15 species), Crotoniidae (14 species), Oppiidae (12 species), Suctobelbidae (12 species), Damaeidae (9 species), Brachychthoniidae (8 species), Phthiracaridae (5 species), Humerobatidae (5 species), Achipteriidae (5 species), Punctoribatidae (5 species), and Galumnidae (5 species) are the leading families, comprising more than 58% of all species. The zoogeographical structure of the fauna is dominated by widely distributed Holarctic, cosmopolitan, and semi-cosmopolitan species. The share of Palaearctic species is 23%. The specificity of the fauna of East European tundra manifests itself in the small group of Arctic species, both in the mainland tundra and on the Arctic islands. A complex of arctic-boreal species, widely distributed in the Eurasian sector of the Arctic, is distinguished. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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12 pages, 1461 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Snap-Shot of Domatial Mite Diversity of Coffea arabica in Comparison to the Adjacent Umtamvuna Forest in South Africa

by Sivuyisiwe Situngu, Nigel P. Barker and Susanne Vetter

Diversity 2020, 12(2), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12020079 - 18 Feb 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3152

Abstract

Some plant species possess structures known as leaf domatia, which house mites. The association between domatia-bearing plants and mites has been proposed to be mutualistic, and has been found to be important in species of economic value, such as grapes, cotton, avocado and [...] Read more.

Some plant species possess structures known as leaf domatia, which house mites. The association between domatia-bearing plants and mites has been proposed to be mutualistic, and has been found to be important in species of economic value, such as grapes, cotton, avocado and coffee. This is because leaf domatia affect the distribution, diversity and abundance of predatory and mycophagous mites found on the leaf surface. As a result, plants are thought to benefit from increased defence against pathogens and small arthropod herbivores. This study assesses the relative diversity and composition of mites on an economically important plant host (Coffea aribica) in comparison to mites found in a neighbouring indigenous forest in South Africa. Our results showed that the coffee plantations were associated with only predatory mites, some of which are indigenous to South Africa. This indicates that coffee plantations are able to be successfully colonised by indigenous beneficial mites. We also found an “edge effect”, in that coffee trees at the edge of the plantation hosted fewer mite species. These results are a snap-shot from a single sampling period. Nonetheless, they highlight the potential importance of this mutualism in commercial crop species and the possible role of faunal exchanges between indigenous and exotic crop species. This study expands our understanding of the mite–plant mutualism in Southern Africa, a region where acarological studies are sparse. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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Review

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26 pages, 2502 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Biodiversity of Water Mites That Prey on and Parasitize Mosquitoes

by Adrian A. Vasquez, Bana A. Kabalan, Jeffrey L. Ram and Carol J. Miller

Diversity 2020, 12(6), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/d12060226 - 6 Jun 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 8644

Abstract

Water mites form one of the most biodiverse groups within the aquatic arachnid class. These freshwater macroinvertebrates are predators and parasites of the equally diverse nematocerous Dipterans, such as mosquitoes, and water mites are believed to have diversified as a result of these [...] Read more.

Water mites form one of the most biodiverse groups within the aquatic arachnid class. These freshwater macroinvertebrates are predators and parasites of the equally diverse nematocerous Dipterans, such as mosquitoes, and water mites are believed to have diversified as a result of these predatory and parasitic relationships. Through these two major biotic interactions, water mites have been found to greatly impact a variety of mosquito species. Although these predatory and parasitic interactions are important in aquatic ecology, very little is known about the diversity of water mites that interact with mosquitoes. In this paper, we review and update the past literature on the predatory and parasitic mite–mosquito relationships, update past records, discuss the biogeographic range of these interactions, and add our own recent findings on this topic conducted in habitats around the Laurentian Great Lakes. The possible impact on human health, along with the importance of water mite predator–prey dynamics in aquatic food webs, motivates an increase in future research on this aquatic predator and parasite and may reveal novel ecological functions that these parasitic and predator–prey relationships mediate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity of Mites)

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