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Aim: Understanding the worldwide distribution of species has fascinated scientists at least since Alfred Russel Wallace. Global patterns of belowground biodiversity may fundamentally differ from those of aboveground organisms. Here, we examine the global pattern and potential mechanisms driving the endemism and overlap of a soil microarthropod taxon. Location: Global. Taxon: Oribatida, Acari. Methods: We investigated the global distribution of oribatid mites in five biogeographic regions including North America, South America, Eurasia, Africa and Oceania using a world list on the distribution of ~11,400 described species (including subspecies) at species, genera and family levels. Results and Main Conclusion: We found that most "endemic" (i.e., only occurring in one of the regions) species (4297) and also genera (143) occurred in Eurasia indicating that this region was the centre of radiation of oribatid mites. Within Eurasia, oribatid mite diversity was highest in Southeast Asia (1975 species) likely reflecting the long tropical history of this region (at least 200 million years), and also high fluctuations in water levels and island formation on the Sunda Shield. On a family level, oribatid mite diversity did not differ between biogeographic regions indicating that oribatid mites are much older than the tropics and older than the existence of Pangaea supporting the view of their origin in the early Palaeozoic. Finally, among the 55 species that occurred in all biogeographic regions nearly 50% reproduce by thelytoky and colonize high latitude ecosystems, indicating that compared to sexual species a disproportionally high number of parthenogenetic species is distributed worldwide suggesting that they possess a general‐purpose genotype. The other ~50% sexuals predominantly occur in tropical/subtropical regions across biogeographic regions supporting the view that resource shortage in tropical regions favours sex. Our findings highlight the importance of biogeographical studies of soil animals to better understand their diversity, distribution and life history strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species checklist is the basic data that reflects the species diversity in a country or region. In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the taxonomic study of oribatid mites in China and the 60th anniversary of the Special Committee of Acarology of the Entomological Society of China, and to explore the China's biodiversity, and scientifically answer "how many species and what species are there in China", we compiled a checklist of Chinese oribatid mites, including a total of 1000 species and 35 subspecies in 311 genera and 158 subgenera representing 112 families. In addition, we provided a brief history of taxonomic research on oribatid mites in China in the past 100 years, Chinese name, literature citations and provincial distribution information of each species and subspecies, and a list of species nomina nuda. This work will support China's actions to implement the "Convention on Biological Diversity", and promote biodiversity research and protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new mesostigmatic mite species, Antennseius (Vitzthumia) circumcaspiussp. nov., is described from Russia and Iran on the adult specimens. This soil-dwelling species populates different habitats (including coastal maritime and inner salty grasslands, forest and orchard soil-litter, and moss) in Kalmykia, Dagestan, Kazakhstan, and Iran. The new species is very close to Antennoseius oudemansi (Thor, 1930); A. janusLindquist & Walter, 1989 (granulate form); and A. koroljevaeChelebiev, 1984. All these species compose together a natural group as designated by Chelebiev (1984). Idiosomal integument of most shields and soft cuticle of their adult is tuberculate-granulate. Females of these species are possessed the inversely trapezoidal opisthonotal shield with posterolateral margins usually emarginated; anal shield bearing only three circumanal setae. Map of records of oudemansi-group members in the Palaearctic and key for their female identification are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) are a large group of soil animals, with small body sizes and complex morphological structures. At present, oribatid mite species identification is essentially based on morphological characters. In this study, we collected 124 specimens of oribatid mites belonging to 110 species of 72 genera in Russia, and extracted their genomic DNA subsequently. In order to investigate whether the molecular data (DNA-barcoding marker, COI gene) and morphological classification results are consistent, we used three methods, ASAP, ABGD and GMYC, to delimit species, and calculate a maximum likelihood tree. The results indicate that COI gene fragments can be effectively used for species delimitation. There are some cryptic species identified in oribatid mites, which do not have distinct morphological differences, but diverge considerably in molecular data. Meanwhile, some formerly unidentified species could be identified through molecular means. The study enriches the molecular data of oribatid mites worldwide and provides the basis for more detailed taxonomic studies of oribatid mites in Russia. In the future, more analyses and mining of molecular data, combined with morphological analyses, will help to reveal and further understand the phylogenetic relationships of Oribatida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phymatodiscidae fam. nov. is diagnosed, with Phymatodiscus as the type genus. A new genus, Bardizon gen. nov., with Bardizon eotvosi sp. nov. (from Indonesia) as the type species, is erected to accommodate the Phymatodiscus species with an eye-like dorsal depression. Six Phymatodiscus species are reclassified as Bardizon: B. aokii (Hiramatsu, 1985), comb. nov., B. haradai (Hiramatsu, 1985), comb. nov., B. oculatus (Hirschmann, 1977), comb. nov., B. kuni (Kontschán & Starý, 2011), comb. nov., B. insolitus (Kontschán & Ripka, 2016), comb. nov., and B. malayicus (Kontschán & Starý, 2012), comb. nov. The new species differs from the previously described congeners in the sculptural pattern, the shapes of the dorsal and ventral setae, and the sculptural pattern of the sternal shield of the male and the genital shield of the female. A list of all known phymatodiscid species is presented. Phymatodiscus titanicus (Berlese, 1905) is moved to the genus Bostocktrachys: B. titanicus (Berlese, 1905), comb. nov. (family Trachyuropodidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a species that alters ecosystems significantly, mainly by depositions of guano, which changes the chemical properties of soil and can lead even to deforestation as well as have a significant impact on soil mite communities. The study was conducted on three islands: abandoned by cormorants recently (Z1), abandoned three years ago (LI) and a site without cormorants (Z2) for comparison. The species composition of island Z1 did not differ significantly from the fauna of the previously studied colonies. Many xerophilous and meadow species occurred on LI island, which was likely caused by deforestation because of cormorant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the investigation on oribatid fauna of agricultural region is carried out for the first time in Yangchun City, Guangdong Province, southeast China. A list of identified taxa, including 19 species from 18 genera and 15 families, is presented. Of these, one species, Dolicheremaeus variolobatus Hammer, 1981, is recorded in China for the first time. 13 species are newly recorded in Guangdong Province. A new species, Unguizetes yangchunensissp. nov., is described. In addition, an updated key to all known species of Unguizetes is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antennoseius (Antennoseius) brasiliensis Martin & Castilho sp. nov. is described based on the morphology of adult females collected from litter/soil of a pasture of the Caatinga biome (relatively hot and dry), in Alagoas state, northeastern Brazil. A key for the separation of females of the 40 recognizable world species of Antennoseius (Antennoseius) is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oribatid mite genus ParapyroppiaPérez-Íñigo & Subías, 1979 (Ceratoppiidae) is reported in China for the first time. During investigation of soil biodiversity in northeast China in 2021, a new species, Parapyroppia changbaiensissp. nov., was found from soil and litter of north slope of Changbai Mountain in Erdaobaihe Town, Jilin Province. The main purpose of study is to describe and illustrate this new species. In addition, an updated generic diagnosis, a checklist and a key to world species of Parapyroppia are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosopis laevigata (mesquite; Fabaceae) forms fertility islands in soils of semi-arid lands where microbial diversity concentrates in response to the accumulation of resources in the soil beneath individual plants, promoting organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. This phenomenon provides suitable conditions for the proliferation of key edaphic elements such as fungi and mites. Mite-fungal interactions are central for our understanding of nutrient cycling processes in resource-limited arid food webs; yet, no information is available about fertility islands in semi-arid lands. Thus, we aimed to determine in vitro fungal-based feeding preferences and molecular gut content of the oribatid mite species Zygoribatula cf. floridana and Scheloribates cf. laevigatus, which are abundant under the canopy of P. laevigata in an intertropical semi-arid zone in Central Mexico. Our results on the gut content analysis of these oribatid species resulted in the ITS-based identification of the following fungi: Aspergillus homomorphus, Beauveria bassiana, Filobasidium sp., Mortierella sp., Roussoella sp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sclerotiniaceae sp. and Triparticalcar sp. Furthermore, under laboratory conditions both oribatid mite species exhibited feeding preferences on melanized fungi, such as Cladosporium spp., whereas A. homomorphus and Fusarium penzigi were avoided. Our findings indicated that the analyzed oribatid mite species have similar feeding preferences for melanized fungi, which might suggest resource partitioning and a degree of preference, explaining the coexistence of both oribatid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ecology & Rural Environment is the property of Journal of Ecology & Rural Environment Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mites of the family Parasitidae Oudemans, 1901 (Acari, Mesostigmata) are widely distributed in soil and litter; some species harbor humus. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Cycetogamasus diviortus, representing a typical arthropod circular genome, with 14,450 bp in length, and encoding 37 genes. The gene order is in line with the reported mitochondrial genomes of other parasitid mite species. Except ND1 and ND5 start with TTG, other genes start with ATN. TAG is the stop codon of COX2, ND3 and ND4. COX3, CYTB and ND1 have special stop codons, which are incomplete stop codons T-, T- and A-, respectively. Other genes end in TAA. All tRNA genes show the typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for the trnS1 (AGN), which lacks the DHU arm and is replaced by a simple loop. The whole mitochondrial genome of C. diviortus showed a heavy AT nucleotide bias (70.71%), a positive AT Skew (0.009), and a negative GC Skew (-0.267). Phylogenetic analyses were performed using Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood methods based on the dataset of mitochondrial nucleotide sequences of 22 mite species. The results showed that Parasitidae and Ologamasidae were more closely related to each other than other Mesostigmata groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of peatlands is an important conservation issue. We investigated communities of soil mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) inhabiting a relatively undisturbed European boreal mire characterized by a mosaic of oligotrophic and meso-eutrophic areas. We assess the potential of using remote sensing approach as a mapping and predictive tool for monitoring productivity and arthropod biodiversity in a peat bog. In georeferenced plots, Acari biodiversity, water table level, water pH and plot productivity class on the oligotrophic-eutrophic gradient were recorded. Data from the Landsat 8 OLI sensor were used to calculate several spectral indices known to represent productivity and surface moisture gradients in terrestrial ecosystems. We then explored the relationship between spectral indices, environmental gradients and biodiversity of mites. We found that several spectral indices were significantly and consistently correlated with local environmental variables and biodiversity of soil mites. The Excess Green Index performed best as a predictor of plot trophic class on the oligotrophic-eutrophic gradient and showed significant relationship with Oribatida diversity in 2016. However, following hot summer in 2019, there was no significant relationship between abundance and species richness of Oribatida and remotely sensed data; there was a weak correlation between abundance of Mesostigmata and spectral indices which represent surface moisture gradient (e.g., Normalised Difference Moisture Index). We discuss advantages and challenges of using spectral indices derived from remote sensing imagery to map biodiversity gradients in a peatland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most abundant arthropod groups in soil, mites play an important role in the soil food web. Considering the lack of knowledge about temporal patterns of agricultural soil mite communities, we focused on the seasonal dynamics of soil mite communities (taxonomic and functional) in an apple orchard in the suburb of Beijing City, China. With sampling once per month for one year, a total of 7238 mites representing 45 species were collected. The top five most abundant species, Scheloribates latipes, Oribatula truncate, Ramusella sengbuschi, Scheloribates fimbriatus javensis, and Tectoribates mahunkai represented 83.5% of the total abundance of adult mites. The abundance, species richness and Shannon index of mites were similar among the four seasons. The soil abiotic factors (temperature and pH) had a significant relationship with some mite groups according to Pearson correlation analysis. Rao's quadratic entropy index (RaoQ), functional evenness index (FEve) and body size of oribatid mites were used to show the community function dynamics among temporal scales. We found that FEve and functional traits of oribatid mites were significantly different among four seasons. These results provide a good reference to understand the seasonal changes of soil mite communities and soil food web functions in orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During investigations of oribatid mites from Shiraz, Fars Province in southern Iran, a new species of Epilohmannia (Acari: Oribatida: Epilohmanniidae) was found from soils under oak and willow trees. Epilohmannia rotundistriata sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species by the broadly rounded rostrum with longitudinal striations; bothridial seta with long, finely barbed stalk and strongly swollen, fusiform head bearing many distinct barbs; anterior margin of notogaster concave; notogastral setae c1 and c2 situated transversely nearly at the same level; anal and adanal setae thickened, barbed, ad3 distinctly shorter than the other two adanal setae; all apodemes well developed; tarsi of leg IV with three thick spine-like setae (a″, s and tc′). A key for identifying known species of Epilohmannia in Iran, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the species composition and structure of thrush nest oribatocenoses under urban conditions in Slovakia and Germany and to further determine the influence of some environmental variables on the oribatid mite community. A total of 1,623 individuals of oribatids in different stages of their life cycles belonging to 53 species and 24 families were identified in a total of 43 nests. Of these, 24 species were recorded in Slovakia, 45 species were recorded in Germany, 20 species occurred in song thrush nests, and 49 species occurred in Eurasian blackbird nests. A total of 17 species were common to both types of nests. A total of thirty species recorded in this study were found in bird nests for the first time. There was a significant difference between the nest species compositions in different localities and between the nest oribatocenosis abundances for the two studied thrush species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In montane environments, as elevation increases, the combination of hydrothermal factors changing and vegetation types changing can cause changes to the soil mite community. To reveal the influence of different vertical vegetation types on the structure and diversity of soil mite communities in the Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage Property, in September 2021, specimen collection and identification of soil mites were carried out under the four typical vegetation zones of coniferous broad-leaved mixed forests (CBF), evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBF), deciduous broad-leaved forests (DBF), and river beach scrubs (RBS) in the Heritage Property. This occurred in order to analyze the community structure of soil mites. A total of 10,563 soil mites were captured in this region, belonging to 3 orders, 67 families, 137 genera; Perscheloribates and Scheloribates are the dominant groups in the area. The number of soil mite genera (CBF > EBF > DBF > RBS) and the number of individuals (RBS > DBF > CBF > EBF) differed between vegetation types. The dominant soil mite genera were not entirely consistent, with the highest values for each soil mite community diversity parameter being in the EBF habitat. The number of soil mite genera and individuals differed among vegetation types in different soil layers. It showed an apparent aggregation towards the surface layer, with complex diversity and richness indices changes. The highest community similarity indices were found between CBF and DBF, which were moderately similar. The cluster analysis results further showed that soil mite communities differed in different vegetation zones and among the same vegetation zones. The predatory gamasid mite structure is mainly r-selective. The ecological groups of oribatid mites are all O-type in the number of groups and P-type in the number of individuals. Lasiobelba, Nanhermannia, Tectocepheus, and Mochlozetes, among others, represent the group of nutrient functions that make up the soil mites in the study area. The study shows that the soil mite community of the Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage Property is rich in groups and shows gradient differences with the vegetation spectrum, and based on the unique subtropical canyon karst habitat of the Heritage Property, the community structure of soil mites will be in the process of adaptation and dynamic change, so long-term dynamic monitoring and in-depth study of the soil mites community structure of the Heritage Property are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences is the property of Xinjiang Agricultural Sciences Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Current and future legislation requiring the reduction of pesticides use, coupled with global initiatives for the promotion of soil health and conservation of soil biodiversity are creating opportunities for studies aimed at highlighting ecosystem services provided by functioning soil food webs in agricultural systems, including soil predatory mites. However, the key personnel for performing such studies are expert taxonomists, who are already spread very thin. To meet this demand, we propose an integrative approach where scientists (without expertise in taxonomy) play a significant role in supporting expert taxonomists. Soil samples were collected at the USDA ARS Farming Systems Project (FSP) at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, either incubated or not, followed by extraction of mites and nematodes. Improved modified Berlese funnels and an extraction protocol were utilized to improve sequencing success. Incubation dramatically enhanced the number of extracted individuals per sample whilst the daily freezing of extracted mites substantially improved the sequencing success rate compared to previous studies. Taken together, this led to the addition of records for eight Mesostigmata and ten Oribatida BINs to BOLD (Barcode of Life Datasystem). Fifteen species of Mesostigmata species were found, with three dominant species, Cycetogamasus diviortus (Athias-Henriot, 1967) (Parasitidae), Lasioseius youcefiAthias-Henriot 1959 (Blattisociidae) and a new species of Gamasellodes (Ascidae). LTSEM imaging followed by molecular identification contributed further details to the published descriptions of C. diviortus and L. youcefi. In line with our general aim, collecting, extracting, identification to morpho-species, sample preparation for DNA barcoding and uploading relevant information to BOLD was performed by trained personnel, but without taxonomic expertise. Whereas our skilled taxonomists focused on the morphological identifications using light microscopy, expanding on existing descriptions using LTSEM images and in a subsequent manuscript the description of a new species. We believe this division of tasks and labor will set the stage for further collaborative integrated studies between ecologists, biocontrol specialists and expert taxonomists for the identification, evaluation, and description of known and novel soil acarine biological control agents (BCAs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the impact of lands in rocky desertification region abandoned in different years on soil mite community structure and to clarify the change trends of mite community structure and diversity during ecological restoration of the abandoned lands, an investigation of soil mites was conducted in 5 abandoned land pieces with different abandonment years in Salaxi Town, Qixingguan District, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China in May 2019. The results we got showed that: among a total of 5,012 soil mites that were captured in this region, they belong to 3 orders, 38 families and 61 genera, respectively, with Platynothrus as the dominant genus. In the lands with different abandonment years, there shows differences in the numbers of soil mite genera, individuals, community diversity and ecological groups. With the extensions of abandonment years, the numbers of genera and individuals and diversity of mites on the lands show an increasing trend. However, as affected by rocky desertification conditions, the trend is not shown that obvious. The predatory gamasid mites (Mesostigmata: Gamasina) in this area are mainly of r-selective type, and the oribatid mites are mainly of M type. So it can be seen that after different years of abandonment, the structures of soil mite communities are different, and the diversity of soil mite communities has not been restored; the soil environment is unstable, and the restoration of the rocky desert ecological environment is still underway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the studies upon predatory mites carried out in Romania. The method used for highlighting the subject is a comprehensive literature survey. We concluded that studies before 2006 provided scarce information about the ecology of predator soil mite communities from different types of ecosystems, highlighting mostly the taxonomical aspects. Later studies provided information about the ecology of the predator soil mite populations from different types of terrestrial ecosystems (shrubs, cliffs, urban, grasslands, etc), and about the correlations between these invertebrates and different environmental variables from natural or anthropic areas from Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, two new species of oribatid mites, Oribotritia paragigassp. nov. from Liaoning Province and Oribotritia mordagaensissp. nov. from Great Khingan, are described. An identification key to all known Chinese species of the genus Oribotritia is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Mesotritia (Oribatida, Oribotritiidae) was represented by eight species in China prior to this work. In this study, two new species, Mesotritia baxoiensissp. nov. from Tibet and Mesotritia paranitidasp. nov. from Xinjiang, are described. An identification key to Chinese species of Mesotritia is provided to facilitate the further study on this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal the differences in the community structure of soil mites under different crop environments in the buffer zone of the Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage Site, soil mites from corn fields (CF), pear tree lands (PL), tobacco fields (TF), grape fields (GF), and plum gardens (PG) were collected in the buffer zone in January 2022. Through the identification of mite specimens and data analysis, differences in the number of families, genera, individuals, individual density, diversity, similarity of communities, ecological groups of oribatid mites, and responses to environmental factors of soil mites under different crop environments were determined. The results showed that: (1) A total of 6941 soil mites were captured in the study area, belonging to 130 genera, 75 families, and 3 orders. The number of soil mite genera (CF and TF > PL > PG > GF) and number of soil mite individuals (PG > PL > GF > TF > CF) showed characteristics of differential distribution and surface soil aggregation in the five habitats. (2) Scheloribates , Protorobotritia , and Tectocepheus were the dominant genera in the study area. Lohmannia , Scheloribates , and Tectocepheus , representative species that indicate a good soil environment, were distributed in the sample plots of CF, PL, and PG to varying degrees, indicating that the ecological environment of these three crops was healthy. (3) The diversity index of PG was the highest, and similarity analysis of the five habitats revealed that they were at a medium level of similarity. (4) The ecological groups of oribatid mites in the different crop environments were dominated by the overall (O) type, which is a combination of Macropylina, Gymnonota, and Poronota. (5) The community structure of soil mites was sensitive to bulk density (BD), natural water content (NWC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), available potassium (AK), and soil organic matter (SOM). Based on the above results, there were differences in the community structures of soil mites under different crop environments in the study area. The identification of the dominant mite genera can preliminarily indicate the environmental conditions of different crops, and a special correlation exists between the community structure of mites and environmental factors. Studying the community structure of mites in different crop environments in the Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage Site buffer zone is important in ensuring the ecological protection and sustainable development of the buffer zone. Furthermore, the results of this study support the role of the buffer zone as an ecological protection barrier for the heritage site.

Eleven species of oribatid mites are reported from Michoacán state, Mexico for the first time: Ceratozetidae: unidentified species of Adoribatella Woolley, 1967; Damaeidae: Belbodamaeus (Lanibelba) palaciosi (Iglesias & Guzmán, 2012); Eremobelbidae: Eremobelba piffli Mahunka, 1985; Microzetidae: Acaroceras (Acaroceras) similis Balogh, 1962; Nothridae: Nothrus anauniensis Canestrini & Fanzago, 1877; Oppiidae: unidentified species of Cheloppia Hammer, 1971; Oppiella (Oppiella) nova (Oudemans, 1902); Pseudoamerioppia barrancensis (Hammer, 1961); Ramusella (Insculptoppia) merimna (Balogh & Mahunka, 1977); Wallworkoppia cervifer (Mahunka, 1983); and Scheloribatidae: Scheloribates (Scheloribates) elegans Hammer, 1958. The genera Cheloppia and Adoribatella are reported for the first time from Mexico.

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is one of the main pests of livestock in Brazil, especially in areas where cattle is raised next to sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) fields in which vinasse is used as a fertilizer. Knowledge about the predatory mites associated with this parasite in the field may be helpful in designing programs to control it biologically. Mites of the family Macrochelidae are known to attack fly immatures, and thus could be helpful in reducing the population of the stable fly in the field. The aim of this paper is to report the macrochelid species found in surveys conducted in northwestern São Paulo state, where the fly is known to be present, including a new species here described, Holostaspella paulista Borges & Azevedo sp. nov., to provide complementary descriptions of the other species collected, and to present a key to the caelata group of Holostaspella. In total, 2,946 macrochelid specimens were collected from 264 samples of soil-litter or soil-cow obtained from two areas of sugarcane plantations, a pasture area and a disturbed patch of the Atlantic Forest in 2018 and 2019. Four species of Macrocheles, two of Holostaspella and one of Glyptholaspis were identified. The predominant species was Macrocheles merdarius (Berlese). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cushion plants can have positive impacts on plant richness in severe environments and possibly across trophic levels on arthropods, an under-studied topic. This study examined whether soil communities under cushions have higher richness and abundance of soil microarthropods than adjacent non-cushion vegetation, and whether differences in collembolan and mite abundance and species richness between cushions and adjacent vegetation increase with elevation. Paired soil samples were taken under cushions of Silene acaulis along the elevation gradient (1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 m a.s.l.), under cushions of Diapensia lapponica on the exposed ridge above the treeline (1000 m a.s.l.), and under adjacent non-cushion plant vegetation. In total, 5853 individuals of collembolans (n = 1705) and mites (n = 4148) were obtained from soil samples and identified to order/species level. S. acaulis cushions had a positive effect on species richness and abundance of collembolans, with richness effects from 1100 m a.s.l. upwards. Oribatid mite richness and abundance were also higher under cushions compared with adjacent vegetation. Species richness of collembolans and oribatids declined with increasing elevation from 1200 m a.s.l. Collembolan abundance peaked at mid-elevation (1200 m a.s.l.) under cushions and adjacent vegetation, while oribatid mite abundance peaked at 1300 m a.s.l. under both vegetation types. D. lapponica cushions on the exposed ridge had significant positive effects on species richness, abundance and diversity index of collembolans, and abundance of oribatids. Cushion plants play an important role in supporting the biodiversity of soil fauna in severe alpine environments, with the positive effects of cushion plants increasing with environmental severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini, is a serious pest of garlic, onion and other crops. The mite is usually found in association with dangerous fungal pathogens such as Fusarium spp. Control of this pest has relied upon the use of synthetic acaricides but chemical control of the bulb mite is difficult because it is able to develop resistance quickly. Thus, alternative control methods, e.g. biological control, need to be developed and implemented. The aim of this study was to assess efficacy of selected strains of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) against adult females of R. robini under laboratory conditions. New EPF strains were isolated from soil samples collected in onion and garlic fields in the Czech Republic and Israel using soil elution and cultivation on selective media. Fungal species were determined using macroscopic, microscopic and molecular markers. The efficacy against R. robini females was tested in 17 isolated and 3 reference strains of EPF. Results revealed high variability among species and strains. The highest efficacy against R. robini mites was found in strains of Metarhizium anisopliae isolated from soil samples collected in the Czech Republic which caused mortality up to 99.3%, and a Metarhizium indigoticum strain from Israel causing 98.3% mortality after four days of bioassay. Isaria fumosorosea strains did not caused mortality higher than 40%. The lowest virulence was found in Beauveria spp. strains causing mortality of mites between 5 and 25%. Median lethal time (LT50) and median lethal concentration (LC50) in the three most virulent strains ranged between 2 and 4 days and between 1.01×104 and 2.36×105 spores/ml, respectively. The concentration-response models indicated that the M. indigoticum strain is more lethal than M. anisopliae strains. The present study showed that some strains of entomopathogenic fungi, especially from the genus Metarhizium, could be perspective biocontrol agents against R. robini. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the special evidence of the flora distribution of soil mites in Turpan Basin, Xinjiang, and provide basic data for the systematic study of soil mites biodiversity conservation and flora distribution. [Methods] From 2015 to 2019, field collection and indoor classification and identification methods were used to study the fauna of the soil mites in the Turpan Basin. [Results] A total of 98 species of soil mites, 77 genera and 59 families were obtained in the study area, including 14 new record species in China, 70 new record species in Xinjiang and 14 known species. The result of floristic analysis showed that: 13 species (13.27%) of the Paleobes, 38 species (38.78%) of the cross-regional Paleobes+Orient, and 8 species (8.16%) of the widespread species. In the division of China's zoogeography, the single-region "Mengxin District" is dominated (18 species, 18.37%). Among the cross-regional distribution types, there are 13 types and 50 species (51.22%) of the cross-regional distribution in Northeast China. . [Conclusion] The soil oridium mites in the Turpan Basin are dominated by the Paleobecian species, and the overlap rate with the Orientalian species is relatively high. China's zoogeographic regions have the characteristics of typical Mongolian and New Zealand regions, and share the most species with Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oribatid mite population was studied in the zonal permafrost pale yellow taiga soil of Central Yakutia, East Siberia. In general, the population of oribatid mites in the studied soil is highly original due to the following features: a considerable difference in the set of species and supraspecific taxa between the studied fauna and those of the neighboring territories; a "fragmentary" character of the oribatid community showing a large proportion of families represented by single genera and of genera represented by single species, as well as low "potential species richness"; strong dominance of the cosmopolitan species Tectocepheus velatus in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necessity of monitoring changes occurring in soil compels us to look for new methods that will allow easy and precise evaluation of the soil quality in a given area. One proposed method is the maturity index (MI) – an index that is based on the distribution of species along the r-to-K continuum in examined populations. In this study, mites from the suborder Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) were examined for their appropriateness in MI-based assessments of soil quality. The first aim of the study was to establish the criteria on the basis of which the evaluation of the r-to-K reproductive strategies was conducted for Uropodina in the examined communities. The second aim was to evaluate the performance of the maturity index of communities of Uropodina as indicator of human-caused disturbance in five areas that are legally protected in Poland. The selected areas were: Białowieża Primeval Forest, Gorce National Park, and three nature reserves: Jakubowo, Las Grądowy nad Mogilnicą, and Cisy Staropolskie im. Leona Wyczółkowskiego. We found that as many as 68 out of the 96 analyzed Uropodina species in Poland are K-stategists. The highest values of the maturity index were recorded for the nature reserves Cisy Staropolskie im. Leona Wyczółkowskiego and the Białowieża Primeval Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductholaspis Emberson is rediagnosed with the description of a new species, Reductholaspis longicorniculussp. nov. Shen & Yi from southwestern China. This is the first report of the genus Reductholaspis from the Oriental Region and the first described male for the genus. Reductholaspis longicorniculussp. nov. is distinguished from R. analis Hyatt & Emberson by the dorsal shield with 28 pairs of setae, posterior margin of the sternal shield with deep hollows lateral to iv2, latigynal sclerites well developed, metasternal plates ovate, all setae on coxae I–IV pilose, tarsus I with proximal pilose setae, and three pairs of lightly sclerotized platelets between the epigynal shield and anal shield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of steganacarid mites (Oribatida, Phthiracaroidea, Steganacaridae), Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) bacillisetussp. nov. from Hainan Province and Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) longicarinatussp. nov. from Guangxi Province, are described and illustrated. Keys to all known species of Atropacarus (Hoplophorella) from China are proposed to facilitate identification of this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At least 35 species of soil mites inhabit seashore biotopes of Shokalsky Island (73° N) in the Kara Sea, Arctic Ocean. Twenty-six Acari species, including seven dominants, have been registered on a model marine marsh profile near the Pereprava River, and their distribution in soil samples collected at three hypsometric levels was analyzed. The following parameters of the soil samples were determined: salinity, granulometric composition, carbon and nitrogen content, and condition of the plant cover. Overall, the species diversity and total abundance of mites increase from lower to higher marsh levels. CCA ordination made it possible to identify a significant correlation between the abundance of Ameronothrus nigrofemoratus, a typical mycetophagous littoral dweller, and the concentration of chlorides in the soil specimens. The distribution of Svalbardia paludicola, Scutacarus offaliensis, Steneotarsonemus arcticus, and two Arctoseius species is primarily determined by drainage properties of the substrate (these mites prefer sandy grounds). Mites abundant at the upper littoral level primarily depend either on the phytomass content (the majority of species) or on concentrations of the main biogenic elements (Nanorchestes cf. gilli,Eustigmaeus cf. tjumeniensis, and Cheilostigmaeuslongisetosus) in the soil samples. The CCA ordination model explains 80.5% of the data dispersion. A comparative analysis of the species structure in mite communities shows that the assemblage inhabiting a high marsh level featuring a well-developed moss layer is the most diverse and distinct. Two acarocoenoses formed under plant associations occupying different marsh levels (ass. Puccinellietum phryganodis and ass. Caricetum subspathaceae) but on similar clayey grounds have the most similarity to each other. Apparently, this is due to the similar duration of seawater inundation periods determined by the drainage conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to establish the effect of management type and of environmental variables on the structure, abundance and species richness of soil mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in twelve urban green areas in Bucharest-Romania. Three categories of ecosystem based upon management type were investigated: protected area, managed (metropolitan, municipal and district parks) and unmanaged urban areas. The environmental variables which were analysed were: soil and air temperature, soil moisture and atmospheric humidity, soil pH and soil penetration resistance. In June 2017, 480 soil samples were taken, using MacFadyen soil core. The same number of measures was made for quantification of environmental variables. Considering these, we observed that soil temperature, air temperature, air humidity and soil penetration resistance differed significantly between all three types of managed urban green area. All investigated environmental variables, especially soil pH, were significantly related to community assemblage. Analysing the entire Mesostigmata community, 68 species were identified, with 790 individuals and 49 immatures. In order to highlight the response of the soil mite communities to the urban conditions, Shannon, dominance, equitability and soil maturity indices were quantified. With one exception (numerical abundance), these indices recorded higher values in unmanaged green areas compared to managed ecosystems. The same trend was observed between different types of managed green areas, with metropolitan parks having a richer acarological fauna than the municipal or district parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In montane environments, as elevation increases, the combination of hydrothermal factors changing and vegetation types changing can cause changes to the soil mite community. To reveal the influence of different vertical vegetation types on the structure and diversity of soil mite communities in the Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage Property, in September 2021, specimen collection and identification of soil mites were carried out under the four typical vegetation zones of coniferous broad-leaved mixed forests (CBF), evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBF), deciduous broad-leaved forests (DBF), and river beach scrubs (RBS) in the Heritage Property. This occurred in order to analyze the community structure of soil mites. A total of 10,563 soil mites were captured in this region, belonging to 3 orders, 67 families, 137 genera; Perscheloribates and Scheloribates are the dominant groups in the area. The number of soil mite genera (CBF > EBF > DBF > RBS) and the number of individuals (RBS > DBF > CBF > EBF) differed between vegetation types. The dominant soil mite genera were not entirely consistent, with the highest values for each soil mite community diversity parameter being in the EBF habitat. The number of soil mite genera and individuals differed among vegetation types in different soil layers. It showed an apparent aggregation towards the surface layer, with complex diversity and richness indices changes. The highest community similarity indices were found between CBF and DBF, which were moderately similar. The cluster analysis results further showed that soil mite communities differed in different vegetation zones and among the same vegetation zones. The predatory gamasid mite structure is mainly r-selective. The ecological groups of oribatid mites are all O-type in the number of groups and P-type in the number of individuals. Lasiobelba, Nanhermannia, Tectocepheus, and Mochlozetes, among others, represent the group of nutrient functions that make up the soil mites in the study area. The study shows that the soil mite community of the Shibing Karst World Natural Heritage Property is rich in groups and shows gradient differences with the vegetation spectrum, and based on the unique subtropical canyon karst habitat of the Heritage Property, the community structure of soil mites will be in the process of adaptation and dynamic change, so long-term dynamic monitoring and in-depth study of the soil mites community structure of the Heritage Property are needed.

This study deals with the data on Turkish records of oribatid mites that play an important role in decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling, and soil formation. Oribatid mites in litter, lichen, moss, and soil collected from Sakarya and Yozgat provinces were sampled between 2014 and 2020. Standard methods were used for extraction, detection, preservation, and preparation of mites from the material collected from study area. Five oribatid mites were for the first time recorded from Turkey, namely Mesotritia (Mesotritia) nuda (Berlese, 1887) (Oribotritiidae), Hoplophorella (Rhacaplacarus) ortizi (Pérez-Íñigo, 1970) (Phthiracaridae), Eremaeus translamellatus Hammer, 1952 (Eremaeidae), Oribatella (Oribatella) foliata Krivolutsky, 1974 (Oribatellidae) and Liebstadia (Liebstadia) longior (Berlese, 1908) (Liebstadiidae). Their geographic distribution and diagnostic morphological characteristics are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geogamasus lasaroi Barros, Azevedo & Castilho sp. nov. is described based on the morphology of adult females collected from soil-litter of a well preserved fragment of the natural vegetation of the Caatinga biome, in Alagoas state, northeastern Brazil. In addition, key information on the morphology of the world Geogamasus species is presented in a tabular format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamasellodes unalpalmi Mesa, Abo-Shnaf & Rueda-Ramirez sp. nov. and Zerconopsis zumbambicae Mesa, Abo-Shnaf & Rueda-Ramirez sp. nov. are described based on the morphology of adults obtained from litter and soil samples collected at Valle del Cauca province, Colombia. A complement to a recently published key to the world species of Gamasellodes and a key for the separation of females of the 18 recognizable world species of Zerconopsis are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species (Rotundabaloghia (Circobaloghia)nagyi sp. nov.) of the rotundabaloghid mites is described based on females and male collected in bamboo leaf litter in Cameroon. The new species differs from the other Afrotropical rotundabaloghid mites in following character combination: female genital shield with long apical process, the setae v7 and v8 long and pilose, v6 long and smooth, v2 short and needle-like, female genital, dorsal and ventral shields are ornamented by irregular pits, sternal setae short and needle-like. This character combination is unknown within the African rotundabaloghids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Arrhenoseius Walter & Lindquist, 2000 is recorded for the first time from the Oriental Realm on the basis of two new species. Arrhenoseius hallidayisp. nov. can be distinguished from other species of the genus by the ventrianal shield bearing five pairs of ventral setae and unsclerotised ventro-lateral cuticle without setae in the adult female, and Arrhenoseius granulatussp. nov. can be distinguished by the ventrianal shield bearing eight pairs of ventral setae and unsclerotised lateral cuticle with six pairs of setae. A key to species of Arrhenoseius is given based on the adult females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to restricted public access to military training fields such areas are quite interesting places for conducting faunistic research that would be simply impossible in other terrains. The area examined in the present study was the former military training field in Olsztyn, with the adjacent Lasek Pieczewski and the valley of Skanda Lake. The major aim of the study was to evaluate the current state of the environment in the terrain of the former military training field and the adjacent areas. In this study mites from the suborder Uropodina and cohort Labidostommatina (Acari: Mesostigmata et Prostigmata) were used as a bioindicators. These mites are useful for this purpose because of their specific habitat preferences. The community of mites in the area under scrutiny contained 23 taxa, comparing to 34 species found in whole voivoideship, which is 68% of local species biodiversity. Oodinychus ovalis turned out to be the most numerous species (the specimens of this species constituted almost 38% of the whole community and the frequency per sample was 55%). The other quite numerous species found in the examined area were Janetiella pulchella and Oodinychus karawaiewi, which constituted over 30% of the whole community. Taking into account the number of species and their habitat preferences two most valuable areas were found: southern part of Lasek Pieczewski and Skanda Lake valley. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3534449

The female and male of Parasitus quadrichaetus Ma & Cui, 1999 are described for the first time. They show that this species is correctly placed in Parasitus sensu lato and not Coprocarpais Hrúzová & Fenďa, 2018. The deutonymph is also redescribed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of steganacarid mites (Oribatida: Phthiracaroidea) from Yunnan Province, Southwest China, Plonaphacarus chuxiongensissp. nov. and Hoplophthiracarus jianchuanensissp. nov., are described and illustrated. Keys to all known species of Plonaphacarus and Hoplophthiracarus from China are proposed to facilitate further studies of these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two species of soil mite of the family Paratydeidae from the late Eocene Rovno amber: Scolotydaeus vlaskini sp. nov. and Tanytydeus pogrebnyaki sp. nov. This is the first formal description of fossils from the family Paratydeidae. These exceptionally well-preserved fossils have very similar morphologies compared to extant species, suggesting that Paratydeidae is a lineage that has experienced extremely slow rates of phenotypic evolution. To infer rates of morphological evolution in this group, we used a combination of tip dating (from the fossils) and internal node dating (based on molecular outgroup time-calibrated analysis) in a Bayesian phylogenetic framework. This analysis inferred Paratydeidae as an ancient lineage, originating 242 Ma (stem group) and diversifying 150 Ma (crown group), having ultraslow average rates of morphological evolution, i.e. 4.53e-04 changes per site per million years, which is equivalent to one change in any of the characters per 46.0 million years, per each branch of the tree. Based on our divergence time estimates, we suggest that the present global distribution of the group could be explained by their early evolution on the Pangaean supercontinent. Analysis of character state distributions in the fossil specimens suggests later extinction of ancestral taxa in the Palaearctic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anthropic ecosystem from Romania was investigated from acarological, vegetation and chemical point of view. The community structures of two groups of mites were studied (Acari: Mesostigmata, Oribatida) from a tailing pond, using transect method, in correlation with concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn and Zn), with abiotic factors (altitude, aspect, soil temperature, soil humidity, soil pH) and biotic factor (vegetation coverage). Taking into account the mite communities, in total, 30 mite species were identified, with 1009 individuals and 18 immatures (10 species with 59 individuals, 5 immatures of Mesostigmata and 20 species with 950 individuals, 13 immatures of Oribatida). The investigated habitats from the tailing pond were grouped in five transects, with different degree of pollution, based on total metal loads. Taking into account of the connection between mites communities, abiotic factors and heavy metals, each transect were characterized through specific relationship. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we revealed that the occurrence of some Oribatida species was strongly correlated with vegetation coverage, soil pH and soil humidity, though concentrations of Cu, As, Mn, Ni and Zn also had an influence. Pb and Zn concentrations were shown to influence the occurrence of Mesostigmata mites. The heterogeneity of mites species richness at 2 m2 scale was correlated with a metric related to the heterogeneity of heavy metals at the same scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]