BIODIVERSITY OF SOIL ORIBATID MITE (ACARI : ORIBATIDAE) IN DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS.

Biodiversity of oribatid mites were investigated in different disturbed and undisturbed soil of orchards, vegetables, field crops, greenhouse, forest plants, organic farm, bio-diversity park, spices crops, vermicompost bed, ornamental and medicinal plants in Navsari Agricultural University campus during the year 2018 and 2019. Among 3 suborders Brachypylina contributed 66 per cent of total species recorded in Navsari Agricultural University campus. Total 8 species of the suborder Brachypylina were recorded on different agro-ecosystem and fallow land. Out of all 12 species, the proportion of S. curvialatus was highest (20.67%) and was followed by Scheloribates sp. (15.77%), O. kuehnelti (14.95%), S. huancayensis (10.21%) and J. kuehnelti (10.05%). Maximum numbers of oribatid species were recorded during August-November and moderate population was observed in June-July months during the survey period in different agro-ecosystems. The value of Shannon index of diversity for oribatid mites at Navsari Agricultural University campus is 2.2340 and value of Simpson’s index is 0.1253, evenness of oribatid mite species was 0.6650 while, species richness is 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]